Faculty and Staff

Pediatrics Full-Time and Part-Time Faculty
Cardiology Cynthia Battiste, MD	Child Abuse and Neglect Katherine Melhorn, MD Kerri Meyer, MD	Critical Care, Pediatrics Lindall Smith, MD Muthukumar Vellaichamy, MD

Developmental Pediatrics Valarie Kerschen, MD	General Pediatrics Jennifer Brannon, MD Mark Harrison, MD Brenda Issa, MD Stephanie Kuhlmann, DO Natalie Sollo, MD	Infectious Disease, Pediatrics Robert Wittler, MD

Neonatology Barry Bloom, MD Curtis Dorn, MD Carolyn Johnson, MD Sue Laudert, MD Randy Reed, MD	Nephrology, Pediatrics Michelle Stuart Hilgenfeld, MD	Neurology Subhash Shah, MD

Psychology, Pediatrics Stephen Amos, PhD	Pulmonology, Pediatrics C. Maria, Riva, MD	Research Cari Schmidt, PhD

Teaching Associate Julie Wellner, RN

Full-Time Faculty
	CYNTHIA BATTISTE, MD Associate Professor – Department of Pediatrics Pediatric Cardiology Clinical Office: Wesley Pediatric Specialty Clinic 3243 E. Murdock, Ste. 200 Wichita, KS 67208 Ph: 316-962-2080 Fx: 316-962-2079 Academic Office: University of KS School of Medicine-Wichita 1010 N. Kansas Wichita, KS 67214 Phone (316)293-2631 Fax (316)293-2689 Dr. Battiste received her medical degree fromNorthwestern University Medical School, Chicago, IL. She completed her residency at West Virginia University Hospital, Morgantown, WV and Cardiology fellowship at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN. Dr. Battiste is board certified in General Pediatrics and Sub-board of Pediatric Cardiology. Her particular area of interest within specialty is Echocardiography from the fetus to 18 years of age
Top
	JENNIFER BRANNON, MD Assistant Professor – Department of Pediatrics General Pediatrics Clinical Office: Wesley Pediatric Faculty Clinic-Carriage Park 620 N. Carriage Parkway Wichita, KS 67208 Ph: 316-962-3100 Academic Office: University of KS School of Medicine-Wichita 1010 N. Kansas Wichita, KS 67214 Phone (316)293-2631 Fax (316)293-2689 Dr. Brannon received her medical degree from, as well as completed her residency training at University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, Wichita, KS. She is board certified in General Pediatrics. Her particular area of interest within specialty is childhood obesity.
Top
	MARK HARRISON, MD Clerkship Director Assistant Professor – Department of Pediatrics General Pediatrics Clinical Office: Wesley Pediatric Faculty Clinic-Carriage Park 620 N. Carriage Parkway Wichita, KS 67208 Ph: 316-962-3100 Academic Office: University of KS School of Medicine-Wichita 1010 N. Kansas Wichita, KS 67214 Phone (316)293-2631 Fax (316)293-2689 Dr. Harrison received his medical degree from, as well as completed his residency training at University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, Wichita, KS. He is board certified in General Pediatrics. Dr. Harrison’s areas of interest are adolescent medicine and information technology.
Top
	BRENDA ISSA, MD Assistant Professor – Department of Pediatrics General Pediatrics Clinical Office: Wesley Pediatric Faculty Clinic-Carriage Park 620 N. Carriage Parkway Wichita, KS 67208 Ph: 316-962-3100 Academic Office: University of KS School of Medicine-Wichita 1010 N. Kansas Wichita, KS 67214 Phone (316)293-2631 Fax (316)293-2689 Dr. Issa received her medical degree from, as well as completed her residency training at University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, Wichita, KS. She is board certified in General Pediatrics.
Top
	STEPHANIE KUHLMANN, DO Assistant Professor – Department of Pediatrics General Pediatrics Clinical Office: Wesley Pediatric Faculty Clinic-Carriage Park 620 N. Carriage Parkway Wichita, KS 67208 Ph: 316-962-3100 Academic Office: University of KS School of Medicine-Wichita November 12, 200867214 Phone (316)293-2631 Fax (316)293-2689 Dr. Kuhlmann received her medical degree from Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Tulsa, OK, and completed residency training at University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, Wichita, KS. She is board certified in General Pediatrics. Dr. Kuhlmann’s particular areas of interest within specialty are being a pediatrics hospitalist and performing sedations.
Top
	VALARIE KERSCHEN, MD Assistant Professor – Department of Pediatrics Developmental Pediatrics Clinical Office: Wesley Pediatric Faculty Clinic-Carriage Park 620 N. Carriage Parkway Wichita, KS 67208 Ph: 316-962-3100 Academic Office: University of KS School of Medicine-Wichita 1010 N. Kansas Wichita, KS 67214 Phone (316)293-2631 Fax (316)293-2689 Dr. Kerschen received her medical degree from University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, Wichita, KS. She completed residency training at Children’s Medical Center, Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, TX, and Developmental Pediatrics fellowship training at University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Dr. Kerschen is board certified in General Pediatrics, Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities.
