
Pediatric Critical Care Specialists
The following physicians and advanced practice nurses specialize in treating children in the Lefkofsky Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. 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.

Rajit K. Basu, MD, MS, FCCM
Division Head, Critical Care Medicine; Posy and John Krehbiel Professorship in Critical Care Medicine

M. Ikram Akhtar, MD
Site leader, PICU at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago Central DuPage Hospital




Bria M. Coates, MD
Attending Physician, Critical Care; Crown Family Research Scholar in Developmental Biology






Steven Lestrud, MD
Medical Director, Respiratory Care; Attending Physician, Critical Care and Pulmonary Medicine

Marcelo R. Malakooti, MD
Associate Chief Medical Officer, Hospital Operations and Medical Innovation; Medical Director of Lefkofsky Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)

Candace N. Mannarino, MD
Attending Physician, Cardiology and 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

Robert E. Newmyer, MD
Medical Director, Transport Team; Attending Physician, Critical Care



L. Nelson Sanchez-Pinto, MD, MBI, FAMIA
Attending Physician, Critical Care; Warren and Eloise Batts Research Scholar




Derek S. Wheeler, MD, MMM, MBA
Executive Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer; Crown Family Professorship in Pediatrics


Lauren Baker Rhem, APRN-NP, CPNP-AC, CCRN
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Critical Care

Maria Broadstreet, APRN-NP
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Critical Care

Adam Clay, APRN-NP, PNP
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Critical Care

Laura Crisanti, APRN, NP
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Critical Care

Jacqueline S. Elegant , APRN-NP, RN, MSN, CPNP-AC
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Critical Care

Laura Finn, APRN-NP, RN, MSN, CCRN, CPNP-PC/AC
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Critical Care (Pediatric Intensive Care Unit)

Stephanie A. Gierman, APRN-NP, PNP-AC
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Critical Care

Emily Goldhar, APRN-NP, PNP
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Critical Care

Caroline Hodgson, APRN-NP, RN, DNP, CPNP-AC
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Critical Care

Mary Kelling, APRN-NP, PNP-AC
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Critical Care

Marian C. Malone, APRN-NP, PNP-AC
Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Critical Care

Briseyda Morales, APRN-NP
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Critical Care

Kate Morrow, APRN-NP, CPNP-AC
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

Mary E. Pursley, APRN-NP, CPNP-AC
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Critical Care
Kaitlyn M. Riffel, APRN-NP
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Critical Care

Selina M. Rodriguez, APRN-NP, CPNP-AC
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Critical Care

Amelia Rountree, APRN-NP
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Critical Care

Lauren Sorce, PhD, APRN-NP, CPNP, AC/PC, FCCM
Manager, Pediatric Critical Care, Neurocritical Care, Palliative Care and Almost Home Kids APNs

Lindsey Swigart, MSN, APRN-NP, RN, CPNP-AC
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Critical Care (Pediatric Intensive Care Unit)

Theresa J. Talley, APRN-NP, PNP-AC
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Critical Care










Elizabeth A. Bello, MD
Pediatric Intensivist, PICU at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago Central DuPage Hospital

Vytautas Sapiega, MD
Pediatric Intensivist, PICU at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago Central DuPage Hospital