In Alphabetical Order

Ronald Clyman, M.D.

Univ of California, San Francisco

San Francisco, CA

Ronald I. Clyman, M.D. is Professor of Pediatrics, Associate Director of the Pediatric Clinical Research Center, and a member of the Cardiovascular Research Institute at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine. Dr. Clyman earned his BA in biophysics at Amherst College in Amherst, Massachusetts, and his MD at Columbia University School of Medicine in New York City.  After graduating, he completed his residency in pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco. His fellowship in cyclic nucleotides and fetal hemodynamics were conducted at the National Institutes of Health National Heart and Lung Institute Laboratory of Cellular Metabolism and the University of California Cardiovascular Research Institute. Dr. Clyman’s research interests and professional expertise are devoted to the treatment of extremely premature infants. Internationally renowned for his basic and clinical studies of the ductus arteriosus, he is the author of more than 167 original and review articles. His research has helped define the role of oxygen and prostaglandins in the patent ductus patency and he is studying mechanisms that cause irreversible ductal closure.  Dr. Clyman is the recipient of 21 honors and awards.

Glenda Edwards Robertson, RN, MA

Neonatology Outreach Program Department of Pediatrics/Neonatology

Albuquerque, NM

Glenda Edwards Robertson has a background in neonatal nursing at the University of New Mexico Hospital’s Level III NBICU. In 2002, she became the Neonatal Education Consultant for the University of New Mexico Department of Pediatrics’ Neonatology Outreach Program. In this role she plans, assesses, designs, develops, implements, and evaluates continuing education opportunities for New Mexico’s neonatal healthcare providers. Glenda is a Regional Trainer for the Neonatal Resuscitation Program and has been asked to participate in NRP Steering Committee Meetings. She also received an invitation to sit on the American Academy of Pediatrics Continuing Education Program (PCEP) Advisory Committee.

Dawn Ehrhard-Wingard, OTR/L, DOM

UNM Children's Hospital

Peds/Neonatology

Albuquerque, NM

Dawn Ehrhard-Wingard, OTR/L, DOM, occupational therapist and doctor of oriental medicine, has been teaching touch and massage with families since1981. Since 1989 Dawn has worked as a neonatal developmental specialist in the NICU, special care and well baby nurseries at the UNM Children's Hospital. Dawn's extensive experience includes working with families of babies born preterm and with prenatal drug exposure. As an infant massage instructor Dawn has been on the faculty of the Touching Lives Courses of the International Institute of Infant Massage, the Somatic Therapy Institute and has lectured internationally.

Erika Fernandez, M.D.

Pediatrics/Neonatology

Albuquerque, NM

Dr. Fernandez is an assistant professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Neonatology. She majored in electrical engineering and worked in research in the Anatomy Department, University of Mexico School of Medicine in her undergraduate years. She then received an MD degree from the University of New Mexico School of Medicine and completed a pediatric residency after which she practiced general pediatrics for 3 years at a local New Mexico community healthcare center. She returned to the University of New Mexico for subspecialty training in neonatal-perinatal medicine where she continues to work now as faculty. Her research interest is in adrenal function in the newborn.

Nancie Furgang,

UNM Children's Hospital

Peds/Neonatology

Albuquerque, NM

Nancie Furgang completed her graduate work in Occupational Therapy at the University of Southern California in 1978 and has worked in the area of pediatrics ever since. In 1990 she joined the staff at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital where she entered the world of the NICU and developed clinical interests in Developmentally Supportive Care and Neonatal Feeding and Swallowing Disorders. Currently, Nancie is the director of the Developmental Care Program at the University of New Mexico.

David Ingram, Jr., M.D.

