The Division of Allergy and Immunology at Lurie Children’s treats more children for allergies and asthma than any other hospital in Illinois. Our allergists and immunologists are leaders in their field, having worked with national organizations to improve the understanding and care of food allergies, pediatric asthma, and immune deficiencies.
Our food allergy team performs cutting-edge food allergy diagnoses and treatment. The state-of-the-art Oral Food Challenge (OFC) / Oral Immunotherapy (OIT) Unit at Lurie Children’s Hospital opened in January 2021. This unit is used for patients being seen for oral food challenges or oral immunotherapy visits only, allowing the physicians, advanced nurse practitioners and nurses to dedicate their full attention to the patients. Our specialists perform 350 or more oral food challenges each year, far more than most other pediatric hospitals.
We also have a program where we treat food allergies in infants, as well as promote early introduction of peanut in children at risk to prevent the development of peanut allergy. This includes both clinical visits as well as the opportunities to participate in research.
Our doctors also work with gastroenterologists to provide multidisciplinary care for eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases.
Our division has been involved in NIH-funded research in urban populations, and research in severe asthma for more than 30 years. We currently have studies looking at novel treatments for severe asthma, treating asthma in urban children with recurrent asthma flares, understanding the different types of asthma, and studies looking at the prevention of asthma in at-risk children. We have an active clinical program providing guidelines-based care, as well with state-of-the-art treatment, and use of novel biologic therapies for controlling asthma in our patients. Our division also partners in the high risk asthma clinic for patients along with pulmonary medicine.
Lurie Children’s has the most comprehensive program in the Chicago area to evaluate primary immune deficiencies. Our program is one of 125 globally recognized Jeffrey Modell Diagnostic Centers for Primary Immune Deficiencies, that is dedicated to improving the awareness, early detection and treatment of these serious conditions.
Lurie Children’s also provides comprehensive treatment to patients with immune deficiencies with outpatient treatments in the Ambulatory Infusion Center or definitive therapy via stem cell transplantation. Lurie Children’s has a Severe Immunodeficiency Stem Cell Transplant Program made up of physicians and nurse practitioners from the stem cell transplantation and allergy and immunology specialties. This program is part of the Primary Immune Deficiency Transplant Consortium, a research consortium that evaluates the most effective methods to treat primary immunodeficiency diseases through transplantation, gene therapy or enzyme replacement.
Although most of these diseases are rare, our primary immune deficiencies team cares for 340 patients annually. Because these conditions are often inherited, our team provides genetic screening of patients’ close family members and works with genetics experts at Lurie Children’s to provide genetic counseling.
Nationally-Ranked Care
Lurie Children’s continues to be the #1 children's hospital in Illinois and is ranked in 9 specialties by U.S. News & World Report.
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 children’s asthma, allergies and immune deficiencies. The following is a list of the conditions we treat.
Our Programs
The Division of Allergy and Immunology 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.
Make an Appointment
We offer easy online scheduling for your child's allergy and immunology needs.
Pediatric Allergy & Immunology Specialists
The following physicians and advanced practice nurses specialize in treating children with asthma, allergies and immune deficiencies. Please note, not all of our specialists are available at every location. Select their names to learn more about their special interest areas and locations.
