Our People

Pediatric Residency graduation class group photo

It takes a special person to dedicate their life to the care and healing of children.

At Iowa, you will be exposed to some of the best clinicians, researchers and teachers in our profession. Through formal mentoring programs, as well as an open-door philosophy, we provide high-powered opportunities for you to learn career-long lessons from these dedicated professionals.

Additionally, our chief residents and fellows are committed to helping you achieve your training aims. Classmates in your residency class will share in the support and encouragement that will help you excel.

Meet our 2022-2023 Pediatric Interns:

Chair and Department Executive Officer

Alexander G. Bassuk, MD, PhD | Chair and Department Executive Officer

Welcome to the Stead Family Department of Pediatrics. 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 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.

Stead Family Department of Pediatrics Faculty

The UI Stead Family Department of Pediatrics has a faculty of more than 170 professionals whose clinical, teaching, and research expertise spans the entire discipline of pediatric medicine.

Please select a link below to view faculty clinical and research profiles.

Faculty Listed Alphabetically 

Faculty by Division

Faculty Research Profiles

Residency Leaders

Amy Stier, MD, MME

Program Director
Clinical Professor
amy-stier@uiowa.edu

Eyad Hanna, MD, MME

Associate Program Director
Clinical Associate Professor
eyad-hanna@uiowa.edu

Glenda Rabe, MD, MME

Associate Program Director
Clinical Associate Professor
glenda-rabe@uiowa.edu

Erin Howe, MD

Associate Program Director
Clinical Assistant Professor
erin-howe@uiowa.edu

Lyndsay Harshman, MD, MS

Associate Program Director
Assistant Professor
lyndsay-harshman@uiowa.edu

Michael Colburn, MD, MEd

Associate Program Director
Clinical Assistant Professor

Clover Rohe

Assistant Residency Coordinator
clover-farmer@uiowa.edu

Chief Residents

The Chief Residents' role includes facilitation of Resident Report, Inpatient Direct Observation, preparing schedules for rotation, conference, retreat, emergency coverage, medical student education, and recruitment, and serving on various committees representing residency interests.

Kacie Rytlewski, MD

Chief Resident
peds-chief@uiowa.edu


Caitlin Thirnbeck, DO, MPH

Chief Resident
peds-chief@uiowa.edu

Current Residents

Welcome 2022-2023 Pediatric Interns

Download a roster of our 2021-22 Pediatric Residents

 

First Year

  • Dr. Thomas Cox, University of Texas Medical Branch School of Medicine
  • Dr. Grant Goertzen, University of Nebraska Medical Center
  • Dr. Morgan Harris, University of Nebraska Medical Center
  • Dr. Madison Hesse, Des Moines University, College of Osteopathic Medicine
  • Dr. Abigail Koski, Des Moines University, College of Osteopathic Medicine
  • Dr. Christopher Lysons, Rocky Vista University, College of Osteopathic Medicine 
  • Dr. Valerie McKendry, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine
  • Dr. Brittany O'Brien, Des Moines University, College of Osteopathic Medicine
  • Dr. Ashley Radig, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine
  • Dr. Veronica Ramirez-Altamirano, Tecnologico de Monterrey SOM & Health Sci. 
  • Dr. Kathryn Ritter, Des Moines University, College of Osteopathic Medicine
  • Dr. Cara Schoon, Kansas City University, College of Osteopathic Medicine
  • Dr. Laura Varan, University of Medicine & Pharmacy Victor Babes
  • Dr. Rebecca Waldman, Medical College of Wisconsin 
  • Dr. Cassie Wassink, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine
  • Dr. Sarah Westbrook, Creighton University School of Medicine
  • Dr. Katherine Wierzbowski, Indiana University School of Medicine

