NICU Team, Newborn Care Services, University Health System, Hospital, San Antonio, Texas

Newborn Care Services

NICU Facutly

Neonatologists

All of our neonatologists are board-certified in Pediatrics and sub-board certified in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine. They hold faculty appointments at the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio.

Our physicians include:

Cynthia L. Blanco, M.D.
Robert Castro, M.D.
Alice Gong, M.D.
Shamimunisa Mustafa, Ph.D.
Michael Odom, M.D.
Jean Petershack, M.D.
Rajam Ramamurthy, M.D.
Steve Seidner, M.D.
Richard Stribley, M.D.
Margarita Vasquez, M.D.

PREMIEre Program

Kathleen Matula-Linkhart, Ph.D.
Carolyn McLerran, M.S.N.

Our Physicians

Cynthia L. Blanco, M.D.

Assistant professor
Medical director, Neonatal Transport and Outreach
Phone: 210-567-5247
email: blanco@uthscsa.edu

Education:
M.S., Clinical Investigation, UT Health Science Center, San Antonio, 2006
M.D., Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, 1997
B.S., mathematics, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, 1990

Training:
Fellowship, neonatal-perinatal medicine, UT Health Science Center, San Antonio, 2002-05
Residency, pediatrics, Texas Tech University, El Paso, 1998-2001

Board Certification:
Pediatrics, 2001; Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, 2005

Recent Publications:
Blanco CL. The Effect of Early and Higher Protein Supplementation on Prevention of Hyperkalemia in ELBW Infants 2007 May. (Pediatric Research).

Blanco CL. Necrotizing Enterocolitis in the Era of Increasing Donor Breast Milk Use in Premature Infants 2007 Jan. p. s288. (Journal of Investigative Medicine; vol. 55, no. 1).

C L Blanco, J G Baillargeon, R L Morrison and A K Gong. Hyperglycemia in Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants in a Predominantly Hispanic Population and Related Morbidities J Perinatol 2006 Dec;26(12)

Interests:
Effect of early protein supplementation on prevention of hyperkalemia, effects of ibuprofen in lung fluid clearance, regulation of epithelial sodium channels in relation to inflammatory mediators, hyperglycemia in the ELBW infant, and necrotizing enterocolitis in the LBW infant, Nutrition for the ELBW infant; Fetal Programming; Glucose Metabolism in the Neonate

Robert Castro, M.D.

Professor of pediatrics
Director, Neonatal-Perinatal Fellowship Program
Phone: 210-567-5232
Fax: 210-567-5169
email: castror@uthscsa.edu

Education:
M.D., University of California-San Francisco, 1983
B.S., biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, 1979

Training:
Fellowship, neonatology, University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine, 19886-89
Residency, pediatrics,Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, 1984-86
Internship, pediatrics, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center

Board Certification:
Pediatrics, 1987, 1996; Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, 1989, 2003

Recent Publications:
Reeves, AA, Mustafa SB, Henson, BM, Vasquez MM, Castro R. Trafficking and Function of the Epithelial Sodium Channel Is Inhibited By Epidermal Growth Factor In A Rat Parotid Gland Cell Line 2007 Jan. (Journal of Investigative Medicine).

Vasquez MM, Castro R, Seidner SR, Henson, BM, Ashton, DJ, Mustafa SB. Induction of Serum and Glucocorticoid Induced Protein Kinase-1 (sgk1) and Epithelial Sodium Channels (ENaC) by cAMP in Epithelial Cells 2006 Jan. p. S280. (J Invest Med; vol. 54, no. 1). Biela TA, Henson BM, Seidner SR,Castro R, Mustafa SB. Regulation of a-Epithelial Sodium channels and Glucocorticoid Receptors by Novel Selective Glucocorticoids. Presented at the National AAP Conference. 2005 Oct.

Interests:
Surfactant therapy in neonates with respiratory failure other than from Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS); acute fluid management in the Very Low Birth Weight (VBLW) Infant.

Alice Gong, M.D.

