Dr. Peter Minneci grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and did all his training in the northeast. After medical school at NYU, he worked at the National Institute of Health (NIH) and did his surgical training in Boston and Philadelphia. Dr. Minneci also devotes time to clinical research to continually improve treatment plans and patient outcomes. I really enjoy working with children. They are an embodiment of joy, hope and resilience. I strive to improve pediatric surgical care so that I can provide the best outcome at the highest value to everyone involved.My areas of expertise include:Abdominal MassesAnti-Reflux SurgeryBreast DisordersColorectal disordersCongenital anomaliesExtracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)Gallbladder DiseaseHernias and HydrocelesIntestinal FailureLung masses/lesionsMinimally invasive surgeryPilonidal DiseaseWound Care I approach problems through the perspective of my patients and their families, so I can work through situations in a way that best fits the family’s needs. I also break down complex processes to make them more manageable and approachable. Dr. Minneci is highly rated in 30 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Appendicitis, Pilonidal Sinus Disease, Tracheoesophageal Fistula, Appendectomy, and Oophorectomy.

Dr. Loren Berman is a pediatric general surgeon, an active researcher, and an author of peer-reviewed articles and book chapters. She enjoys training the next generation of pediatric surgeons. Another role she enjoys here at Nemours is working on maintaining quality and safety to deliver the highest quality of care. Even when I was a child, I was curious about the human body, how it works and why it sometimes doesn’t. The more I learned, the more I realized I wanted to know how to fix things that go wrong. I came upon surgery to do that in a very hands-on fashion. I like working with children, and find them to be full of energy, incredibly resilient and inspiring as patients. I also appreciate the chance to form relationships with their parents. Family-centered medicine is much more than a buzzword. Outcomes improve when the family is part of the care team. I enjoy helping that happen. I value the relationships that I build with kids and parents, and I see most of them again in follow-ups. I love taking care of babies — and supporting their families through what can be an intense time in their lives. Unlike many adult surgeons, my job doesn’t end with surgery. I will often see a family many times for follow-up visits. I get to know them well. I feel involved for the long-term.I also enjoy watching a resident grow and hearing from them once they are practicing surgeons and training other surgeons. I find joy in seeing the impact when I develop a standardized process to improve care and can see the improvement. One of my primary roles as a surgeon is to be a teacher. I am committed not only to helping my patients and their families understand their disease process but also to training future surgeons. There are a few people who have inspired me and really stand out in my life as role models. I hope to serve the same function for future generations. Dr. Berman is highly rated in 20 conditions, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Duodenal Atresia, Infantile Pyloric Stenosis, Appendicitis, Gastrostomy, and Appendectomy.

Katherine Deans is a Pediatric Surgeon in Wilmington, Delaware. Dr. Deans has been practicing medicine for over 52 years is highly rated in 17 conditions, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Appendicitis, Pilonidal Sinus Disease, Tracheoesophageal Fistula, Appendectomy, and Oophorectomy.

