International Adoption Medical Professionals

                                                                                             Updated April 14, 2010

**International adoption medical professionals/clinics are listed in alphabetical order by doctor.  Joint Council members are in red.

Lisa Albers, M.D., MPH, F.A.A.P.    
Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School
Adoption Program      
300 Longwood Avenue
Boston, MA  02115
Phone: (617) 355-4125
Fax: (617) 730-0252
E-mail: Lisa.albers@childrens.harvard.edu

Jane Aronson, D.O.
International Pediatric Health Services, PLLC
151 East 62^nd Street, Suite 1A
New York, New York  10021
Phone: (212) 207-6666
Fax: (212) 207-6665
E-Mail: orphandoctor@aol.com
Web Site: http://www.orphandoctor.com

International Pediatric Health Services, PLLC provides medical guidance for families adopting from abroad from the very beginning of the process. Written materials are available. Dr. Aronson reviews medical abstracts and videos of Russian and Eastern European children, and does pre-adoption consultations in the office as well as by phone/fax/e-mail.

Travel kits and travel preparation can be provided by Dr. Aronson’s office. The travel preparation class is actually a child care class to help parents with basic health issues of young children:  teething, ear infections, feeding practices, and behavioral issues are just some of the topics covered. Special attention is given to the transition behavior of children recently adopted from orphanages. Dr. Aronson is available for consultation with families who have medical questions while they are abroad, and provides complete medical and developmental services in New York after the child’s arrival.

Julia M. Bledsoe, M.D., Julian K. Davies, M.D. and Cynthia Kertesz, M.D.
The Center for Adoption Medicine
University of Washington Pediatric Care Center
4245 Roosevelt Way N.E.
Seattle, WA  98105
Phone: (206) 598-3006
Fax: (206) 598-3040
Email: adoption@uw.edu (or adoption@u.washington.edu)
Website: www.adoptmed.org

Dr. Bledsoe, Dr. Davies and Dr. Kertesz are all general pediatricians in Seattle whose practice includes more than 50% adoptees, primarily from overseas.  Dr. Bledsoe and Dr. Davies provide ongoing pediatric care as well as pre-adoptive consultation and overseas on-call support to families who reside both locally and afar.  The pre-adoptive consultations are performed by telephone, usually during the day but some evening appointments are available.  In addition, Dr. Bledsoe and Dr. Davies are the two pediatricians on staff at the University of Washington Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Clinic, working in diagnosis of FAS.  At this time, Dr. Kertesz does not do pre-adoption consults, but provides ongoing pediatric care and post-placement exams for newly adopted children.

Deborah Borchers, M.D., F.A.A.P.
Eastgate Pediatric Center
4357 Ferguson Drive, Suite 150
Cincinnati, OH  45245
Phone: (513) 753-2820
Fax: (513) 753-2824

Dr. Borchers is a pediatrician in private practice with a strong interest personally in adoption as the mother of two daughters adopted from China. She is a local resource in the Cincinnati area for adoption information and networking. Dr. Borchers can review videotapes and other medical materials before placement, and can provide medical and developmental assessments after a child’s arrival. She can make referrals for families to specialists, and can provide ongoing follow-up care for children in her geographical area.

Jennifer Chambers, M.D.
UAB International Medical Center
1600 7th Avenue, South, MTC 201
Birmingham, AL 35233
Phone: (205) 939-6964
Fax: (205) 975-6503
Email: adoption@peds.uab.edu
Website: http://www.adoption.chsys.org

Ira Chasnoff, M.D.
Children's Research Triangle
180 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 700
Chicago, IL 60601
Phone: (312) 726-4011
Fax: (312) 726-4021
Email: ichasnoff@cr-triangle.org
Website: http://www.childstudy.org

Children's Medical Center Dallas
Pav 3rd Fl / F3342
2350 Stemmons Fwy (I35E)
Dallas, TX 75207
(214) 456-6788 (ph)
elizabeth.reina@childrens.com (email)
www.childrens.com (web)

Nancy Curtis, M.D.
Children's Hospital & Research Center at Oakland
International Adoption Clinic
Located in the Outpatient Center,
Infectious Diseases Department
747 52nd Street
Oakland, CA 94609
Phone: (510) 428-3010
Email: ncurtis@mail.cho.org
Website: http://www.internationaladoptionclinic.org

