Dr. Christine Pratilas

Dr. John P. Gearhart is a professor of pediatrics and urology at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. His clinical and surgical interests focus on the evaluation and treatment of children born with major congenital birth defects, bladder exstrophy, disorders of sexual development and childhood urinary cancers. Dr. Gearhart received his M.D. from the University of Louisville School of Medicine in 1975. After an internship in surgery and residencies in surgery and urology at the Medical College of Georgia, he completed a fellowship in pediatric urology at Alder Hey Children's Hospital of the University of Liverpool School of Medicine in 1981. Following two years as a urologist at St. Mary's Hospital in Huntington, West Virginia, he completed a second fellowship in pediatric urology at Johns Hopkins in 1985 and joined the Johns Hopkins faculty thereafter as an associate professor of pediatric urology. Over the course of his distinguished career, Dr. Gearhart has been lauded as a pioneer in pediatric urology and reconstructive genitourinary surgery. He has published extensively and has received numerous awards and guest lectureships. He is a member of several national and international professional organizations and is a founding member of the Society of Reconstructive Genitourinary Surgeons. Dr. Gearhart is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in Osteotomy. His top areas of expertise are Cloacal Exstrophy, Exstrophy of the Bladder, Exstrophy-Epispadias Complex, Osteotomy, and Bladder Reconstruction.

Dr. Heather Noelle Di Carlo is an associate professor of urology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. She treats all pediatric urological disorders in young males and females while specializing in renal sparing surgery and complex reconstruction of the genitourinary tract in patients with the exstrophy-epispadias complex, disorders of sexual development (DSD) and other congenital anomalies. She serves as the Director of Pediatric Urology Research and is the interim Division Director of Pediatric Urology. A native of New York, Dr. Di Carlo graduated from Emory University with a B.S. in neuroscience and music, and the State University of New York at Stony Brook School of Medicine. Following general surgery and urology residency training at Stony Brook Medical Center, she completed a pediatric urology fellowship at the James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute. Dr. Di Carlo has special clinical and basic science interests in the exstrophy-epispadias complex, spina bifida and renal transplantation. Dr. Di Carlo is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in Osteotomy. Her top areas of expertise are Exstrophy of the Bladder, Exstrophy-Epispadias Complex, Cloacal Exstrophy, Bladder Reconstruction, and Osteotomy.

Chad Crigger, M.D., M.P.H., is a pediatric urologist at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center and an assistant professor of urology at the Johns Hopkins Brady Urological Institute. He also serves as the Associate Program Director of the Urology Residency Program. After growing up in Charleston, West Virginia, Dr. Crigger attended the University of Richmond, where he majored in biology. After college, he returned home to West Virginia and obtained his medical doctorate from Marshall University and a master’s in public health from West Virginia University. He then completed an internship in general surgery and a residency in urologic surgery at West Virginia Ruby Memorial Hospital, where he was drawn to pediatric urology, particularly the reconstructive aspects that draw on principles from several fields including pediatric plastic surgery. This, and a chance visiting professorship by John Gearhart, M.D., inspired Dr. Crigger to pursue training in major reconstructive pediatric urology at Johns Hopkins, where he completed a fellowship. Relying on his background as a camp counselor, Dr. Crigger makes his patients active participants in their care whenever possible, often through sketching their condition. He is a member of multiple professional societies, including the American Urological Association and the American College of Surgeons. A researcher and director of pediatric urology research, he has published more than 50 articles in major journals and contributed to over 20 book chapters on pediatric urology. Dr. Crigger’s research focuses on his passion for major congenital anomalies, particularly the exstrophy-epispadias complex, about which he has multiple projects spanning the basic and clinical sciences. Additionally, with extensive training in robotic surgery, Dr. Crigger serves as director of robotic surgery for pediatric urology. His team looks for ways to safely apply the robotic surgery platform, including single port surgery, when feasible. His philosophy in practicing medicine is simple: to “provide the greatest benefit through the most up-to-date and least morbid treatment options possible.” Regarding providing care for patients and working with families, his focus is singular. When talking with parents, he can often be heard saying, “I know that, whether I am performing surgery or offering my professional recommendation, I am caring for one of the most important people in your life. I take that responsibility seriously and will do my very best to deliver the highest level of care possible.” Videos Chad Crigger, M.D.Pediatric Urologist. Dr. Crigger is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in Osteotomy. His top areas of expertise are Exstrophy of the Bladder, Cloacal Exstrophy, Exstrophy-Epispadias Complex, Osteotomy, and Bladder Reconstruction.