Professor of pediatrics
Medical Director, Neonatal Nurse Practitioners
Phone: 210-567-5108
email: gong@uthscsa.edu

Education:
M.D., University of Mississippi-Jackson, 1980
B.S., chemistry, Mississippi Baptist University, 1976

Training:
Fellowship, neonatal-perinatal medicine, State University of New York, Buffalo, 1983-85
Residency, pediatrics, State University of New York, Buffalo, 1982-83
Residency, pediatrics, UT Medical Branch at Galveston, 1980-82

Board Certification:
Pediatrics, 1985; Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, 1985

Recent Publications:
Blanco CL, Baillargeon JG, Morrison RL, Gong AK. The Incidence of Hyperglycemia in the Extremely Low Birth Weight Infant in a Predominantly Hispanic Population and Related Morbidities 2006 Mar. p. 309. (J Clinical Invest; vol. 54, no. 1).

Early Treatment for Retinopathy of Prematurity Cooperative Group*: The Incidence and Course of Retinopathy of Prematurity: Findings from the Early Treatment for Retinopathy of Prematurity Study. Pediatrics. 2005; 116:15-23.

Early Treatment for Retinopathy of Prematurity Cooperative Group*: Revised indications for the treatment of retinopathy of prematurity: results of the early treatment for retinopathy of prematurity randomized trial. Controlled Clin Trials. 2004; 25: 311-325.

Interests:
ROP; Neonatal Nutrition; Breastfeeding; Total Parenteral Nutrition; Newborn genetic, metabolic, and hearing screening; Ethics; Hyperbilirubinemia; RSV prophylaxis; Prototype bilirubinometer, retinopathy of prematurity, early protein for ELBW infants, surfactant lavage for meconium aspiration

Shamimunisa Mustafa, Ph.D.

Assistant professor of pediatrics
Phone: 210-567-5278
email: mustafa@uthscsa.edu

Education:
Ph.D., biological chemistry, University College London, 1992
B.S., medicinal chemistry, University College London, 1988

Training:
Fellowship, biochemistry, UT Health Science Center, San Antonio, 1992-98

McAdams RM, Mustafa SB, Shenberger JS, Dixon PS, Henson BM, Digeronimo RJ. Cyclic stretch attenuates the effects of hyperoxia on cell proliferation and viability in human alveolar epithelial cells. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2006 Feb;291:L166-L174.

Mustafa SB, DiGeronimo RJ, Petershack JA, Alcorn JL, Seidner SR. Postnatal glucocorticoids induce alpha-ENaC formation and regulate glucocorticoid receptors in the preterm rabbit lung. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2004 Jan;286(1):73-80.

Michael Odom, M.D.

Associate professor of pediatrics
Co- Medical Director, NICU and Newborn Services
Phone: 210-567-5186
email: odom@uthscsa.edu

Education:
M.D., Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, 1983
B.A., chemistry, Baylor University, 1979

Training:
Fellowship, molecular biology training, UT Health Science Center, San Antonio, 1989-95
Fellowship, neonatal-perinatal medicine, Mount Zion Hospital and The Cardiovascular Research Institute, 1986-89
Residency, pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, 1986

Board Certification:
Pediatrics, 1987; Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, 1989

Current Projects:
Long-Term Neurodevelopmental Outcome in Infants Who Received Veronate or Pl, An Observational Study to Assess the Long-Term Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in a Subset of Infants Who Previously Received Veronate or Placebo as Part of Veronate Clinical Trial IgG-CL-006.

A Phase 3, Randomized, Double-Blind, Multi-Center Study to Compare the Effi. Clinical Study to Compare Micafungin versus Amphotericin for the Treatment, A Phase 3, Randomized, Double-Blind, Multi-Center Study to Compare the Efficacy and Safety of Micafungin Versus Amphotericin B Deoxycholate for the Treatment of Neonatal Candidiasis.

Interests:
Hormonal effects on lung maturation, Neonatal infectious diseases, Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn, Long-term outcomes of VLBW and ELBW newborns, Stillbirths, Molecular Biology and Hormonal Regulation of Fetal Lung Development; Mechanisms Underlying the Glucocorticoid Mediated Acceleration of Fetal Lung Development; Regulation of Factor IX Gene Expression; New Techniques for Rapid Isolation of Expressed Sequences from Subchromosomal Regions of DNA.

Rajam Ramamurthy, M.D.