Dr. Curtis, along with colleagues Teresa Courville, RN, MN , Carina Grandison, PhD and others, recently started the International Adoption Clinic at the Children's Hospital and Research Center at Oakland. They provide comprehensive services including pre-adoption counseling and evaluation of medical records, preparation for travel, consultation during travel to the country of adoption, and post-adoption medical and developmental evaluations and referrals.  There is a broad range of pediatric specialist practicing at Oakland to assist families in Genetics, Psychiatry, Child Development, Audiology, Speech and Language, and many other specialties.

Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario
401 Smyth Road
Ottawa, ON K1H 8L1
(613) 737 7600 3980 (ph)
chui@cheo.on.ca (email)
Dr. Charles Hui, Director
www.cheo.on.ca (web)

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
International Adoption Health Program
Gail Farber, M.D.
Rachel Hachen, M.D., M.P.H.
Dr. Susan Friedman, Program Chair
3405 Civic Center Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Phone: (215) 590-4020
Fax: (215) 590-3198
Email: chopadopt@email.chop.edu
Website: http://www.chop.edu

Stramski International Adoption Program
Gary Feldman, M.D.
Miller Children's Hospital
2880 Atlantic Ave., Suite 255
Long Beach, CA 90806
Phone: (562) 424-4815
Fax: (562) 424-4688
Email: gfeldman@memorialcare.org

In response to the increasing needs of international adoptees as a growing population of children, the Stramski International Adoption Program (SIAP) has been established at the Stramski Center of Miller Children’s Hospital to provide support for these children, their families and their primary care physicians.  The program provides pre-adoptive consultations which include one-on-one session with families and SIAP physicians prior to travel.  This session provides families with appropriate knowledge tools to evaluate prospective children and provides information regarding medical, developmental and behavioral risks common to IA children.  SIAP also provides in-country consultation to families while they are overseas.  Families are responsible for contacting the SIAP via phone or email with information they wish to have reviewed.  The Hospital also provides post-adoption assessments with a detailed evaluation of IA children in the immediate post-adoptive period.  This is ideally completed with 1-2 weeks after arrival. This visit focuses on several components including physical exam, laboratory testing, behavior and developmental assessments. Appropriate education and referrals for interventions are provided.  All children will be scheduled for a 3-month and 6-month follow-up from the time of initial visit.  This is to ensure optimal developmental and behavioral surveillance for this at risk population. This strategy allows timely interventions to be made.

OHSU Adoption Health Services
Meg Hayes, M.D.
Mary Masterson, MPH, MPA
Oregon Health & Sciences University
3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road
Mailcode: FM
Portland, OR 97239-3098
Phone: (503) 494-5445
Fax: (503) 494-3457
Email: adoption@ohsu.edu
Website: http://www.ohsu.edu/adoption

Yale International Adoption Clinic
Margaret Hostetter, M.D.
Professor of Pediatrics, Director
464 Congress Avenue
New Haven, CT  06519
Phone: (203) 737-1623
Fax: (203) 737-5972

Dr. Hostetter, together with colleagues Dr. Dana Johnson (see listing), Sandra Iverson, and Kay Dole, pioneered the concept of specialized medical evaluations for internationally adopted children at the University of Minnesota in 1986. Dr. Hostetter has personally examined more than 1,500 adoptees and brought  the “Minnesota model” to Yale in July of 1998. Evaluations include history and physical exam by a nurse practitioner, full developmental exam by a developmental pediatrician, and complete medical testing by Dr. Hostetter or her colleague, Dr. Michael Capello.

The ICD Child Center for Growth and Development
340 East 24th Street
New York, NY 10010
Phone: (212) 585-6021
Fax: (212) 585-6261
Email: pbudka@icdnyc.org
Website: http://www.icdnyc.org

Jerri Ann Jenista, M.D.
551 Second Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Phone: (734) 668-0419
Fax: (734) 668-9492

In terms of pre-adoption services, Dr. Jenista can review any country’s medical records and/or videos. She provides post-adoption medical consultation for parents, schools, and health care providers. She has extensive written educational materials for physicians, parents, and agencies. She provides primary care for adopted children with more complex medical issues (not normal well-child care). She provides workshops and seminars for all parties involved in adoption.

