← Our Team
MW

Mark Wulkan, MD

Executive & Surgical Leadership Consultant

Executive Roles
Surgeon-in-Chief
Chair of Surgery, Akron Children's Hospital
CEO, International Pediatric Endosurgery Group (IPEG)
Medical Director of Informatics, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
Current Affiliation
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA)
Areas of Expertise
Surgical leadership & strategy
Healthcare executive coaching
Operational improvement
Clinical informatics & AI
Pediatric surgery
Program development
Professional Societies
International Pediatric Endosurgery Group (IPEG)
American Pediatric Surgical Association
American College of Surgeons
Schedule a Consultation
Background

25+ years of healthcare leadership, from the OR to the C-suite.

Dr. Mark Wulkan brings a rare combination to consulting: deep surgical expertise, extensive executive leadership experience, and a track record of building and transforming high-performance healthcare programs. Over a career spanning more than 25 years, he has held virtually every senior leadership role in academic pediatric surgery — giving him an uncommon perspective on the challenges facing hospital leaders today.

As Surgeon-in-Chief, Dr. Wulkan led surgical programs through periods of significant growth, organizational change, and clinical innovation. As Chair of Surgery at Akron Children's Hospital, he shaped departmental strategy, faculty development, and operational performance across a major academic medical center. As CEO of the International Pediatric Endosurgery Group (IPEG), he gained experience leading a global professional organization and shaping the direction of a surgical subspecialty.

His tenure as Medical Director of Informatics at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta reflects an additional dimension of his expertise: understanding how technology, data, and digital strategy intersect with clinical and operational goals. This perspective is increasingly rare — and increasingly valuable — in healthcare leadership circles.

At Intero Health, Dr. Wulkan focuses on advising C-suite leaders, department chairs, and surgical program directors on the full spectrum of strategic and operational challenges they face. His approach is direct, evidence-based, and shaped by decades of making the kinds of decisions his clients are now navigating.

Consulting Focus

What Dr. Wulkan advises on.

Strategic Planning

Helping hospitals and health systems define clear strategic direction for surgical programs, service lines, and departments — with particular depth in pediatric surgical programs.

Executive Leadership Development

Advising new and experienced Surgeons-in-Chief and Department Chairs on leadership structure, team building, governance, and navigating the physician-administrator relationship.

Surgical Program Development

Designing and launching new surgical programs, or substantially improving existing ones — with expertise in clinical program design, staffing models, and outcomes frameworks.

Operational Improvement

Driving measurable improvements in OR efficiency, physician productivity, cost structure, and clinical quality — drawing on direct experience running large surgical programs.

Digital Health & AI Strategy

Guiding clinical and executive leaders on the practical adoption of AI and digital health tools — including how to evaluate, implement, and govern emerging technologies in clinical settings.

Speaking & Keynotes

Engaging, substantive presentations for hospital leadership forums, surgical conferences, and professional society meetings on leadership, innovation, and the future of surgical care.

Work with Dr. Wulkan.

Schedule an initial conversation to discuss your organization's challenges and explore whether Intero Health is the right partner.