Dr. Boelig is a board-certified pediatric general surgeon with a broad clinical practice and an interest in minimally invasive surgery and surgical education. He is the associate program director for the pediatric surgery fellowship and director of the surgical clerkship for medical students at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware. As a pediatric surgeon, I believe I have the best job in the world. Caring for children is motivating and rewarding. I am fascinated by the ability of children to maintain resilience, hope and kindness of heart in the face of illness. Parents place a sacred trust in us to operate on and care for their children, and for that I am honored and grateful. I am also drawn to the extraordinary breadth of pediatric surgical care, which is unique in the profession of surgery. On any given day, I may care for a pre-term baby in our neonatal intensive care unit, fix an inguinal hernia in a toddler and treat a teenager who has sustained injuries in an accident. Operating on the smallest of patients demands a high level of meticulousness and technique. I am interested in adapting minimally invasive surgery (laparoscopy, thoracoscopy and robotic surgery) to pediatric patients in such a way as to minimize pain and scars, to preserve function and to promote a speedier recovery. I am also passionate about family-centered care and understanding the values and priorities of parents regarding the care of their child. My goal is to speak openly and honestly with parents, educate them on pediatric surgical disease and the options for care, and to build a plan together that best meets the needs of the patient and family.My medical interests include:Minimally invasive thoracic/chest and abdominal surgery, including laparoscopy and thoracoscopy, and laparoscopic inguinal hernia repairRobotic SurgerySurgery for congenital lung lesions (CPAM, bronchopulmonary sequestration)Newborn surgeryPediatric surgical oncology (Wilm’s tumor, neuroblastoma)Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH)Congenital abdominal wall defects (gastroschisis, omphalocele)Counseling for fetal surgical anomaliesExtracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)Hirschsprung diseaseAnorectal malformationsPrenatal counselingMedical/surgical education Every child is unique. I approach each patient with an open mind and a commitment to tailoring a surgical plan that fits the patient and family’s needs. I also strongly believe that pediatric surgeons are educators and need to be completely invested in training the next generation of pediatric surgeons. I try to make a difference by focusing much of my time and energy into teaching and training medical students, residents and our pediatric surgery fellow. Dr. Boelig is highly rated in 10 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Duodenal Atresia, Atresia of Small Intestine, Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation of Lung, Splenectomy, and Endoscopy.

Dr. Kirk W. Reichard is the clinical director, Division of General Surgery; surgical director of the O.R. and the Bariatric Surgery Program; medical director, Nemours Partners for Perinatal Management; fellow, American College of Surgeons and American Academy of Pediatrics; and member, Children’s Oncology Group and American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. He completed a four-year stint as president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Delaware Chapter. My grandfather was a physician, so I was inspired to go into medicine at an early age. As a doctor, I feel I can really make a difference in the lives of children because they have so much ahead of them. One of my top priorities is to help children and their families learn how to lead healthier, happier lives. I see how resilient children are and the positive attitudes they maintain daily. I’m passionate about quality improvement, operational excellence, and clinical standardization. I try to lead continuous and quality improvement by being a model in the workplace. I make a difference by advocating nationally for the well-being of children. Dr. Reichard is highly rated in 3 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Pectus Excavatum, Pectus Carinatum, Retroperitoneal Inflammation, Appendicitis, and Appendectomy.

Dr. Charles Paidas is chief of the Division of Pediatric General Surgery. He's been a medical school vice dean and professor, invited lecturer, researcher, author and editor of major medical journals. He's board-certified in general surgery, pediatric surgery and surgical critical care, and has treated kids and teens for more than 30 years. Everything starts with childhood. I've always been fascinated with children — and families as a whole. I'm very interested in the role of healthy families in the greater framework of society.  Another subject that fascinates me is embryology (the study of babies while they grow and develop in the womb) and the health of babies before they're even born. I'm passionate about us delivering valuable, team-based, safe health care for children.  And I'm passionate about training future physicians, and believe that a hospital’s participation in good, solid graduate medical education (programs that train medical school graduates in their residencies and fellowships) is a big asset to the organization — and to patients and families — providing real benefits in the enhanced quality of care that it helps achieve. In addition to caring for children, one way I work to make a difference is through my emphasis on faculty development, including areas such as physician wellness and professionalism. I also try to make a difference in the field of medicine through my participation and membership in The Society of University Surgeons and The American Association for the Surgery of Trauma. Dr. Paidas is highly rated in 12 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Atresia of Small Intestine, Pilonidal Sinus Disease, Retroperitoneal Inflammation, and Annular Pancreas.

