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Pediatric Critical Care
The Division of Critical Care at Lurie Children’s treats children in the Lefkofsky Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). We provide top-quality care using the most recent advancements in equipment and techniques, with specialized attention to pulmonary issues, critical care and other specialty needs.
Our Approach to Critical Care Medicine
The PICU provides advanced care to children of all ages and with a vast range of serious conditions. The latest interventions and treatments are available in the PICU, including extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), specialty ventilation techniques and transplant services. We also work closely with the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and the Regenstein Cardiac Care Unit (CCU).
Nationally-Ranked Care
Lurie Children’s continues to be the #1 children's hospital in Illinois and is ranked in 11 specialties by U.S. News & World Report.
Conditions We Treat
We treat a wide range of serious medical and surgical conditions, such as:
Lurie Children’s Main Campus Pediatric Intensivists
Raj K. Basu, MD, MS
Division Chief, Critical Care Medicine; Posy & Jon Krehbiel Chief of Critical Care Medicine
Colleen M. Badke, MD, MPH
Attending Physician, Critical Care
Matthew Barhight, MD
Attending Physician, Critical Care
Amanda C. Becker, MD
Attending Physician, Critical Care
Michael V. Certo, MD, MA, MM
Attending Physician, Palliative Care; Program Director, Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship Pediatric Track
Bria M. Coates, MD
Attending Physician, Critical Care; Crown Family Research Scholar in Developmental Biology
Conrad L. Epting, MD
Attending Physician, Critical Care
Alexandra Feldman, MD
Attending Physician, Critical Care
Rachel E. Gahagen, DO
Attending Physician, Critical Care
Anjali Garg, MD
Attending Physician, Critical Care
Denise M. Goodman, MD, MS
Attending Physician, Critical Care
Grant R. Hahn, MD
Associate Chief Medical Officer (ACMO), Downers Grove; Attending Physician, Hospital-Based Medicine
Catherine A. Humikowski, MD
Attending Physician, Critical Care
Steven Lestrud, MD
Medical Director, Respiratory Care; Attending Physician, Critical Care and Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine
Marcelo R. Malakooti, MD, MBA, CPE
Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer; Crown Family Professorship in Pediatrics; Attending Physician, Critical Care
Leslie A. Mataya, MD
Attending Physician, Critical Care
Christopher D. Mattson, MD
Attending Physician, Critical Care
Kelly N. Michelson, MD, MPH
Attending Physician, Critical Care. Director, Center for Bioethics and Medical Humanities; Julia and David Uihlein Professor of Bioethics and Medical Humanities, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Erin D. Paquette, MD, JD, MBe
Attending Physician, Critical Care
Mary Pilarz, MD
Attending Physician, Critical Care
Andrew Prigge, MD
Attending Physician, Critical Care
Matthew Rowland, MD
Medical Director, Liver Transplantation Anesthesia; Attending Physician, Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine; Assistant Medical Director, Vascular Access Team; Co-Medical Director, Rapid Difficult Airway Management
L. Nelson Sanchez-Pinto, MD, MBI, FAMIA, FCCM
Attending Physician, Critical Care; Warren and Eloise Batts Research Scholar; Co-Director, Center for Pediatric Acute and Critical Care Research and Innovation
Leah G. Setar, MD
Attending Physician, Critical Care
Craig M. Smith, MD
Attending Physician, Critical Care
Eric L. Wald, MD, MSCI
Attending Physician, Critical Care
Derek S. Wheeler, MD, MMM, MBA
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Adrian D. Zurca, MD
Attending Physician, Critical Care
Lurie Children's Main Campus Advanced Practice Professionals and PICU Hospitalists
Claire Justin, MD
Attending Physician, PICU Hospitalist
Eleanor E. Ward Anselmo, APRN-NP
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Critical Care
Lauren Baker Rhem, APRN-NP, CPNP-AC, CCRN
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Critical Care
Arantxa R. Bautista, DNP, APRN, CPNP-AC, CPN
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Critical Care
Caroline E. Biehl, APRN-NP
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Critical Care
Jacqueline S. Elegant , APRN-NP, RN, MSN, CPNP-AC
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Critical Care
Caroline Finn, APRN-NP
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Critical Care
Stephanie A. Gierman, APRN-NP, PNP-AC
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Critical Care
Emily Goldhar, APRN-NP, PNP
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Critical Care
Maggie B. Heraty, APRN-NP
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Critical Care
Caroline Hodgson, DNP, APRN, CPNP-AC
