Pediatric Critical Care Medicine Fellowship

About the Program

Fellows in conference room
Why Us?
  • Bone marrow and solid organ transplant
  • 20 ECMO cases/year
  • CRRT: Prismaflex and CARPEDIEMTM
  • Ventricular assist device
  • ~1500 admissions/year
  • State-of-the-art facilities
  • Only Pediatric Level 1 Trauma Center in the state

The new, free-standing University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital was opened in 2017 and is a state-of the-art facility. The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit was the 2018 recipient of the prestigious ICU Design Citation Award from the Society of Critical Care Medicine, American Association of Critical Care Nurses, and the American Institute of Architects. The UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital is considered one of the Best Children’s Hospitals by the U.S. News & World Report and has multiple sub-specialties ranked annually.

The University of Iowa PICU Fellowship Program has been fully accredited since 2002. The program is accredited for 6 fellows (two per year). The University of Iowa is unique in that it has a rich history of excellence in clinical care, research and education but it is a true Midwestern environment (collegial, collaborative, and connected). 

Honors/Recognition

Winner of 2018 ICU Design Citation Award presented to University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital Pediatric Intensive Care Unit from the Society of Critical Care Medicine, American Association of Critical Care Nurses, and the American Institute of Architects.

University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital is the only children’s hospital in Iowa that is nationally ranked for pediatric care by U.S. News and World Report. Read our June 14, 2022 news release.

  • 26 in neonatology 
  • 38 in pediatric cancer 
  • 23 in pediatric diabetes and endocrinology 
  • 27 in pediatric nephrology 
  • 38 in pediatric neurology and neurosurgery 
  • 36 in pediatric orthopedics 
  • 50 in pediatric pulmonology 

The annual Best Children’s Hospitals rankings recognize the top 50 pediatric facilities across the U.S. in 10 pediatric specialties: cancer, cardiology and heart surgery, diabetes and endocrinology, gastroenterology and gastrointestinal surgery, neonatology, nephrology, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopedics, pulmonology and lung surgery, and urology. 

UI Stead Family Children's Hospital and the UI Stead Family Department of Pediatrics are recognized nationally for a number of achievements.

Pediatric researchers at the University of Iowa have a long history of breakthrough discoveries in both the clinical and laboratory setting. Meet members of our research team:

Training Program

The University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital is the only comprehensive health care center in Iowa offering the full range of Pediatric Critical Care (ECMO, VAD, CRRT). Unique to Iowa, our 28-bed unit includes the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and the Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (PCICU), both led by our faculty and fellows, and is a Level 1 Trauma Center.  

The 36-month curriculum is divided into approximately 18 months of clinical rotations and 18 months of research. Each rotation is 2-4 weeks in duration. 

First Year
  • PICU Days – 12 weeks
  • PICU Nights – 10 weeks
    • Total PICU Time –
      22 weeks
  • CVICU – 8 weeks
  • Anesthesia/Sedation – 6 weeks
  • Research – 16 weeks

Second Year
  • PICU Days – 8 weeks
  • PICU Nights – 8 weeks
    • Total PICU Time –
      16 weeks
  • CVICU – 8 weeks
  • Elective – 2 weeks
  • Research – 26 weeks

Third Year
  • PICU Days – 8 weeks
  • PICU Nights – 8 weeks
    • Total PICU Time –
      16 weeks
  • CVICU – 4 weeks
  • Research –
    32 weeks

Our unit operates as a PICU team and a CVICU team during the daytime, but one combined team at night. This allows fellows additional exposure to high-acuity patients throughout the year. Fellows do a night float rotation Monday – Friday but still take 24 hour call intermittently on weekends. 

Our fellows serve as medical control for all admissions to the PICU. This is an excellent opportunity to learn how to establish effective communication with outside providers to ensure patients are cared for and transferred safely. While first years are heavily supervised during their initial rotations, the majority of transport/admission calls are managed by second and third fellows independently.

Elective opportunities include rotations in or with the cath lab, echocardiography suite, burn unit, cardiothoracic surgery, PICC line/procedure, bronchoscopy, or additional research time.