I’m pretty even-keeled. Because I wanted a profession I could have a lifelong passion for, and felt drawn since childhood toward medicine, I chose pediatric surgery. It’s fulfilling on a daily basis – not just the actual surgery, but also the opportunities to communicate with patients and families and establish bonds with them. For me, pediatric surgery is the most rewarding of all fields – for many reasons. Children are innocent, resilient, and fun to take care of. The kids I see are afflicted by an accident or bad luck, and it’s great to have a positive impact on them and their families. I feel strongly about spending time with parents – after all, they’re entrusting their child’s care to me and my team. It’s a privilege and a responsibility to establish a bond with them. I take this aspect of my work very seriously. I’m also passionate about doing the right thing, being a good family person, raising my kids to be wholesome children who grow up to be good, happy people. Recently I tied with another physician for the highest patient satisfaction score at Nemours. It’s not the kind of award you actively try to win – I didn’t even know I was competing at all – but it’s something I take pride in. It was a welcome surprise, and it’s satisfying to think I’ve made a positive impact on children and their families. Dr. Duffy is highly rated in 6 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Retroperitoneal Inflammation, Total Intestinal Aganglionosis, Hirschsprung Disease, and Pectus Excavatum.

Duane Duke, MD, FACS, FAAP, Colonel US Army Reserves is a pediatric general surgeon and medical director of the Trauma Center at Nemours Children's Hospital, Delaware. In addition to trauma care and disaster preparedness, Dr. Duke’s interests include chest wall surgery and non-invasive approaches to treatment of pectus carinatum and pectus excavatum. Dr. Duke is highly rated in 2 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Pectus Excavatum, Retroperitoneal Inflammation, Hereditary Mucoepithelial Dysplasia, and Congenital Hypotrichosis Milia.

Dr. Liese Pruitt is a board-certified pediatric surgeon with additional fellowship training in pediatric colorectal surgery. In additional to her interest in complex colorectal conditions and minimally invasive surgery Dr. Pruitt is active in mixed methods clinical research to improve patient outcomes and family experiences of surgical care. I treat children because they are resilient and have amazing future potential. In helping a child, you have a chance not only to change their whole future life but also to shape the future of their entire family. They are funny, passionate, and continually teach me new things about the world. I also love that as a pediatric surgeon you continue to follow your patients throughout their life and see who they develop into. I love tackling a complex program and finding a way to fit all the pieces together to have a successful outcome. Whether that is a complex congenital anomaly that needs surgery or a complex set of social circumstances that requires extra creativity and support from our team for a family to be successful. I love operating on children and seeing how even a small elective surgery can have a huge impact. One of the primary roles of an excellent surgeon is to be a good listener. Performing surgery on a child is a privilege and the relationship and trust between the family (parents and child) and the surgeon is critical. I believe that taking the time to listen and understand a family’s concerns and then address any concerns that they have and explain the treatment plan is essential. This helps me build a plan for the child that meets everyone’s needs. Dr. Pruitt is highly rated in 1 condition, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Hirschsprung Disease, Infantile Pneumothorax, Tracheoesophageal Fistula, Septoplasty, and Gastrostomy.

Charles Vinocur is a Pediatric Surgeon in Wilmington, Delaware. Dr. Vinocur is highly rated in 2 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Infantile Pyloric Stenosis, Necrotizing Enterocolitis, Short Bowel Syndrome, Gastrostomy, and Small Bowel Resection.

Kelly Pruden is a Pediatric Surgeon in Wilmington, Delaware. Dr. Pruden has been practicing medicine for over 2 years.

Danielle Jaszczyszyn is a Pediatric Surgeon in Wilmington, Delaware. Dr. Jaszczyszyn has been practicing medicine for over 16 years.

Courtney Welch is a Pediatric Surgeon in Wilmington, Delaware. Dr. Welch has been practicing medicine for over 12 years.

Molly Haislip is a Pediatric Surgeon in Wilmington, Delaware. Dr. Haislip has been practicing medicine for over 18 years.

Lauren Porter is a Pediatric Surgeon in Wilmington, Delaware. Dr. Porter has been practicing medicine for over 12 years.

Stephen Murphy is a Pediatric Surgeon in Wilmington, Delaware.