The Division of Neonatology at Lurie Children's provides the highest level of care to the most critically ill newborns in the region. The division cares for more than 2,000 infants each year in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Lurie Children’s and the NICU at Prentice Women’s Hospital. Our NICU is a Level IV facility, which is the highest designation in Illinois for the level of specialized expertise and comprehensive resources available to treat the smallest and sickest babies. As one of the top programs in the state and the region, we received transfers from 45 hospitals last year and we consistently receive the most referrals in Illinois from other Level IV NICU facilities. Our team specializes in:

  • Neurocritical care for infants with neurological problems
  • An advanced respiratory team for infants with severe lung disease
  • Genetic expertise for infants with birth defects and other genetic disorders
  • Specialized surgical intervention for infants with complex surgical problems

Patients in our 64-bed NICU unit have immediate onsite access to 70 pediatric medical and surgical subspecialists, which allows us to treat a patient’s every need, no matter how complex. Each newborn has his or her own room, which offers a better environment for sleep and recovery. Research shows infants in single-family rooms may experience fewer complications than infants in multi-bed wards.

The division also provides consultation for newborns in the Regenstein Cardiac Care Unit (CCU) and provides care in the Neonatal and Cardiac Intensive Care Follow-Up Clinic. This comprehensive outpatient follow-up clinic supports the development of intensive-care graduates from the NICU and the CCU to help each child reach their full potential.

Nationally-Ranked Care

Lurie Children's is ranked 10th in the nation for neonatology by U.S.News World Report

Approach

Our team includes highly experienced neonatologists, neonatal nurse practitioners, neonatal nurses, developmental care specialists, respiratory therapists, nutritionists, social workers and child life specialists. We take a family-centered approach to care, which means we involve the whole family in a patient’s treatment plan. Our Family Services team helps support our patients and their families mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

Known for innovation, we are home to one of fewer than 100 programs in the nation for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), a highly sophisticated mechanical heart/lung support system. Our physicians are internationally recognized leaders in the delivery of other cutting-edge therapies, such as nitric oxide for premature infants and high-frequency ventilation to help prevent lung damage. In addition, our NICU is a referral center for selective head cooling, a treatment for hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.

Our facility offers direct access to Prentice Women’s Hospital​, the largest birthing center in the region. This lets our team immediately care for newborns who need urgent treatment, while keeping them close to their mothers as they recover from delivery. Our neonatologists also manage more than 30,000 births each year at Lurie Children’s 11 partner hospitals, making expert care available to newborns in communities throughout Chicago and the suburbs.

Our Family-Centered Care Culture

An important part of our culture in the NICU is a focus on family-centered care. We believe that parents and caregivers are a vital part of the care team and that a collaborative approach improves care and outcomes for the entire family. 

As part of our focus on family-centered care, we have created a Family Partnership Council to help us improve care for infants and families. The Family Partnership Council is a team of parents of NICU graduates united with staff to provide support, develop improvement projects, and gather parental input on new and existing NICU processes, programs, and projects.

Neonatology Programs

The Division of Neonatology has developed specialized programs to treat certain conditions in the most comprehensive way possible. Browse our list of programs to learn more about the expert-led initiatives that can help treat your child:

Neonatology Conditions We Treat

Our physicians make every attempt to stay at the forefront of treatment advances, making sure they provide our patients with the best care possible. We take specialized and evidence-based approaches to diagnosing and treating critically ill newborns. The following is a list of some of the conditions we treat.

Neonatologists & Neonatal Specialists

The following physicians and advanced practice nurses specialize in treating children with neonatal-related complications.

Aaron Hamvas, MD

Aaron Hamvas, MD

Division Head, Neonatology; Raymond & Hazel Speck Berry Board Designated Professorship in Neonatology

James W. Collins, Jr., MD, MPH

James W. Collins, Jr., MD, MPH

Medical Director, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Lurie Children's; Attending Physician, Neonatology; Zeisler Family Neonatology Leadership Chair

Mohammad H. Alattar, MD

Attending Physician, Neonatology

Maysan Alshaar, MD

Attending Physician, Neonatology

Michael W. Balbus, MD

Michael W. Balbus, MD

Neonatologist Site Leader, Lurie Children's at Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital; Attending Physician, Neonatology

Taha BenSaad, MD, MBA

Neonatologist, Neonatology

Tonia Branche, MD

Attending Physician, Neonatology

Leslie A. Caldarelli, MD

Medical Director, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Northwestern Medicine's Prentice Women's Hospital