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Critical Care and Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine
Mary Kelling, APRN-NP, PNP-AC
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Critical Care
Maya Levine, DNP, APRN-NP
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Critical Care
Margaret Maloof, APRN-NP, DNP, MSN
Nurse Practitioner, Critical Care
Briseyda Morales, MS, BSE, APRN-NP, CPNP-AC
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Critical Care
Kate Morrow, APRN-NP, CPNP-AC
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Critical Care
Nina Ogrizovich, APRN-NP
Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Critical Care
Sailja Patel, APRN-NP, MSN
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Critical Care
Andrew V. Pecson, APRN-NP
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Critical Care
Brittney L. Pfister, APRN-NP, CPNP-AC, CCRN
Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Critical Care
Erica E. Prendergast, MS, APRN, CPNP
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Critical Care
Elizabeth M. Protacio, APRN-NP, CPNP-AC
Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Critical Care
Amelia Rountree, APRN-NP
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Critical Care
Lauren R. Sorce, PhD, RN, CPNP-AC/PC, FCCM, FAAN
Senior Director of Clinical Research Nursing Operations, Department of Nursing; Senior Scientist, Division of Pediatric Critical Care; Pediatric Critical Care Nurse Practitioner, Division of Pediatric Critical Care; Posy and Fred Love Chair in Nursing Research
Margaret Stefanowski, APRN-NP, DNP
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Critical Care
Central DuPage Hospital Pediatric Intensivists
M. Ikram Akhtar, MD
Attending Physician, Critical Care
Elizabeth A. Bello, MD
Pediatric Intensivist, PICU at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago Central DuPage Hospital
Grant R. Hahn, MD
Associate Chief Medical Officer (ACMO), Downers Grove; Attending Physician, Hospital-Based Medicine
Vytautas Sapiega, MD
Pediatric Intensivist, PICU at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago Central DuPage Hospital
Rush University Medical Center Intensivists
Jaime R. Braverman, MD
Attending Physician, Critical Care
Samantha D. Friedman, MD
Attending Physician, Critical Care
Jim F. Hays, MD
Attending Physician, Hospital-Based Medicine
Valerie E. Kalinowski, MD
Attending Physician, Critical Care
Joanna R. Kuppy, MD
Attending Physician, Critical Care
Stephanie Lam, DO
Attending Physician, Critical Care
Ancy S. Mohan, MD
Attending Physician, Critical Care
Paul N. Severin, MD
Attending Physician, Critical Care
Joanna C. Tylka, MD
Attending Physician, Critical Care
Critical Care Research
Our research includes all aspects of delivery of care to critically ill children, including treatment, prevention and understanding of diseases on the most basic biological level. The lessons we learn from our research are directly incorporated into medical practice, keeping Critical Care physicians at Lurie Children’s on the cutting edge of science, wellness, technology and healthcare.
Our Location
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
225 E. Chicago Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60611
312.227.4000
Critical Care News & Stories
Mia's Story: A Little Warrior With Big Impact – Living with Trisomy 18 (Edwards Syndrome)
After years of facing several medical challenes, Mia is now a thriving 6-year-old. Her family's journey at Lurie Children's inspired them to found the Edwards Syndrome Association and change lives.
From NICU to Kindergarten: Joey's Journey with Down Syndrome
From complex surgeries to first steps, Joey has overcome incredible odds. Supported by a loving family and dedicated care team, Joey's journey with Down syndrome is a testament to a child's resilience.
New U.S. Estimates of Sepsis in Kids Point to Urgent Need to Reduce High Mortality Rates
New national data reveals pediatric sepsis affects over 18,000 U.S. hospitalizations each year, with mortality rates remaining unchanged, highlighting an urgent need for improved detection and care.
When Families Can Initiate Access to Interpreters in Pediatric Intensive Care, Communication Time with Medical Team Doubles, Study Shows
Giving families in the PICU direct access to interpreters can double communication with their child’s medical team, according to new research.
Research Aims to Prevent Lung Damage in Babies and Toddlers with Severe Flu, RSV
Flu and RSV can hit babies and toddlers especially hard. At Lurie Children’s, Dr. Bria Coates is studying how to protect young lungs and help kids recover faster.
Chicago's Top Doctors for Kids 2025
Several of Lurie Children's providers were recognized in Chicago Magazine Castle-Connolly Top Doctors 2025 list.
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.