Welcome to the Pediatric Department Newsletter! This publication is designed to connect our alumni with our academic team members— faculty, staff, and trainees alike. Our goal is to strengthen the bonds within our community, locally and nationally, ensuring we stay connected no matter where your journey has taken you. Let’s continue to support, celebrate, and uplift each other as a vibrant academic network. If you’re considering returning, we also have open faculty positions—be sure to explore them here: https://apply.interfolio.com/50272/positions.

Please stay connected to us:

As we embrace the winter season and welcome a new year, I find myself reflecting with gratitude on the strength and spirit of our UVA Pediatrics community. Each year brings new opportunities to grow, reconnect, and celebrate the meaningful work happening across our department—and 2026 is no exception.

Our community continues to inspire us with its achievements, leadership, and unwavering commitment to children and families. Whether you are practicing across Virginia or across the United States, your contributions elevate our shared mission and deepen the legacy of excellence that defines our program.

This season also marks a time of renewal. We are energized by the fresh perspectives of our newest trainees, excited by ongoing innovation in our clinical and academic programs, and proud of the partnerships that extend our reach into the communities we serve. I look forward to strengthening these connections with you in the coming year.

Thank you for your continued engagement, your generosity, and the important work you do every day. I wish you a warm, restorative winter season and a bright and fulfilling start to the new year.

Also, do let us know of your achievements over the years- we would love to celebrate the accomplishments of our alumni.

Warm regards,

Madhu Misra, MD, MPH

Benjamin Armistead Shepherd, Professor and Chair, Department of Pediatrics, UVA

Physician-in-Chief, UVA Health Children's

PAS Details

Please note the details for this year’s event at PAS below. The initial invitation will be sent out in early February.

Date: April 25

Time: 6-7:30 pm

Location: Westin Boston Seaport District, Griffin Room

RSVP link: https://www.uvamedalum.org/events/uva-department-of-pediatrics-reception-at-pas-2026/

Virginia Top Doctors 2026

Adolescent Medicine

• Susan Gray
• Julia Taylor

Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology

• April Bingham
• Kara Coffey
• Jon Hemler
• Samantha Minnicozzi
• Aarat Patel
• Barrett Barnes (secondary appt)
• Monica Lawrence (secondary appt)
• Emily McGowan (secondary appt)

Anesthesiology

• Barbara Castro
• Christopher Stemland

Cardiology

• Peter Dean
• Douglas Allen
• Firezer Haregu
• Mike McCulloch
• Karen Rheuban
• Shelby White

Cardiothoracic surgery

• James Gangemi

Critical Care

• Jeannean Carver
• Bill Harmon
• Jordan Lull
• MJ Sacco
• Jimmy Smith
• Mike Spaeder
• Deborah Carver

Development and Behavioral Pediatrics

• Beth Ellen Davis
• Rebecca Scharf
• Richard Stevenson
• Elizabeth White

Emergency Medicine

·      Elisabeth Rogers

Endocrinology

• Christine Burt Solorzano
• Mark De Boer
• Madhusmita Misra
• Dave Repaske

Gastroenterology

• Barrett Barnes
• Crag McKinney
• Jeremy Middleton

Genetics

• Matthew Snyder
• Paul Kruszka

Hem-Onc

• Brian Belyea
• Colleen Druzgal
• Michael Engel

Hospital Medicine

• LT Hainstock
• Eliza Holland
• Lynn McDaniel
• Jessica Meyer

Infectious Diseases

• Jeffrey Donowitz
• James Nataro
• Linda Waggoner-Fountain

Nephrology

• John Barcia
• Jennifer Charlton
• Ayah Elmaghrabi
• Victoria Norwood

Neurology

• James Brenton
• Howeard Goodkin
• Kristen Heinan

Neurosurgery

• Paul Grabb
• Heather Spader



Ophthalmology

• Bruce Carter
• Christian Carter

Orthopedics

• Keith Bachmann

Otolaryngology

• William Brand III
• Ariana Greenwell

Palliative care

• Noreen Crain

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

• William Ide

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

• Jonathan Black

Primary Care Pediatrics

• Sarah Boggs
• Peter Heymann
• Anne Ranney
• Heather Quillian
• Elizabeth Schinstock
• Amy Wrentmore