Top
	KATHERINE MELHORN, MD Residency Program Director Clinical Professor – Department of Pediatrics General Pediatrics, Child Abuse & Neglect Clinical Office: Wesley Pediatric Faculty Clinic-Carriage Park 620 N. Carriage Parkway Wichita, KS 67208 Ph: 316-962-3100 Academic Office: University of KS School of Medicine-Wichita 1010 N. Kansas Wichita, KS 67214 Phone (316)293-2631 Fax (316)293-2689 Dr. Melhorn received her medical degree from, as well as completed her residency training at University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, Wichita, KS. She completed Ambulatory Pediatrics fellowship training at Los Angeles County/University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA. Dr. Melhorn is a member of Section on Child Abuse and Neglect, as well as a member of the State Child Death Review Board for Kansas, and board certified in General Pediatrics. Her particular areas of interest within specialty are child sexual and physical abuse, child neglect, and prevention of childhood injuries.
Top
	C. MARIA RIVA, MD Assistant Professor – Department of Pediatrics Pediatric Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine Clinical Office: Wesley Pediatric Specialty Clinic 3243 E. Murdock, Ste. 200 Wichita, KS 67208 Ph: 316-962-2080 Fx: 316-962-2079 Academic Office: University of KS School of Medicine-Wichita 1010 N. Kansas Wichita, KS 67214 Phone (316)293-2631 Fax (316)293-2689 Dr. Riva received her medical degree from University of Turin Medical School, Turin, Italy, and completed residency training at C. S. Mott Children's Hospital, University of Michigan. She completed Pediatric Pulmonology fellowship training at Tulane University School of Medicine, and Pediatric Intensive Care training at C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, University of Michigan. Dr. Riva is board certified in General Pediatrics, Pediatric Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine. Her areas of interest are cystic fibrosis, asthma, chronic cough, home ventilation, and pediatric sleep disorders.
Top
	NATALIE SOLLO, MD Assistant Professor – Department of Pediatrics General Pediatrics Clinical Office: Wesley Pediatric Faculty Clinic-Carriage Park 620 N. Carriage Parkway Wichita, KS 67208 Ph: 316-962-3100 Academic Office: University of KS School of Medicine-Wichita 1010 N. Kansas Wichita, KS 67214 Phone (316)293-2631 Fax (316)293-2689 Dr. Sollo received her medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, and completed residency training at Children ’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH. She is board certified in General Pediatrics. Dr. Sollo’s particular areas of interest are cystic fibrosis and childhood obesity.
Top
	MICHELLE STUART HILGENFELD, MD Assistant Professor – Department of Pediatrics Pediatric Nephrology Clinical Office: Wesley Pediatric Specialty Clinic 3243 E. Murdock, Ste. 200 Wichita, KS 67208 Ph: 316-962-2080 Fx: 316-962-2079 Academic Office: University of KS School of Medicine-Wichita 1010 N. Kansas Wichita, KS 67214 Phone (316)293-2631 Fax (316)293-2689 Dr. Stuart Hilgenfeld received her medical degree from, as well as completed her residency training at University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, Wichita, KS. She completed Pediatric Nephrology fellowship training at Children’s Mercy Hospitals and Clinics, Kansas City, Missouri, and is board certified in General Pediatrics and Pediatric Nephrology. Dr. Stuart Hilgenfeld’s particular areas of interest are Acute and Chronic Dialysis, Continuous Renal Replacement Therapies and Hypertension.
Top
	ROBERT WITTLER, MD Professor – Department of Pediatrics Pediatric Infectious Disease Clinical Office: Wesley Pediatric Specialty Clinic 3243 E. Murdock, Ste. 200 Wichita, KS 67208 Ph: 316-962-2080 Fx: 316-962-2079 Academic Office: University of KS School of Medicine-Wichita 1010 N. Kansas Wichita, KS 67214 Phone (316)293-2631 Fax (316)293-2689 Dr. Wittler received his medical degree from Creighton University, Omaha, NE, and completed residency training at Letterman Army Medical Center, San Francisco, CA. He completed Pediatric Infectious Disease fellowship training at Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, HI, and is board certified in General Pediatrics and Pediatric Infectious Diseases. Dr. Wittler’s particular areas of interest are fever phobia and CSF shunt infections.