Former Fellow Quotes

“Iowa’s PICU is a busy, high acuity program with cardiac patients, ECMO and trauma. I loved the relationships I built with patients and families, the breadth and depth of complex pathophysiology I learned to treat, the top-notch people I got to work with every day and the resources of the pediatric hospital within a large medical campus. The experience I gained at Iowa prepared me so well to lead both a large academic ICU team and a smaller community ICU team. I learned to care for sick kids and their families with expertise and compassion.” Paige Volk, MD (PICU Fellow 2003-2006)

“The training at Iowa is second to none. In addition, the PICU fellowship team is committed to the health and well-being of the trainees. Life happens to doctors, too. It matters that you train in a place where people care for you and want the very best for you. I had that at Iowa and I know that remains the core value of the program.” Paige Volk, MD (PICU Fellow 2003-2006)

“Ten years after graduating from my fellowship the words of advice and wisdom of the incredible faculty who trained me still echo in my head as I’ve cared for patients in both the PICU and CICU at Texas Children’s Hospital. I am grateful for the amazing teaching I received and hope to do the same for my trainees.” Gwen Erkonen, MD (PICU Fellow 2007-2010)

“I’m so thankful for my training at the University of Iowa. At Iowa, I got to practice big city medicine in an affordable, fun and extremely livable small city. The training I received prepared me very well for the transition to the role of attending in a busy mixed cardiac/general PICU. The attendings are great people and great doctors. I learned not just how to treat critical illness but how to truly care for patients and families.” Mike Van Dyke, MD (PICU Fellow 2012-2015)

“My fellowship at UIowa was an incredible experience. I had the opportunity to care for children with a wide variety of illnesses and illness severity while learning from the best! The gradual autonomy given over the course of my training helped prepare me for the transition to attending physician.” Ashley Sandeen, DO (PICU Fellow 2013-2016)

“I love the Iowa PICU Program!
- Warm and friendly learning environment with mixed bread and butter diseases and rare diagnoses
- Endless research opportunities.”
Weerapong Lilitwat, MD (PICU Fellow 2016-2019)

“I feel that our PICU fellowship at Iowa is vastly underrated. I have had a great experience in training with excellent divisional role models and mentors, variety of clinical cases and acuity, and good clinical volume. Our center is big enough to see it all yet not too big where one becomes lost in a sea of trainees.” Mitchell Luangrath, MD (PICU Fellow 2017-2020)

Education/Conferences

Fellows with faculty in conference roomEducational Conferences

The University of Iowa Stead Family Department of Pediatrics has a centralized Pediatric Core Curriculum for all pediatric subspecialty fellows which includes weekly topics such as responsible conduct of research, research ownership and authorship, teaching at the bedside, quality improvement research, and wellness. This is also the forum where fellows present their scholarly work products for review. Included in this is a separate Reflective Practice and Leadership for first year fellows to discuss challenging scenarios in medicine.

The Pediatric Critical Care Fellowship has the following conferences:

Management Conferences

Weekly PICU Clinical Conference 
Faculty, fellows and nurse practitioners discuss the current cases in the PICU and PCICU. Discussion focuses on challenging cases, difficult management decisions, and a brief update on progress of patients. 

Pediatric Cardiology/CT Surgery Conference 
Faculty, fellows and nurse practitioners on service in the PCICU attend the joint weekly conference to discuss the upcoming surgical cases for the week. Patients are also presented for consideration of surgery or to review their clinical course and explore alternate options for challenging cases.

PICU Morbidity and Mortality
This faculty mentored/fellow-led multidisciplinary monthly conference reviews the morbidities and mortalities in the PICU focusing on practice-based medicine, patient safety, and areas for system-wide improvement. 

Pediatric Cardiac Morbidity and Mortality
This faculty-mentored/fellow-led monthly conference is shared by PICU and Cardiology. Fellows present the morbidities and mortalities focusing on practice-based medicine, patient safety, and areas for system-wide improvement. 