Pulmonology

• Deborah Froh
• Andrea Garrod
• Brittany Wall

Radiology

• Reza Daugherty
• Juan Olazagasti

Surgery

• Eugene McGahren
• Lily Cheng
• Jeffrey Gander

Urology

• Sean Corbett
• Nora Kern

Clinical

Education

Research

Accolades

Dean's Faculty Awards 

• Howard Goodkin - Master Clinician Award
• Jon Swanson - Charles I Fuller Jr Professor of Neonatology
• Jess Meyer - Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching
• MJ Sacco - Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching
• Agnes Swiatecka-Urban - Robert J Robert's Professor of Pediatrics
• Brynne Sullivan - Randall & Liza Moorman Bicentennial Associate Professor of Advanced Medical Analytics 
• Sarah Boggs - GME Mater Educator Award
• Jennifer Charlton - Susan Kirk Excellence in GME Mentorship Award
• Meg Keeley - David A Harrison Distinguished Educator Award
• Ash Gosain - C. Bruce Morton Professor of Surgery (not pictured)

B.R.I.D.G.E. & Community Partnership

• Charlottesville, VA — Oct 15, 2025: B.R.I.D.G.E. hosted its inaugural Community Partnership Retreat, bringing together 60+ community partners, researchers, and educators to strengthen connections and improve child and family access to services.
• Breakout sessions focused on Access, with actionable goals developed.
• A follow-up survey will prioritize next steps.
• Next working session: Jan 2026, featuring progress updates and pilot launches.
• For details or to get involved, contact Mikalah Martin (fbk5kd@uvahealth.org).
• The Department of Pediatrics proudly participated in Agnor Elementary School’s “Everyday Heroes” event (Oct 25). Volunteers included:
• Dr. Serwa Ertl, Dr. Emily Gonzalez, Marissa Dunkerley LCSW, Dr. Cassie Weems, Dr. Melanie Morse
• Pediatric Interest Group members: Grace Rollins, Elizabeth Fielding, Abby Shrader, Chelsea Valery

Allergy, Immunology, & Rheumatology

• Sam Minnicozzi, MD, received a $15,000 award for participation in the 2025-2026 ABMS Scholars Program for her project: "A Pilot for the Development and Implementation of EPAs in Allergy and Immunology."

Cardiology

• Please join me in congratulating Peter Dean, MD, for taking over the position of Medical Director of the Pediatric Echocardiogram Lab! Dr. Dean has been an integral member of our team since 2014 and in addition to this role, he also runs the Exercise Physiology lab and is the Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship Program Director.
• Dr. Michael Hainstock and Dr. Michael Shorofsky featured in Medicine in Motion for performing the first Renata Minima Stent implant in an infant: first and only balloon-expandable stent engineered from the ground up for neonates and infants—including those as small as 1.5 kg—suffering from vascular stenosis
• Dr. Shelby White will continue to run the Fetal Echocardiogram Program and together, they represent a cornerstone of our Pediatric Cardiac Program. 
• Jeff Vergales, MD, MS, MBA, spoke at the AAP NCE
• H0205: Section on Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery Program: Day 2

CHRC

• Maria Luisa, MD & Ariel Gomez, MD's, manuscript was published in the current issue of Circulation Research (today! Sept 26) with a glowing editorial "From Tigerstedt to Calcium Oscillations: A Remarkable Journey in Renin Research"😊https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.125.327186
• Hiroki Yamaguchi, MD, PhD, is featured in the "Meet the First Authors section https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/RES.0000000000000733
• Hiroki Yamaguchi’s and Maria Luisa Sequeira Lopez’s article ‘Calcium Oscillations Within Juxtaglomerular Cell Clusters Control Renin Release’ was published in this month’s edition of Circulation Research (IF 16.2) and was accompanied by a glowing editorial: Tigerstedt to Calcium Oscillations: A Remarkable Journey in Renin Research