Pankaj Chhangani, MD

Attending Physician, Neonatology

Meghan A. Coghlan, MD

Meghan A. Coghlan, MD

Attending Physician, Neonatology

Priya V. Creed, MD

Attending Physician, Neonatology

Ousama Dallal, MD

Attending Physician, Neonatology

Isabelle De Plaen, MD

Attending Physician, Neonatology

Raye-Ann Odegaard deRegnier, MD

Attending Physician, Neonatology; Marion Robinson Heise, PhD Chair in Neonatal Development

Maria L.V. Dizon, MD, MSCI

Attending Physician, Neonatology

Gustave H. Falciglia, MD

Attending Physician, Neonatology

Jessica T. Fry, MD

Attending Physician, Neonatology

Brett R. Galley, MD

Medical Director, Outreach Neonatology; Attending Physician, Neonatology

Justyna Grothaus, MD

Justyna Grothaus, MD

Attending Physician, Neonatology

Jacqueline J. Guay, MD

Jacqueline J. Guay, MD

Attending Physician, Hospital-Based Medicine

Anita Gupta, MD

Anita Gupta, MD

Neonatologist, Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital

Arika G. Gupta, MD

Arika G. Gupta, MD

Attending Physician, Neonatology

Gillian Headley, MD

Attending Physician, Neonatology

Natalia Henner, MD

Natalia Henner, MD

Interim Division Head, Palliative Care; Attending Physician, Neonatology

Shayna D. Hibbs, MD

Shayna D. Hibbs, MD

Attending Physician, Neonatology

Amy N. Hoyme, MD

Attending Physician, Neonatology

Deepika Kakkera, MD

Attending Physician, Neonatology

Beena D. Kamath-Rayne, MD, MPH

Attending Physician, Neonatology

Hamida Khan, MD

Hamida Khan, MD

Neonatologist Site Leader, Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital

Janine Yasmin Khan, MD

Janine Yasmin Khan, MD

Attending Physician, Neonatology; Medical Director, Prentice Women's Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Christina Y. Kim, MD, MPH

Attending Physician, Neonatology

Kenny D. Kronforst, MD, MPH

Neonatologist Site Leader, Norwegian-American Hospital; Quality Improvement Faculty, Telemedicine

Megan B. Lagoski, MD

Megan B. Lagoski, MD

Medical Director, Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia Program; Attending Physician, Neonatology

Jeffrey L. Loughead, MD

Jeffrey L. Loughead, MD

Pediatric Medical Director, Lurie Children's at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital; Neonatologist Site Leader, Lurie Children's at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital, Lurie Children's at Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital; Chair of Pediatrics, Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital

Kerri Z. Machut, MD

Kerri Z. Machut, MD

Attending Physician, Neonatology

Colleen Ann Malloy, MD

Colleen Ann Malloy, MD

Site Leader, Special Care Nursery, Silver Cross Hospital; Attending Physician, Neonatology

Stephanie M. Marshall, MD

Attending Physician, Neonatology

Kacie E. McMahon, DO

Kacie E. McMahon, DO

Attending Physician, Neonatology

Ashok K. Mehta, MD

Neonatologist

Cassandra R. Montoya, MD

Attending Physician, Neonatology

Karna Murthy, MD

Karna Murthy, MD

Attending Physician, Neonatology

Patrick J. Myers, MD

Patrick J. Myers, MD

Attending Physician, Neonatology

Scottie Paitl, MD

Attending Physician, Neonatology

Marta Perez, MD

Attending Physician, Neonatology

Nicolas Porta, MD

Nicolas F. Porta, MD

Attending Physician, Neonatology; Co-Director, Pulmonary Hypertension Program; Associate Director, Lurie Children’s NICU

Nicole Pouppirt, MD

Nicole Pouppirt, MD

Attending Physician, Neonatology

William J. Reda, MD

Neonatologist Site Leader, Centegra Hospital- Huntley; Attending Physician, Neonatology

Daniel T. Robinson, MD

Attending Physician, Neonatology; Founders’ Board Neonatology Young Research Scholar

Mario Sanchez, MD

Attending Physician, Neonatology

Malika D. Shah, MD

Malika D. Shah, MD

Attending Physician, Neonatology; Medical Director, Prentice Newborn Nursery, Northwestern Memorial Hospital

