Jennifer Shepherd, MD

Divisional Associate Administrative Director for Research

Attending Neonatologist

Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine of USC

Dr. Jennifer Shepherd is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at the USC Keck School of Medicine and Attending Neonatologist at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. She joined the faculty in July 2014 after completing her fellowship in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine at University of California San Diego, where she also received her medical degree and completed her pediatric residency. Her clinical research focuses on the neonatal cardiovascular system, with current interests in caffeine hemodynamic effects, patent ductus arteriosus, and perioperative hemodynamics of gastroschisis repair. She has expertise in targeted neonatal echocardiography, point-of-care ultrasound, and non-invasive hemodynamic monitoring. She was granted the Thrasher Research Fund Early Career Award during her fellowship.

Clinical Interests

Dr. Shepherd has clinical interest in cardiovascular pathophysiology of preterm and term neonates, specifically those with surgical issues. She utilizes targeted neonatal echocardiography and point-of-care ultrasound to enhance medical decision-making and management of sick infants. She works closely with colleagues in Cardiology and Cardiothoracic Surgery to ensure optimal care of our shared patients in the NICU through joint conferences and the development of a cardiac-focused care team. Dr. Shepherd also has clinical interest in improving cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the NICU. She chairs the NICU Resuscitation Committee, is a member of the hospital’s Critical Response Services Committee, and regularly instructs trainees in NRP and PALS.

Education

Medical School

University of California San Diego

Internship

Pediatrics, University of California San Diego

Residency

Pediatrics, University of California San Diego

Fellowship

Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, University of California San Diego

Accomplishments

Professional Memberships

California Association of Neonatologists
American Academy of Pediatrics, Section on Perinatal Pediatrics
California Perinatal Quality Care Collaborative Perinatal Quality Improvement Panel

Awards

American Academy of Pediatrics Certificate of Recognition for superior care in the NICU
Southern California Super Doctors Rising Stars

Funding

The Gerber Foundation

USC Bio Link

USC Bio

Publications

Shepherd JL and Noori S. What is a Hemodynamically Significant PDA in Preterm Infants? Congenit Heart Dis. 2019 Jan;14(1):21-26. PMID: 30548469.

Shepherd J, Hsu KH, Noori S. Variable role of patent ductus arteriosus. Semin Fetal Neonatal Med. 2018 Aug;23(4):273-277. PMID: 29884402.

Meyer R and Shepherd J. After Delivery, a Full-Term Newborn is Lethargic, With Poor Respiratory Effort. In Pediatrics Morning Report: Beyond the Pearls 2018, Salazar A, Chan R, and Pietzak M (Eds), Elsevier, Philadelphia.

Azhibekov T, Shepherd J, Noori S. Neonatal Hemodynamics and Blood Pressure. In Neonatology 2017, Dagogulo T, Ovali F (Eds), Nobel Tip Kitabevi, Istanbul, Turkey.

Olsen R, Shepherd J, Katheria A. Postnatal systemic blood flow in neonates with abnormal fetal umbilical artery Doppler. ISRN Obstetrics and Gynecology. Volume 2014. Article ID 957180. PMID:24729882.

Research

Developmental cardiovascular physiology and pathophysiology
Neonatal perioperative hemodynamics
Point-of-care ultrasound
Patent ductus arteriosus

Research Focus / Overview

Dr. Shepherd’s research focuses on neonatal hemodynamics, with current projects ongoing in caffeine hemodynamic effects, patent ductus arteriosus, and perioperative hemodynamics of gastroschisis repair. Her research utilizes her expertise in targeted neonatal echocardiography, point-of-care ultrasound, and non-invasive hemodynamic monitoring.