Pediatric Trauma Multi-D Meeting
This monthly meeting is led by Pediatric Surgery and reviews the pediatric trauma patients. The purpose of this meeting is to focus on practice-based medicine, patient safety, and areas for system-wide improvement. 

Educational  Conferences

PICU Core Curriculum 
This conference is a weekly educational conference on the core principles and foundations of pediatric critical care medicine. Sessions are a mix of faculty-led and fellow-led topics. 

Journal Club
This faculty-mentored/fellow-led conference is where we review a recent or highly relevant critical care/cardiac critical care journal. Fellows review the articles based on PICO guidelines for systemic review.

Evidence-Based Medicine Conference
This faculty-mentored/fellow-led conference reviews a series of articles related to patient management. Topics are chosen by fellows based on recent clinical questions and reviewed based on level of evidence. 

Pediatric Grand Rounds
Weekly lectures for Department of Pediatrics staff on a variety of topics.

Frontiers in Pediatric Research
Lecture series highlighting advances in pediatric research. This series includes work by international and national leaders in research.

Other Conferences

PICU Pearls
Monthly sessions on topics such as career development, work-life balance, wellness and quality improvement.

Fellows are also able to attend a vast variety of lectures/seminars through the Carver College of Medicine, Iowa’s Institute for Clinical and Translational Science, and various departments throughout the hospital. 

Scholarly Work

Presenter at podium

The Stead Family Department of Pediatrics has a long, distinguished history of excellence in scientific discovery and a strong tradition of pediatric research. Furthermore, we have a long-standing commitment to train future leaders in areas of clinical, basic and translational research. The research enterprise of the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine garnered $232.2 million in external funding in 2019, ranking 34th by U.S. News & World Reports. Over the past 15 years, the Stead Family Department of Pediatrics has been highly ranked for its NIH funding, when compared with pediatric departments of medical schools across the United States. The University of Iowa’s Institute for Clinical and Translational Science through its NIH-support is able to provide services to support child health research in multiple ways including assisting in grant preparation, biostatistical analysis, and database management. 

Specific interests within our division include: traumatic brain injury, hemodynamic monitoring in sepsis, patient safety with specific emphasis on studying the diagnostic process in critical care environments, pathogenesis of acquired heart defects, cardiac arrest management, simulation, curriculum development, outreach education, acute lung injury management, and extracorporeal therapies.

Recent scholarly work projects from graduating fellows include:

  • Optimizing enteral nutrition in the PICU: Identifying interruptions and barriers to feeding and developing a protocol
  • Using simulation to teach how to deliver bad news
  • Impact of ventilator liberation protocol on mechanical ventilation in the PICU
  • Traf3 regulated pathways in B cell lymphoma
  • Analyzing staph aureus isolates and resistance
  • Multi-frequency oscillatory ventilation in ARDS
  • Identifying anticoagulation practices on ECMO: Development and implementation of a protocol

Faculty/Research Mentors

View a full list of our Pediatric faculty research profiles.

 

Research Timeline and Goals

Prior to Starting Fellowship

Brainstorming - use experience in Residency to identify areas of interest for fellowship

Year 1

  

Months 1-4

 Thought funneling, initial meetings with potential mentors

Months 5-7

Formation of Scholarly Oversight Committee

Months 8-12

Development of the primary research project

Year 2
  • Engagement and ownership of project follow through
  • Submitting and presenting results to national meetings
  • Considering secondary projects

Year 3
  • Completion of primary project including manuscript
  • Secondary project(s)

 

FAQ

Do you need external funding for any part of the fellowship?

No, all of our fellowship positions are funded through the Department of Pediatrics. However, fellows are eligible for funding through a National Institutes of Health (NIH) T32 Training grant through the Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center.

What tracks do you offer?

We have one 3-year clinical track with a focus on clinical care, research and/or education. A fellow and their scholarly oversight committee (SOC) will continuously reevaluate progress and goals to refine learning experiences. The SOC is assembled by the fellow and consists of the fellow’s primary research mentor(s) and senior faculty members with expertise relevant to the fellow’s career interests. At least one member of the SOC is from a different clinical division, which provides additional career perspective.

