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Department of Pediatrics

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Dedicated to understanding and promoting child health.

What We Do

Faculty Spotlight

Russell Horowitz

Associate Professor of Pediatrics (Emergency Medicine)

Undergraduate: McGill University, Montreal CanadaMedical School: State University of New York, Brooklyn, NYResidency (Pediatrics) - Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DCFellowship (Pediatric Emergency Medicine) - Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago, ILFellowship (Emergency Ultrasound) - Cook County (Stroger) Hospital, Chicago, IL

Gal Finer

Assistant Professor of Pediatrics (Nephrology)

–Dr. Gal Finer is a Board certified Pediatric Nephrologist, MD, PhD, clinician-scientist, and an Assistant Professor at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and The Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. Dr. Finer acquired knowledge in genetic diseases of the kidney while serving the Bedouin population in Israel, and in molecular pathways of renal fibrosis while working in the laboratory of Dr. William H. Schnaper. Her current research interest lies in understanding the pathophysiology of Congenital Anomalies of the Kidney and Urinary Tract (CAKUT). To this end,...

Ami B Patel

Assistant Professor of Pediatrics (Infectious Diseases)

I am a Pediatric Infectious Diseases specialist and Associate Medical Director of Infection Prevention and Control at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago. I joined the faculty in October 2019 after completing fellowship at New York University School of Medicine. I have an interest in healthcare epidemiology, infection prevention and control, and health-care associated infections. Through my role in our infection prevention and control program, I have had the opportunity to assist with our institutions's COVID-19 response. 

Cynthia R LaBella

Professor of Pediatrics (Advanced General Pediatrics and Primary Care)

As medical director for the Institute for Sports Medicine (ISM) at Lurie Children’s since 2004, I have extensive experience caring for children and adolescents with sports-related injuries. I have served as team physician for high school, college, elite, and professional teams. I am currently the team physician for DeLaSalle high school, Moody Bible Institute, North Side Youth Football League, and the USA Rhythmic Gymnastics team. I served on the executive committee of the American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness (COSMF) for the past 11 years, and for the last 4 y...

Brandi M Kenner-Bell

Assistant Professor of Pediatrics (Dermatology) and Dermatology

Brandi Kenner-Bell completed her MD at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX, where she continued on to complete her pediatrics residency at Texas Children’s Hospital. Dr. Kenner-Bell then moved on to a second residency in dermatology at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, IL as well as her pediatric dermatology fellowship at Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.

Shuai (Steve) Xu

Assistant Professor of Dermatology (Translational Dermatology Research), McCormick School of Engineering and Pediatrics (Dermatology)

As a physician-engineer, Dr. Xu is interested in the translation of breakthrough electrical engineering, materials science, and health information technology towards addressing major unmet clinical needs. As Medical Director of the Center of Bio-Integrated Electronics, he has expertise within flexible device platforms, specifically phototherapy systems, addressing a wide range of dermatological and non-dermatological clinical needs. Previously, he has developed several medical device technologies across multiple medical fields including dermatology, orthopedics, cardiology and patient non-adh...

Oren J Lakser

Assistant Professor of Pediatrics (Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine)

My research interest are primarily related to children suffering from chronic cough and/or exercise induced shortness of breath

Guilherme Baptista de Faria

Instructor of Pediatrics (Cardiology)

My primary areas of clinical interest are preventive cardiology (obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and screening) as well as inpatient and outpatient diagnosis and management of congenital heart disease. I enjoy educating medical students, residents and fellows through bedside teaching as well as formal didactic lectures. My main areas of research interestinclude the effect of obesity on the cardiovascular system of children and adults.

Aaron Hamvas

Professor of Pediatrics (Neonatology)

Dr. Hamvas has a longstanding interest in genetic contributions to lung diseases that affect newborns, children and adults, he has combined his clinical interests in the care of newborn respiratory diseases with an integrated investigative program to understand the modifiable factors that influence outcomes of newborns.

Manu Jain

Professor of Medicine (Pulmonary and Critical Care) and Pediatrics

My primary research interest is in lung repair after acute injury with a focus on TGF-beta mediated signaling. We have identified mitochondrial generated reactive oxygen species as important in TGF-bête mediated gene expression and are working to identify novel therapeutic targets in this pathway. We are also interested in modulating the ubiquitin-proteosomal pathway as a therapeutic target for tissue fibrosis. I have a clinical translational interest in Cystic Fibrosis. I am the site co-PI for the CF Foundation sponsored clinical trial network, The Therapeutic Development Network. I am also ...

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Our faculty is one of our greatest resources. To support them on the paths to successful, fulfilling careers, we make faculty development a priority.<

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