About Pediatrics

A mother holding a baby in a patient room with a physician

Longstanding Leaders of Pediatric Care

Leading pediatric innovation through care, research & training for over a century.

150 Years of Excellence

The Department of Pediatrics has a rich history that began over 150 years ago. We are nationally recognized for the outstanding care we provide our patients and the training of our residents and fellows in pediatrics and all of its specialties. Within our 18 Divisions are more than 350 highly skilled faculty members who are committed to providing excellence in pediatric care, research and education.

Our department has a 100-year history of providing exceptional clinical care, education and research to the communities we serve. Ann Arbor is a wonderful place to live and work and I am honored to serve as chair of the Department of Pediatrics.

To date, our department has 9 ambulatory clinics and outreach services throughout the state of Michigan. Our research facilities are amongst the best in the world - attracting trainees from all walks of life and in almost every discipline imaginable. With our passion and dedication to research, our department continuously ranks among the top 15 funded Pediatrics departments in the nation. We pride ourselves on providing exceptional education programs for our medical students, residents and fellows and it is my promise to recruit and retain individuals who are passionate about our department’s mission and goals.

Contact Us

Department of Pediatrics
Medical Professional Building
Room D3202, Box: 5718
1522 Simpson Road East
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5718
Phone: 734-764-5173

Our Mission

Provide the highest quality and advanced medical care to children.
Develop new preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for diseases that impact children through basic, clinical and health services research.
Provide outstanding education across the continuum of pediatric medicine.

Departmental Goals

  • People: We are dedicated to recruiting, recognizing, and retaining a group of broad faculty, staff, and trainees. We strive to produce a supportive and rewarding work environment, with a dedication to career development and wellness.
  • Discovery: We work diligently to remain a top-funded Pediatrics department in the U.S. by investing in innovative basic, clinical, and translational research that will ultimately improve the lives of children everywhere.
  • Education: Our training programs provide positive, inclusive, and exceptional learning environments that encourage clinicians and researchers to reach their full potential. We welcome and value feedback to ensure continuous improvement across all training programs.
  • Clinical Care: Our health system focuses on quality, safety, and best practices at all levels of care. With exceptional clinical care, our hospitals and specialties rank among the top in the nation. We also aim to expand our clinical excellence through partnerships and joint ventures while remaining focused on quality, safety, and best practices.
  • Administration and Finances: We provide seamless administrative support and effectively steward the financial resources of the Department. This allows the Department to thrive in meeting the goals of the education, research, and clinical missions. Strategic thinking and planning allow us to pursue high-impact opportunities that align with larger institutional goals.

Faculty Recruitment

See our current openings for faculty and leadership positions.

Lectureships

Our lectureships bring together experts in the field to share innovating research and ideas.

Reach Out & Read

Learn more about how this national program supports literacy for pediatric primary care.

Giving

See how giving can make a difference and contribute to our efforts.

