James E. Shmerling is the president and CEO at Connecticut Children’s, a nationally recognized leader for driving innovation in pediatrics and pediatric research.
For over four decades, Shmerling has served in management roles in children’s hospitals, devoting his career to advocating for children and healthy communities. In his capacity as CEO, Shmerling is responsible for overseeing the medical center, the physician practice group (Connecticut Children’s Specialty Group), its foundation, and its home care company (All Pointe).
The health system operates in over 40 sites of service throughout the state of Connecticut, eastern Massachusetts and western New York.
What have been the biggest professional accomplishments in your career?
Over the course of the last 45 years in children’s hospitals, I have had the privilege of overseeing the construction of two children’s hospitals, the first at Vanderbilt University (Monroe Carrell Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt University) and the second in Colorado (Colorado Children’s).
Both of these institutions were built to expand access to state-of-the-art children’s hospitals affiliated with strong academic medical centers that advance discovery and innovation, benefiting children’s health and healing.
In addition, I have served in leadership roles in national boards and committees related to children’s health, including the Children’s Hospital Association and the American Hospital Association’s Maternal and Child Health Council.
I am even more pleased that six children’s hospital executives across the country have worked with and for me in various capacities, leading to their current leadership roles. It is the legacy I am most proud of.
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In what ways are you involved in the community?
Over the last 10 years, while serving as the CEO of Connecticut Children’s, I have engaged in a number of community leadership roles. I served as a board member on the Hartford Board of Education and currently serve on the board of the United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut.
On the Job
Guiding business principle: ‘If you don’t know where you are going, you might end up somewhere else,’ Yogi Bera.
Best way to keep your competitive edge: ‘If a window of opportunity appears, don’t pull down the shade,’ Tom Peters.
Best business decision: Hiring executives much smarter than me, six of whom are now leading children’s hospitals across the country.
Worst business decision: Deciding to retire early at the age of 71.
Biggest missed opportunity: Not retiring in 2024.
Goal yet to be achieved: Attending and graduating from law school.
Personal touch in your office: Photos of my 10 grandchildren, which consume most of my shelf space.
Personal Side
Place of residence: Hartford
Favorite way to relax: Reading “alternative literature,” i.e., fiction.
Hobbies: Travel and photography
Last vacation: London, Liverpool, and a cross-country tour through Scotland.
Favorite movie: “Fiddler on the Roof”
The car you drive: Lexus RX450 H
Currently reading: “Deadly Bonds,” by L.J. Sellers
Favorite cause: Childhood literacy; Imagination Library
Second choice career: M&A law practice