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Shaun Michael Kunisaki, M.D., M.Sc.

Shaun Michael Kunisaki, M.D., M.Sc.

Headshot of Shaun Michael Kunisaki
  • Robert and Jane Meyerhoff Endowed Professor
  • Associate Professor of Surgery

Expertise

Anti-Reflux Surgery, Congenital Pulmonary Malformations, Diaphragmatic Hernia, Esophageal Surgery, Fetal Surgery, Minimally Invasive Pediatric Surgery, Neonatal Congenital Anomalies, Neonatal Surgery, Pediatric Surgery, Pediatric Thoracic Surgery, Thoracic Surgery, Tracheoesophageal Fistula, Video Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS) ...read more

Research Interests

spinal cord regeneration in spina bifida; lung development in congenital diaphragmatic hernia; perinatal stem cell reprogramming; congenital pulmonary malformations; esophageal atresia; 3d printing ...read more

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Insurance Information

Main Phone

Outside of Maryland & Washington D.C.

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International Patients

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Locations

Johns Hopkins Pediatrics

Appointment Phone: 443-997-5437
200 N. Wolfe Street
Rubenstein Child Health Building
Baltimore, MD 21287 map

Johns Hopkins Health Care and Surgery Center

6420 Rockledge Drive
Johns Hopkins Children's Center Specialists, Suite 2300
Bethesda, MD 20817 map
Phone: 443-997-5437

Background

Shaun M. Kunisaki, M.D., MSc, is an Associate Professor of Surgery at The Johns Hopkins University and Associate Chief of Strategy and Integration in the Division of General Pediatric Surgery at the Johns Hopkins Children's Center.

Dr. Kunisaki's clinical practice spans the full breadth of pediatric general surgery, but he is recognized both regionally and nationally for this expertise in complex thoracic surgical problems in the fetus and young child. As Director of Pediatric Esophageal Surgery, he specializes in the management of long-gap esophageal atresia. In this role within the Johns Hopkins Children Center Fetal Program, he helps counsel parents with pregnancies complicated by fetal anomalies. 

Dr. Kunisaki's laboratory is funded by the National Institutes of Health and is largely focused on using novel scaffolds and stem cells derived from a patient's own tissues to better understand and treat several important pediatric surgical diseases. His team has developed techniques to reprogram tissues into pluripotent stem cells, and are working with collaborators to improve long-term outcomes for children with severe birth defects, including spina bifida and congenital diaphragmatic hernia. 

A native of southern California, Dr. Kunisaki graduated from Harvard College, the London School of Economics and Political Science, and Harvard Medical School. He completed general surgery residency at the Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School followed by a pediatric surgery fellowship at the University of Michigan.

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Titles

  • Robert and Jane Meyerhoff Endowed Professor
  • Associate Chief, Strategy & Integration, General Pediatric Surgery
  • Director, Pediatric Esophageal Surgery, Johns Hopkins Children's Center
  • Associate Professor of Surgery

Departments / Divisions

Centers & Institutes

Education

Degrees

  • MD; Harvard Medical School (2000)

Residencies

  • General Surgery; Massachusetts General Hospital (2008)

Fellowships

  • Pediatric Surgery; University of Michigan Health System (2010)

Board Certifications

  • American Board of Surgery (General Surgery) (2009)
  • American Board of Surgery (Pediatric Surgery) (2012)

Research & Publications

Lab

Lab Website: Kunisaki Lab

Activities & Honors

Honors

  • Making a Difference Award, University of Michigan Health System, 2011
  • James C. Carrico Faculty Research Award, American College of Surgeons, 2011
  • Harold Amos Award, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 2012
  • Making a Difference Award, University of Michigan Health System, 2012
  • Making a Difference Award, University of Michigan Health System, 2012
  • Research Advisory Council Grant Award, 2013
  • Making a Difference Award, University of Michigan Health System, 2014
  • Barwick Scholar Award for Spinal Cord Research, 2015
  • Making a Difference Award, University of Michigan Health System, 2016
  • Admin Supplement Award (RO1, L.D. Shea), National Institutes of Health (NIBIB), 2016
  • RO1 (Principal Investigator), National Institutes of Health (NICHD), 2017
  • Castle & Connelly Medical Ltd. Top Doctors, 2018
  • Magna cum laude, Harvard University, 1994 - 1994
  • Foundation Award, American Pediatric Surgery Association, 2011 - 2012
  • Master of Science, with distinction, London School of Economics, 1995 - 1995
  • Cum Laude in a Special Field, Harvard Medical School, 2000 - 2000
  • Pre-doctoral Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, 1998 - 1999

Memberships

  • American College of Surgeons, 2000

    Fellow

  • International Society for Stem Cell Research, 2010

    Member

  • American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Surgery,, 2010

    Member

  • Association for Academic Surgery, 2010

    Member

  • International Pediatric Endosurgery Group, 2010

    Member

  • Society of Black Academic Surgeons, 2012

    Member

  • American Pediatric Surgical Association, 2012

    Member

  • Society of University Surgeons, 2018

    Member

Videos & Media

Play Video:

Pediatric Esophageal Center Q&A

Lectures and Presentations

  • Appendicitis
    Lecture, Pediatric Surgery Grand Rounds, Department of Surgery (06/05/2016)
    C.S. Mott Children's Hospital
  • Alimentary Tract Duplication Cysts
    Lecture, Pediatric Surgery Grand Rounds, Department of Surgery (06/16/2016)
    C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital
  • Congenital Lung Lesions
    Lecture, Pediatric Surgery/Neonatology Joint Conference (01/27/2017)
    C.S. Mott Children's Hospital
  • Esophageal Replacement
    Lecture, Pediatric Surgery Grand Rounds, Department of Surgery (06/15/2017)
    C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital
  • Gastrointestinal and Surgical Issues in Children Requiring Home Ventilation
    Lecture, Pediatric Home Ventilator Program Conference (10/13/2017)
    C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital
  • How to make your own pluripotent stem cells before you are born
    Lecture, Department of Surgery Grand Rounds (12/07/2017)
    Michigan Medicine
  • Appendicitis
    Lecture, Pediatric Surgery Grand Rounds, Department of Surgery, C.S. Motts Children's Hospital (03/16/2018)
  • Thoracic Abnormalities
    Lecture, Pediatrics Core Lecture Series, Department of Pediatrics and Communicable Dieseases, C.S. Mott Children's Hospital (04/18/2018)
  • Bioengineering cells for tracheal, diaphragmatic, and sternal repair
    Lecture, Plenary session, American Thoracic Society International Conference, San Diego, California (05/19/2009)
  • Mesenchymal stem cell regulation of fetal diaphragmatic hernia
    Lecture, American Pediatric Surgery Association Foundation Lecture, San Antonio, Texas (05/22/2012)
  • Congenital pulmonary airway malformations: Operation or observation, a review of the
    Lecture, Expert Panel, International Pediatric Endosurgery Group Annual Congress for Endosurgery in Children, Seattle, Washington (04/14/2018)
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