Pediatric Medical Experts

Area of Expertise: Incontinence
Area of Expertise: Men's Health

Ross Ungerleider, M.D., M.B.A.,
Chief of the pediatric cardiovascular surgery team and director of the pediatric heart program

Ungerleider has more than 25 years of clinical experience and is an expert in all congenital heart surgery procedures with special expertise in aortic valve surgery and hypoplastic left heart syndrome. He is certified in congenital heart surgery and is board certified by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery. He is well recognized for his work in developing safe techniques to perform complete repairs of cardiac defects in tiny infants while protecting their neurologic outcomes. He is recognized as a physician thought leader on leadership, teamwork, conflict management and work life balance for physicians and often presents talks at national conferences on these topics. Dr. Ungerleider is the author of more than 300 peer-reviewed scientific papers and book chapters and editor of two major textbooks on cardiac surgery; he is the recipient of the James Carreras International Humanitarian Award in 2000 for his work performing heart surgery on children in Nicaragua; has been listed in Best Doctors and Castle Connolly’s Top Doctors in America for the past 12 years; holds Good Housekeeping recognition as one of the best pediatric cardiac surgeons in the U.S.

Faculty Profile, Research and Publications

Area of Expertise: Pediatric - Cardiology

Derek A. Williams, DO
Associate Professor, Pediatrics

Williams is Chief of Pediatric Cardiology, Co-director of the Pediatric and Congenital Heart program and Medical Director of the Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) Clinic and Interventional Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory at Brenner Children's Hospital. The PH clinic is the only clinic of its kind in North Carolina treating all forms of PH with cutting edge therapies. Additionally, he is the only congenital interventional physician in the region offering minimally invasive heart repair. Williams' clinical interests are all forms of congenital and acquired pediatric heart disease and pulmonary hypertension.

Area of Expertise: Dermatology - General

Joseph L. Jorizzo, MD
Professor, Dermatology

Jorizzo is a professor and former and founding chair of the Department of Dermatology. He is also a professor of clinical dermatology at the Weill Cornell School of Medicine.

Jorizzo has served on multiple councils, committees, and advisory boards and has participated on the editorial boards of major dermatology journals, including the Archives of Dermatology, Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, among others.

He is a member of many professional dermatologic groups, including the American Dermatologic Association Society of Investigative Dermatology, Dermatology Foundation, Women's Dermatology Association and the American Academy of Dermatology where he served as vice president.

Jorizzo has co-edited several books, including Dermatological Signs of Internal Disease and Dermatology for Elsevier. Additionally, he has authored and co-authored more than 200 articles and abstracts.

Jorizzo has been the recipient of a number of national and international honors, including multiple 'Best Doctors in America' listings. He has spoken at hundreds of dermatology meetings in the U.S. and around the world.

Faculty Profile, Research and Publications

Area of Expertise: Childhood Obesity
Area of Expertise: Pediatrics Bariatric Surgery
Area of Expertise: Obesity Treatment and Research

Joseph A. Skelton, MD
Assc. Professor of Pediatrics, Gastroenterology

Skelton, a pediatric gastroenterologist and national obesity expert, heads the region's first and most comprehensive pediatric obesity program. Called Brenner FIT (Families in Training); the program has several components, including a year-long intensive treatment program for overweight children with an underlying medical problem. Brenner FIT works with families to identify habits to change and then help them restructure their lives in a way that promotes physical fitness, healthy eating habits and overall wellness. Skelton consults with other pediatric specialists at Brenner Children's Hospital to treat children with high cholesterol, diabetes, sleep apnea and other obesity-related diseases. His team includes a behavior specialist, a physical therapist, a dietitian, and a nurse case manager.In addition to the Brenner FIT program, Skelton is working with pediatric surgeons at the children's hospital to offer the state's only adolescent bariatric surgery program for children.