We have the opportunity of a 2-year fellowship for those who have already completed a Pediatric Subspecialty. This track will be more focused on clinical care provided the research requirement has been fulfilled by the previous pediatric fellowship.

How large is the UI Stead Family Children's Hospital?

University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital is Iowa's only comprehensive children's hospital. We have 190 pediatric beds and 28 PICU beds, with approximately 15,000 admissions per year. Our first children's hospital opened in 1919, and our beautiful new facility was opened in 2017. Last year, we cared for children from all of Iowa's 99 counties as well as 45 states and 20 countries.

Am I going to see enough volume and diversity in Iowa?

We provide care for the majority of pediatric endocrine patients in Iowa, and our catchment area also includes a significant portion of Missouri, Minnesota, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Nebraska. Our patients come from diverse backgrounds in terms of SES, race, and ethnicity, providing a rich clinical and social experience. Our 28-bed PICU cares for both medical-surgical patients as well as the congenital heart population for the catchment area. We are the only level-1 pediatric trauma center in the state and the state’s only pediatric transplant center for solid organ and BMT patients. Our consultative services include the whole range of pediatric subspecialties and surgical specialties.

Does the division provide educational funds?

Yes. Each fellow is provided funds to travel to at least one conference through the division. Fellows are also encouraged and support to apply for other travel grants to attend additional conferences. Funding may potentially be provided through a mentor’s lab if a poster is accepted for presentation. All first-year fellows will also be fully funded to attend the national PICU Bootcamp.

Is there a simulation component to the education program?

Yes! Our simulation program varies from active in-situ PICU simulations of acute events, vascular access simulations, ECMO simulations, and transport call simulations to delivering bad news simulations with standardized patients. We also participate in the first year fellow Bootcamp through CHOP for incoming first years. We are starting a series of simulations with standardized patients that address topics of diversity, equity, and inclusion this year which we are very excited about!

Are there opportunities for electives during fellowship?

Yes, in your senior years there is time for electives. Elective options include: PICC line training, Echo-lab, Cath-lab, Burn Unit, Cardiothoracic Surgery, and ECMO to name a few. Fellows choose their area of interest and electives are created from there.

How does the program help fellows prepare for boards?

Our Faculty-led board review occurs every three months in our core curriculum requiring fellow participation. In addition to that our core curriculum is designed to address all the ABP-board content over a period of 18 months, which gets then gets repeated and adjusted over the years to account for ABP updates in board content.

Does the University of Iowa offer master’s programs?

Yes, we will offer the option of completing a master’s program through the University of Iowa. Candidates will have a separate application process to qualify for funding through the GME office. The expectation is that the master’s program will fulfill all of the requirements set forth by the American Board of Pediatrics for research. These will be continually evaluated by mentors within the masters programs as well as within the division through your scholarship oversight committee.

Is there anything fun to do in Iowa, or is it just cornfields?

Iowa City has a small town feel but all of the amenities of a big city. Our visitors are always amazed at what a hidden gem we have here, and we'd love to show and tell you about it. Whether you prefer arts, history, music, outdoor activities, Big10 college sports, farm-table restaurants, or even craft breweries, you will find something to love about Iowa City.

How to Apply

Group photo

Our program participates in the NRMP Subspecialty Matching Service, as part of the Pediatric Specialties Fall Match (PSFM).  Please visit the NRMP PSFM website for information about current fellowship application and match dates. Because fellowship funding is primarily derived from federal training grants, we preferentially consider applications from U.S. citizens or green card holders.  Foreign medical graduates who have an ECFMG certificate may also apply.

Application Materials Needed:

  • Completed application on ERAS
  • Résumé/Curriculum Vitae
  • Personal Statement
  • Four letters of recommendation including:
    • Medical School Dean’s letter (same as required for residency) 
    • Pediatric Residency Director, and two additional faculty (or other appropriate individuals of your choice) 
    • USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 Examination Scores
  • Copy of ECFMG Certificate (applies to international medical graduates only)
  • Passport-style photograph (optional)

A 2-year fellowship application may be possible for specific candidates. Please contact the Program Director to discuss if you are interested.