Hernan Sierra-Fernandez, MD

Attending Physician, Neonatology

Miroslaw S. Skalski, MD

Attending Physician, Neonatology

Susan M. Slattery, MD

Susan Slattery, MD, HSOR

Attending Physician, Autonomic Medicine, Neonatology

Kirsten Sorum, DO

Attending Physician, Neonatology

Laetitia Stamboliu, MD

Attending Physician, Neonatology

Shamik B. Trivedi, MD

Shamik B. Trivedi, MD

Attending Physician, Neonatology

Rachel M. Weinstein, MD

Attending Physician, Neonatology

Denise Barnes, APRN-NP

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Neonatology

Rosa I. Brito, APRN-NP, NNP-BC

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Neonatology

Jennifer A. Burkett, APRN-NP, NNP-BC

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Neonatology

Jennifer L. Carpenter, APRN-NP, NNP-BC

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Neonatology

Kelcey Cassady, DNP, APRN, NNP-BC

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Neonatology

Danielle Coenen, APRN-NP

Nurse Practitioner, Neonatology

Ashley Fitzpatrick, APRN-NP, NNP

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Neonatology

Alexa Gilman, APRN-NP, NNP-BC

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Neonatology

Mimi H. Hancko, APRN-NP

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Neonatology

Jillian Hanger, APRN-NP

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Neonatology

Susan Horner, PhD, APRN-CNS, RNC-NIC, CBC

Developmental Specialist & Nurse Scientist, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Mary Hurley, APRN-NP, NNP

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Neonatology

Allison M. Jaskula, APRN-NP

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Neonatology

Bridgette E. Jones, APRN-NP

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Neonatology

Angel R. Lampkin-Kwabena, APRN-NP, NNP-BC, MA

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Neonatology

Jenny K. Lee, APRN-NP, NNP

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Neonatology

Nicole Macleod, APRN-NP, NNP

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Neonatology

Sara A. Mancuso, APRN-NP, NNP

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Neonatology

Helen Medina, APRN-NP, NNP-BC

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Neonatology

Clare A. Morello, APRN-NP, NNP

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Neonatology

Nicolette Nazanin, DNP, APRN, NNP-BC

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Neonatology

Erin E. O'Brien, APRN-NP, NNP

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Neonatology

Melissa D. Oliver, APRN-NP, NNP, RNC-NIC

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Neonatology

Melissa Perl, APRN-NP, NNP

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Neonatology

Kelly A. Peterson, APRN-NP, NNP

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Neonatology

Maureen K. Pope, MSN, APRN, NNP-BC

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Neonatology

Caroline Ryder, APRN-NP, NNP-BC

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Neonatology

Carolyn Seng, APRN-NP, NNP

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Pediatrics

Deanna Smetana, APRN-NP

Nurse Practitioner, Neonatology

Elizabeth Smith, APRN-NP

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Neonatology

Angie Tran, APRN-NP, NNP-BC

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Neonatology

Beckie A. Tweedle, APRN-NP, NNP-BC

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Neonatology

Ellen V. Vandevender, APRN-NP

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Neonatology

Ashley Mae Warfel, APRN-NP, NNP

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Neonatology

Linda Zekas, MSN, MJ, APRN, CWON

Advanced Practice Nurse/Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Neonatology

Emily N. Artigliere, PA-C

Physician Assistant, Neonatology

Andrew J. Berenz, MD

Attending Physician, Neonatology

Rakhee M. Bowker, MD

Attending Physician, Neonatology

Tiffany A. DeRiggi, NP

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner

Angela D. Ehmke, NP

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner

Raymond V. Garay, NP, DNP

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner

Sylbi Intarakumhang, NP

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner

Megan A. Jones, NP

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner

Suhagi Kadakia, MD

Attending Physician, Neonatology

Denise M. Kirsten, NP, BSN

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner

Esther G. Lee, MD

Attending Physician, Neonatology

Aloka L. Patel, MD

Attending Physician, Neonatology

Kousiki Patra, MD

Attending Physician, Neonatology

Gina R. Perronie, NP, NNP

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner

Jennifer E. Pykosz, NP

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner

Kathleen N. Raftery, NP

Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse and Nurse Practitioner

Beverley Robin, MD

Attending Physician, Neonatology

Debra B. Selip, MD

Attending Physician, Neonatology

Laura M. Seske, MBS

Attending Physician, Neonatology

Jean M. Silvestri, MD

Attending Physician, Neonatology

Nishant Srinivasan, MD

Attending Physician, Neonatology

Kelly S. Sulo, NP

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner

Subash C. Arora, MD

Member, Children's Community Physicians Association

Cristina E. Baumker, MD

Attending Physician, Neonatology

Corryn S. Greenwood, MD

Attending Physician, Hospital-Based Medicine

Trena L. Horn, APRN-NP, NNP-BC

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Neonatology

Helen H. Kusi, MD

Neonatologist

Athena I. Patrianakos-Hoobler, MD

Attending Physician, Neonatology

Shobhana Ravikumar, MD

Attending Physician, Neonatology

Jagjit S. Teji, MD

Attending Physician, Neonatology

Emergency Transports

Physicians can arrange emergency transport of a patient to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit by calling our Transport Team.

