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