  • Eligible candidates must have completed an ACGME-accredited Pediatric Residency and ACGME-accredited Pediatric Subspecialty
  • American Board of Pediatrics research requirement must be satisfied by first accredited fellowship
  • Applications will still go through ERAS/NRMP

Direct program-related questions to:

Fellowship Director

Sarah Haskell, DO
Director, Division of Pediatric Critical Care
Director, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine Fellowship Program
Associate Professor of Pediatrics
Phone: 1-319-353-6464
Email: sarah-haskell@uiowa.edu

PICU Simulation Director & Fellowship Associate Director

 

Shilpa Balikai, DO
Director, Pediatric Critical Care Simulation Program
Associate Director, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine Fellowship Program
Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics
Phone: 1-319-467-8561
Email: shilpa-balikai@uiowa.edu

Fellowship Coordinator

Richard Bonar, portrait

Richard Bonar
Coordinator, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine Fellowship Program
Phone: 1-319-467-8561
Email: richard-bonar@uiowa.edu

Accrediting Board

SCCM, group photo

Medical specialty certification in the United States is a voluntary process which serves multiple purposes for the trainee and the public.

One mission of our training program is to produce trainees who meet board eligibility criteria for Pediatric Critical Care.  Board certification distinguishes a physician as someone with a distinct level of expertise, provides more opportunities when applying for employment, presents resources and tools by the ABMS, and elevates physicians into the ranks of doctors committed to the highest standards of healthcare.

For more information visit the American Board of Pediatrics for specifics on board certification requirements.

The Interview Timeline

Ninja and Adi, photoWe interview approximately 10 candidates for each available position. Our interview season begins early September and continues through the end of October. Our program participates in the NRMP Subspecialty Matching Service, as part of the Pediatric Specialties Fall Match (PSFM). Please visit the NRMP PSFM website for information about current fellowship application and match dates. Incoming fellows must be available to start training on July 1st and must be licensed to practice by the State of Iowa by June 30th.

Once your application materials have been received through ERAS and reviewed, our program director will contact you to invite you for an interview. Due to our call and conference schedules, we prefer a Tuesday or Thursday interview date, but will be flexible with applicant schedules.  

Due to COVID-19 we will be conducting all interviews virtually.

During your interview you will have the opportunity to talk individually with Pediatric Critical Care faculty and fellows. If there are additional UIHC faculty members and/or research mentors with whom you would like to meet, we are glad to arrange for you to meet with them. 

Our People

#CCC4 group photo

Please click on the link below to view our Pediatric Critical Care faculty profiles.

Stead Family Department of Pediatrics Critical Care Faculty Members

Welcome to the Stead Family Department of Pediatrics

Alexander G. Bassuk, MD, PhD

Chair and Department Executive Officer

Welcome to the University of Iowa's Stead Family Children's Hospital. We are proud to showcase our extraordinary clinical care, dedication to the education of students and young physicians, and our world-class research programs.

Our comprehensive medical, surgical, and nursing services span the full spectrum of pediatric care. The consistently high rankings we receive on national and international benchmarks attest to the exceptional quality of care we provide. With more than 127,000 annual outpatient visits and more than 10,000 admissions to the 165 beds at University of Iowa's Stead Family Children's Hospital, we draw patients regionally, nationally, and internationally. Our commitment to family-centered care and our outstanding facilities have been praised for their innovative and patient-friendly design.

We are dedicated to excellence in the education of medical students, residents, and fellows, as reflected by a competency-based curriculum that is designed to provide practitioners with comprehensive knowledge and outstanding skills. The clinical and research efforts of trainees are closely mentored and nurtured. Our graduates move on to successful careers in clinical practice and academic pediatrics.