Rajesh Kumar, MD
Interim Division Head, Allergy & Immunology
Aisha Ahmed, MD
Attending Physician, Allergy & Immunology
Sarah M. Boudreau-Romano, MD
Attending Physician, Allergy & Immunology
Timothy J. Brown, MD
Attending Physician, Allergy & Immunology
Anna B. Fishbein, MD
Attending Physician, Allergy & Immunology
Fatima Khan, MD
Attending Physician, Allergy & Immunology
Abigail T. Lang, MD, MSCI
Attending Physician, Allergy & Immunology
Elizabeth Lippner, MD
Attending Physician, Allergy & Immunology
Melanie M. Makhija, MD
Attending Physician, Allergy & Immunology
Sai R. Nimmagadda, MD
Attending Physician, Allergy & Immunology
Jessica M. Palmieri, DO
Attending Physician, Allergy & Immunology
Nashmia Qamar, DO, MSCI
Attending Physician, Allergy & Immunology
Madeline M. Schutt, MD
Attending Physician, Allergy & Immunology
Melissa Watts, MD
Attending physician, Allergy & Immunology
Jennifer K. Bosworth, APRN, FNP-BC
Advanced Practice Provider, Allergy & Immunology
Linda F. Federer, APRN-NP, FNP
Family Nurse Practitioner, Allergy & Immunology
Angela Oest, PA-C, MS, MPH
Physician Assistant, Allergy & Immunology
Aaron T. Donnell, MD
Member, Children's Community Physicians Association
Cynthia J. Lerner, MD
Member, Children's Community Physicians Association
Mark Lowenthal, MD
Member, Children's Community Physicians Association
Kelly K. Newhall, MD
Member, Children's Community Physicians Association
Diane L. Ozog, MD
Member, Children's Community Physicians Association
Alan H. Resnick, MD
Member, Children's Community Physicians Association
Telemedicine Appointments
To help adapt to the changing needs of our community, the Division of Allergy & Immunology now offers Telemedicine visits. You can see our knowledgeable providers from the comfort of your home. We are able to evaluate your child for most concerns, including asthma/breathing issues, environmental allergies, food allergies, medication reactions, and skin problems such as eczema or hives. The advice you receive can help improve your child's symptoms and health immediately. Call 312.227.6010 with questions or to schedule your Telemedicine video visit.
Our Locations
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
225 E. Chicago Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60611
312.227.4000
Lurie Children's Hospital Outpatient Center in Lincoln Park
2515 N. Clark Street/467 W. Deming Place
Chicago, Illinois 60614-3393
1.800.543.7362
Lurie Children's Hospital Outpatient Center in Northbrook
1131 Techny Road
Northbrook, Illinois 60062
312.227.7600
Lurie Children's Hospital Outpatient Center in Arlington Heights
Busse Center for Specialty Medicine
880 W. Central Rd, Ste 6400
Arlington Heights, Illinois 60005
312.227.5410
Lurie Children's at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital Pediatric Outpatient Center
25 N. Winfield Road
East Entrance
Winfield, Illinois 60190
630.933.6631
Lurie Children's at Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital Pediatric Outpatient Center
302 Randall Road
Suite 102
Geneva, Illinois 60134
630.933.6631
Lurie Children's Hospital Outpatient Center in New Lenox
1870 N. Silver Cross Blvd. (formerly Clinton Street)
Suite 100
New Lenox, Illinois 60451
312.227.3620
Lurie Children's Hospital Outpatient Center in Grayslake
1475 E. Belvidere Rd. (Rte. 120)
Suite 285, Pavilion C
Grayslake, Illinois 60030-2012
312.227.2220
Lurie Children’s Hospital Outpatient Center & Physician Office – Pediatrics in Uptown
4867 N. Broadway
Chicago, Illinois 60640
312.227.2610
Lurie Children’s Hospital Outpatient Center in Skokie
3722 W. Touhy Avenue
Skokie, Illinois 60076
312.227.5600
Resources
Our team offers a variety of helpful and physician-recommended resources about allergies and immunology.
Research
Physicians and scientists in our division conduct many research studies in patients that evaluate the effectiveness of new treatments. These clinical trials give your child the chance to take part in groundbreaking research that is improving the treatment of asthma, food allergies and primary immunodeficiencies.
Our researchers also conduct translational, or “bench to bedside,” research. For example, Lurie Children’s Food Allergy Program is performing laboratory studies exploring how food allergies develop and how a person can develop a tolerance to food allergies. Our investigators also collaborate with food allergy researchers at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
Through research and education, the Food Allergy Program seeks to improve the lives of children and families affected by food allergy.
Allergy & Immunology News & Stories
Skin Patch Improves Treatment for Pediatric Milk Allergies
Early peanut introduction gaining traction among U.S. parents, but more work needed
Skin Patch Shows Promise for Toddlers with Peanut Allergy
Many with Food Allergies Don’t Know About Oral Immunotherapy Treatment Option
“Smart” Asthma Inhaler Sensors Improve Pediatric Asthma Control
Chicago's Top Doctors for Kids
Several Lurie Children's providers were recognized in Chicago magazine's Top Doctors for Kids list
Fellowships
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. Review the Feinberg School’s information to learn how to apply for a fellowship with the Division of Allergy and Immunology.
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. 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.