The 20 Best Diaphragmatic Hernia Doctors in Maryland, US

Shaun M. Kunisaki, MD, MSc, is Professor of Surgery at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, a Robert & Jane Meyerhoff Professor at Johns Hopkins University, and Associate Chief of Strategy and Integration in the Division of General Pediatric Surgery at the Johns Hopkins Children's Center. Dr. Kunisaki's clinical practice spans the full breadth of pediatric general, thoracic, and fetal surgery, but he is a nationally and internationally recognized authority in the prenatal and postnatal management of congenital thoracic anomalies, including lung malformations, esophageal atresia, and congenital diaphragmatic hernia. He is the Director of the Fetal Program in General Pediatric Surgery and chairs the Prenatal Pediatrics Steering Committee, a collaboration between the Johns Hopkins Children's Center and the Department of Gynecology & Obstetrics at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. As Director of the Pediatric Esophageal Center, he specializes in the management of complex esophageal disorders such as long-gap esophageal atresia. He serves on the Editorial Board of several journals, including Pediatrics and Surgery, and holds senior leadership positions in the American Pediatric Surgical Association (APSA), Section on Surgery of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the Society of University Surgeons (SUS). Dr. Kunisaki has published over 100 peer-reviewed manuscripts and book chapters. His laboratory is funded by the National Institutes of Health and is largely focused on using stem cells derived from a patient's own tissues to better understand and treat several important pediatric surgical diseases. His team has developed techniques to reprogram fetal and neonatal tissues into pluripotent stem cells and organoids, and are working with scientists and engineers to improve long-term outcomes for children with severe birth defects, including spina bifida and congenital diaphragmatic hernia. More recently, he founded the Eastern Pediatric Surgery Network (EPSN), a clinical research collaborative composed of pediatric surgeons from over 20 children's hospitals in the country. A native of southern California, Dr. Kunisaki graduated with honors from Harvard College, the London School of Economics and Political Science, and Harvard Medical School. He completed general surgery residency at the Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School followed by a pediatric surgery fellowship at the University of Michigan. He also did additional research fellowships at the Massachusetts General Hospital and at Boston Children's Hospital. Philanthropy plays a crucial role in the work Dr. Kunisaki does by providing seed funding for research, funding for the best educational resources to train the future generation of pediatric surgeons, and additional support services for families receiving treatment that are not covered by insurance. Support Dr. Kunisaki. Dr. Kunisaki is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Diaphragmatic Hernia. His top areas of expertise are Congenital Lobar Emphysema, Diaphragmatic Hernia, Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia, Appendectomy, and Endoscopy.

Dr. Ahmet Baschat is director of the Center for Fetal Therapy and professor in the Johns Hopkins Medicine Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics. His areas of clinical expertise include prenatal diagnosis and therapy of a wide range of fetal conditions including congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intrauterine growth restriction, twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), as well as other complications of monochorionic twin pregnancies. Dr. Baschat received his undergraduate and medical degrees from The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. He earned his doctorate in medicine (Dr. Med) from the University of Lübeck, where he also completed a residency in obstetrics and gynecology. Dr. Baschat also completed residencies at Newton-Wellesley Hospital and at University of Maryland Medical Center. He performed a fellowship in maternal-fetal medicine at University of Maryland Medical Center and went on to develop its Center for Advanced Fetal Care. Dr. Baschat joined the Johns Hopkins faculty in 2014. Prior to joining Johns Hopkins, Dr. Baschat was professor and director of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and the Section of Fetal Therapy at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Dr. Baschat’s research interests include interventions and management techniques for fetal growth restriction and placental insufficiency. He has also done extensive research on the use of high resolution prenatal ultrasound techniques, including Doppler and fetal echocardiography, to predict and detect fetal complications. Dr. Baschat serves on a variety of boards and is a member of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology and the International Fetal Medicine and Surgery Society. He has been recognized with several awards and honors, including the 2010 Award for Excellence in Research by the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine. Dr. Baschat’s passion for developing an individualized care plan for each of his patients has been the hallmark of his practice. Dr. Baschat is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Diaphragmatic Hernia. His top areas of expertise are Twin-To-Twin Transfusion Syndrome, Intrauterine Growth Restriction, Bilateral Renal Agenesis Dominant Type, Diaphragmatic Hernia, and Endoscopy.