The Early Years of Pediatrics at Michigan

American Pediatric Society Founded
The American Pediatric Society was founded in 1888, and Victor Vaughan, the Medical School Dean from 1891 to 1921, was a member.
1888 1888
Dr. David Cowie appointed as the first pediatrics professor
Dr. David Cowie was appointed in 1905 as U-M’s first professor of pediatrics and led the first pediatrics course in 1906. Though committed to pediatric care, education, and research, only twenty hospital beds were available for pediatric patients.
1905 1905
Department of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases Established
Dr. Cowie rose through the academic ranks within Internal Medicine and was appointed Professor and Chairman of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases when the specialty was recognized as a separate department at U-M in 1921.
1921 1921
University Hospital Opens | Open Wards for Children Established
The University Hospital opened in 1925, caring for children in open wards and a separate unit for those with infectious diseases like diphtheria or polio. At that time, infection was the top cause of childhood illness, so “Communicable Disease” was in the department name.
1925 1925
Changes in Leadership
Following Dr. Cowie’s death, Dr. McKohann became Chairman, succeeded by Dr. James Wilson, who led for 23 years, supporting pediatric research, earning national recognition, and helping secure funding for the founding of C.S. Mott Children's Hospital.
1944 1944
U-M Polio Respirator Center Opens
Funded by the March of Dimes, the U-M polio respirator center opened in 1951, with the support of previous Charmain Dr. Wilson, and Center Director, Dr. David Dickinson.
1951 1951
First Pediatric Cardiologist
Dr. Aaron Stern was the first pediatric cardiologist. He collaborated closely with cardiovascular surgeon Dr. Herbert Sloan and advocated for early surgical repair.
Chief of Pediatric Endocrinology
Dr. George Lowry joined the faculty in 1957 and became the first Chief of Endocrinology. Among his accomplishments was authorship of “Growth and Development”, a leading early text in his field, which was subsequently updated through 8 successful editions.
1957 1957
Pioneer in Pediatric Nephrology
Dr. Robert Kelsch was appointed as a faculty member in 1966 and is considered a pioneer in the development of the subspeciality of pediatric nephrology.
1960 1960
Dr. William J. Oliver appointed as Chairman
During Dr. Oliver's tenure, new pediatric subspecialities such as cardiology, allergy, neurology, pulmonology, neonatology, and genetics were established and grew rapidly within the department.
1967 1967
C.S. Mott Children's Hospital Officially Opens
Charles Stewart Mott, a major General Motors shareholder, founded the Mott Foundation to improve children’s health. His foundation donated over $6.5 million for the construction of the children’s hospital.
1965 1965
$91M Expansion of Mott Hospital
In 1991, a $91M expansion of Mott Hospital improved cardiology, radiology, anesthesiology, birthing rooms, and the Holden neonatology unit. New units included perinatology, PICU, cardiac ICU, and pediatric psychiatric care.
1991 1991
Dr. Jean Robillard Becomes Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics
Dr. Jean Robillard was recruited to be the chairman of the Department of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases at Michigan. He was a leading authority in the development of the structure and function of the kidney from the fetus to adulthood.
1996 1996
Child Health Evaluation and Research Center founded by Dr. Gary Freed
The Child Health Evaluation and Research (CHEAR) Unit recruited and developed social scientists and national leaders in children’s health, establishing Michigan as the premier institution researching health service issues for children and advising the public and policymakers, and the government on children’s health issues and needs.
1998 1998
First Woman Appointed as Department Chair
In 2003, Dr. Valerie (Castle) Opipari became Chair of Pediatrics—the first woman appointed as a Department Chair at Michigan Medicine. She served on the American Pediatric Society Council and was elected President of the AMSPDC during her tenure as Chair.
2003 2003
New Department Chair
Donna Martin assumes the role of Department Chair in 2020.
2018 2018

Leadership

See all Pediatrics faculty Donna Martin, MD, PhD

Donna M Martin, MD, PhD

Ravitz Foundation Endowed Professor of Pediatrics
Chair, Department of Pediatrics
Professor of Pediatrics
Professor of Human Genetics
Medical School
Matt Stephens

Matt Stephens, MS

Chief Department Administrator

Associate Chairs

Maclovio J. Lopez

Maclovio James Lopez, MD, PhD

Clinical Professor of Pediatrics
Medical Director
Pediatric Liver Transplantation
Associate Chair
Clinical Services
Gastroenterology
Medical School
Heather Burrows

Heather L Burrows, MD, PhD

Clinical Professor of Pediatrics
Assistant Medical Director
East Ann Arbor General Medicine
Associate Chair
Education and Program Director
Pediatrics Residency Program
Medical School
Peter Mourani

Peter Mourani, MD

Frederick G L Huetwell Professor of Pediatric Research and Professor of Pediatrics
Associate Chair
Research
Medical School
Terrill Bravender, MD

Terrill Bravender MD, MPH

David S Rosen M.D.
Legacy Professor of Adolescent Medicine
Clinical Professor of Pediatrics
Clinical Professor of Psychiatry
Division Director, Adolescent Medicine and Associate Chair
Department of Pediatrics
Medical School
Joyce Lee, MD, MPH

Joyce M Lee, MD, MPH

Robert P Kelch M. D. Professor of Pediatrics
Professor of Pediatrics
Associate Chief Medical Information Officer of MiChart Pediatric Research
Ambulatory Care Clinical Chief
UMMG Faculty Benefits
Associate Chair, Health Metrics and Learning Health Systems, Department of Pediatrics
Medical School and Professor of Nutritional Sciences, School of Public Health
Naomi Laventhal

