Rita Pappas, MD
Pediatric Hospital Medicine
Highlights
Age Groups Seen
- Child
- Adolescent
Languages
- English
Gender
FemaleAbout Rita Pappas
Biography
Dr. Rita M. Pappas is a dual board-certified pediatrician (general pediatrics and pediatric hospital medicine). She is the current Interim Chief of the Obstetrics Gynecology Institute and the Children’s Institute. She has been recognized as a fellow in prominent medical societies (American Academy of Pediatrics and Society of Hospital Medicine), contributed to family-centered care initiatives, and participated actively in medical education and quality improvement programs. Dr. Pappas also held key positions such as Chief Medical Officer for Cleveland Clinic Hope Hospital and for the 2020 Presidential and Vice-Presidential Debates.
Education & Board Certifications
Education
- Residency: Rainbow, Babies & Childrens University Hospitals, 2004
- Medical Education: Wright State University School of Medicine, 2001
- Undergraduate: Ursuline College, 1988
Board Certifications
- Pediatric Hospital Medicine: American Board of Pediatrics, 2022
- Pediatrics: American Board of Pediatrics, 2004
Professional Highlights
- Best Doctors in America, 2007 - present
- America's Top Pediatricians, 2007 - present
- Cambridge "Who's Who Among Executives and Professionals" in Pediatrics, 2007 - present
Additional Training
Cleveland Clinic Healthcare Executive Leadership Program 2026, Wharton
Awards
- William Lower Founders Professional Staff Award, 2024
- Nightingale Physician Collaboration Award, 2020
Professional Memberships
American Academy of Pediatrics, Fellow of American Academy of Pediatrics
Society of Hospital Medicine
Research & Publications
See publications for this provider. (Disclaimer: This search is powered by PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. PubMed is a third-party website with no affiliation with Cleveland Clinic.)
Industry Relationships
Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists collaborate with industry to advance medical breakthroughs. These partnerships help commercialize discoveries for public benefit while maintaining scientific integrity. To ensure transparency and minimize potential bias, Cleveland Clinic reviews these relationships and publicly discloses when physicians/scientists receive significant compensation for consulting, serve in fiduciary roles, receive royalties, or hold equity interests related to their work. We manage potential conflicts through approval processes, annual reporting, and targeted management plans.
As of 2025-10-03, Dr. Pappas has reported no financial relationship with industry that is applicable to this listing.
In general, patients should feel free to contact their doctor about any of the relationships and how the relationships are overseen by Cleveland Clinic. To learn more about Cleveland Clinic's policies on collaborations with industry and innovation management, go to our Integrity in Innovation page.
Public Health Service-Reportable Financial Conflicts of Interest. Cleveland Clinic scientists and physicians engage in basic, translational and clinical research activities, working to solve health problems, enhance patient care and improve quality of life for patients. Interactions with industry are essential to bringing the researchers' discoveries to the public, but can present the potential for conflicts of interest related to their research activities. Click here to view a listing of instances where Cleveland Clinic has identified a Public Health Service (PHS)-Reportable Financial Conflict of Interest and has put measures in place to ensure that, to the extent possible, the design, conduct and reporting of the research is free from bias.
* Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists subscribe to the guidance presented in the PhRMA Code on Interactions with Healthcare Professionals and the AdvaMed Code of Ethics on Interactions with Health Care Professionals. As such, gifts of substantial value are generally prohibited.