Area of Expertise: Pediatric - Epidemiology/Prevention

Katherine A. Poehling, MD, MPH
Professor, Pediatrics

Dr. Poehling has conducted research into vaccine-preventable diseases in children including influenza, pneumonia and whooping cough. She recently demonstrated that maternal influenza vaccination was associated with a 45 to 48 percent reduction in influenza hospitalization among infants too young to receive the flu vaccine. Dr. Poehling is the recipient of the 2008 American Academy of Pediatrics Outstanding Achievement Award, and she is listed in Best Doctors in America.

Faculty Profile, Research and Publications

Area of Expertise: Pediatric - Neonatology

Cherrie D. Welch, MD
Associate Professor, Pediatrics

Dr. Welch is a neonatologist who cares for infants referred to Brenner Children's Hospital from other hospitals in the region for management of prematurity, birth defects or other critical issues. As a physician in an academic medical center, she studies, teaches and practices the most current evidence-based medicine and researches new and better ways to care for these infants.

Faculty Profile, Research and Publications

Area of Expertise: Pediatric General Surgery

John K. Petty, M.D.
Associate Professor, Surgery and Pediatrics

Dr. Petty's clinical interests are Neonatal Surgery, Hepatobiliary Surgery, Pediatric Surgery, Minimally Invasive Surgery, Pediatric Oncologic Surgery. He is listed in Best Doctors in America.

Faculty Profile, Research and Publications

Area of Expertise: Cancer - Leukemia

Thomas Pranikoff, MD
Professor, Pediatric Surgery, General

Dr. Pranikoff is a part of the busiest pediatric surgical center in Western North Carolina, which is one of only four in the state. His interests include a broad base of thoracic and general surgical problems in children and care of critically ill newborns and older children. He has particular interests in minimally-invasive surgery and extracorporeal life support. His research interests have included support for severe respiratory failure, pediatric trauma and burns; benefits of subspecialty care; neonatal surgery; and oncology. He received his B.S. and M.D. degrees from Tufts University in Boston, MA. He completed his General Surgery residency training at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, MI. He is certified by the American Board of Surgery in Surgery, Surgical Critical Care and Pediatric Surgery. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and is listed in Best Doctors in America.

Faculty Profile, Research and Publications

Area of Expertise: Infectious Disease - Pediatrics

Timothy R. Peters, MD
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Infectious Diseases

Dr. Peters serves as an attending physician in pediatric infectious diseases at Brenner Children's Hospital, and his major research area regards the epidemiology and control of influenza virus and other vaccine-preventable respiratory pathogens. He is a member of the Brenner Children's Hospital Program in Vaccine Sciences, and directs a laboratory that conducts basic research on viral replication and co-pathogenic relationships between influenza virus and bacteria, and provides molecular diagnostic support for clinical studies of influenza virus. Peters is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics in general pediatrics and pediatric infectious diseases.

Faculty Profile, Research and Publications

Area of Expertise: AIDS/ HIV- Pediatrics
Area of Expertise: Vaccine Preventable Diseases

Avinash K. Shetty, MD
Professor of Pediatrics/ Infectious Disease

Shetty's research is focused on perinatal HIV prevention and maternal and child health in resource-limited countries. His clinical interests include pediatric infectious diseases, tropical infections and global health.

Faculty Profile, Research and Publications

Area of Expertise: Orthopaedics

L. Andrew Koman, MD
Professor of Surgery - Orthopedics, Professor of Pediatrics

Koman, a hand and pediatric orthopaedic surgeon, is listed in both The Best Doctors in America and America's Top Doctors. His research focuses on improving the function of children with cerebral palsy, congenital hand disorders and nerve damage and adults with complex hand damage, including surgical techniques and botulinum toxins, which he introduced into clinical practice. He is internationally recognized in congenital (pediatric hand), upper extremity vascular disorders, chronic pain and nerve injury, hand reconstruction and microsurgery. He is chair of orthopaedic surgery and director of the hand fellowship. Koman is a former president of the Southern Orthopaedic Association, the Eastern Orthopaedic Association, the North Carolina Orthopaedic Association, The Southeastern Hand and the Hand Forum. He was the founder and first president of the North Carolina Society of Surgery of the Hand and is a past president of the American Society of Surgery of the Hand. Koman is editor-in-chief of the Journal of the Surgical Orthopaedic Advances. He has published three books and over 200 peer- reviewed articles and book chapters. He has received the Clinical Research (Kappa Delta) award from the Orthopaedic Research and Education Society and the Huene Award from the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America.

