Speaker Topics: Pediatrics

Speaker Topics: Pediatrics

Edward Ahn, M.D.
Assistant Professor, Neurological Surgery
Department of Neurosurgery, Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery

Dr. Edward Ahn completed his undergraduate studies at Harvard University and received his medical degree with honors from the New York University School of Medicine. He then completed an internship in general surgery and residency in neurosurgery at the University of Maryland Medical Center. Dr. Ahn also completed a fellowship in pediatric neurosurgery as the Shillito Staff Associate at the Childrens Hospital Boston/Harvard Medical School.

Now an assistant professor of neurosurgery in the Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins, Dr. Ahn focuses on the surgical treatment of neurological disorders in children. He has particular interests in minimally invasive endoscopic surgery for the treatment of hydrocephalus, brain tumors, and craniosynostosis. He has also gained expertise in surgical revascularization for patients with moyamoya syndrome.

Dr. Ahn’s laboratory research focuses the pathophysiology of germinal matrix hemorrhage and treatment of the associated hydrocephalus in premature infants.

Emily Rudnick Boss, M.D.
Assistant Professor, Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery 
Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology

Dr. Emily Boss earned her medical degree from the Virginia Commonwealth University/Medical College, where she also completed a residency in otolaryngology—head and neck surgery. Dr. Boss then completed a general surgery internship at the University of California, Los Angeles and a fellowship in pediatric otolaryngology—head and neck surgery at Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center in Seattle.

Now an assistant professor of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery in the Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology at Johns Hopkins, Dr. Boss’ clinical interests include general pediatric otolaryngology, pediatric sinusitis and airway disorders, congenital and neoplastic head and neck tumors, and speech and swallowing disorders in children.

An active participant in the interdisciplinary vascular anomalies team at Johns Hopkins, Dr. Rudnick has a special interest in the diagnosis and treatment of head and neck hemangiomas and vascular malformations (including capillary, venous and lymphatic malformations) in children.  She also has particular interest in medical and surgical therapy for velopharyngeal insufficiency in children.  Her research interests involve health care disparities and outcomes in pediatric otolaryngology. Dr. Rudnick is board-certified in otolaryngology—head and neck surgery.

Jenifer Hampsey, MS, RD, CSP
Pediatric Nutrition Practitioner, Johns Hopkins Hospital Children’s Center
Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition

Ms. Jenifer Hampsey earned her B.S. in Dietetics from the University of Maryland at College Park, and her M.S. in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Florida.  Prior to coming to Johns Hopkins, Ms. Hampsey served as a pediatric and neonatal nutritionist at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington D.C. and a pediatric nutrition specialist at the University of California at San Francisco Medical Center.

Currently a pediatric nutrition practitioner at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, Ms. Hampsey specializes in nutrition for pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology, and surgical patients.  Her areas of expertise include inflammatory bowel disease, short bowel syndrome, liver transplant, and burn injuries. She is also active in providing ongoing nutrition therapy and monitoring for patients receiving nutrition support at home.

Ms. Hampsey is the coordinator for the nutrition rotation for pediatric gastroenterology fellows at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and serves as a mentor for new dietitians. She is a board-certified specialist in pediatric nutrition and an active member in the American Society of Pediatric and Enteral Nutrition (A.S.P.E.N.).

George Jallo, M.D.
Associate Professor, Neurological Surgery, Pediatrics and Oncology
Department of Neurosurgery, Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery

Dr. George Jallo earned his medical degree from the University of Virginia. He then completed his residency in neurosurgery at New York University Medical Center and his fellowship in pediatric neurosurgery at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York.

Now an associate professor of neurosurgery, pediatrics and oncology at Johns Hopkins, Dr. Jallo focuses on the surgical treatment of neurological diseases and disorders in children, with an emphasis on minimally invasive endoscopic procedures. Dr. Jallo is particularly expert in treating intradural spinal tumors, brainstem and eloquent brain tumors in both children and adults. He also has expertise based on his extensive clinical experience in intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring. Dr. Jallo’s other clinical interests are epilepsy, craniofacial and defects of the neural tube.  Dr. Jallo is board-certified in neurological surgery and pediatric neurosurgery.

* Please note that Dr. Lin requests an honorarium

Sandra Lin, M.D.
Associate Professor, Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Division of Rhinology and Sinus Surgery

Dr. Sandra Lin earned her medical degree from Northwestern University, followed by residency training at the Medical College of Wisconsin and an American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy fellowship.

Prior to coming to Hopkins, Dr. Sandra Lin was an assistant professor of otolaryngology at Southern Illinois University’s School of Medicine, where she established the S.I.U. Otolaryngnic Allergy Clinic.  She has been a national instructor of continuing medical education courses at the American Academy of Otolaryngology, teaching other physicians and allied health personnel about the diagnosis and treatment of allergic rhinitis.  Dr. Lin has also served on several national committees for the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and the American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy.