Dr. Jena Miller is an assistant professor in the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics and the Department of Surgery at Johns Hopkins. She is also a member of the Johns Hopkins Center for Fetal Therapy. She has a wide range of training in fetal medicine and fetal therapy. Her expertise includes operative fetoscopy, management of complicated monochorionic twins, high-risk pregnancies, multiple gestations, prenatal diagnosis and treatment. Dr. Miller completed her undergraduate training at the University of North Florida, followed by medical school and residency at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. She completed a maternal-fetal medicine fellowship at the University of Maryland and pursued additional opportunities in fetal medicine in Europe. Prior to joining Johns Hopkins, Dr. Miller was an Assistant Professor in Maternal-Fetal Medicine at Eastern Virginia Medical School and served as the director for the Sentara EVMS Fetal Care Center. Dr. Miller’s research interests include risk assessment and management of complicated monochorionic pregnancies as well as use of simulation and modeling for improving fetal intervention techniques. She has received grant support from the Fetal Health Foundation for use of 3D printing of fetal spina bifida from ultrasound imaging. Dr. Miller is a fellow of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. She is dedicated to teaching and was awarded the APGO Excellence in Teaching Award in 2014. She is absolutely dedicated to finding the optimal management plan specifically for each family. Dr. Miller is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Diaphragmatic Hernia. Her top areas of expertise are Twin-To-Twin Transfusion Syndrome, Myelomeningocele, Bilateral Renal Agenesis Dominant Type, Lung Agenesis, and Endoscopy.

Suneetha Desiraju is a neonatologist at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center in Baltimore, Maryland. She specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of premature babies or newborns with high-risk or complex health conditions. After graduating from the New York University School of Medicine, Dr. Desiraju completed a residency in pediatrics at the Mount Sinai Icahn School of Medicine. Then, she completed a fellowship in neonatal-perinatal medicine at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Dr. Desiraju is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Diaphragmatic Hernia. Her top areas of expertise are Necrotizing Enterocolitis, Diaphragmatic Hernia, Premature Infant, and Polyhydramnios.

Dr. Richard Southard’s specialty is in pediatric radiology, with more than 25 years of experience in private practice and hospital settings. He joins Johns Hopkins from Phoenix Children’s Hospital, where he is vice chief of Radiology Operations. Previously, he served as a pediatric radiologist, partner and president of Radiology Consultants North Dallas, a Texas-based private practice group. He earned his medical degree from The Ohio State University before going on to an internship and residency in pediatric medicine at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, followed by a diagnostic radiology residency at The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and fellowship in pediatric radiology at Pittsburgh Children’s Hospital. Dr. Southard’s research has focused on CT radiation dose reduction, imaging of congenital heart disease, implementation and validation of iterative reconstruction noise reduction techniques and dual-energy spectral CT applications in children. He joined the pediatric radiology faculty in February 2023 and will be working remotely from Arizona. Dr. Southard is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Diaphragmatic Hernia. His top areas of expertise are Tracheobronchopathia Osteoplastica, Bronchogenic Cyst, Dextrocardia, and Parkes Weber Syndrome.

Gina Adrales, M.D., M.P.H., joins the Johns Hopkins Department of Surgery as Director of the Division of Minimally Invasive Surgery, Director of the Minimally Invasive Surgery Training and Innovation Center, and Co-Director of the Johns Hopkins Bariatric Surgery Fellowship. Her areas of clinical expertise include gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gallbladder disease, achalasia, splenectomy (spleen removal), benign gastric and intestinal surgery, bariatric surgery, and open and laparoscopic hernia repair (inguinal, ventral, incisional, umbilical, hiatal, paraesophageal). Dr. Adrales has been named an associate member of the American College of Surgeons' Academy of Master Surgeon Educators. Awardees are recognized for having devoted their careers to surgical education and are considered premier leaders in their respective fields. Prior to joining Johns Hopkins, Dr. Adrales was on faculty at Dartmouth where she directed the Surgery Clerkship, the Hernia Surgery Center, and the Bariatric Surgery Program. During her tenure at Dartmouth, she earned her Masters of Public Health at The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice. She received her undergraduate degree from the College of William and Mary and her medical degree from the University of Virginia. She completed her residency at the Carolinas Medical Center and a research and clinical fellowship in minimally invasive surgery at the University of Kentucky before her first faculty appointment at the Medical College of Georgia. A national leader in hernia surgery, Dr. Adrales serves on the Executive Council of the Americas Hernia Society and previously served on the Executive Council of the Americas Hernia Society Quality Collaborative to improve the safety and quality of hernia surgery. She is actively involved in a number of committees for the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons including various roles in surgical education, the development of the Fundamentals of Endoscopic Surgery and an innovative interactive hernia surgery education module. Dr. Adrales’ research interests include health services research, clinical outcomes and quality improvement in minimally invasive foregut surgery, bariatric and metabolic surgery, and abdominal wall reconstruction. She has presented her work regionally, nationally, and internationally. Dr. Adrales is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Diaphragmatic Hernia. Her top areas of expertise are Hernia, Hiatal Hernia, Gastroparesis, Gastrectomy, and Sleeve Gastrectomy.