From genomics to cancer biology, from clinical trials to outcomes research, the department consistently ranks among the top National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded Pediatric Departments nationally. Our faculty and staff are engaged in cutting edge basic science and patient-oriented research in our unwavering quest to improve the health and well-being of all children.

Meet our Division and Faculty

We have a diverse faculty with wide-ranging clinical and research interests. Many are internationally known and have been in the department for many years. We also have bright young faculty who bring new interests and enthusiasm to the practice and teaching of pediatric critical care. All clinical faculty participate in Fellow training, clinical practice, and research.

Sarah Haskell, DO
Division Chief

Aditya Badheka, MBBS, MS
Medical Director

Sarah Haskell, DO
Fellowship Program Director

Shilpa Balikai, DO, MSEd
Associate Fellowship Program Director

Madhu Chegondi, MBBS, MD
Transport Director

  • Mitchell Luangrath, MD
  • Elizabeth Newell, MD
  • Katharine Robb, MD
  • Cody Tigges, MD
  • Kari Wellnitz, MD

Full listing

 

Nurse Practitioners

Cassie Limoges (Nurse Practitioner Supervisor)
Jodi Bloxham
Kristen Brown
Heather Elmore
Kristin Fensterbusch
Tricia Michna
|Brittany Pechous (PICC Line Nurse)
Danielle Hodge
Katelin Hildreth

Nurse Managers

Jennifer Erdahl (Nurse Manager)
Lindsay Fayram (Assistant Nurse Manager)
Nicole Artioli (Assistant Nurse Manager)

Educators

Paula Levette
Mandi Houston

Fellowship Director

Sarah Haskell, DO
Director, Division of Pediatric Critical Care
Director, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine Fellowship Program
Associate Professor of Pediatrics
Phone: 1-319-353-6464
Email: sarah-haskell@uiowa.edu

PICU Simulation Director & Fellowship Associate Director

Shilpa Balikai, DO
Director, Pediatric Critical Care Simulation Program
Associate Program Director, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine Fellowship Program
Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics
Phone: 319-356-2203
Email: shilpa-balikai@uiowa.edu

Current Fellows

Ramya Deepthi Billa, portrait

Ramya Deepthi Billa, MBBS (2019 – 2022)

ramyadeepthi-billa@uiowa.edu
Medical School: Osmania Medical College, Telangana, Hyderabad, India
Residency: St. John Hospital and Medical Center, Detroit
Scholarly Work: Pulsed wave velocity in children – a study of vascular reactivity and aortic stiffness 
2022 QI Project: Pulse wave velocity in children – a study of vascular reactivity

Shruti Patel, portrait

Shruti Patel, MD (2019 – 2022)

shruti-patel@uiowa.edu
Medical School: Government Medical College, Bhavnagar, India
Residency: Harlem Hospital affiliated with Columbia University, New York, N.Y.
Scholarly Work: Effectiveness of one-hand chest compressions compared to standard techniques for CPR in infant population
2022 QI Project: Open palm technique for infant CPR: A comparison to standard techniques

Yezan Abderrahman, portrait

Yezan Abderrahman, MD (2020-2023)

yezan-abderrahman@uiowa.edu
Medical School: University of Jordan Faculty School of Medicine, Amman, Jordan
Residency: TTUHSC-El Paso, Paul L. Foster of Medicine, El Paso, Texas
Scholarly Work: Cardiac Dysfunction and Therapeutic Modulation of Post Traumatic Brain Injury Immune Response in Animal Based Models
2023 QI Project: Cardiac dysfunction and therapeutic modulation in pediatric TBI

Christopher Monson, portrait

Christopher Monson, MD (2020-2023)

christopher-monson@uiowa.edu
Medical School: New York Medical College, Valhalla, N.Y.
Residency: Spectrum Health/MSU Pediatrics Residency Program at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, Grand Rapids, Mich.
Scholarly Work: Injury Frequency Before & After Implementation of All-Terrain Vehicle Ordinances
2023 QI Project: Impact of all-terrain vehicle ordinances on injury frequency