Second Year

  • Dr. Moh'd Rawhi Abu Hamad, Jordan University of Science and Technology Faculty of Medicine
  • Dr. Rawan Al-Rawi, Jordan University of Science and Technology Faculty of Medicine
  • Dr. Yahya Almodallal, Jordan University of Science and Technology Faculty of Medicine
  • Dr. John Belz, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
  • Dr. Emily Chi, Rush Medical College of Rush University Medical Center
  • Dr. Sawyer Clement, University of Oklahoma College of Medicine
  • Dr. Miranda Deutmeyer, A.T. Still University of Health Sciences Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
  • Dr. Farbod Farhang, Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine
  • Dr. Natalie McIntire, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences
  • Dr. Joshua Mifflin, Indiana University School of Medicine
  • Dr. Irene Morcuende-Gonzalez, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine
  • Dr. Zachary Rumlow, Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine
  • Dr. Destinee Schmitz, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine
  • Dr. Elizabeth Smits, Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University
  • Dr. Danielle Thiessen, Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine
  • Dr. Kayla Walter, McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

Third Year

  • Dr. Elizabeth Daniel, Medical College of Wisconsin
  • Dr. Mitchell Edwards, University of Iowa, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine
  • Dr. Adam Erwood, University of Iowa, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine
  • Dr. Alexandra Flanagan, St. Louis University, School of Medicine
  • Dr. Collin Foster, University of Iowa, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine
  • Dr. Lydia Hillier, Western Michigan University, Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine
  • Dr. Garret Kahle, University of Kansas, School of Medicine
  • Dr. Keegan Kavanaugh, University of Iowa, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine
  • Dr. Melanie Morris, University of Washington, School of Medicine
  • Dr. Andrea Nollette, University of Nebraska, College of Medicine
  • Dr. Megan Oberbillig, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine
  • Dr. Ashley Preston, Medical College of Wisconsin
  • Dr. Sarah Scott, University of South Dakota, Sanford School of Medicine
  • Dr. Daniel Stover, University of Iowa, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine
  • Dr. Melinda Whitacre, University of California, Riverside School of Medicine

Past Residents

2022 Graduates

  • Sirine Belaid, Pediatric Gastroenterology Fellowship, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA       
  • Ashlee Graham, Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
  • Megan Kavanaugh, General Pediatrics, Unity Point Pediatrics, Ankeny, IA
  • Alex Keating, General Pediatrics, Complete Children’s Health, Lincoln, NE      
  • Caitlin Lindaman, General Pediatrics, Mercy Pediatric Clinic, Coralville, IA      
  • Shelby Mestnik, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Fellowship, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
  • Ben Palmer, Pediatric Endocrinology Fellowship, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
  • Emily Phillips, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Fellowship, Washington University, St. Louis, MO
  • Kacie Rytlewski, Pediatric Chief Resident, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
  • Jeremy Sandgren, Neonatology Fellowship, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
  • Ashley Schumacher, General Pediatrics, Mercy Pediatric Clinic, Cedar Rapids, IA      
  • Caitlin Thirnbeck, Pediatric Chief Resident, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
  • Megan Warneke, General Pediatrics, Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center, Ft. Madison, IA     
  • Blair Wright, General Pediatrics, Northwest Medicine, Sandwich, IL     
  • Caroline Densmore, Academic General Pediatrics, UAB/Children’s of Alabama, Birmingham, AL     
  • Karissa Soltys, Academic General Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Coralville, IA     

2021 Graduates

  • Kathryn Bakkum, Pediatric Hospitalist Fellowship, Akron Children's Hospital, Akron, OH
  • Caroline Densmore, Pediatric Chief Resident, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
  • Amy Hobson, Neonatology Fellowship, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
  • Christina Kim, General Pediatrics, Rockford, IL
  • Mallory Krahn, General Pediatrics, Kansas City, MO
  • Megan Miller, General Pediatrics, Lincoln, NE
  • Natalie Mushitz, General Pediatrics, Mitchell, SD
  • Cari Natvig, General Pediatrics, St. Cloud, MN
  • Graciela Parra Villasmil, Pediatric Endocrinology Fellowship, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
  • Mariah Sisson, Sports Medicine Fellowship, Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, MO
  • Matthew Solomon, Critical Care Fellowship, Indiana University, IN
  • Karissa Soltys, Pediatric Chief Resident, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
  • Ryan Squires, Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellowship, Indiana University, IN
  • Sriya Subramani, Pediatric Endocrinology Fellowship, Seattle Children's Hospital, WA
  • Megan Wubben, Academic General Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Coralville, IA     