Our Locations

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago

225 E. Chicago Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60611
312.227.4000

Get Directions

Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital

660 N. Westmoreland Avenue
Lake Forest, Illinois 60045
847.234.5600

Get Directions

Prentice Women's Hospital at Northwestern Medicine

250 E. Superior Street
Chicago, Illinois 60611
312.926.2000

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Silver Cross Hospital

1900 Silver Cross Boulevard
New Lenox, Illinois 60451
815.300.1100

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Lurie Children's at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital

25 N. Winfield Road
Winfield, Illinois 60190
630.933.2340

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Lurie Children's at Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital

300 Randall Road
Geneva, Illinois 60134
630.933.2340

Get Directions

Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital

10400 Haligus Road
Huntley, Illinois 60142
224.654.0544

Get Directions

Franciscan Health Crown Point

12750 Saint Francis Drive
Crown Point, IN 46307
219.738.2100

Get Directions

Research

The Division of Neonatology is involved in research projects to develop new therapies and provide the best possible care for each of our patients. Our integration of clinical and basic science research focuses on genetic and acquired lung disease, brain injury, fetal origins of disease, intestinal injury in premature newborns and optimizing nutritional support for critically ill newborns.

We participate in several clinical trials that develop and evaluate the effectiveness of new or improved treatments. Lurie Children’s plays a leading role in the Children’s Hospitals Neonatal Consortium, a collaborative group of 24 U.S. NICUs that are dedicated to developing best practices to improve outcomes for medically-complex babies. Lurie Children's was also recently accepted to the Neonatal Research Network, a collaboration between NICUs from academic medical centers across the US and a coordinating center, that investigates the safety and efficacy of treatment and management strategies for newborn infants. 

Lurie Children's is a member of the NICHD Neonatal Research Network. The network, consisting of 15 NICUs from academic medical centers across the country, is dedicated to improving the treatment and health outcomes of critically ill newborn babies through rigorous research. 

We are also part of Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO), a program supported by the NIH, that focuses on understanding the effects of early environmental influences on child health and development. 

NICU Resources

Find helpful information and reference materials about what to expect before, during and after your child's NICU stay within our Resources section. 

View Our Resources

Training & Education

Keeping with our belief that quality education is inseparable from our quality patient care, we partner with Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine to train tomorrow’s leading pediatric physicians. As the pediatric teaching hospital for the Feinberg School, we offer several opportunities for residents to further their education in a pediatric specialty. The Division of Neonatology offers a fellowship in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine. 

Learn More

Neonatology News & Stories

Lurie Children’s Is Again Ranked #1 Pediatric Hospital in Illinois by U.S. News & World Report

 Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago continues to be recognized as #1 in Illinois in the U.S. News & World Report Best Children’s Hospitals annual rankings.  

Read more

Understanding NICU Levels

At Lurie Children’s Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs), our team is dedicated to providing the highest quality care and support for your baby and your family.

Read more

Newsweek Ranks Lurie Children’s Hospital #1 in Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery Nationally

Lurie Children’s ranked #1 in Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery in Newsweek’s list of 'America’s Best Children’s Hospitals 2024,' and was listed in the top 10 in three other specialties.

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Regenerating Damaged Heart Cells

Scientists from Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute at Lurie Children’s have discovered a way to regenerate damaged heart muscle cells in mice, a development which may provide a new avenue for treating congenital heart defects in children and heart attack damage in adults.

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Understanding Premature Infant Development

Premature babies may experience different development than full-term babies, but with early intervention and support, can catch up and thrive throughout their lives. Our neonatology expert answers all your questions about premature infant development.

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Miranda and Isabelle’s Story: Twins’ Condition Takes a Last-Minute Turn

After being diagnosed with TTTS, a rare condition affecting twins, Roberta was referred to a specialist team at Lurie Children's Hospital. Despite challenges and complications, both girls are healthy and thriving at 19 months old.

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Philanthropy

Your support is vital in helping us continue to make a difference in the lives of patients and families. Lurie Children’s relies on philanthropic funding to enhance its programs, services and research for children. Private contributions, such as those from the Founders’ Board, help fund the NICU’s developmental care specialist’s salary. To learn more, please e-mail the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago Foundation at foundation@luriechildrens.org or call 312.227.7500.