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Developmental-Behavioral Fellowship

Meet Our Fellows

Class of 2026
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Maggie Dade, DO

Medical School: Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine 
Residency: Children’s Hospital Medical Center of Akron

Dr. Dade has focused her career on education, contraceptive counseling, and trauma informed care. She is passionate about providing comprehensive contraceptive care for patients with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Dr. Dade is also interested in trauma informed care. She hopes to emphasize the importance of considering prior trauma or adverse childhood events in current treatment plans for children. Lastly, Dr. Dade is interested in the healthcare disparities that exist among underserved populations. She strives to better understand and delineate the socioeconomic factors that often provide barriers to adequate medical treatment for patients with developmental and behavioral disorders.

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Zvart Abaryan, MD

Medical School: St. George’s University 
Residency: Mercy St. Vincent Pediatric Residency

Dr. Abaryan is passionate about individual and community advocacy for families, especially those who have children with special healthcare needs. She has a special interest in tools that encourage early childhood development and modifying these tools for children with learning disabilities, ADHD, and autism spectrum disorder. She is committed to providing children and their families with resources to address barriers to care and help them thrive.

Class of 2025
Professional headshot of Nicole Nghiem, MD

Nicole Nghiem, MD

Medical School: University of Colorado School of Medicine 
Residency: Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital

Dr. Nghiem worked as a hospitalist in the NICU for two years following her residency. Her current interests include evaluating and supporting developmental outcomes of high-risk infants, combining her previous work experience with her fellowship training. She is also interested in improving access to care for developmental and behavioral concerns. Specifically, she hopes to further explore the integration of DBP practices into primary care and the utilization of technological innovations to expand access to care.

Professional headshot of Jasmine Ke, MD

Jasmine Ke, MD

Medical School: NYU Grossman School of Medicine 
Residency: Cohen Children's Medical Center

Dr. Ke has a strong interest in working with patients with autism spectrum disorder and speech-language impairments. In particular, she loves collaborating in an interdisciplinary team setting to help immigrant families overcome potential barriers surrounding language, access to services/therapies, and sociocultural norms and beliefs. Through her Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics fellowship training, she hopes to become a more effective advocate for individuals living with developmental disabilities.

Class of 2024
Professional headshot of Suk-Joon Hong, MD

Suk-Joon Hong, MD

Medical School: Meharry Medical College, School of Medicine 
Residency: L.A. General Medical Center

Dr. Hong is interested in working with family and patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder, emotional dysregulation, and abnormal sensory processing. He particularly enjoys focusing on the strengths of the child and involving the whole family to devise a treatment plan that is practical and realistic, with the help of an interdisciplinary team. Dr. Hong is also interested in coming up with a new practice model, where one would combine typical well-child-checks with Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics to educate parents about expected developmental milestones as well as screening for and providing treatment modalities for developmental behavioral health concerns.

Fellowship Alumni
Class of 2023
Professional headshot of Jennifer Han

Jennifer Han, MD

Medical School: University of California, Riverside, School of Medicine 
Residency: Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

Dr. Han has a strong interest in working with patients living with developmental disabilities particularly autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disability and cerebral palsy. She is interested in studying and improving the process of transitioning to adult healthcare and community integration for our children with special needs. She hopes through her Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics fellowship training to become a better advocate for her patients and their families.

Class of 2022
Professional headshot of Joshua Kallman, MD

Joshua Kallman, MD

Medical School: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, Paul L Foster School of Medicine, Class of 2016
Residency: Emory University School of Medicine Pediatrics Residency Training Program, Atlanta, Georgia, Class of 2019

Dr. Kallman has a strong interest in working with patients from under-served areas and in particular is hoping to identify effective ways in which schools and communities can implement trauma-informed care for children that have been exposed to trauma or other adverse childhood events.  He is interested in exploring the complex developmental and behavioral needs of immigrant children and children who have been detained at the border.  Other interests include high-risk infant follow up, political advocacy, and education of primary care pediatricians and family practitioners regarding developmental behavioral concerns.

