Pediatrics Administration

Donna M. Martin, M.D., Ph.D.

Chair, Department of Pediatrics
Ravitz Foundation Endowed Professor of Pediatrics 
Professor of Human Genetics

 

 

   

Maclovio James Lopez M.D., Ph.D.

Associate Chair for Clinical Services
Professor, Pediatric Gastroenterology

The Associate Chair for Clinical Services is involved in a variety of activities related to provision of clinical care with C. S. Mott Children's Hospital and communications with community physicians. Maclovio James Lopez, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Chair for Clinical Affairs, is a Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Gastroenterology.

 

Heather Burrows, M.D., Ph.D.

Associate Chair for Education
Clinical Professor (Primary Care)

Dr. Heather Burrows obtained both her MD and PhD degrees from the University of Michigan Medical Scientist Training Program, followed by residency training at the University of Michigan. She is a general pediatrician and practices at the East Ann Arbor General Pediatrics site, where she sees her own patients as well as supervises residents and students.  She served as the Continuity Clinic Director for many years before becoming Program Director.  She is interested in physician wellness and has been involved in the medical school learning communities (the MHome) where she leads the Healer’s Art course and is a member of the University of Michigan GME Wellness committee. The Associate Chair of Education is responsible for coordinating the educational activities of the department across the educational continuum from medical students through fellowship, ensuring a supportive learning environment for all. This includes oversight of the Department of Pediatrics Grand Rounds curriculum and the departmental summer faculty development series.

 

David Olson, M.D., Ph.D.

Associate Chair for Research
Professor, Pediatrics (Pediatric Endocrinology) 

Dr. Olson obtained both his MD and PhD degrees from the University of Michigan Medical Scientist Training Program. He received general pediatrics training in the Boston Combined Residency Program (Boston Children’s Hospital and Boston City Hospital) followed by subspecialty training in Pediatric Endocrinology at Boston Children’s Hospital/Joslin Diabetes Center. During the research phase of his fellowship and mentored clinician-scientist training, he developed a research program focused on the exploring the neurobiology of energy balance control.

He was recruited back to the University of Michigan in 2010 and has established a successful independent research laboratory funded by both intramural and extramural sources. In addition to being the principal investigator on an R01 award, Dr Olson serves a project leader on an NIDDK-funded Program Project Grant focused on the Gut-Brain Axis with colleagues in Internal Medicine, Pharmacology and Surgery. With several of these same colleagues, he has had success attracting industry support to fund postdoctoral positions and research studies focused on understanding the mechanisms of action of secreted peptides and peptides agonists that engage the brain to alter feeding, body weight regulation and metabolism.

In addition to his primary research endeavors, Dr. Olson is the director of the Michigan Diabetes Research Center’s Molecular Genetics Core, which designs and generates animal models for diabetes research. He is Co-Director of the Pediatric Endocrinology Division’s T32 training grant entitled “Developmental Origins of Metabolic Disease”. Along with acting as a grant reviewer for the NIH and the American Diabetes Association, he serves on the Department’s Intramural Grants Review Committee and as an ad hoc reviewer for the Pediatrics Peer Review process.

Terrill Bravender, M.D.

Associate Chair for Faculty Affairs
Clinical Professor, Adolescent Medicine

The Associate Chair for Faculty Affairs primarily supervises, as a non-voting member, the Departmental Advisory Committee on Appointments and Promotions.  The Chair is a member of the Faculty Mentoring Committee, which is devoted to assuring sufficient supervision of junior faculty in the Instructional Track in terms of their progress in the laboratory. As needed, the Associate Chair participates in chairing faculty recruits at the Divisional level.

Sowmya Balasubramanian, M.D.

Associate Chair for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Clinical Associate Professor, Cardiology

The Department of Pediatrics has a strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. We have developed a team of faculty and staff that organizes training programs, mentorship and activities to build a supportive and welcoming environment for faculty, trainees and staff. Along with Mott Hospital, we also have a strong presence at national meetings of organizations serving pediatrics in general with a specific focus on disadvantaged communities and under-represented in Medicine racial and ethnic groups. To stay in touch with alumni and friends around the country, we also host receptions at major national pediatric meetings. 