2020 Graduates

  • Kristin Avery, General Pediatrics, Clear Lake, IA
  • Melissa Baranay, Pediatric Hospitalist Fellowship, Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, IL
  • Timothy Boly, Neonatology-Perinatal Fellowship, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
  • Alex Hoover, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Fellowship, University of Minnesota, MN
  • Matthew Maves, General Pediatrics, Coralville, IA
  • Tyler Murtaugh, General Pediatrics, Blue Springs, MO
  • Haley Plath, General Pediatrics, Cedar Rapids, IA
  • Meaghan Reaney, Critical Care, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
  • Heather Reichert, General Pediatrics, Monroe, WI
  • Rachel Segal, Child Abuse Fellowship, Children’s Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, MO
  • Kamel Shibbani, Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
  • Ryan Town, Pediatric Nephrology Fellowship, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
  • Alexander Tuttle, Pediatric Endocrinology Fellowship, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
  • Oriana Vanegas Calderon, Pediatric Gastroenterology Fellowship, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA

2019 Graduates

  • Faris Al-Gharaibeh, Neonatology-Perinatal Fellowship, Cincinnati, OH
  • Courtney Glos, General Pediatrics, Seymour, IN
  • Rachel Han, Neonatology-Perinatal Fellowship, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH
  • Hillary Herman, General Pediatrics, Appleton, WI
  • Bryan Koestner, General Pediatrics, University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital, Iowa City, IA
  • Stephanie Lind, General Pediatrics, Sedalia, MO
  • Kyle Merrill, Nephrology Fellowship, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, OH
  • Lance Nelson, Adolescent Medicine Fellowship, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA
  • Melanie Reyes, Neonatology-Perinatal Fellowship, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
  • David Segar, Cardiology Fellowship, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
  • Elizabeth Segar, General Pediatrics, Wauwatosa, WI
  • Ben Spector, Nephrology Fellowship, Children’s Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, MO
  • Amy Strong, Nephrology Fellowship, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, PA
  • Ty Webb, General Pediatrics, Idaho Falls, ID
  • Kaitlin Stein, General Pediatrics, Kansas City, MO

2018 Graduates

  • Kathryn Halyko, General Pediatrics, Waterford, WI
  • Michael Halyko, Hematology/Oncology Fellowship, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
  • Justin Hammar, Neonatology Fellowship, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
  • Emily Hvidston, General Pediatrics, Duluth, MN
  • Kathleen Larson, General Pediatrics, Cedar Rapids, IA
  • Marissa Michel, General Pediatrics, Dubuque, IA
  • Sara Pepper, General Pediatrics, Yankton, SD
  • Matthew Rysavy, Neonataology Fellowship, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
  • Kristen Sandgren, Pediatric Hospitalist, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
  • Laura Socwell, Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellowship, Akron Children's Hospital, Akron, OH
  • George Spyropoulos, Critical Care Fellowship, Washington University, St. Louis, MO
  • Julianne Torres, Pediatric Hospitalist, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
  • Amy Truong, Pediatric Hospitalist, Cedar Rapids, IA
  • Patience Ugwi, Completing PhD
  • Allison Whitney, General Pediatrics, Ankeny, IA

2017 Graduates

  • John Callahan, General Pediatrics, Dubuque, IA
  • Benjamin Dexter, General Pediatrics, Mankato, MN
  • Anh Linh Hoang, General Pediatrics, Clackamas, OR
  • Stephanie Houston, Pediatric Nephrology Fellowship, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
  • Kathryn Kaufman, General Pediatrics, Cedar Rapids, IA
  • Margaret Koos, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Kansas City, MO
  • Benjamin Landgraf, General Pediatrics, New Berlin, WI
  • Natasha Madhoo Reynolds, General Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
  • Padget Skogman, General Pediatrics, Cedar Rapids, IA
  • Amy Stanford, Hemodynamics Fellowship, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
  • Hua Sun, Pediatric Nephrology Fellowship, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA
  • Lisa Woodroffe, General Pediatrics & Sports Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
  • Jessica Zimmerman, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA

2016 Graduates

  • Nour Akil, Pediatric Pulmonology Medicine, Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, Memphis, TN
  • Lindsay Blick, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Omaha, NE
  • Christopher Etscheidt, General Pediatrics, Waukee, IA
  • Temara Hajjat, Pediatric Gastroenterology Medicine, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Cincinnati, OH
  • Jennifer Isham, General Pediatrics, Kansas City, MO
  • Sneha Iyer, Hospitalist, University of Chicago, IL
  • Katherine Lynch, General Pediatrics, Medford, OR
  • Emily Peterson, General Pediatrics, MN
  • Catherina Pinnaro, Pediatric Endocrinology Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
  • Justin Schwartz, Pediatric Allergy and Immunology Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, OH
  • Fotios Spyropoulos, Neonatology-Perinatal Medicine, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Newton, MA
  • Jenna Tate, General Pediatrics, Burnsville, MN
  • Patricia Watkins, Neonatology-Perinatal Medicine, Sanford Medical Center, Bismark, ND

2015 Graduates

  • Chad Dallon, General Pediatrics, Logan, UT
  • Osayame Ekhaguere, Neonatology-Perinatal Medicine, Riley Children’s, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN
  • Morgan Grundstad, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Mercy, Des Moines, IA
  • Will Klutho, General Pediatrics, Jefferson City, MO
  • Tate Lage, General Pediatrics, Clear Lake, IA
  • Tracey Morgan-Harris, Neonatology-Perinatal Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
  • Kathryn Newby, General Pediatrics, Scottsdale, AZ
  • Dan Pelzer, General Pediatrics, Des Moines, IA
  • Shawki Qasim, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Medicine, Texas Children’s Hospital, Baylor University, College of Medicine, Houston, TX
  • Kate Robb, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
  • Katie Shearer, General Pediatrics, Cedar Rapids, IA
  • Baiba Steinbrekera, Neonatology-Perinatal Medicine, Sanford Medical Center, Sanford, Sioux Falls, SD

2014 Graduates

 

  • Katie Behunin, General Pediatrics, Draper, UT
  • Michael Colburn, Adolescent Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
  • Steven Haasken, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Essentia Health, St. Mary’s, Duluth, MN
  • Lyndsay Harshman, Pediatric Nephrology Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
  • Erin Howe, General Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
  • Alexandra Iannone, Pediatric Neurology Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
  • Ugochi Ogu, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Medicine, University of Tennessee, Memphis, TN
  • Rupa Pallavala, General Pediatrics, Indianapolis, IN
  • Julie Stecher, General Pediatrics, Bettendorf, IA
  • Ali Suliman, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Medicine, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
  • Anita Unnithan, Pediatric Medicine, Springfield, MO
  • Jon Willes, Pediatric Cardiology Medicine, Marshfield Children's Hospital, Marshfield, WI
  • Robin Williams, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
  • Masaki Yamada, PPediatric Infectious Disease Medicine, National Center for Childhood Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan

2013 Graduates

  • Brady A'Hearn, Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
  • Ashraf Baeshu, Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Rockford, IL
  • Letrice Blair, General Pediatrics, Albany, OR
  • Leslie Greenlee, General Pediatrics, Cedar Rapids, IA
  • Suneeti Gupta, Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Piedmont Healthcare, Atlanta, GA
  • Hasan Hashem, Hematology/Oncology & BMT Medicine, King Hussein Cancer Foundation & Center, Amman, Jordan
  • Mina Kim, General Pediatrics, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
  • Sonya Kirmani, Pediatric Cardiology Medicine, Duke Children’s Hospital, Durham, NC
  • Krupa Mysore, Pediatric Gastroenterology Medicine, Baylor University, College of Medicine, Houston, TX
  • Ashley Sandeen, Critical Care Medicine, Sanford Children’s Hospital, Sioux Falls, SD
  • Jennifer Thompson, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Children’s Hospital, Minneapolis, MN

Contact Us

ERAS logoIf you are interested in applying to the Pediatric Residency Program, applications are accepted only through ERAS. Please include your USMLE scores, Dean's letter, three letters of recommendation, and a personal statement.

To reach us:

Jolynn Leyden-Schevers
Pediatric Residency Coordinator
Stead Family Department of Pediatrics - 2015-26 BT
University of Iowa Children’s Hospital
200 Hawkins Drive
Iowa City, IA 52242
Phone: 319-356-3462
Fax: 319-356-4855
Email: peds-res@uiowa.edu