Jawahar Aravinth MBBS

Aravinth Jawahar, MBBS (2021 - 2024)

Medical School: Theni Government Medical College, Theni, India
Residency: BronxCare Health System, Bronx, N.Y.
Scholarly Work: TBD
QI Project: TBD

Nehal Parikh, DO

Nehal Parikh, DO (2021 - 2024)

Medical School: Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University, Chicago
Residency: Saint Louis University, St. Louis
Scholarly Work: TBD
QI Project: TBD

Graduates

Vaneska Bottino da Costa, MD

Vaneska Bottino da Costa, MD (2018-2021)

Medical School: Universidade Gama Filho, Faculdade de Medicina, Rio de Janeiro
Residency: Metropolitan Hospital Center, N.Y.
Current Location: Assistant Professor, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, Texas

Niranjan Vijayakumar

Niranjan Vijayakumar, MD (2018-2021)

Medical School: Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College, Salem, India
Residency: Bronx Lebanon Hospital Center, N.Y.
Current Location: Senior Fellowship, Cardiac Intensive Care, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston

Harsh Kothari, portrait

Harsh Kothari, MBBS (2017-2020)

Medical School: Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences, Indore, India
Residency: The Unterberg Children's Hospital at Monmouth Medical Center, Drexel University, Long Branch, N.J.
Current Location: Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Critical Care, Dayton Children's Hospital, Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Dayton, Ohio

Mitchell Luangrath, portrait

Mitchell Luangrath, MD (2017-2020)

Medical School: University of Wisconsin, School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wis.
Residency: University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Madison, Wis.
Current Location: Clinical Assistant PRofessor, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa

Omar Rodriguez, M.D,

Omar Rodriguez, MD (2017-2019)

Medical School: State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, New York
Residency: North Shore LIJ, New York
Chief Resident: North Shore LIJ, New York
Fellowship: Pediatric Cardiology, University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital, Iowa City, Iowa (2014-2017)
Current Location: Sutter Health PICU, Sacramento, Cali.

Weerapong Lilitwat, MD (2016-2019)

Medical School: Siriraj Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Bangkok
Residency: The Unterberg Children's Hospital at Monmouth Medical Center/Drexel University, Long Branch, N.J.
Current Location: Assistant Professor, Texas Tech Medical Center; Lubbock, Texas

Irene Aryee, MD (2015-2018)

Medical School: University of Ghana Medical School, Accra, Ghana
Residency: Hurley Medical Center, Flint, Mich.
Current Location: Assistant Professor, Texas Tech Medical Center; Lubbock, Texas

Morgan Grundstad, MD (2015-2018)

Medical School: Minot State University, Minot, N.D.
Residency: University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital, Iowa City, Iowa
Current Location: Mercy Medical Center, Des Moines, Iowa

Katharine Robb, MD (2015-2018)

katharine-robb@uiowa.edu
Medical School: University of Iowa, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa
Residency: University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital, Iowa City, Iowa
Current Location:  Assistant Professor, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa *Completed 1 yr CVICU/ECMO fellowship at Great Ormond Street, London, UK

Pradeep Bangalore Prakash, MD (2014-2017)

Medical School: Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College, Kolar, India
Residency: Flushing Hospital Medical Center, Flushing, N.Y.
Current Location: Mercy Medical Center, Des Moines, Iowa

Ashley Sandeen,

Ashley Sandeen, DO (2013-2016)

Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM), Erie, Pa.
Residency: University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital, Iowa City, Iowa
Current Location: Assistant Professor, University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine, Sioux Falls, S.D.

Aditya Badheka, MD (2012-2015)

Medical School: B.J. Medical College, Ahmedabad, India
Residency: Lincoln Medical Center, New York  
Current Location: Assistant Professor, University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital, Iowa City, Iowa  
*Completed 1 yr CVICU fellowship at CHOP Medical Director, PICU

Michael Van Dyke, DO (2012-2015)

Medical School: Pikeville College, School of Osteopathic Medicine, Pikeville, Ky.
Residency: University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital, Iowa City, Iowa
Current Location: Medical Director, PICU, Providence Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital, Spokane, Wash.