International Adoption Clinic
University of Minnesota
Dana Johnson, M.D., Ph.D.
MMC211
420 Delaware Street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Phone: (612) 624-1164
Fax: (612) 624-8176
Email: iac@umn.edu
Website: http://www.peds.umn.edu/iac

Dr. Johnson, along with Sandra Iverson, CPNP, is Co-Director of the University of Minnesota’s International Adoption Clinic. With Dr. Margaret Hostetter, Sandra Iverson, and Kay Dole, Dr. Johnson pioneered the concept of medical evaluations for internationally adopted children at the University of Minnesota in 1986. 

The International Adoption Clinic can provide the following services:  pre-adoption evaluation and interpretation of referral medical information and videotapes; post-arrival medical and developmental assessments; post-placement assistance in developmental, behavioral, and school issues; free literature on a wide variety of adoption/medical issues; opportunities to participate in ongoing research on the effects of early childhood institutionalization.

International Adoption Clinic
Riley Hospital for Children, University of Indiana
Julie Keck, M.D.
Room 1601 702 Barnhill Drive
Indianapolis, IN 46202
Phone: (317) 274-4846
Fax: (317) 278-0126
Email: jukeck@iupui.edu
Website: http://www.rileyhospital.org

The Section of Pediatric Infectious Disease at Riley Hospital created an International Adoption Clinic in 1999.  The clinic is staffed by physicians trained in Pediatric Infectious Disease, Geographic Medicine and General Diagnostic Pediatrics.  Referrals can be made before planned adoptions; pre-adoptive sessions and review of medical information provides important educational information for parents prior to arrival.  After adoption, children undergo a comprehensive evaluation with special emphasis on issues related to infections, immunization, nutrition, birth defects, and psychosocial development.  Nutritionists, physical therapists, developmental pediatric experts, and the world-class pediatric subspecialists at Riley Hospital are available as needed to assist in the evaluation and management of adopted children.

Akron Children's Hospital
Oak Adoptive Health Center
Ellen Kempf, M.D.
One Perkins Square
Akron, OH 44308
Phone: (330) 543-3550
Fax: (330) 543-3512
Email: ekempf@chmca.org
Website: http://www.akronchildrens.org

Dr. Kempf specializes in Adoption Health and is the Director of the Oak Adoptive Health Center.  She is also listed in the American Academy of Pediatrics DIrectory for Adoption Specialists.

Mary Ann Kiernan, M.D.
Long Pond Pediatrics, LLP
3 Saredon Place, Suite 100
Rochester, NY 14606
Phone: (585) 225-0950
www.longpondpeds.com

Dr. Kiernan is board certified in Pediatrics, a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, a clinical assistant professor at the University of Rochester, and a member of the Academy's Section on Foster Care and Adoption.  Her special interest in practice is the medical care of international adoptees.
 

University Hospitals Health System
Richmond Heights Hospital
Scott Krupkin, M.D.
27155 Chardon Rd., Suite 203
Richmond Heights, OH   44143
Ph: (216) 798-6194
Fax: (440) 944-2697
Email: rehabdoc1@sbcglobal.net
Website: http://www.adoptionhealth.com

Winthrop University Hospital International Adoption Program
Paul Lee, M.D. 
120 Mineola Blvd, Suite 210
Mineola, New York 11501
Phone: (516) 663-9570
Fax: (516) 663-3793
Email: plee@winthrop.org
Website: http://www.winthrop.org

The International Adoption Program at Winthrop University Hospital can provide medical reviews of any health information including videotapes and pictures.  The offer a travel preparatory consultation for families to provide simple management guidelines for common medical problems encountered and basic childcare needs. Once the child arrives in the U.S., Dr. Lee performs a comprehensive medical evaluation including a complete physical examination, developmental assessment and laboratory testing.  Immunizations to bring the child up to date are also available. 