Critical Care and Pediatric Anesthesiology

• Sedation Center of Excellence certification from SPS
• Paper by Miller CE, Kausch SL, Spaeder MC: Leveraging predictive analytics to assess cardiovascular function and forecast outcomes after pediatric cardiac surgery. Pediatric Research. Published online November 23, 2025

Critical Care

• Michael C. Spaeder, MD, MS, FCCM spoke at the AAP NCE
• H0101: Section on Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery Program: Day 1, Navigating Through Uncertainty to Evolve Care, Adapt Training, and Foster Collaborative Communications
• Paper by Miller CE, Kausch SL, Spaeder MC: Leveraging predictive analytics to assess cardiovascular function and forecast outcomes after pediatric cardiac surgery. Pediatric Research. Published online November 23, 2025

Endocrinology

• Madhu Misra, MD, MPH: R01 grant (NICHD): Role of estrogen formulation and route of delivery on skeletal outcomes in functional hypothalamic amenorrhea 
• Dave Repaske, MD: received a two-year $200,000 grant from LaunchPad, “T Regulatory Cells in Type 1 Diabetes Patient” with Dr. Larry Lum
• Dr. Burt Solorzano’s article accepted to the Journal of the Endocrine Society was published as the Feature Article of the week: Evidence for Functional Ovarian Hyperandrogenism in Early Pubertal, but Not Late Pubertal, Girls With Excess Weight” has been selected as the Journal of the Endocrine Society Featured Article
• Aaron Misakian, MD: Review article on ‘Advances in Medical and Surgical Therapies for Transgender and Gender-Diverse Individuals’ published in Current Opinion in Endocrine and Metabolic Research 
• Hosted the regional Human Growth Foundation meeting on 9/10/2025
• •Dave Repaske, MD, ran the meeting
• •Speakers from UVA: Cassie Weems, MD, and Madhu Misra, MD, MPH

Gastroenterology

• Carrie Cowardin, PhD, received the JIT request for her R21 grant.

Genetics

• Paul Kruszka, MD: Appointed to the Virginia Rare Disease Council 
• Paul Kruszka, MD: awarded pilot funding through the 2026 Pediatrics Faculty Pilot Grant Program for the research proposal "Establishing a Natural History Study for Weiss-Kruszka Syndrome”
• Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation: supported the renovation of PT space for children

Pediatric Hospital & Integrative Medicine

• Elisa Hampton, MD, talks with The New York Times about the Hepatitis B vaccine for newborns
• Ann Kellams, MD: Paper published in Breastfeeding Medicine: Current Scope of Practice for Breastfeeding and Lactation Medicine Physicians and Providers: Description of an Emerging Subspecialty

Hematology Oncology

• Elaine Finley, LCSW, awarded a 15k grant from CureSearch for Pediatric Hematology Oncology to provide resources for therapeutic play during chemotherapy infusions
• Dr. Emily Moses: appeared on the weekly NBC29 segment to discuss sickle cell disease
• Jess Malpass, RNP, ACPNP, PhD: highlighted in UVACCC News for leading efforts to improve pediatric cancer care through big data and AI

Infectious Disease

• Jeff Donowtiz, MD, received his R01 award, which proposes an adaptive clinical trial to test if treatment of SIBO will combat malnutrition, the most critical problem in child health, impacting one in every five children globally. From Dr. Bill Petri: This is a recognition of Jeff’s preeminence as the world’s expert on small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and its nutritional impact on infants in LMIC.
• Steve Zeichner, MD, received an NOA for his USDA grant titled: Variant-Resistant Killed Whole Cell Genome Reduced Bacterial Vaccine For Porcine Coronaviruses.