Erin Gordon, DO (2011-2014)

Medical School: Midwestern University, Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Downers Grove, Ill.
Residency: University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital, Iowa City, Iowa
Current Location: Assistant Professor, University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas
*Completed 1 yr CVICU fellowship at UTSW

Muhammad Syed, MD (2011-2014)

Medical School: Allama Iqbal Medical College Lahore (AIMC), University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
Residency: Lincoln Medical Centre, New York
Current Location: HCA Houston Healthcare, Clear Lake, Texas

Jody Huber, MD (2009-2012)

Medical School: University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, N.D.
Residency: Pediatrics, University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital, Iowa City, Iowa
Current Location: Associate Professor, University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine, Sioux Falls, S.D. Associate Program Director, Peds Residency Program

Irfan Khan, MD (2009-2012)

Medical School: Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, Bengaluru, India
Residency: State University of New York, Stony Brook, N.Y.
Current Location: Medical Director, PICU, Presbyterian Healthcare Services, Albuquerque, N.M.

Sarah Haskell, DO (2008-2011)

Medical School: Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, Kansas City, Mo.
Residency: Pediatrics, University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital, Iowa City, Iowa
Current Location: Associate Professor, University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital, Iowa City, Iowa Program Director, PICU Fellowship

 

Gwen Erkonen, MD (2007-2010)

Medical School: Southern Illinois University, School of Medicine, Springfield, Ill.
Residency: Pediatrics, University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital, Iowa City, Iowa
Current Location: Assistant Professor, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Dallas 

Firas Rabi, MD (2006-2009)

Medical School: Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
Residency: Children’s Hospital of Hudson County, Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, New York
Current Location: Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan

James Matsuda, MD (2005-2008)

Medical School: University of Iowa, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa
Residency: Pediatrics, University of Hawaii, Honolulu
Current Location: K’Ima: W Medical Center, Hoopa, Cali.

Keala Clark, MD (2004-2007)

Medical School: University of Iowa, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa
Residency: Pediatrics, University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital, Iowa City, Iowa
Current Location: Medical Director, PICU, Providence Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Portland, Oreg.

A. Paige Volk, MD (2003-2006)

Medical School: University of Iowa, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa
Residency: Pediatrics, University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital, Iowa City, Iowa
Current Location: Associate Professor, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Medical Director, PICU, Plano, TX

Division Events

Departmental Graduation
Shruti Patel and Vaneska Bottino da Costa enjoying Fellow's Night Out
Fellow's Night Out
Departmental Graduation

Fellow Welcome Party

An annual event that includes all faculty, fellows, nurse practitioners, and administrative support

Fellow’s Night Out

A call-free night for all fellows prior to the Fellow’s Retreat. Social event planned by fellows.

Fellow’s Retreat

A retreat organized by the Department of Pediatrics for all subspecialty fellows

PICU Holiday Party

An annual event sponsored by the PICU faculty and the Caring Club for the entire Pediatric Critical Care Team (faculty, fellows, NPs, nurses, RTs, social work, admin, etc).

Graduation Party

End of the year celebrating for outgoing fellows to wish congratulate them and wish them luck in future endeavors

Departmental Graduation

An annual graduation dinner and ceremony for pediatric residents and fellows

Contact Us

Sarah Haskell, DO
Director, Division of Pediatric Critical Care
Director, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine Fellowship Program
Associate Professor of Pediatrics
Phone: 1-319-353-6464
Email: sarah-haskell@uiowa.edu

PICU Simulation Director & Fellowship Associate Director

Shilpa Balikai, DO
Associate Director, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine Fellowship Program
Director, Pediatric Critical Care Simulation Program
Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics
Phone: 1-319-467-8561
Email: shilpa-balikai@uiowa.edu

Fellowship Coordinator

Richard Bonar, portrait

Richard Bonar
Coordinator, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine Fellowship Program
Phone: 1-319-467-8561
Email: richard-bonar@uiowa.edu