Top
Part-Time Faculty
	BARRY BLOOM, MD Professor – Department of Pediatrics Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Clinical Office: Wesley Medical Center Department of Neonatology 550 N. Hillside Wichita, KS 67214 Phone (316)962-8580 Fax (316)962-8581 Dr. Bloom received his medical degree from, as well as completed his residency training at University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, Wichita, KS. He completed Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine fellowship training at University of California, San Diego, and is board certified in General Pediatrics and Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine. Dr. Bloom’s particular areas of interest are Quality Improvement in the NICU and Neonatal Clinical Trials – Design and Conduct.
Top
	CURTIS DORN, MD Associate Professor – Department of Pediatrics Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Clinical Office: Wesley Medical Center Department of Neonatology 550 N. Hillside Wichita, KS 67214 Phone (316)962-8580 Fax (316)962-8581 Dr. Dorn received his medical degree, as well as completed residency training at University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS. He completed Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine fellowship training at University of Cincinnati Medical Cincinnati, OH, and a Patient Safety fellowship at Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA. Dr. Dorn is board certified in General Pediatrics and Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine. His areas of interest include growth, and nutrition and development.
Top
	CAROLYN JOHNSON, MD Associate Professor – Department of Pediatrics Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Clinical Office: Wesley Medical Center Department of Neonatology 550 N. Hillside Wichita, KS 67214 Phone (316)962-8580 Fax (316)962-8581 Dr. Johnson received her medical degree from, as well as completed her residency training at University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, Wichita, KS. She completed Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine fellowship training at University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma Health Sciences Center Teaching Hospitals. Dr. Johnson is board certified in General Pediatrics and Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine. Her areas of interest are nutrition and neurodevelopment.
Top
	SUSAN LAUDERT, MD Associate Professor – Department of Pediatrics Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Clinical Office: Wesley Medical Center Department of Neonatology 550 N. Hillside Wichita, KS 67214 Phone (316)962-8580 Fax (316)962-8581 Dr. Laudert received her medical degree from, as well as completed her residency training at University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, Wichita, KS. She completed Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine fellowship training at Children’s Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, MO. Dr. Laudert is board certified in General Pediatrics and Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine. Her areas of interest are: The tiny baby, effects of environment on the newborn, infection, pain management, and oxygen therapy.
Top
	WM. RANDY REED, MD Assistant Professor – Department of Pediatrics Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Clinical Office: Wesley Medical Center Department of Neonatology 550 N. Hillside Wichita, KS 67214 Phone (316)962-8580 Fax (316)962-8581 Dr. Reed received his medical degree from University of Illinois, Peoria School of Medicine, Peoria, Illinois, and completed residency training at St. Francis Hospital, Peoria, Illinois. He completed Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine fellowship training at Washington University Medical School, St. Louis Children’s Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri. Dr. Reed is board certified in General Pediatrics and Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine.
Top
	LINDALL SMITH, MD Assistant Professor – Department of Pediatrics Pediatric Critical Care Clinical Office: Wesley Medical Center Department of Neonatology 550 N. Hillside Wichita, KS 67214 Phone (316)962-8580 Fax (316)962-8581 Dr. Smith received his medical degree from, as well as completed his residency training at University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, Wichita, KS. He completed Pediatric Critical Care fellowship training at The Children’s Hospital, University of Colorado Health Science Center. Dr. Smith is board certified Pediatrics in General Pediatrics and Pediatric Critical Care Medicine.