Indiana University Cancer Center

Department of Pediatrics R4 470

Indianapolis, IN

Dr. Ingram received his BA in Religious Studies from Brown University, his MA in Theology/Ethics and is MD from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. Dr. Ingram completed his pediatric residency at the University of California at San Francisco and a fellowship in neonatal-perinatal medicine at Indiana University School of Medicine. Dr. Ingram is currently an Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Indiana University School of Medicine. Dr. Ingram is an investigator in the Herman B. Wells Center for Pediatric Research and a consulting and attending physician at several local hospitals. Dr. Ingram has published over 40 articles and book chapters. He has served in a variety of roles for numerous scientific meetings and has participated in National Institutes of Health Study Section. Dr. Ingram’s research topics include Neurofibromatosis Type 1, but most recently the discovery of the organization of the vascular endothelium into hierarchy of endothelial stem and progenitor cells in collaboration with Dr. Mervin Yoder.

Dr. Stephen Jolley

Pediatric Surgeon of Alaska

Anchorage, AK

Stephen Jolley, M.D., is a practicing pediatric surgeon for the Pediatric Surgeons of Alaska in Anchorage. He has been in the practice of General Surgery for two years and Pediatric Surgery for 21 years. Dr. Jolley is certified in Pediatric Surgery by the American Board of Surgery and has an appointment with the University of Washington School of Medicine as a Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery. He also serves as an editorial consultant for the Journal of Pediatric Surgery. His research interests include gastroesophageal reflux disease and esophageal PH monitoring in infants and children. Dr. Jolley received his M.D. degree from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. He completed his intern ship in surgery and residency in general surgery at the University of Utah Affiliated Hospitals. His residency in pediatric surgery was completed at the Children’s Hospital of Oklahoma.

John Kinsella, M.D.

Highlands Ranch, CO

Dr. Kinsella is Professor of Pediatrics in the section of neonatology at the Children’s Hospital University of Colorado School of Medicine. He is the Director of Newborn ECMO Service as well as Director of the Medical Advisory Group for the Flight for Life-Newborn/Young Child Emergency Medical Transport team. His research focus is on the prevention and treatment of bronchopulmonary dysplasia and persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn.

Lucille McLoughlin, M.D.

UNM Children's Hospital

Peds/Gastroenterology

Albuquerque, NM

Dr. Lucille McLoughlin is a board certified Pediatric Gastroenterologist at the Children’s Hospital of New Mexico. Dr. McLoughlin has been on the faculty of the University of New Mexico for the past three years; developing a pediatric liver clinic and small bowel/short gut clinic. She manages a home TPN service for children with short gut and cares for recipients of liver and small bowel transplantation. Dr. McLoughlin has developed protocols for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B and C as well as fatty liver disease; as well as managing a medical service for a liver transplant program.

Robin Ohls, M.D.

UNM Children's Hospital

Peds/Neonatology

Albuquerque, NM

Dr. Robin Ohls joined the faculty in August, 1995. Her primary research interest is in the field of neonatal hematopoiesis. Currently she is conducting clinical studies to assess the efficacy of erythropoietin therapy in decreasing the need for red blood cell transfusions in term and preterm infants with congenital heart disease, and in neonates who require surgery, and will soon begin a multicenter study of anti-staphylococcal hyperimmune globulin in preterm intants. She performs clonogenic assays of fetal and neonatal stem cells in the laboratory, comparing fetal and neonatal erythroid progenitor cell response to a novel erythropoiesis stimulating protein, and continues to investigate the pathophysiology of the anemia of prematurity using human fetal li ver and kidney cultures. In addition, she collaborates with basic scientists in evaluating the pathophysiology of abnormal vasculogenesis seen in retinopathy of prematurity by measuring concentrations of matrix metalloproteinases in the developing human vitreous, and measuring mRNA concentrations in developing tissues using PRISM PCR.