Now an associate professor with the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Dr. Lin’s clinical interests include sinusitis, allergy and general pediatric otolaryngology.  Her research interests include sleep apnea, sinusitis and allergic rhinitis. Dr. Lin is board-certified in otolaryngology—head and neck surgery.

Meredith Loveless, M.D.
Assistant Professor, Obstetrics and Gynecology
Department of Gynecology & Obstetrics

Dr. Meredith Loveless graduated from the University of South Alabama Medical School, followed by residency training in ob/gyn at the Medical College of Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth University.  In addition to practicing as a board-certified obstetrician/gynecologist, she specializes in pediatric and adolescent gynecology.

 After joining the faculty at Johns Hopkins in 2004, Dr. Loveless developed and continues to manage the Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology Program, dedicated to the special gynecological needs of female pediatric and adolescent patients. Her experience includes both medical and surgical care of younger patients, including congenital anomaly surgery, as well as both minimally-invasive surgery and laparoscopy. Dr. Loveless’ research interests include adolescent menorrhagia and a collaborative project looking at cultural development in teen pregnancy with a focus on depression after the postpartum period.   She is actively involved in the North American Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology Society and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Maria Oliva-Hemker, M.D.
Associate Professor, Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins Hospital Children’s Center
Chief, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition

Dr. Maria Oliva-Hemker earned her medical degree from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, followed by a residency in pediatrics and a fellowship in pediatric gastroenterology at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center.

As chief of the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Dr. Oliva-Hemker’s clinical practice focuses on inflammatory intestinal disorders, and she is actively involved in clinical protocols to assess new treatments for patients with IBD.  Her other clinical interests include malabsorption syndromes and nutritionally-related disorders such as short bowel syndrome, failure-to-thrive and celiac disease. In 1998, Dr. Oliva Hemker established the Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Center at Johns Hopkins, which provides medical care to hundreds of children and adolescents with the most common forms of IBD from all over the world.

Kathleen B. Schwarz, M.D.
Professor, Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins Hospital Children’s Center, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition
Director, Pediatric Liver Center
Medical Director, Pediatric Liver Transplant Program

Dr. Kathleen B. Schwarz earned her medical degree from Washington University before completing her residency in pediatrics and fellowship in pediatric gastroenterology at the St. Louis Children’s Hospital, Washington University School of Medicine.

Currently, Dr. Schwarz serves as the director of the Pediatric Liver Center and the medical director of the Pediatric Liver Transplant Program at Johns Hopkins. Dr. Schwarz’s clinical interests focus on a variety of pediatric liver diseases, including biliary atresia, cholestatic liver diseases of childhood (CLIC), metabolic liver disorders, autoimmune liver disease, viral hepatitis B and C, acute liver failure, pediatric liver transplantation, and cystic fibrosis liver disease. Dr. Schwarz is the recipient of the 2009 Johns Hopkins University Women's Network Leadership Award for the Medical School (East Baltimore Campus) and the 2009 President-Elect of the North American Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (NASPGHAN). 

David Tunkel, M.D.
Division Director, Pediatric Otolaryngology, Department of Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery
Associate Professor, Department of Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery, Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology

Dr. David Tunkel received his medical degree from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and completed a residency in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. He then completed a fellowship in pediatric otolaryngology at the Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C.

As the director of the Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology at Johns Hopkins, Dr. Tunkel practices the entire spectrum of pediatric otolaryngology. His specific clinical interests include the diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea in children, the surgical correction of laryngotracheal abnormalities, and the treatment of chronic ear disease. His research interests involved new techniques for the treatment of airway obstruction and sleep apnea in children. Dr. Tunkel is board-certified in otolaryngology.

Luca Vricella, M.D.
Chief, Pediatric Cardiac Surgery 
Director, Pediatric Heart Transplantation Program
Assistant Professor, Surgery

Dr. Luca Vricella attended medical school at Catholic University School of Medicine in Rome, Italy and completed a general surgery residency at The George Washington University School of Medicine. He completed fellowships at Loma Linda University of Medical Center, Stanford University (in cardiothoracic surgery), and Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children in London (in pediatric cardiac surgery).

Dr. Vricella’s clinical and research interests revolve around the field of pediatric cardiac surgery, with an emphasis on complex congenital neonatal disease. Aside from his active involvement in outcome research projects undertaken by the Division of Cardiac Surgery, he is collaborating with Dr. Kenneth Brady from the Division of Pediatric Anesthesia on laboratory and clinical protocols aimed at delineating cerebral vascular autoregulation during cardiac surgical procedures in pediatric patients and animal models.