Aravinth Jawahar, MBBS (2021-2024)

Medical School: Theni Government Medical College, Theni, India
Residency: BronxCare Health System, Bronx, NY
Current Location: Pediatric Cardiac Critical Care Fellowship, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA

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Nehal Parikh, DO (2021-2024)

Medical School: Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University, Chicago, IL
Residency: Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO
Current Location: Children's Mercy - Kansas City, Kansas City, MO
 

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Christopher Monson, MD (2020-2023)

Medical School: New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY
Residency: Spectrum Health/MSU Pediatrics Residency Program at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, Grand Rapids, MI
Current Location: University of Rochester, Golisano Children's Hospital, Division of Pediatric Critical Care, Rochester, NY

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Ramya Deepthi Billa, MBBS (2019 – 2022)

Medical School: Osmania Medical College, Telangana, Hyderabad, India
Residency: St. John Hospital and Medical Center, Detroit, MI

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Shruti Patel, MD (2019 – 2022)

Medical School: Government Medical College, Bhavnagar, India
Residency: Harlem Hospital affiliated with Columbia University, New York, NY

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Vaneska Bottino da Costa, MD (2018-2021)

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

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Niranjan Vijayakumar, MD (2018-2021)

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

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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, NJ
Current Location: Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Critical Care, Dayton Children's Hospital, Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Dayton, OH

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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, IA

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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, IA (2014-2017)
Current Location: Sutter Health PICU, Sacramento, CA

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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, NJ
Current Location: Assistant Professor, Texas Tech Medical Center; Lubbock, TX

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Irene Aryee, MD (2015-2018)

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

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Morgan Grundstad, MD (2015-2018)

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

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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, IA
Current Location:  Assistant Professor, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA *Completed 1 year CVICU/ECMO fellowship at Great Ormond Street, London, UK

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Pradeep Bangalore Prakash, MD (2014-2017)

Medical School: Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College, Kolar, India
Residency: Flushing Hospital Medical Center, Flushing, NY
Current Location: Mercy Medical Center, Des Moines, IA

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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, IA
Current Location: Assistant Professor, University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine, Sioux Falls, SD

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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, IA
*Completed 1 year CVICU fellowship at CHOP Medical Director, PICU

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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, IA
Current Location: Medical Director, PICU, Providence Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital, Spokane, WA

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Erin Gordon, DO (2011-2014)

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

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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, TX

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Jody Huber, MD (2009-2012)

Medical School: University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND
Residency: Pediatrics, University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital, Iowa City, IA
Current Location: Associate Professor, University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine, Sioux Falls, SD 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, NY
Current Location: Medical Director, PICU, Presbyterian Healthcare Services, Albuquerque, NM

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, IA
Current Location: Associate Professor, University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital, Iowa City, IA; Program Director, PICU Fellowship

Gwen Erkonen, MD (2007-2010)

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

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, NY
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, IA
Residency: Pediatrics, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI
Current Location: K’Ima: W Medical Center, Hoopa, CA

Keala Clark, MD (2004-2007)

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

A. Paige Volk, MD (2003-2006)

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

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.

Cody Tigges, DO, FAAP
Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics
Program Director, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine Fellowship
UI Stead Family Department of Pediatrics
Phone: 319-353-7122
Email: cody-tigges@uiowa.edu

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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

Third Year Fellows

Michael Ting Grassi, MD (2022-2025)

Medical School: University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, Oklahoma City, OK
Residency: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences/Arkansas Children’s, Little Rock, AR
Scholarly Work: Evaluation of ECMO watch program at University of Iowa PICU
QI Project: TBD

Lauren Roach, DO (2022-2025)

Medical School: Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine – Middletown, NY
Residency: University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
Scholarly Work: Improving code status discussions
QI Project: TBD

Greta Weber, DO (2022-2025)

Medical School: Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences, Yakima, WA
Residency: University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Scholarly Work: Use of functional NIRS to determine effectiveness of reading intervention versus standard care for PICU patients
QI Project: TBD

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Second Year Fellow

Samuel Richey, MD (2023-2026)

Medical School: Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
Residency: Saint Louis University School of Medicine
Scholarly Work: TBD
QI Project: TBD

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First Year Fellows

Theresa Goodwin, DO (2024-2027)

Medical School: Des Moines University School of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: Blank Children's Hospital, Des Moines, IA
Scholarly Work: TBD
QI Project: TBD

Megan Oberbillig, MD (2024-2027)

Medical School: University of Nevada School of Medicine
Residency: University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children's Hospital, Iowa City, IA
Scholarly Work: TBD
QI Project: TBD

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

Cody Tigges, DO, FAAP
Director, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine Fellowship Program
Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics-Critical Care
Phone: 319-353-7122
Email: cody-tigges@uiowa.edu

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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

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Fellowship Coordinator

Brittany Allendorf
Critical Care Fellowship Program Coordinator
Stead Family Department of Pediatrics
200 Hawkins Drive
Iowa City, IA 52242
Phone: 319-356-1615
Email: brittany-allendorf@uiowa.edu