In addition to her Associate Chair Role, Dr. Balasubramanian is a clinical associate professor in the Pediatrics Cardiology Division. Prior to joining U-M, Sowmya Balasubramanian obtained her medical degree at Queens University, followed by a pediatrics residency at the Hospital for Sick Children and Cardiology Fellowship at Boston Children's Hospital. 

Joyce Mee Kyoung Lee, M.D., M.P.H.

Associate Chief Medical Information Officer for Pediatric Research
Associate Chair for Health Metrics and Learning Health Systems
Professor, Pediatric Endocrinology

Dr. Lee is a pediatric translational researcher and obtained her M.D. at the University of Pennsylvania and her M.P.H. at the University of Michigan. She completed her residency training at Children's Hospital Boston and Boston Medical Center and fellowship training at the University of Michigan. Dr. Lee was promoted to Associate Professor in 2012 and Professor in 2017. In 2016 she was named the Robert P. Kelch Research Professor of Pediatrics.  She was the first recipient of the Paul Kaplowitz, MD, Endowed Lectureship, an award sponsored by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Pediatric Endocrine Society. Her current research is focused on the creation of learning health systems using methods of quality improvement, clinical informatics, and patient-centered participatory design. 

In her dual roles with the Department of Pediatrics and the Office of Clinical Informatics she is spearheading activities to develop and track health metrics from the electronic health record that will support clinical care, quality improvement, and research; she is working with the precision health implementation workgroup; and she is creating strategic alignment with quality efforts across the health system (University of Michigan Medical Group, Children and Women’s Hospital).

 

Naomi Laventhal, M.D., M.A., FAAP, HEC-C

Associate Chair for Career Development 
Clinical Associate Professor, Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine

Dr. Naomi Laventhal joined the University of Michigan in August 2009 after completing a residency in pediatrics, fellowships in neonatology and clinical medical ethics, and a master’s degree in public policy at the University of Chicago. She is currently a neonatologist practicing in the Brandon Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU), caring for infants with complex medical needs. She has clinical expertise in prenatal consultation for prematurity, congenital anomalies and syndromes, and complex maternal-fetal conditions. She is the Service Chief for Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, with oversight of professional practice for faculty and advanced practice providers. Dr. Laventhal is a formally trained bioethicist and is certified in healthcare ethics consultation and is nationally and internationally recognized as a leader in the field of neonatal bioethics. At the Center for Bioethics and Social Sciences and Medicine, she is a Faculty Ethicist, providing clinical ethics consultation across the age spectrum at Michigan Medicine, and she is the co-chief of the Research Ethics Service.

As the Associate Chair for Career Development, Dr. Laventhal oversees the coordination of nominations and awards for the Department of Pediatrics, along with providing career advancement and peer mentoring opportunities for faculty. 

 

Brigid Gregg, M.D.

Director of Wellness and Culture
Assistant Professor, Endocrinology

Dr. Brigid Gregg, Assistant Professor of Pediatric Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism serves as the inaugural Director of Wellness and Culture for the department of pediatrics. In this role, Dr. Gregg focuses on cultivating a collaborative, respectful, and supportive workplace culture for the department.

Since joining the leadership team in 2021, Dr. Gregg has taken ownership of a Departmental Wellness Plan and oversees a committee of individuals focused on analyzing data on well-being, burnout, and professional fulfillment.

Dr. Gregg completed medical school at Case Western University School of Medicine and completed a residency and fellowship at the University of Chicago prior to joining the University of Michigan. Her interest in research includes the developmental programming of metabolic disease and the long-term impacts of nutrient stressors during lactation.

  

Matt Stephens, M.S.

Chief Department Administrator

The Chief Department Administrator (CDA) manages the fiscal, administrative, and personnel activities within the Department of Pediatrics in partnership with the Chair. Total annual fiscal operations exceed $53M (clinical and research), and the CDA is expected to maintain the fiduciary integrity of the Department and identify, evaluate, and recommend improvements to existing operations. The CDA also has responsibility for the performance and operational effectiveness of the Department's 17 Divisions. 

Other primary focus areas include: 

• Development and communication of the strategic plan/objectives for the department.
• Management of the departmental finances, budget/forecast, internal controls, and analysis.
• Enhancement of professional Revenue Cycle (pre-service and billing/collections) functions.
• New program development and external marketing (outreach) activities.
• Optimization of clinical operations and improved efficiency within patient care services.
• Development and professional growth of staff within the Divisions and Department.