Class of 2021
Professional headshot of Karen Koser, MD

Karen Koser, MD

Medical School: SUNY Downstate College of Medicine, Brooklyn, NY 
Residency: NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY

Dr. Koser has five years of experience as a General Pediatrician. During her time working as a pediatrician, Dr. Koser cared for many patients who had developmental delays, learning difficulties, Autism, and behavioral problems. She witnessed first-hand the great need for Developmental-Behavioral Pediatricians in the community. She wished she had the training to care for her special needs patients. This motivated her to pursue fellowship training in Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics. Dr. Koser is interested in integrating Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics into primary care so that at-risk children may be identified and provided with crucial interventions as early as possible.

Professional headshot of Sairam Kumar, MD

Sairam Kumar, MD

Medical School: Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute, India 
Residency: Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY

Dr. Kumar is a current CA-LEND long-term trainee at the University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities. His research interests involve high-risk infant follow up, early childhood, autism, and neurodevelopmental disabilities. He is passionate about improving system-based practices and healthcare disparities in the community with regards to the treatment and management of developmental-behavioral conditions.

Publications
Schonfeld DJ, Demaria T, Kumar S: Supporting Young Children after Crisis Events. Young Children 2020;75(3):6-15.

Class of 2020
Professional headshot of Dejeunee Ashby, MD

Dejeunee Ashby, MD

Medical School: Oregon Health & Science University 
Residency: Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

Dr. Ashby has 4 years of experience as an Applied Behavior Analysis therapist for children with autism spectrum disorder and ADHD. Dr. Ashby is also certified in Incredible Years parenting program. Dr. Ashby has a passion to explore health disparities seen within the African American population with autism spectrum disorders in receiving diagnoses and services.

CHLA-Jennifer-Johnson 1_Cropped.jpg

Jennifer Johnson, MD

Medical School: Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 
Residency: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Pediatric Residency, Little Rock, AR

Dr. Johnson is a current CA-LEND long term trainee at the University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities and is certified in the Incredible Years parenting program. She works in multiple interdisciplinary settings at CHLA's Boone Fetter Clininc and within the DMH-funded UCEDD clinic.

Publications
Johnson J*, Perrigo J*, Deavenport-Saman A, Wee CP, Imagawa KK, Schonfeld D, Vanderbilt D. Effect of Home Environment on Academic Achievement in Child Protective Service-Involved Children: Results from the Second National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being Study, Child Abuse Negl. 2021;111:104806. PMID: 33190848

Kim E, Johnson J, Rhinehart L, Logan-Greene PB, Lomeli J, Nurious PS. The School-to-Prison Pipeline for Probation Youth with Special Education Needs. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 91(3), 375-385. https://doi.org/10.1037/ort0000538

Class of 2019
Professional headshot of Kelly Schifsky, DO

Kelly Schifsky, DO

Medical School: Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: Blank Children's Hospital, General Pediatrics

Publications
Schifsky K*, Deavenport-Saman A, Mamey MR, Sheth N, Mirzaian C, Schrager S, Vanderbilt D. Risk factors for parenting stress in parents of children treated with laser surgery for twin-twin transfusion syndrome two years postpartum. Am J Perinatol. 2020 Jan; PMID: 31986541.

Vanderbilt DL, Mirzaian CB*, Schifsky K*, “Environmental Risks to NICU Outcomes” in Follow-Up for NICU Graduates - Promoting Positive Developmental and Behavioral Outcomes for At-Risk Infants. Springer. Editors Needelman H and Jackson BJ. pp189-203. 2018.

Vanderbilt D, Schifsky K*, “Prematurity:Follow up”, in Behavioral and Developmental Pediatrics: a Handbook for Primary Care. 4th Edition, Lippincott. Editors Zuckerman B, Augustyn M, Chapter 70, pp 361-5. 2019. ISBN 9781496397393.

Class of 2018
Professional headshot of Tamar Nazerian Chorbadjian, DO, MPH

Tamar Nazerian Chorbadjian, DO, MPH

Current institution(s): Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park
Current title(s): Director of the High Risk Infant Follow-Up Clinic

Publications
Chorbadjian TN*, Deavenport-Saman A, Higgins C, Chao SM, Yang JH, Koolwijk I, Vanderbilt DL. Maternal Depressive Symptoms and Developmental Delay at 2 Years: A Population-based   Longitudinal Study. Matern Child Health J, 2020 Oct;24(10):1267-1277. doi: 10.1007/s10995-020-02990-8. PMID: 32780269.

Chorbadjian TN*, Vanderbilt D. Child Temperament: New Thinking About the Boundary Between Traits and Illness. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. January 2018 - Volume 39 - Issue 1 - p 45.