Top
	MUTHUKUMAR VELLAICHAMY, MD Assistant Professor – Department of Pediatrics Pediatric Critical Care Clinical Office: Wesley Medical Center Department of Neonatology 550 N. Hillside Wichita, KS 67214 Phone (316)962-8580 Fax (316)962-8581 Dr. Vellaichamy received his medical degree from Madurai Medical College, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India, and completed residency training at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India and Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY. He completed Pediatric Critical Care fellowship training at Children’s Medical Center at Dallas, TX, and University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, TX, and is board certified in General Pediatrics and Pediatric Critical Care Medicine. Dr. Vellaichamy’s areas of interest are: Mechanical ventilation, sepsis and septic shock, traumatic brain injury, quality assessment and improvement in PICU, and resident and student education.
Top
	SUBHASH SHAH, MD Clinical Assistant Professor – Department of Pediatrics Pediatric Neurology Clinical Office: Neurology Center of Wichita 220 S. Hillside Wichita, KS 67211 Phone (316) 686-6866 Fax (316) 686-9797 Dr. Shah received his medical degree from Smt. N.H.L. Medical College, India, and completed residency training at V.S. General Hospital, Ahmedabad, India and LAC-USC Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA. Dr. Shah also completed Child Neurology fellowship training at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA.
Top
	STEPHEN AMOS, PhD Clinical Associate Professor – Department of Pediatrics Pediatric Psychology Clinical Office: Wesley Pediatric Faculty Clinic-Carriage Park 620 N. Carriage Parkway Wichita, KS 67208 Ph: 316-962-3100 Academic Office: University of KS School of Medicine-Wichita 1010 N. Kansas Wichita, KS 67214 Phone (316)293-2631 Fax (316)293-2689 Dr. Amos received his terminal degree from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR. His areas of interest are: Child, adolescent, marital, family, adhd, school problems, addictions, abuse issues, anger management, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, enhancing performance, creativity, and sports psychology.
Top
	KERRI MEYER, MD Assistant Professor – Department of Pediatrics General Pediatrics, Child Abuse & Neglect Clinical Office: Wesley Pediatric Faculty Clinic-Carriage Park 620 N. Carriage Parkway Wichita, KS 67208 Ph: 316-962-3100 Academic Office: University of KS School of Medicine-Wichita 1010 N. Kansas Wichita, KS 67214 Phone (316)293-2631 Fax (316)293-2689 Dr. Meyer received her medical degree from the University of Kansas School of Medicine, Wichita, KS. She completed residency training, as well as a Child Abuse and Neglect fellowship at Children’s Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, MO. She is board certified in General Pediatrics and Board Eligible in 2009 for Child Abuse and Neglect. Dr. Meyer’s areas of interest are child maltreatment, child advocacy, adolescent health, and malnutrition.
Top
	CARI SCHMIDT, PhD Research Assistant Professor – Department of Pediatrics Academic Office: University of KS School of Medicine-Wichita 1010 N. Kansas Wichita, KS 67214 Phone (316)293-2631 Fax (316)293-2689 Dr. Schmidt received her terminal degree in Community Psychology from Wichita State University. Her areas of interest are: Qualitative and quantitative research methodology, in particular health communication, health literacy and numeracy, and prevention of childhood disorders, such as obesity.
Top
	JULIE WELLNER, RN Teaching Associate – Department of Pediatrics Clinical Office: Wesley Medical Arts Tower 3243 E Murdock, Ste. 200 Wichita, KS 67214 Phone (316)962-2080 Fax (316)962-2079 Academic Office: University of KS School of Medicine-Wichita 1010 N. Kansas Wichita, KS 67214 Phone (316)293-2631 Fax (316)293-2689 Julie Wellner received her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from Kansas Newman University. Julie’s areas of interest are working with infants and children, being the Reach Out and Read Coordinator and being a part of children receiving books at their well-child checkups.
Top

Staff

Pediatrics Staff

Front Row (from left): Tara Shirley, Residency Program Coordinator; Jessica Johnston, Administrative Specialist

Back Row (from left): Geri McFall, Department Administrator; Judy Blair, Newborn Screening Program; Donnita Huffman, Student Clerkship Coordinator

Last Modified: November 12, 2008

top of page

Faculty and Staff

Pediatrics Full-Time and Part-Time Faculty

Full-Time Faculty

Part-Time Faculty

Staff