Dr. Mohammed Kalan is a general surgeon affiliated with Sibley Memorial Hospital and George Washington University Hospital. He practices out of the Washington Institute of Surgery in Washington, D.C. and Chevy Chase, Md. Dr. Kalan has an expertise in abdominal surgery, clinical gastroenterology, colorectal surgery, gastrointestinal cancers, minimally invasive gastrointestinal surgery and robotic surgery. Dr. Kalan earned his MBBS from Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Medical College in India. He completed a residency in general surgery at Temple University School of Medicine, followed by a fellowship in laparoscopic surgery at George Washington University School of Medicine. Dr. Kalan is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the Royal College of Surgeons of London and Edinburgh, U.K. Dr. Kalan has earned numerous awards. His teaching awards include the Outstanding Faculty Teacher for the Department of Surgery from Georgetown University Hospital in 2001; the Golden Apple Award Nomination from Georgetown University Medical School in 2000; the Georgetown Caring Star from Georgetown University Hospital in 2009 and 2003; and the W.L. Gore/Stuart I. Myers Award for Academic Excellence from Temple University in 1998. Dr. Kalan has also been named one of America’s Top Surgeons by the Consumers’ Research Council of America from 2010-2014; and a Top Doctor in General and Laparoscopic Surgery by Washingtonian magazine in 2002. Dr. Kalan is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Diaphragmatic Hernia. His top areas of expertise are Retroperitoneal Inflammation, Gallbladder Disease, Appendicitis, Hernia Surgery, and Colostomy.

Kavita Narang is an Obstetrics and Gynecologist and a Neonatologist in Rockville, Maryland. Dr. Narang is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Diaphragmatic Hernia. Her top areas of expertise are Placental Insufficiency, Gestational Diabetes, Methimazole Antenatal Exposure, Placenta Previa, and Endoscopy.

John Mackrell is a Radiologist in Leonardtown, Maryland. Dr. Mackrell is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Diaphragmatic Hernia. His top areas of expertise are Emphysema, Lymphofollicular Hyperplasia, Gallbladder Disease, and Diverticular Disease.

Aletta Frazier is a Radiologist in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Frazier is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Diaphragmatic Hernia. Her top areas of expertise are Pleural Effusion, Pleurisy, Pneumomediastinum, and Febrile Neutropenia.

Bart Loeys is a Radiologist in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Loeys is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Diaphragmatic Hernia. His top areas of expertise are Acromicric Dysplasia, Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD), Aplasia Cutis Congenita, and Clouston Syndrome.

Hugo Bonatti is an Intensive Care Medicine provider in Hagerstown, Maryland. Dr. Bonatti is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Diaphragmatic Hernia. His top areas of expertise are Malnutrition, Hernia, Rectal Prolapse, Appendectomy, and Gallbladder Removal.

Thomas Genuit is a General Surgeon in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Genuit is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Diaphragmatic Hernia. His top areas of expertise are Hernia, Gangrene, Diaphragmatic Hernia, Gastrostomy, and Gallbladder Removal.

David Nussbaum is a Neuroradiologist in Elkton, Maryland. Dr. Nussbaum is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Diaphragmatic Hernia. His top areas of expertise are Osteopenia, Melorheostosis with Osteopoikilosis, Melorheostosis, and Ascites.

Brian Bello is a Colorectal Surgeon in Olney, Maryland. Dr. Bello is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Diaphragmatic Hernia. His top areas of expertise are Colorectal Cancer, Familial Colorectal Cancer, Anal Cancer, Bladder Reconstruction, and Ureteroscopy.

Matthew Skancke is a Colorectal Surgeon in Bethesda, Maryland. Dr. Skancke is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Diaphragmatic Hernia. His top areas of expertise are Mesenteric Venous Thrombosis, Anal Fissure, Anorectal Abscess, Endoscopy, and Gastrostomy.

Adrian Park is a General Surgeon in Annapolis, Maryland. Dr. Park is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Diaphragmatic Hernia. His top areas of expertise are Hernia, Hiatal Hernia, Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia, Endoscopy, and Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery. Dr. Park is currently accepting new patients.

Adam Weltz is a General Surgeon in Hagerstown, Maryland. Dr. Weltz is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Diaphragmatic Hernia. His top areas of expertise are Hernia, Hiatal Hernia, Diaphragmatic Hernia, Endoscopy, and Small Bowel Resection. Dr. Weltz is currently accepting new patients.

Ramzi Alami is a General Surgeon in Prince Frederick, Maryland. Dr. Alami is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Diaphragmatic Hernia. His top areas of expertise are Hiatal Hernia, Diaphragmatic Hernia, Obesity, Sleeve Gastrectomy, and Gastrectomy. Dr. Alami is currently accepting new patients.

Zachary Sanford is a primary care provider, practicing in General Practice in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Sanford is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Diaphragmatic Hernia. His top areas of expertise are Diaphragmatic Hernia, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), High Cholesterol, Laminectomy, and Endoscopy.