Nephrology

• Jennifer Charlton, MD, has been nominated by a trainee and selected as one of two recipients of the 2025 SUSAN KIRK EXCELLENCE IN GME MENTORSHIP AWARD! 
• Jennifer Charlton, MD: Invited to join as a study section member (for KUFD) for a 4y term 
•  Jennifer Charlton, MD, (mPI), received a 3rd percentile score on the grant: Improving the evaluation of high-risk deceased donor kidneys for transplantation.  

Neonatology

• Qin Yao was selected to be a part of the Virginia Newborn Screening Advisory Committee!
• Changemaker Award: Santina Zanelli and Lisa Letzkus from the University of Virginia for their project, Automating Early Detection of Cerebral Palsy. Their work is paving the way toward universal screening for CP risk in every baby—a major step toward earlier diagnosis and intervention. 
• Jon Swanson, MD, was elected as an active member of the American Pediatric Society (APS) Council
• Karen Fairchild, MD: Featured in Medicine in Motion: Research in Motion: Karen Fairchild, MD - Research - Medicine in Motion News for her research work 
• Karen Fairchild, MD, and team: Winners of the EBNEO Impact of the Year Award for their paper “Ventilatory Assistance Before Umbilical Cord Clamping in Extremely Premature Infants: A Randomized Controlled Trial.” Published in JAMA Network Open
• Brynne Sullivan, MD: Named the Randall & Liza Moorman Bicentennial Associate Professor of Advanced Medical Analytics
• 2nd Year Fellow Nick Heitkamp (Mentor: Karen Fairchild): Awarded a Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) Human Factors & Education Grant Award ($15,000) for their project “MANIC: Motherside Assessment of Neonates with Intact Cord”