Dr. Ohls was the recipient of an NIH Physician Scientist Award to study the regulation of erythropoiesis in the fetus and newborn infant. Dr. Ohls also mentors residents and fellows in their research projects and is very active in teaching medical students, residents, and fellows for the School of Medicine. In 1999-2000 academic year, she received a Faculty Teaching Award from UNM School of Medicine. Dr. Ohls is a well-known speaker nationwide in the field of neonatal hematology and has been an invited guest speaker at both national and international conferences. Dr. Ohls is the Director of the Perinatal-Neonatal Fellowship Program at the University of New Mexico.

Lu-Ann Papile, M.D.

Pediatrics-Newborn

Baylor College of Medicine

Houston, TX

LuAnn is a noted neonatologist who was awarded Best Doctor in America in 1992 and 1994 and was an invited Congressional Fellow in Washington, DC, in 1992. She is a professor for the Department of Pediatrics as well as the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine. She serves as the Director of the Neonatal-Perinatal Fellowship Program and is the Medical Director for the Developmental Care Program. LuAnn is regarded as an outstanding researcher in the field of neonatology. She is currently the Principle Investigator in over a dozen research studies and is most known for her longitudinal studies on the role of intracranial and intraventricular hemorrhage in preterm infants. In addition to her duties at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Dr. Papile is an international guest lecturer and keynote speaker who has presented lectures on such subjects as hypoxic/ischemic encephalopathy, perinatal brain injury, developmental interventions in neonatal care, periventricular and intraventricular hemorrhage, posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus, neonatal seizures, and neurodevelopmental outcome.

Richard Polin, M.D.

Columbia University Medical Center

New York-Presbyterian Healthcare Medical Centers

New York, NY

Richard A. Polin, M.D. is a professor of pediatrics at Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons in the City of Newe York and has bee director of the Division of Neonatology at Morgan Stanley Children’s Hopital of New York-Presbyterian since 1988. After earning BA and MD degrees from Temple University, D.r Polin completed a pediatric internship and residency at Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago, and a pediatric residency and neonatology fellowship at Children’s Hospital of NY.  He was Pediatric Chief Resident there from 1974-75 and Rustin McIntosh Fellow in Pediatrics from 1975-1977.   Dr. Polin was recently named the National Neonatal Education Award Recipient by the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Perinatal and Physician of the Year Award both from the New York-Presbyterian Hospital Columbia University Medical Center and the Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital of New York-Presbyterian. Dr. Polin has published over 100 original papers, more than 60 editorial reviews and chapters, 20 books (including Fetal and Neonatal Physiology, Workbook in Practical Neonatology, pediatric Secrets, Fetal and Neonatal Secrets, Current Pediatric Therapy, Pocket Neonatology) and more than 150 abstracts.  He is editor of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ publication, “Grand Rounds”.

Saroj Saigal, M.D, FRCP C

McMaster University

Peds/Neonatology

Hamilton, Ontario

Dr. Saigal is Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada. Director, Growth & Development Clinic, Hamilton Health Sciences Corporation, Hamilton, Ontario. She has served as the External Consultant: NIH/ NICHD Workshop on Defining the Content of Follow-up for High Risk Children,; Co-Moderator/Abstract Reviewer: Neonatal Epidemiology and Follow-up Symposium, Pediatric Academic Societies Annual Meeting; External Reviewer for Biobehavioral and Behavioral Processes-6 Study Section for the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Her honors are many and include, March of Dimes Lectureship, Albuquerque, New Mexico; William A.Silverman, Visiting Professor, University of Texas, Houston; Distinguished Neonatologist Award, Canadian Paediatric Society 2005; Invited Committee Member, Institute of Medicine, Committee on Understanding Premature Birth and Assessing Healthy Outcomes. Her lifetime work has been in the area of longitudinal follow-up of very low birth weight infants.