Naomi T Laventhal, MD, MA, HEC-C, FAAP

Charles Neil Weller Children's Development Research Professor
Clinical Professor of Pediatrics
Division Director
Pediatric Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine and Associate Chair
Career Development
Department of Pediatrics
Medical School

Division Directors

Terrill Bravender, MD

Terrill Bravender MD, MPH

David S Rosen M.D.
Legacy Professor of Adolescent Medicine
Clinical Professor of Pediatrics
Clinical Professor of Psychiatry
Division Director, Adolescent Medicine and Associate Chair
Department of Pediatrics
Medical School
Kurt R. Schumacher

Kurt Schumacher, MD

Amnon Rosenthal Legacy Professor of Pediatric Cardiology
Clinical Professor of Pediatrics
Medical Director, Transplant Program and Division Director
Pediatrics-Cardiology
Medical School
Peter Mourani

Peter Mourani, MD

Frederick G L Huetwell Professor of Pediatric Research and Professor of Pediatrics
Associate Chair
Research
Medical School
Jenny Radesky

Jenny Radesky, MD

David G Dickinson Legacy Professor of Pediatrics
Associate Professor of Pediatrics
Division Director of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics
Medical School
Inas Thomas

Inas H Thomas, MD

Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics
Division Director of Pediatric Endocrinology
Medical Director
Diabetes Program and Service Chief
Medical School
Jeremy Adler, MD, Mac

Jeremy Adler, MD, MSc

Clinical Professor of Pediatrics
Medical School
Jill Noble

Jill Noble, MD

Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
Assistant Medical Director
Saline Health Center
General Medicine
Section Head
Primary Care and Service Chief
Pediatrics Primary Care
Medical School
portrait of Catherine Elizabeth Keegan, MD, PhD

Catherine Elizabeth Harnden Keegan, MD, PhD

Charles E Lytle, Jr Research Professor of Pediatrics
Professor of Pediatrics
Division Director of Pediatric Genetics Metabolism and Genomic Medicine
Professor of Human Genetics
Program Director
Combined Medical Genetics and Genomics-Pediatrics and Medical Genetics and Genomics Residencies
Medical School
Rajen Mody, MBBS

Rajen Mody, MBBS

Ruth Heyn Endowed Professor of Pediatric Oncology
Clinical Professor of Pediatrics
Medical Director and Division Director
Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
Medical School
John Schmidt

John Schmidt, MD

Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics
Residency Program Associate Director and Division Director
Hospitalists
Medical School
Jason B. Weinberg

Jason B Weinberg, MD

James L Wilson M.D.
Research Professor of Pediatrics
Associate Professor of Pediatrics
Associate Professor of Microbiology and Immunology
Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Division Director
Infectious Diseases
Medical School
Naomi Laventhal

Naomi T Laventhal, MD, MA, HEC-C, FAAP

Charles Neil Weller Children's Development Research Professor
Clinical Professor of Pediatrics
Division Director
Pediatric Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine and Associate Chair
Career Development
Department of Pediatrics
Medical School
Matthias Wolf

Matthias T F Wolf

Associate Professor
labcoat

Timothy F Hoban, MD

Clinical Professor of Pediatrics
Clinical Professor of Neurology and Medical Director of Sleep Lab
Interim Division Director
Neurology
Pediatrics
Medical School
Emily Fredericks, PhD

Emily M Fredericks, PhD

Clinical Professor of Pediatrics
Division Director, Pediatric-Psychology
Medical School
Carey Lumeng

Carey Nien-Kai Lumeng, MD, PhD

Frederick G L Huetwell Professor for the Cure and Prevention of Birth Defects
Professor of Pediatrics
Professor of Molecular and Integrative Physiology and Division Director
Pulmonary Medicine
Medical School
Erin Janssen

Erin Janssen, MD, PhD

Charles Neil Weller Pediatric Discovery Research Professor
Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Division Director
Pediatric Rheumatology
Medical School
Kao-Ping Chua headshot

Kao-Ping Chua, MD, PhD

Marilyn Fisher Blanch Research Professor of Child Health Policy
Associate Professor of Pediatrics
Division Director, CHEAR, Medical School
Associate Professor of Health Management and Policy, School of Public Health

Pediatrics Internal Website

Resources and information for current Pediatrics learners and faculty.

Pediatrics Intranet