'The Little Couple' star Jen Arnold joins Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg as a medical director

ST. PETERSBURG — Dr. Jen Arnold, who with her husband stars on the reality television show The Little Couple on TLC, is now a medical director at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital.

Arnold, 43, joined the hospital earlier this month as medical director of the Simulation Center, which trains clinical staff and graduate students in high-risk or emergency situations. The Research & Education Building, where the center will be housed, is currently under construction and is set to open in the fall of 2018.

Arnold's family life and career as a neonatologist with spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia, a rare genetic disorder that stunted her growth and caused orthopedic complications, is featured on the TLC show. In season nine, which premieres Sept. 19, her family's move to Florida plays a significant part. After nine years, Arnold is leaving behind her job as a medical director of simulation at Texas Children's Hospital in Houston to return to her hometown. She and her husband, Bill Klein, have two children.

Arnold was born at St. Anthony's Hospital in St. Petersburg and was transferred to All Children's neonatal intensive care unit as an infant.

After completing her undergraduate studies at the University of Miami in 1996, Arnold received her medical degree at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore. She also collaborated with Dr. Betsy Hunt, director of the Johns Hopkins Medicine Simulation Center in Baltimore.

Dr. Jonathan Ellen, president and vice dean of All Children's, said in a statement that Arnold's role will be critical at the center.

"Dr. Arnold will help us to expand our mission to improve patient safety and outcomes for children," he said.

Arnold will also serve as a part-time assistant professor at John Hopkins University. In a statement, she said she plans on teaching medical graduate students on how to give instructions to parents to care for premature infants when they leave the hospital. She also plans on extending the training to first responders and military personnel.

"I'm thrilled to return home to Florida," she said in a statement. "The opportunity at Johns Hopkins All Children's is a perfect fit personally for me, my husband and two kids and professionally with the growing education and research resources at the hospital."

Contact Melissa Gomez at mgomez@tampabay.com. Follow @MelissaGomez004.