Faculty Profile, Research and Publications

Area of Expertise: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Lisa R. David, MD, FACS
Professor, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

David is a plastic surgeon whose areas of interest are orthognathic and reconstructive surgery, cleft lip and palate, oral and maxillofacial surgery, chin implants, reconstructive facial surgery, maxillofacial trauma, endoscopic forehead lift, chemical peels, cosmetic surgery, body contouring after bariatric weight loss surgery, head and neck cancers, plastic and reconstructive surgery, breast reconstruction, facial nerve disorders, laser resurfacing, pediatric surgery, pediatric trauma, cosmetic facial surgery, otoplasty, arteriovenous malformation, pigmented lesions, craniofacial surgery, adult and pediatric reconstructive problems, breast cancer surgery, congenital anomalies, botulinum toxin, orbital surgery, facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, orbital fracture evaluation and repair, laser surgery, craniofacial malformation, bone and soft tissue tumors, head and neck reconstruction, pediatric trauma and burns, and melanoma. David is board certified in plastic and reconstructive surgery and trained in craniofacial surgery. Her memberships include the American Medical Association, American Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Association, Frederick A. Coller Surgical Society, North Carolina Medical Society, Plastic Surgery Society, International Society of Craniofacial Surgery, American Society of Craniofacial Surgery, American Society of Maxillofacial Surgery, Southeastern Society of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeons, Fellows of American College of Surgeons, North Carolina Society of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeons, and American Society of Pediatrics. David is also listed in Best Doctors in America®.

Faculty Profile, Research and Publications

Area of Expertise: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Joseph A. Molnar, MD, PhD, FACS
Professor, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery and Director of the Wound Care Center

Molnar is a plastic surgeon whose areas of interest are wound and burn reconstruction, hand surgery, trauma reconstruction, microvascular and replantation surgery, limb salvage, wound care, wound healing problems, wounds (difficult), nerve conduction testing, tarsal tunnel surgeries and hair restoration. He is board certified in plastic and reconstructive surgery and hand surgery and trained in microsurgery and burns. His memberships include the International Society of Burn Injury, American Burn Association, Fellow American Association of Plastic Surgery, Fellows of American College of Surgeons, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, North Carolina Medical Society, Wound Healing Society, American Society for Parenteral & Enteral Nutrition, and the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery. Molnar is also listed in Best Doctors in America®.

Faculty Profile, Research and Publications

Area of Expertise: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Lisa R. David, MD, FACS
Professor, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

David is a plastic surgeon whose areas of interest are orthognathic and reconstructive surgery, cleft lip and palate, oral and maxillofacial surgery, chin implants, reconstructive facial surgery, maxillofacial trauma, endoscopic forehead lift, chemical peels, cosmetic surgery, body contouring after bariatric weight loss surgery, head and neck cancers, plastic and reconstructive surgery, breast reconstruction, facial nerve disorders, laser resurfacing, pediatric surgery, pediatric trauma, cosmetic facial surgery, otoplasty, arteriovenous malformation, pigmented lesions, craniofacial surgery, adult and pediatric reconstructive problems, breast cancer surgery, congenital anomalies, botulinum toxin, orbital surgery, facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, orbital fracture evaluation and repair, laser surgery, craniofacial malformation, bone and soft tissue tumors, head and neck reconstruction, pediatric trauma and burns, and melanoma. David is board certified in plastic and reconstructive surgery and trained in craniofacial surgery. Her memberships include the American Medical Association, American Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Association, Frederick A. Coller Surgical Society, North Carolina Medical Society, Plastic Surgery Society, International Society of Craniofacial Surgery, American Society of Craniofacial Surgery, American Society of Maxillofacial Surgery, Southeastern Society of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeons, Fellows of American College of Surgeons, North Carolina Society of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeons, and American Society of Pediatrics. David is also listed in Best Doctors in America®.

