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, EOE (Eosinophilic Esophagitis)

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

Infusion Therapy

Faculty and Staff

Runa D. Watkins, MD
Division Head
Assistant Professor, Pediatrics
Pediatric Gastroenterology Fellowship Director
Special Interests: Celiac Disease/Gluten related disorders; Education & nutrition; Fecal transplant; Capsule Endoscopy
Atiye Nur Aktay, MD
Assistant Professor, Pediatrics
Endoscopy Director, Pediatric Gastroenterology
Special Interests: Pediatric Endoscopy, IBD, Celiac Disease, Fecal Microbial Transplantation
Samra Blanchard, MD
Associate Professor, Pediatrics
Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs, Pediatrics
Special Interests: Children with Liver Disease; Inflammatory Bowel Disease; Pediatric Endoscopy
Lina M. Diaz Calderon, MD
Assistant Professor, Pediatrics
Special Interest: General Pediatric Gastroenterology, Special Needs and Nutrition, IBD, Motility and Functional GI Disorders
Steven J. Czinn, MD
Professor and Chair, Pediatrics
Special Interest: Mucosal Immunology; Gastrointestinal Infections; Helicobacter Pylori; Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Jennifer S. Hong, MD, MPH
Assistant Professor, Pediatrics
Howard Kader, MD
Assistant Professor, Pediatrics
Assistant Fellowship Program Director
Co-Director of the Eosinophilic Esophagitis Program
Special Interest: Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE), General Pediatric Gastroenterology, IBD
Jay Perman, MD
Professor, Pediatrics
President; University of Maryland Baltimore
Special Interests: General Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition
Sarah Choi, CRNP
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Special Interest: General Pediatric Gastroenterology, Constipation/Encopresis
Elsie Stines, CRNP
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Special Interests: Pediatric Gastroenterology; Failure to Thrive; Inflammatory Bowel Disease; Constipation/Encoprisis

Division Staff

Tiona Speights, MSN, RN
Registered Nurse
Amber Cluster, BSN, RN
Registered Nurse
Laura Hamilton, MSN, RN
Registered Nurse
Nicole Hudak BSN, RN
Registered Nurse
Margaret Martin, RN, BSN
Registered Nurse
Conchetta Williams
Office Manager & Pediatric GI Fellowship Coordinator

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

Pediatric Gastroenterology Fellowship Program (UMMC)

Locations

University of Maryland Pediatric Specialty Midtown
827 Linden Avenue
2nd Floor
Baltimore, MD 21201

Young Adult and Adolescent Health Services
120 Penn Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21201

Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital
1708 West Rogers Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21209
410-367-2222

University of Maryland Pediatrics at Upper Chesapeake
520 Upper Chesapeake Dr.
Physicians Pavilion II, Suite 509
Bel Air, MD 21014

University of Maryland Pediatrics Specialty at Hanover
7556 Teague Rd., Suite 420
Hanover, MD 21076

University of Maryland Pediatrics at Lutherville
1302 Bellona Avenue
Lutherville MD 21093

Contact Information

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