Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology & Hepatology

The Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition offers comprehensive inpatient, outpatient and laboratory services to evaluate and treat infants, children and adolescents with gastrointestinal, liver and pancreatic disorders.

Programs and Areas of Expertise

Patient Conditions: Gastoesophageal reflux, Dysfunctional swallowing, Failure to thrive, inflammatory bowel disease, Peptic ulcer disease, Malabsorption, Pancreatic disorders, Neonatal jaundice, Chronic Liver Disease, Acute and chronic diarrhea, Constipation, Recurrent abdominal pain, Feeding disorders (eosinophilic esophagitis, autism), Eosinophilic gastroenteropathy, Celiac Disease

Comprehensive Evaluations: Diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic procedures, Breath analysis for detecting carbohydrate Malabsorption and bacterial overgrowth, 24-hour pH probe study, Manometry.

Faculty/Professional Staff

Samra Blanchard, M.D.

Associate Professor; Division Head, Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition;

Pediatric Gastroenterology Fellowship Director
Special Interest: Children with Liver Disease; Inflammatory Bowel Disease; Pediatric Endoscopy
Steven J. Czinn, M.D.
Professor and Chair, Pediatrics
Special Interest: Mucosal Immunology; Gastrointestinal Infections; Helicobacter Pylori; Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Rishi Gupta, M.B.B.S.
Assistant Professor, Pediatrics
Pediatric Gastroenterologist, Endocrinologist and Transplant Hepatologist
Special Interest: Liver Disease; Obesity
Howard Kader, M.D.
Assistant Professor, Pediatrics
Special Interest: Inflammatory Bowel Disease; Eosinophilic Esophagitis and other infectious and Noninfectious Intestinal Mucosal Inflammatory Disease Process
Ryann Mayer, RD, LDN
Pediatric Nutritionist
Special Interest: Pediatric Gastroenterology; nutritional therapy of IBD; Obesity; poor growth; EOE
Jay Perman, M.D.
Professor, Pediatrics
President; University of Maryland Baltimore
Special Interests: General Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition.
Elsie Stines, CRNP
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Special Interests: Pediatric Gastroenterology; Failure to Thrive; Inflammatory Bowel Disease; Constipation/Encoprisis
Runa D. Watkins, M.D.
Assistant Professor, Pediatrics
Pediatric Gastroenterology Fellowship Director a
Special Interests: Celiac Disease/Gluten related disorders; Education & nutrition; Fecal transplant; Capsule Endoscopy
Donna Zeiter, M.D.
Assistant Professor, Pediatrics
Director of Endoscopy
Special Interests: Eosinophilic Esophagitis; Functional abdominal pain; IBD; Capsule Endoscopy; Fecal Transplant

Division Staff

Constance Chamberlin, RN, BSN
Alexandria Griffin, RN, BSN
Erica Hall, RN, BSN
Margaret Martin, RN, BSN
Patricia Shields, RN, BS

Educational Activity

Precepting 3rd year students
Train 4th year students in GI elective
Give 10 lectures to residents every year
Mentor research projects for students and residents
Board review for graduating residents

Contact Information

Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology & Nutrition
22 S. Greene Street, Rm N5W70
Baltimore, MD 21201
410-328-0812 (academic office)