Faculty Profile, Research and Publications

Area of Expertise: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Joseph A. Molnar, MD, PhD, FACS
Professor, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery and Director of the Wound Care Center

Molnar is a plastic surgeon whose areas of interest are wound and burn reconstruction, hand surgery, trauma reconstruction, microvascular and replantation surgery, limb salvage, wound care, wound healing problems, wounds (difficult), nerve conduction testing, tarsal tunnel surgeries and hair restoration. He is board certified in plastic and reconstructive surgery and hand surgery and trained in microsurgery and burns. His memberships include the International Society of Burn Injury, American Burn Association, Fellow American Association of Plastic Surgery, Fellows of American College of Surgeons, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, North Carolina Medical Society, Wound Healing Society, American Society for Parenteral & Enteral Nutrition, and the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery. Molnar is also listed in Best Doctors in America®.

Faculty Profile, Research and Publications

Area of Expertise: Pediatric General Surgery

John K. Petty, M.D.
Associate Professor, Surgery and Pediatrics

Dr. Petty's clinical interests are Neonatal Surgery, Hepatobiliary Surgery, Pediatric Surgery, Minimally Invasive Surgery, Pediatric Oncologic Surgery. He is listed in Best Doctors in America.

Faculty Profile, Research and Publications

Area of Expertise: Cancer - Leukemia

Thomas Pranikoff, MD
Professor, Pediatric Surgery, General

Dr. Pranikoff is a part of the busiest pediatric surgical center in Western North Carolina, which is one of only four in the state. His interests include a broad base of thoracic and general surgical problems in children and care of critically ill newborns and older children. He has particular interests in minimally-invasive surgery and extracorporeal life support. His research interests have included support for severe respiratory failure, pediatric trauma and burns; benefits of subspecialty care; neonatal surgery; and oncology. He received his B.S. and M.D. degrees from Tufts University in Boston, MA. He completed his General Surgery residency training at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, MI. He is certified by the American Board of Surgery in Surgery, Surgical Critical Care and Pediatric Surgery. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and is listed in Best Doctors in America.

Faculty Profile, Research and Publications

Area of Expertise: Tissue Engineering
Area of Expertise: Pediatric Urology

Anthony Atala, MD
Director, Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Professor and Chair of Urology

Atala directs the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, where scientists work on developing healing cell therapies and engineering replacement tissues and organs in the lab. His team was the first in the world to engineer and successfully implant an engineered organ in the lab -- bladders. Institute scientists are currently working on therapies for more than 30 areas of the body, from heart valves and muscle tissue to livers and kidneys. Atala has received the Christopher Columbus Foundation Award, given to a living American who is currently working on a discovery that will significantly affect society. He is listed in Best Doctors in America.

Area of Expertise: Bed Wetting
Area of Expertise: Urinary Tract Infections
Area of Expertise: Pediatric Urology
Area of Expertise: Toilet Training

Steve Hodges, MD
Associate Professor Surgical Sciences-Urology

Dr. Hodges is a pediatric urologist whose specialties include bed wetting, toilet training and chronic urinary tract infections. Other areas of expertise are hernia, blood in the urine, hypospadias and hydrocele. He has authored a book for consumers on toilet training and voiding dysfunction. His research interests include the prevention of luminal strictures and scar disease throughout the urinary tract and body and dysfunctional elimination. He is an associate editor of Scientific World Journal, and on editorial boards of the Indian Journal of Urology and BMC Urology. Multiple new treatments developed by Hodges have been licensed to startup companies, including drug-coated catheters and stents designed to prevent or treat urethral strictures, and a wipe to prevent urinary tract infections in young girls.