Chorbadjian TN*, Vanderbilt D. Developmental Screening and Monitoring: Supporting Best Outcomes for Our Children. Child Care Exchange. May/June 2018; pp82-8

Professional headshot of Kristina Galura, MD

Kristina Galura, MD

Current institution(s): Kaiser Permanente
Current title(s): Attending Physician

Publications
Javier JR, Galura K*, Aliganga FAP, Supan J, Palinkas LA. Voices of the Filipino Community Describing the Importance of Family in Understanding Adolescent Behavioral Health Needs. Fam Community Health. 2018 Jan/Mar;41(1):64-71. PMID:29135796.

Class of 2017
Professional headshot of Demvihin Ihyembe, MD

Demvihin Ihyembe, MD

Current institution(s): University of Oklahoma Child Study Center
Current title(s): Assistant Professor of Pediatrics

Publications
Ihyembe D*, Stager K, Deavenport-Saman A, Yang J, Imagawa KK, Vanderbilt DL. Navigating school-based special education services: a self-paced virtual learning module. MedEdPORTAL. 2021;17:11108. PMID: 33655076. PMCID: PMC7908379

Class of 2016
Professional headshot of Thusa Sabapathy, MD

Thusa Sabapathy, MD

Current Institution(s): Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders, University of California Irvine
Current title(s): Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician

Publications
Sabapathy T*, Madduri N, Deavenport-Saman A, Zamora I, Schrager SM, Vanderbilt DL. Parent reported strengths in children with autism spectrum disorders at the time of an interdisciplinary diagnostic evaluation. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2017;38(3): 181-186. PMID: 28368969

Sabapathy T*, Vanderbilt DL. Book Review: Teaching Social Skills to People with Autism. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 37(3):263, April 2016

Sabapathy T*, Vanderbilt DL, Zamora I, Augustyn M. Aggression in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Supporting the Entire Family. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. 2016 Oct;37(8):p 685-6. PMID: 27676698

Class of 2014
Professional headshot of Peter Chung, MD

Peter Chung, MD

Current institution(s): Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders, University of California Irvine
Current title(s): Assistant Clinical Professor of Pediatrics

Publications
Chung PJ*, Vanderbilt DL, Schrager SM, Nguyen E, Fowler E. Active Video Gaming for Individuals with Severe Movement Disorders: Results From a Community Study. Games of Health, June 2015, 4(3): 190-194. PMID: 26182063

Chung PJ*, Vanderbilt DL, Soares NS. Social Behaviors and Active Video Game Play in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Games of Health, June 2015, 4(3): 225-234. PMID: 26182068

Chung PJ*, Vanderbilt DL. Book Review: Pediatric Neuropsychology: Medical Advances and Lifespan Outcomes. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 2014 Sept; 35(7):459

Joseph Spitzer, MD

Current Institution(s): Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Baldwin Park, Department of Pediatrics
Current title(s): Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician

Publications
Spitzer J*, Imagawa KK, Schrager SM, Vanderbilt DL. Clinician Disparities in Comorbidity Screening among Children with ADHD. Children’s Health Care. 2017; 46(4):344-55. dx.doi.org/10.1080/02739615.2016.1193809

Class of 2013
Professional headshot of Carolina Pena-Ricardo, MD

Carolina Pena-Ricardo, MD

Current Institution(s): Kaiser Permanente Southern California, West Los Angeles, Department of Pediatrics
Current title(s): Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician

Publications
St. Amant H, Schrager, SM, Peña-Ricardo, C*, Williams ME, Vanderbilt DL. Ethnic Disparities in Access to Services for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 2018 Feb;48(2):333-340. PMID: 28988384

Class of 2011
Professional headshot of Veronica Meneses, MD

Veronica Meneses, MD

Current institution(s): Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children; University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Current title(s): Assistant Professor; DBP Residency Training Director

Publications
Meneses V*, Vanderbilt D, Barnes L, Augustyn M. Footprints in the bathroom: The role of spirituality in patient diagnosis. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 2011 Feb/Mar; 32(2):169-171. PMID: 21217403

Meneses V*, Vanderbilt D, Barnes L, Augustyn M. "Footprints in the Bathroom": The Role of Spirituality in Patient Diagnosis. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2017 Feb/Mar;38 Suppl 1:S79-S81.PMID: 28141730 (republication)