Adoption Health Service
Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital
Anna M. Mandalakas, M.D., M.S.
Karen Olness, M.D.
11400 Euclid Avenue, Triangle Building, Suite 290A
Cleveland, OH  44106
Phone:  (216) 844-3224
Fax:  (216) 844-3782
Email:  adoptionhealthservices@uhhs.com
Website:  http://www.adoptionhealthservice.org

The Rainbow Center pre-adoption consultation includes a lengthy meeting with a staff physician to review both medical record information and concerns about post-institutionalized children. The post-adoption assessment includes infectious disease screening, developmental assessment, and in some cases, various specialty referrals. Follow-up visits are scheduled, and all information is passed on to the child’s primary care physician. A developmental and behavioral consult is also available, which can help identify behaviors and developmental delays that could be missed, misunderstood, or inappropriately diagnosed, in cases of children from institutions. The consult can help sort out concerns, develop a plan, and make appropriate referrals. The Rainbow Center also offers a Child Traveler Health Service, pediatric expertise for families and children traveling overseas.

Mark Mendelsohn, MD
Linda A. Waggoner-Fountain, MD
University of Virginia Children's Medical Center
International Adoption Clinic
Outpatient Clinic West, Room 3573
Charlottesville, VA  22908
Phone: (434) 924-9130
Fax: (434) 243-2628
Email: tll2e@virginia.edu
Website: http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/internet/pediatrics/patients/IAChome.cfm

International Adoption Clinic and Floating Hospital for Children
Laurie Miller, M.D.
Kathleen Comfort, PT, MHA
New England Medical Center Box 286
750 Washington St., 2^nd floor
Boston, MA 02111
Phone: (617) 636-8121
Fax: (617) 636-8388
Website: http://www.nemc.org.adoption

At the International Adoption Clinic, children and their families receive individualized attention and a comprehensive evaluation. Pre-adoption consultation and review of medical records/ photos/videos is available. Evaluation after arrival includes medical, developmental, and nutritional issues as well as screening tests. The clinic provides evaluation and treatment of children with behavior, learning, or neurological problems. Long-term coordinated and comprehensive care for children with special needs, including school consultations, is also available.

Lisa Nalven, M.D.
Valley Health Center for Child Development and Wellness
505 Goffell Rd.
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
Phone: (201) 447-8151
Fax: (201) 447-8526

Dr. Nalven can provide pre-placement consultations and medical record/video reviews. She can provide medical/developmental evaluations of internationally adopted children upon arrival in the U.S, and consultation for children with ongoing developmental/behavioral concerns. She can provide case management and referral to appropriate specialty therapists, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech/language evaluations, which are available at the Center. Audiologic evaluations are also available. She gives talks on adoption/post-institutionalization issues to local groups.

Todd Ochs, M.D.
4713 N. Winchester
Chicago, IL 60640
Ph: (773) 907-8864
Fax: (773) 878-6867
Email: t-ochs@northwestern.edu

Dr. Ochs can evaluate and interpret referral medical information and videotapes prior to adoption, and can provide post-arrival medical and developmental assessments. He can provide post-placement assistance in developmental, behavioral, and school issues, plus free literature on a wide variety of adoption/medical issues. Dr. Ochs is the adoptive father of a child with special needs from China.

George Rogu, MD
RBK Pediatrics
646 Commack Road
Commack, NY  11725
Phone: (631) 499-4114
Fax: (631) 499-1468
Email: adoptiondoctors@optonline.net
Website: http://www.adoptiondoctors.com

Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital Clinic for International Adoption
Alice Rothman, M.D., M.P.H.
8102 Doctor's Office Tower
Nashville, TN 37232-9308
Phone: (615) 936-6800
Fax: (615) 936-6710
E-mail: internationaladoption@vanderbilt.edu
Website: http://www.vanderbiltinternationaladoption.com

The Clinic for International Adoption at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital was established to provide a resource for internationally adopted children, their families and their primary care providers in Tennessee.  The clinic is staffed by general pediatricians and a developmental psychologist and provides a medical and psychological consultation service for internationally adopted children. The clinic staff is able to provide pre-adoption review of medical records and travel advice.  The clinic performs post-adoption medical, developmental and behavioral evaluations and works with the family and the primary care physician to provide follow up as needed.