Neurodevelopmental Pediatrics

• Kate Frazier, MD, along with two colleagues from outside UVA, presented a Topical Symposium entitled “Pathological Demand Avoidance: Understanding Our Patients Who ‘Can’t, Not Won’t’” at the Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics Annual Meeting in San Diego on September 22, 2025.
• Ali Sturgill, PNP, recently completed Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) training and accreditation. Triple P is an evidence-based parenting program that addresses child behavioral and emotional problems by giving parents proven tools and skills to build stronger families. She will be incorporating Triple P interventions and supports to families within UVA Neurodevelopmental and Behavioral Pediatrics.
• Several of us in neurodevelopmental pediatrics, PM&R, and orthopedics will be attending and presenting at the American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine Annual Meeting in a few weeks in New Orleans:
• Educational Session: Developing Composite Outcome Measures for Use in Cerebral Palsy Clinical Trials and Practice – Richard Stevenson, MD, Mark Conaway, PhD, Amy Darragh, Stephanie DeLuca
• Educational Session: Driving “Change” in Services/Care for Individuals with Childhood-Onset Disabilities: Examples from the Trenches! – Darcy Fehlings, Golda Milo-Manson, Richard Stevenson, MD
• Scientific Platform Presentation: Development of a Composite Outcome Measure for Children with Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy – Mark Conaway, PhD, Stephanie DeLuca, Amy Darragh, Richard Stevenson, MD
• Educational Session: Updates of early CP risk identification- emerging technologies to decrease disparities – Lisa C. Letzkus, PhD, Santina Zanelli, MD.
• Educational Session: Building Multidisciplinary Quality Improvement Initiatives for children with complex health care needs- A path to better outcomes and resiliency – Susan Biffl, Anna Jesus, MD, Kurt Sobush et al.
• Scientific Poster: Hummingbird-HOPE Pilot Study: Measuring Hope in the Context of Progressive Illness. Areesheh Khan, Anna Jesus, MD, Sarah Jones, MD, Margaret Plews-Ogan, MD, Erin Plews-Ogan, Rebecca Scharf, MD.
• Rebecca Scharf, MD , Catherine Braun, and Anna Jesus MD have also been invited to speak at the Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy Brain and Behavior in Dystrophinopathy meeting at the end of October in Baltimore, MD:
•  Building Resilience and Finding Strength - Rebecca Scharf, MD
• Supporting the Sensory Needs of Individuals with Dystrophinopathy – the Role of Occupational Therapy - Catherine Braun
• Impact of Steroids on Behavior in Dystrophinopathy - Anna Jesus, MD 
• Kate Frazier, MD, (Faculty), Pathologic Demand Avoidance (Topical Panel and Symposium), Society for Developmental &Behavioral Pediatrics, San Diego CA Sept 21, 2025.
• Brandon Sultan, MD, (Fellow), Healing Through Stories: Engaging in Narrative Medicine (Educational Workshop), Society for Developmental &Behavioral Pediatrics, San Diego CA Sept 19, 2025.
• Stephanie B McNerney, PNP, Local therapists, and community partners showcased our initiative at the recent Zero To Three conference, supported by THE Brain Institute's community pilot grant, with a poster presentation highlighting their collaborative impact.
• Dana Madden, NP, was a speaker at the Virginia Association of School Nurses conference this past Saturday to talk about Neurodevelopmental & Behavioral Pediatrics Pearls for School Health.
• Changemaker Award: Lisa Letzkus and Santina Zanelli from the University of Virginia for their project, Automating Early Detection of Cerebral Palsy. Their work is paving the way toward universal screening for CP risk in every baby—a major step toward earlier diagnosis and intervention. 
• Lisa Letzkus appointed scientific co-chair for the 2026 American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine Annual Conference which will be held in Philadelphia PA in September.
• Kate Frazier, MD, presented a Topical Symposium titled “Pathological Demand Avoidance: Understanding Our Patients Who ‘Can’t, Not Won’t’” at the SDBP Annual Meeting in San Diego (Sept 22, 2025).
• Ali Sturgill, PNP, completed Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) training and accreditation- evidence-based program equips parents with tools to address behavioral and emotional challenges. She will integrate Triple P interventions into UVA NDBP
• Rebecca Scharf, MD, Catherine Braun, and Anna Jesus, MD spoke at the Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy Brain and Behavior in Dystrophinopathy Meeting (Oct, Baltimore):
• Building Resilience and Finding Strength – Rebecca Scharf, MD
• Supporting Sensory Needs in Dystrophinopathy: The Role of OT – Catherine Braun
• Impact of Steroids on Behavior in Dystrophinopathy – Anna Jesus, MD
• Presentations at the American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine Annual Meeting in New Orleans:
• Developing Composite Outcome Measures for Use in Cerebral Palsy Clinical Trials and Practice – Richard Stevenson, MD; Mark Conaway, PhD; Amy Darragh; Stephanie DeLuca
• Driving “Change” in Services/Care for Individuals with Childhood-Onset Disabilities – Darcy Fehlings; Golda Milo-Manson; Richard Stevenson, MD
• Development of a Composite Outcome Measure for Children with Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy – Mark Conaway, PhD; Stephanie DeLuca; Amy Darragh; Richard Stevenson, MD
• Updates of Early CP Risk Identification: Emerging Technologies to Decrease Disparities – Lisa C. Letzkus, PhD; Santina Zanelli, MD
• Building Multidisciplinary Quality Improvement Initiatives for Children with Complex Health Care Needs – Susan Biffl; Anna Jesus, MD; Kurt Sobush et al.
• Poster: Hummingbird-HOPE Pilot Study: Measuring Hope in the Context of Progressive Illness – Areesheh Khan; Anna Jesus, MD; Sarah Jones, MD; Margaret Plews-Ogan, MD; Erin Plews-Ogan; Rebecca Scharf, MD
• Additional highlights:
• Kate Frazier, MD – Panel on Pathologic Demand Avoidance, SDBP, San Diego (Sept 21, 2025)
• Brandon Sultan, MD (Fellow) – Healing Through Stories: Engaging in Narrative Medicine, SDBP, San Diego (Sept 19, 2025)
• Stephanie B. McNerney, PNP, with local therapists and partners, showcased our initiative 
• Great news that our 5-year recertification for our PPMD Certified Duchenne Care Center has been approved, and we are also a newly designated Certified Research Center in Duchenne. Thanks so much to you all for all you do for our patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy! And specific thanks to Lorie Nouwairi and Chelsea Masterson for all your work and support for this application process.  
• Dr. Rebecca Scharf and her team: received 5 year recertification for their PPMD Certified Duchenne Care Center
• Lisa Letzkus, NP: R01 grant (NICHD): Physiomarker for early, equitable cerebral palsy prediction