Clinical professor and the Rita & William Head Distinguished Chair in Developmental and Environmental Neonatology
Medical director, Premature Infant Development
PREMIEre Program
Phone: 210-567-5228
email: rramamurthy@uthscsa.edu

Education:
M.D., University of Mysore, The Banglaore Medical College, India, 1965

Training:
Fellowship, neonatology, Cook County Hospital, 1970-72
Residency, pediatrics, Cook County Hospital, 1968-70
Internship, medicine/rotational, Cook County Hospital, 1967-68

Board Certification:
Pediatrics, 1972; Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, 1975

Current Projects:
VLBW Infants, Outcome of VLBW infants followed int he premature infant follow up program.

Neonatal Polycythemia, Randomized evaluation of currently practiced therapies for reducing immediate and long term complications in neonatal polycythemia

Interests:
Long term follow-up of high-risk premature infants; Neonatal polycythemia; Neonatal infections; Cardiopulmonary resuscitation of the newborn infant, Outcome of high-risk premature infants; neonatal polycythemia hyperviscosity syndrome; neonatal infections; cardiopulmonary resuscitation of the newborn infant

Jean A. Petershack, M.D.

Assistant professor of pediatrics
Director, Neonatal Education
Phone: 210-567-9211
email: petershack@uthscsa.edu

Education:
M.D., UT Health Science Center, San Antonio, 1991
B.S., biology, Oakland University Honors College, 1985

Training:
Fellowship, neonatal-perinatal medicine, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, 1996-97
Fellowship, neonatal-perinatal medicine, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, 1994-96
Residency, pediatrics, UT Health Science Center, San Antonio, 1992-94
Internship, pediatrics, UT Health Science Center, San Antonio, 1991-92

Board Certification:
Pediatrics, 1995; Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, 1999

Current Projects:
Supervising fellows in a clinical research project-Necrotizing Enterocolitis in University Hospital. Studying incidence and severity of NEC in NICU prior to and following institution of donor breast milk.

University of Texas Team-based Interdisciplinary Training using Simulation

Interests:
Regulation of fluids and electrolytes, ethics, family-centered care and issues in palliative care, Sodium and water reabsorption in lung epithelial cells; regulation of ENaC by exogenous and endogenous compounds in the immature lung and the signaling pathways that are important in affecting these changes; surfactant regulation in preterm lungs; Incidence and prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis; palliative care- program building; QI; and Education

Steven Seidner, M.D.

Professor of pediatrics and division chief of neonatology
Deputy Chairman for University Health System Affairs
Medical Director, NICU and Newborn Services
Phone: 210-567-5229
Fax: 210-567-5169
email: seidner@uthscsa.edu

Education:
M.D., University of Arizona Medical School, 1982
B.A., chemistry, Cornell University, 1976

Training:
Fellowship, neonatology, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, 1985-88
Residency, pediatrics, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, 1982-85

Board Certification:
Pediatrics, 1987; Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, 1987

Recent Publications:
Vasquez MM, Castro R, Seidner SR, Henson, BM, Ashton, DJ, Mustafa SB. Induction of Serum and Glucocorticoid Induced Protein Kinase-1 (sgk1) and Epithelial Sodium Channels (ENaC) by cAMP in Epithelial Cells 2006 Jan. p. S280. (J Invest Med; vol. 54, no. 1).

Biela, TA, Henson, BM, Seidner SR, Castro R, Mustafa SB. Synthetic Glucocorticoids (GC) Selective for Transactivation stumulate alpha-ENaC Formation but do not Suppress Expression of Glucocorticoid Receptors (GCR) in Mouse Lung Epithelial (MLE-12) Cells 2005. (Pediatr Res).

Isaac J, DiGeronimo RJ, Henson BM, Dixon P, Seidner SR, Mustafa SB. Mechanical Stretch stimulates alpha-Epithelial Na+ Channel Expression in Murine Lung Epithelial Cells: Role of MAPKS 2005. p. S292. (J Invest Med; vol. 53).

