Medical Advisory Council
Seattle Children's Hospital
Division Chief, Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Dr. Evelyn Hsu, MD, became a valuable member of the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology in 2011. She earned her medical doctorate degree with honors from the University of Wisconsin in 2003. Following this achievement, she completed her pediatric residency training at the University of Washington/Seattle Children's Hospital in 2006. Dr. Hsu's pursuit of excellence led her to further subspecialty fellowship training at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, specializing in Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, as well as Pediatric Advanced/Transplant Hepatology. Her qualifications include board certification in Pediatrics (2006), subspecialty board certification in Pediatric Gastroenterology (2011), and additional certification in Pediatric Transplant Hepatology (2012).
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
Family Nurse Practitioner, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Nutrition; Liver Transplant Coordinator
Melissa is Family Nurse Practitioner. She received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from DePaul University. She received her Master’s in Nursing from DePaul University and went on to complete her nurse practitioner training at DePaul University earning a Post-Master’s Certificate. Melissa joined the Lurie Children’s liver transplant team in December 2012. She works with children and families from beginning their journey to liver transplant through the post-transplant care into young adulthood. She is a Certified Clinical Transplant Nurse. Melissa has an interest in pediatric to adult transition, and she is the lead clinician for the Lurie Children’s multidisciplinary solid organ transition clinic. She is also interested in vaccination pre and post-transplant and is involved in research initiatives surrounding increased vaccination rates for pre and post-transplant children.
Children's Hospital of Los Angeles
Chief, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition
Associate Director, The Saban Research Institute
Dr. Kohli received his medical degree from the Armed Forces Medical College, India in 1999 and his MS in clinical investigation from Northwestern University in 2006. While at Northwestern he first spent three years as a pediatric gastroenterology and hepatology fellow and then subsequently as a transplant hepatology trainee before relocating to the University of Cincinnati in 2007. His research work has focused on the pathogenesis of obesity related fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In particular, he has focused upon the role of bile acid signaling as a mechanism for NAFLD resolution after weight loss surgery. His work has also shed light on reactive oxygen stress in the generation and regulation of the extreme stage of this disease; nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). He has published many peer-reviewed articles including articles in Nature, Nature Reviews, The Journal of Biological Chemistry, Hepatology, Journal of Pediatrics, and The American Journal of Physiology. He is the author of many book chapters and review articles. He also is the recipient of the 2007 George Ferry Young Investigator Award from the Children's Digestive Health and Nutrition Foundation, a Fellowship award from the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, Takeda Research Innovation Award from the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Foundation.
Texas Children's Hospital
Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine
Pediatric Gastroenterologist, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition Clinic
Dr. Sanjiv Harpavat, MD, PhD, is a distinguished pediatric gastroenterologist specializing in various facets of liver disease. His expertise encompasses neonatal cholestasis, genetic causes of liver disease such as progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis and Wilson disease, liver transplantation, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Dr. Harpavat is deeply committed to clinical and translational research, with a primary focus on biliary atresia (BA), a severe liver condition. He spearheads an NIH-funded multi-hospital screening initiative for BA and conducts clinical trials of novel medications aimed at improving outcomes in BA patients post-Kasai operation.
Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt University
Director, Pediatric Solid Organ Transplant Center; Associate Professor
of Pediatrics, Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition
Dr. Saeed Mohammad, MD, MS, is a Pediatric Transplant Hepatologist renowned for his dedication to the care of children with chronic gastrointestinal and liver diseases. Prior to his directorial role at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, he held significant positions at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. There, he served as an Associate Professor of Pediatrics, the Fellowship Director for the Transplant Hepatology Fellowship Program, and the Medical Director for the Hepatology and Liver Transplantation Program at the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. Dr. Mohammad's research pursuits center on enhancing the long-term outcomes and quality of life for children with chronic illnesses, particularly pediatric liver transplant recipients. His areas of interest extend to immunosuppression withdrawal, transition of care, decision analysis, and health economics. Throughout his illustrious career, Dr. Mohammad has solidified his position as a leader in his field, spearheading innovative clinical programs, and holding leadership roles in various prominent organizations dedicated to liver health and transplantation.
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
Clinical Practice Director and Director of Endoscopy, Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Dr. Lee Bass, MD, specializes in diagnosing and treating children with gastrointestinal and liver diseases. His expertise extends to gastrointestinal endoscopy, with a focus on diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. He has a keen interest in cutting-edge modalities of therapy and diagnostics, including the treatment of gastrointestinal bleeding, complex polyposis syndromes, gastrointestinal strictures, portal hypertension treatment, capsule endoscopy, single balloon enteroscopy, and innovative techniques like trans-nasal endoscopy. Additionally, Dr. Bass actively contributes to the field of childhood liver disease as a member of working groups for Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis, Biliary Atresia, Alpha-1-Anti-trypsin deficiency, and Portal Hypertension within the Childhood Liver Disease Research and Education Network (CHiLDREN). He also serves as the principal investigator for the Fibroscan in Cholestatic Liver Disease study. Beyond his clinical expertise, Dr. Bass explores the use of technology to provide behavioral modification solutions for children with functional disorders.
Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford
Administrative Director, Pediatric Solid Organ Transplant Center
Adjunct Professor, Widener University
Josh Gossett holds a multifaceted role within the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), where he serves on the National Transplant Administrators Committee and plays a pivotal role in the UNOS Pediatric Liver Improvement Collaborative. In 2016, he founded the Pediatric Improvement Collaborative for Organ Transplant, a collaborative effort uniting pediatric transplant administrators and quality improvement experts to enhance pediatric outcomes nationwide. His commitment extends beyond transplantation, as he also serves as a Quality Improvement consultant with the Advanced Cardiac Therapies Improving Outcomes Network (ACTION), an international collaborative focused on improving outcomes for children with heart failure. Dr. Gossett has been actively engaged in various consulting activities, including developing a Quality Improvement introductory module for the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (NASPGHAN) and providing expert witness consultation in healthcare litigation cases. Dr. Gossett's impressive academic journey encompasses degrees in biology, nursing, and healthcare administration, including an MBA and DNP from Ohio State University. His extensive professional certifications, including a black belt in Lean/Six Sigma, underscore his commitment to excellence in healthcare. He is a valued member of numerous healthcare organizations, including the American College of Healthcare Executives, the International Pediatric Transplant Association, and the American Society for Artificial Internal Organs. With a substantial body of work, including numerous poster and podium publications and speaking engagements at prominent conferences, such as the American Transplant Congress, the UNOS Transplant Management Forum, and the Association of Organ Procurement Organizations, Dr. Gossett's influence on the healthcare landscape is profound. His commitment to quality improvement and patient advocacy is a testament to his enduring impact on pediatric medicine.
Seattle Children's Hospital
Transplant Coordinator
Danielle Sweeney is a skilled healthcare professional, serving as both a liver transplant coordinator and a dedicated neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurse at Seattle Children’s Hospital. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Physiology and Neuroscience from the University of California, San Diego, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Columbia University in NYC. Throughout her career, Danielle has been a dedicated NICU nurse, initially at the Children’s Hospital of New York and now at Seattle Children’s. Three years ago, she joined the transplant team, allowing her to work in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Her expertise spans caring for critically ill babies in the ICU to nurturing post-transplant patients. Danielle's commitment to patient care and her ability to seamlessly navigate dual roles make her a valued healthcare professional.
Regino P Gonzalez-Peralta, MD
AdventHealth For Children
AdventHealth Transplant Institute
Pediatric Gastroenterologist, Pediatric Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Dr. Gonzalez-Peralta's journey into the medical field began with his upbringing in Cuba and his educational pursuits. He cultivated his academic foundation at Cornell University before embarking on a medical degree program at the Universidad Central del Este in the Dominican Republic. His commitment to excellence continued as he completed his pediatrics residency at Cook County Hospital in Chicago. Subsequently, he distinguished himself as a Senior Resident and Co-Chief Resident at the University of Florida, earning recognition for his exceptional skills. A pivotal moment in his career came when he was selected for a prestigious fellowship in pediatric gastroenterology, solidifying his dedication to specialized pediatric care. Dr. Gonzalez-Peralta's clinical and research interests encompass a wide spectrum, including childhood HBV and HCV infection, pediatric liver transplant, Wilson disease, alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency, pediatric hepatology, and clinical trials. His unwavering commitment to advancing the field of pediatric medicine is evident in his remarkable journey.
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
Division Head, Transplant Surgery; Co-Director, Siragusa Transplantation Center; Surgical Director, Intestinal and Liver Transplant Programs; Robert E. Schneider Chair in Transplantation; Member, Lurie Children's Surgical Foundation
Professor of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Among Dr. Superina's accomplishments, he is a leading expert in the meso-rex bypass, also known as the Rex shunt—a complex liver surgery crucial for restoring venous circulation in cases of pediatric portal vein hypertension. Remarkably, he has conducted over 200 of these procedures, establishing the world's largest pediatric case series. Dr. Superina's influence transcends borders, as he is sought after by patients and peers from around the world. Beyond treating international patients at Lurie Children’s, he actively engages in international surgical missions, performing demonstration surgeries, and offering mentorship to fellow pediatric surgeons. His clinical expertise spans liver transplantation (including living donor, reduced size, and split live), biliary atresia, bile duct malformations, portal hypertension, organ donation, intestinal, and kidney transplantation. Notably, he is an expert in alternative operative and non-operative strategies to avert transplantation in children with end-stage organ disease. As an accomplished academician, Dr. Superina dedicates his efforts to studying predictors of treatment success and clinical outcomes in complex abdominal surgeries and transplantation in children. He has authored an impressive body of nearly 170 peer-reviewed publications, contributing significantly to the advancement of pediatric surgery