Psychology

• R. Emily Gonzalez, PhD. from Pediatric Psychology who is an author on this recently published article: Navigating Complex Ethical Issues in Clinical Health Psychology: From Organ Transplants to Informed Choice with Historically Underserved Communities
• R. Emily Gonzalez, PhD, co-authored a recently published article: Navigating Complex Ethical Issues in Clinical Health Psychology: From Organ Transplants to Informed Choice with Historically Underserved Communities.

Primary Care Pediatrics

• Sarah Boggs, MD, has been selected as one of two recipients of the 2025 GME Master Educator Award!
• UVA Pediatrics at Orange continues to shine as a leader in delivering exceptional care to its patients and community. First certified as an NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home in 2017, Orange Pediatrics has proudly maintained this recognition year after year and continues to be the only pediatric clinic at UVA to have earned this designation. We are thrilled to announce that Orange Pediatrics has once again achieved NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home Recognition for 2025! This distinction reflects the team’s unwavering commitment to excellence. To earn this designation, clinics must meet rigorous standards, including continuous quality improvement and ongoing monitoring of key performance measures. This achievement underscores the dedication of every team member and our shared mission to provide outstanding, patient-centered care.
• Birdsong Pediatrics celebrates Harriet Hall, who recently received a Harkness grant to make our clinic space more sensory friendly for our many patients with complex medical needs.
• Northridge Pediatrics is celebrating the retirement of Desiree Yeago this month. She has over 20 years of service with UVA!
• Orange Pediatrics is celebrating Rachel Wilkinson for being awarded the Artemis Safety award and a successful Sensory Friendly Seasonal Celebration. Patients with sensory sensitivities enjoyed a morning of visiting with Santa, making ornaments, creating snack crafts, and decorating our large gingerbread playhouse. 
• Teen Health welcomes new team member, Kamryn Brown, MA 
• Rachel Moon, MD: featured in newspapers nationally discussing safe sleep practices for infants
• Called out by a mentee at U Mass, Worcester, for her mentorship over the years
• Evelyn Aboagye, MD: speaking at a session on How to Mentor Wisely and Well: Stories and Insights from Experienced Mentors in Academic Medicine at UVA on Jan 2026
• Jennifer LoCasale-Crouch, Bergen B. Nelson, Rachel Y. Moon, Yuqi Zhang, Kelly K. Gurka, Genevieve Deeken, Michelle Taylor, Bisola Duyile, Pavel Chernyavskiy; Virginia Locality and Perinatal Health: An Ecologic Study Using the Child Opportunity Index 3.0. Pediatrics Open Science January 2026; 2 (1): 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1542/pedsos.2025-000802
• Drs. Julia Taylor and Irene Mathieu had an article published in Pediatrics: The Necessity of Youth Participatory Action Research in Pediatric Health Science

Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine

• Debbie Froh, MD: Paper accepted: Felix A Ratjen, Sanja Stanojevic, Samal Munidasa, David Roach, Jaime Mata, Deborah K Froh, Brandon Zanette, Giles Santyr, Sean B Fain, Michael J Rock, Laura L Walkup, and Jason C. Woods. Multi-center Study of Hyperpolarized Xenon MRI in Children with Cystic Fibrosis Following Initiation of CFTR Modulator Therapy (HyPOINT). Annals of the American Thoracic Society