Interests:
Surfactant Replacement Therapy; Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia; Antenatal and Postnatal Glucocorticoids; Patent Ductus Arteriosus; Congenital Chylothorax; Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure and Inhaled Nitric Oxide Therapy, Molecular physiology of mechanical ventilation; glucocorticoid and cAMP regulation of ENaC and surfactant proteins; cytokine regulation of ENaC signal transduction in the developing lung; regulation of ductus arteriosus remodeling by nitric oxide and prostaglandins; augmentation of surfactant therapy with antenatal and postnatal lung maturational agents; glucocorticoid effects on lung function; lung development; surfactant metabolism, distribution, and function.

Richard F. Stribley, M.D.

Clinical associate professor of pediatrics
Phone: 210-567-5224
email: stribley@uthscsa.edu

Education:
M.D., Michigan State University-East Lansing, 1983
Ph.D., bioengineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 1974
M.A., experimental psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 1973
M.S., bioengineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 1969
B.S., science engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 1969

Training:
Fellowship, Wilford Hall Medical Center, 1990
Residency, Wilford Hall Medical Center, 1986
Internship, Wilford Hall Medical Center, 1984

Board Certification:
Pediatrics, 1989; Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, 1991

Recent Publications:
The Texas Neonatal Research Group (Stribley RF, contributing author). Early Surfactant for Neonates with Mild to Merate Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Multicenter, Randomized Trial Journal of Pediatrics 2004;144(6):804-808.

Texas Neonatal Research Group (contributing author) A Multicenter, Randomized Trial of Elective Intubation for Surfactant Treatment in Non-ventilated Neonates with RDS. Journal of Perinatology. 23(7):581, 2003.

Interests:
Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy; Neonatal Injury from Birth Trauma, Lung surfactant; liquid ventilation

Margarita Vasquez, M.D.

Assistant professor
Phone: 210-567-5225
email: londonom@uthscsa.edu

Education:
M.D., University of Missouri-Kansas City, 2000
B.A., liberal arts, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 1999

Training:
Fellowship, neonatology, UT Health Science Center, San Antonio, 2003-06
Residency, pediatrics, UT Health Science Center, San Antonio, 2000-03

Board Certification:
Pediatrics, 2003

Interests:
Regulation of fetal lung fluid and fetal lung development, Potential signal transduction pathways regulating a-Epithelial Sodium Channel (ENaC) and serum and glucocorticoid-induced protein kinase 1 (sgk1) expression induced by cAMP in epithelial cells derived from the rat submandibular gland (SMG-C6) cell line; Relationship between the induction of sgk1 and expression of a-ENaC in this cell model; characterizing the signaling elements regulating these mechanisms for fluid lung absorption.

PREMIEre Program

Kathleen Matula-Linkhart, Ph.D. Carolyn McLerran, M.S.N.

Clinical assistant professor
PREMIEre Program
Phone: 210-567-5235
email: matula@uthscsa.edu

Education:
Ph.D., child development and family relations, University of Texas, Austin, 1990

Recent Publications:
Black, M.M. & Matula, K. (2000). Essentials of Bayley Scales of Infant Development-II Assessment. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Matula, K., Gyurke, J.S., & Aylward, G. (1997). Response to commentary: Bayley Scales II. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 18, 112-113.

Thompson, B., Wasserman, J. D., & Matula, K. (1996). The factor structure of the Behavior Rating Scale of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development-II. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 56(3), 460-474.

Interests:
Efficacy of parenting intervention, parent-child interaction and outcomes on child development, identify formation and mastery/achievement motivation.

Carolyn McLerran, M.S.N.

Instructor of pediatrics
Program coordinator, PREMIEre Program
Phone: 210-567-5235
email: mclerranc@uthscsa.edu

Education:
M.S.N., Nursing, UT Health Science Center Graduate School of Nursing, San Antonio, 1991 Certification: Nursing, 1974; Clinical Nurse Specialist, 1994

Recent projects:
Efficacy Pilot of Parents as Teachers Curriculum with a Population of Premature Infants, Assisting in the development and implementation of a pilot study to examine the impact of the Parents as Teachers Curriculum on the long term developmental outcome of very low birth weight premature infants.

Interests:
Sociocultural factors affecting developmental outcome of very low birth weight infants; Temperament, maternal perception of temperament and the environment as they affect the developmental outcome of very low birth weight infants.