My clinical specialties are pediatric general surgery, chest wall deformities, pectus excavatum, pectus carinatum, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), splenectomy for congenital blood disorders, muscle biopsies, trauma and injury prevention.

I became a physician because I love the joy that comes from helping others. Working with children provides a unique opportunity to make a difference for a lifetime for children and their families. Taking care of children and their families is truly a privilege and one of my greatest joys.

My research interests are chest wall deformities, pectus excavatum, pectus carinatum, trauma and injury prevention. I have been the Cincinnati Children’s site investigator for large multicenter studies investigating the role of partial versus total splenectomy for congenital blood disorders and laparotomy versus peritoneal drainage for NEC. I’m interested in research because I love the challenge of solving important clinical problems that can improve the lives and outcomes for patients.

The current research I do involves evaluating the cardiopulmonary impact of pectus excavatum and bracing for pectus carinatum. I’m also assessing the best approach to splenectomy for congenital blood disorders and determining the best surgical approach for NEC to provide better clinical outcomes.

I am a member of multiple professional organizations, including:

• American College of Surgeons
• American Medical Association
• American Medical Women's Association
• American College of Surgeons Ohio Chapter
• Cincinnati Pediatric Society
• Mont Reid Surgical Society
• American Pediatric Surgical Association
• American Academy of Pediatrics Surgical Section and Injury Prevention Section
• Eastern Association for Surgery and Trauma
• Pediatric Trauma Society

I am board certified in General Surgery (1998, 2007, 2019) and Pediatric Surgery (2000, 2009, 2020).