Istvan Seri, MD, PhD

USC Division of Neonatal Medicine Childrens Hospital Los Angeles and Women's and Children's Hospital LAC+USC Medical Center Keck School of Medicine University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA

Istvan Seri, M.D., Ph.D., is head of the USC Division of Neonatal Medicine at its locations at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, Women’s & Children’s Hospital at Los Angeles County/USC Medical Center, Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center and Good Samaritan Medical Center.  Since his arrival at CHLA and USC, Dr. Seri has overseen the expansion of the USC Division of Neonatalogy and the creation of the Institute of Maternal-Fetal Health.  In 2006, Dr. Seri became the Director of the newly formed “Center of Fetal and Neonatal Medicine” at CHLA/USC incorporating the Division of Neonatology with its academic neonatal network and the IMFH into one multidisciplinary center.

Dr. Seri’s basic and clinical research activities have focused on the developmental regulation of cardiovascular and renal function, the pathophysiology and treatment of neonatal shock and more recently, the use of functional echocardiography and other bedside hemodynamic monitoring techniques in neonatal medicine.  He has received several awards to support his research activities including the Charles A. Janeway award from Harvard Medical School and awards from the NIH and other funding agencies.  Dr. Seri has published over 80 peer-reviewed scientific publications and book chapters, and he is the co-editor of the Neonatal Hemodynamics Cardiovascular Series by Elsevier, which will be published in 2006. He has also been a member or chair of several scientific organizing committees in the US and abroad.  He is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and a member of the Society of Pediatric Research and the Pediatric Academic Society.

Dr. Seri received a medical degree from Semmelweis University School of Medicine (SUSM), Budapest, Hungary in 1976, and he completed a residency in pediatrics at SUSM, from October 1976 through June 1979. He was a Semmelweis Awardee (1986).  Dr. Seri was a research fellow in developmental physiology at St. Göran's Children's Hospital, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden, from October 1984 to September 1985. He was awarded a Ph.D. in developmental clinical physiology from the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary, in 1985. Dr. Seri was a research fellow in medicine and nephrology at Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass, from October 1986 through June 1988; a research fellow in the Joint Program in Neonatology at Beth Israel Hospital, Brigham & Women's Hospital and Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Mass., from July 1988 through June 1989; and a clinical fellow in the Joint Program in Neonatology, from July 1989 through June 1991.

Sirkka-Liisa Spencer, NNP

Edgewood, NM

Sirkka Spencer graduated as a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner from the University of Arizona in 1980. She has extensive experience as a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner and has worked in level III NICU’s in Las Vegas, Nevada and most recently, the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. She was active with the Nevada Nurses Association (NNA) and was elected as chair of the NNA Special Interest Group three times. During that time she worked to advance the professional standing of NNP’s in regard to licensing, prescriptive authority and education. She has been an active member of the AAP District VIII Perinatal/Neonatal Section since the early 1980’s. Mrs. Spencer has been a past presenter at several District VIII meetings and is now actively involved in strengthening the Advanced Practice representation of the AAP Perinatal/Neonatal Council.

Robyn Wales, M.D.

Phoenix, AZ

Kristi Watterberg, M.D.

UNM Children's Hospital

Peds/Neonatology

Albuquerque, NM

Dr. Kristi Watterberg is a Professor of Pediatrics and Chief of the Division of Neonatology. Her primary research interests are adrenal function in the fetus and newborn infant and the pathogenesis and prevention of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Pursuing this interest, Dr. Watterberg has conducted both observational and interventional studies exploring the relationships between prenatal and postnatal inflammation, adrenal function and the development of BPD. In 2001, she received funding from NICHD for a multicenter trial entitled, "Prophylaxis of early adrenal insufficiency to prevent BPD". The short-term results of this study were published in Pediatrics (114:1649, 2004), and showed that for infants exposed to prenatal inflammation (chorioamnionitis), early treatment with low-dose hydrocortisone increased survival and decreased BPD. The two-year follow up of these infants will be completed in 2005. As Chief of the Division, Dr. Watterberg looks forward to continuing the mission of the Division to improve the health of newborn infants throughout the State of New Mexico through clinical services including newborn transport and outreach education