In the bowel management clinic, from left, pediatric surgeons Alejandro Garcia and Isam Nasr, parents Paraic Hoolan and Mary Eileen Aldana, and pediatric nurse practitioner Margie Birdsong, with young patient Sean Hoolan.

Our colorectal specialists at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center treat a variety of complex conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease, Hirschsprung's disease, anorectal malformations, chronic constipation, fecal incontinence and more.

Areas of Expertise

• Anorectal malformations (imperforate anus)
• Anal fissures
• Anal fistulas
• Bowel management
• Chronic constipation
• Cloacal exstrophy (with the Division of Pediatric Urology)
• Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis)
• Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS)
• Hirschsprung's disease
• Complex reoperative care

A Multidisciplinary Approach

We work closely with specialists across the disciplines — including those in gastroenterology and nutrition, urology, orthopedics, radiology and psychology — in a multidisciplinary clinic to give your child the most comprehensive treatment possible. In addition, we offer upper laparoscopic and robotic-assisted surgery, a high degree of experience in reoperative care, chronic constipation and bowel management clinics, and a premier ERAS program. We treat patients with both acquired and congenital conditions.

Our Team

Alejandro Vera Garcia, M.D.

Vice Chair, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Surgical Director of the ECMO Program
Co-Director of the Pediatric Surgical Colorectal Program
Associate Director, Pediatric Burn Program
Assistant Professor of Surgery

Expertise, Disease and Conditions: Anorectal Disorders, Burn Care, Chest Wall Reconstruction, Colorectal Surgery, Critical Care Medicine, General Surgery, Head and Neck Surgery, Hepatobiliary Surgery, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), Minimally Invasive Pediatric Surgery, Neonatal Surgery, Pectus Carinatum, Pectus Excavatum, Pediatric Surgery, Robotic Surgery, Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome, Surgical Oncology, Thoracic Surgery

 

Isam Waddah Nasr, M.D.

Director of Pediatric Trauma Program, Division of Pediatric Surgery
Co-Director of the Pediatric Surgical Colorectal Program
Assistant Professor of Surgery

Expertise, Disease and Conditions: Chest Wall Reconstruction, Critical Care Medicine, General Surgery, Minimally Invasive Pediatric Surgery, Minimally Invasive Surgery, Neonatal Congenital Anomalies, Neonatal Surgery, Pectus Carinatum, Pectus Excavatum, Pediatric Gastroenterology, Pediatric General Surgery, Pediatric Oncology Surgery, Pediatric Surgery, Pediatric Trauma, Robotic Surgery, Thoracic Surgery, Trauma Surgery

 

Margie Birdsong, M.S.N., C.P.N.P.
Margie is a pediatric nurse practitioner specializing in the care of infants and children. Her areas of expertise include wound ostomy management and continence care, and she is actively involved in the Bowel Management program for children with continence issues.

Our Multidisciplinary Care Team

We work closely with specialists across the disciplines to give your child the most comprehensive treatment possible.

• Maria Oliva-Hemker, M.D., Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
• John Gearhart, M.D. and Heather Di Carlo, M.D., Pediatric Urology
• Pediatric Orthopaedics
• Pediatric Radiology
• Psychology
• Bowel Management Clinic (in the David M. Rubenstein Child Health Building)

Request an Appointment

For referrals or appointments, contact our nurse practitioner, Margie Birdsong, M.S.N., C.P.N.P, at 410-614-4615.