Virginia Commonwealth University
International Adoption Medical Clinic
1101 E. Marshall, Box 980163
Richmond, VA 23298
(804) 828-9713 (ph)
(804) 827-1156 (fax)
vcu-iamc@mcvh-vcu.edu (email)
www.vcu.edu/pediatrics/adoption (web)
Dr. Suzanne Lavoie, Clinic Director
Medical Clinic

Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital
Elaine Schulte, MD, MPH
9500 Euclid Ave
Cleveland, OH 44195
(216) 445-9742 (ph)
schulte@ccf.org (email)
http://www.ccf.org (web)

Heidi Schwarzwald, MD
Texas Children's Health Center for International Adoption
6621 Fannin Street
CCC1210
Houston, TX 77030
Phone: (832) 822-1038
Fax: (832) 825-1281
Email: internationaladoptions@texaschildrenshospital.org

Samantha Lynn Wilson, MD
Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, International Adoption Clinic
P.O. Box 1997, MS #744
Milwaukee, WI 53201
Phone: (414) 266-2928
Fax: (414) 266-2292
Email: slwilson@mcw.edu
Website: http://www.chw.org

Sarah Springer, M.D.
Department of Pediatrics
Mercy Hospital of Pittsburgh
1515 Locust St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Phone: (412) 575-5805
Fax: (412) 232-7389

Dr. Springer can provide pre-placement consultations, including medical record and video reviews of internationally adopted children. Upon the child’s arrival, the medical and developmental evaluations include the following: medical/developmental screening; immunizations and medical treatments; ongoing medical care and developmental monitoring for geographically close families; case management/referral to appropriate specialty therapists (i.e., speech, occupational, physical). Dr. Springer also gives talks on adoption/post-institutionalization issues to local groups. She does not provide ongoing counseling or psychotherapy, but can provide referrals.

Mary Staat, M.D., M.P.H.
International Adoption Center
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
3333 Burnet Avenue, MLC-7036
Cincinnati, OH  45229-3039
Phone: (513) 636-2877
Fax: ( 513) 636-6936
Email: Robin.gordon@cchmc.org
Website: http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/iac

The International Adoption Center located at Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati is designed to offer four coordinated services for internationally adopted children – pre-adoption consultation, post-adoption evaluation, community outreach and research.  Dr. Staat can evaluate videotapes and medical histories of potential adoptees; assist the family in preparing for the trip abroad; and include information on immunizations, medical supplies and disease prevention.  The Center has a collaborative relationship with Occupational Therapy and the Cincinnati Center for Developmental Disorders as well.  As part of a comprehensive multi-disciplinary center, the International Adoption Center can readily call on experts in gastroenterology, neurology, genetics, psychology, cardiology and physical therapy and other specialties as needed. 

Yale University School of Medicine
Carol Weitzman, MD
464 Congress Avenue
New Haven, CT 06519
Phone: (203)737 1623
gail.novey@yale.edu

Lana Yanishevski, MD
Laurelwood Pediatrics
5050 Sandeelin
Memphis, TN 38117
Phone: (901) 683-9371
Fax: (901) 683-5503
Email: drlana@earthlink.net

Centers for Disease Control
For information on shots before travel and emerging medical concerns for any given country
www.cdc.gov/travel/

International adoption specialties are relatively new in pediatrics, but are certainly increasing. Many of the physicians listed below have traveled extensively in the countries which place children for adoption; many are adoptive parents themselves, and they have excellent written materials regarding common medical issues involved in intercountry adoption. They are generally available for pre-adoption and post-adoption consultations. Many clinics and doctors will review videos and medical records of children. Parents can consult with these doctors via phone, fax, and e-mail, sometimes at no charge. 

This includes member of Joint Council and physicians who have contributed to Joint Council conferences. This list is not all-inclusive; we suggest that families contact their agency or parent support group to see if there is a clinic or international adoption specialist in their geographical area, if you can’t find one here.  We will inevitably have overlooked some fine resources. Joint Council would appreciate hearing about any international adoption clinics or specialists who should be included on this list in the future.

*If the doctor and the Clinic/ Hospital are bold, they are members of Joint Council