What We Do:
The Pediatric Critical Care Division and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit provides state-of-the-art care to children and young adults with life threatening acute illnesses and those recovering from major surgery. The Johns Hopkins Children’s Center PICU is a Level 1 pediatric trauma center and the only burn unit that cares for critically ill children in the state of Maryland. The multidisciplinary team of experts caring for children in the PICU focus on coordination and communication in order to keep patients safe and families updated throughout each child’s stay. Our Pediatric Critical Care physicians represent experts in the most advanced medical techniques and technologies to provide the highest quality care in a supportive and compassionate environment.Dr. Katherine Hoops named next Division Chief of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine
It is with great enthusiasm that we announce the appointment of Katherine Hoops, MD, JD, MPH as the next Division Chief of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine (PCCM) in the Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine (ACCM), effective January 1, 2026. Dr. Hoops, an Associate Professor of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, brings an exceptional record of clinical excellence, research innovation, and advocacy to this role. Since joining the Johns Hopkins faculty in 2018, she has distinguished herself as a compassionate clinician, prolific researcher, and visionary leader whose work integrates medicine, public health, and policy to advance the well-being of children and families.
We are deeply indebted to Dr. Melania Bembea for her exemplary leadership as the interim Division Chief of PCCM over the last year. Dr. Bembea immediately established a steadfast vision for PCCM and led with unparalleled collaboration. During critical transitions and changes across JHUSOM, nationally and internationally, she continued to elevate the JH Division of PCCM despite numerous challenges for academic medicine. She will work closely with Dr. Hoops over the next several weeks to facilitate a smooth transition in Divisional leadership.
Dr. Hoops earned her medical degree at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, with simultaneous completion of an MPH at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. After residency training in Pediatrics at the University of Alabama-Birmingham, she moved to Baltimore for Pediatric Critical Care Medicine fellowship at Johns Hopkins. We were delighted to recruit her to join ACCM Faculty in 2018. Dr. Hoops then went on to obtain her JD at the Georgetown University Law Center, graduating in 2024.
Dr. Hoops’s career reflects a deep commitment to multidisciplinary collaboration and health equity. She serves as a core faculty member and leader within the Center for Gun Violence Solutions, where she established the Clinical Programs and Practice Team to bridge the Schools of Medicine and Public Health in translating violence prevention research into clinical practice. Her pioneering research on firearm injury prevention—supported by dual R01 awards from the CDC and NIH—has positioned Johns Hopkins as a national leader in hospital-based violence prevention and trauma-informed care. In addition, her unique dual training as a pediatric intensivist and attorney (MD/JD) informs her groundbreaking work on integrating legal advocacy into clinical care to address social drivers of health.
Beyond her scholarly and clinical achievements, Dr. Hoops is widely recognized for her mentorship, leadership, and tireless advocacy for patients, trainees, and colleagues. Her strategic vision, collaborative spirit, and passion for innovation will guide the Division into its next chapter of excellence in patient care, research, and education. Please join us in congratulating Dr. Hoops on this well-deserved appointment and in welcoming her leadership as we continue advancing the mission of the Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine.
Pediatric Critical Care (PICU) & Cardiac Critical Care (PCICU) Faculty
Katherine Hoops, MD, JD, MPH
Division Chief, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine
Dheeraj Goswami, MD
Division Chief, Pediatric Cardiac Critical Care Medicine
Sean Barnes, MD, MBA
Melania Bembea, MD, PhD, MPH
Ivor Berkowitz, MBBCh
Meghan Bernier, MD
Jennifer Diep, MD
James “Jim” Fackler, MD
Melissa Hirsch, MD, MPH
Elizabeth “Betsy” Hunt, MD, MPH, PhD
Sujatha Kannan, MBBS
Jessica LaRosa, MD
Amanda Levin, MD
Alison “Ali” Miles, DO
Corina Noje, MD
Caitlin O’Brien, MD, MPH
Courtney Robertson, MD
Lewis Hartley Romer, MD
Sue Hong Routson, MD
Susanna Scafidi, MD
Jennifer Schramm, MD
Jen Schuette, MD
Edward Seferian, MD, MS
Donald “Hal” Shaffner, MD, PhD
Nicole Shilkofski, MD, MeD
David Stockwell, MD, MBA
Victoria Surma, MD
Alexis Thompson, MD
Elizabeth “Liz” Tucker, MD
Gregory Yurasek, MD
Nurse Practitioners in Pediatric Critical Care
Julianna Amorese, MSN
Katherine Bernoske, DNP, CPNP-AC
Elena Bertolino, MSN
Irene Blake, CRNP
Lauren Booth, MSN, CPNP-AC
Jaime Esbensen Doroba, CRNP
Allison Fernandes, MSN, CPNP-AC
Susan Floyd, MSN, RN, CPNP-AC, CCRN
Allison Garzone, CRNP
Theresa Ruddy, MS
Rosemary Sklovsky, CRNP
Jennifer Snider, MSN
Beth Wieczorek, MSN