Doernbecher neonatal Care Center Give Vulnerable PatientS The

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Doernbecher Neonatal Specialists
For referral or consultation, please call 503 346-0644
or 888 346-0644. For other questions, please call
503 494-8811.
Robert Schelonka, M.D.
Associate Professor of
Pediatrics and Division
Head, Neonatology, OHSU
Doernbecher Children’s Hospital
“I feel so very fortunate to be
trusted with the care of the
tiniest, most fragile babies from
all over the region. With the gentle, loving touch of
the Doernbecher care team, these babies have the best
beginning and the chance to live long and healthy lives.”
Dr. Schelonka received his medical degree from Case
Western Reserve University. He completed a residency
in pediatrics at Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center
in San Antonio, Texas, where he also completed a
fellowship in neonatology. Dr. Schelonka is board
certified in pediatrics and neonatal-perinatal medicine.
In addition to his clinical work, he conducts research
on minimizing infections in the NICU. He is a fellow
of the American Academy of Pediatrics and a member
of the Society for Pediatric Research.
JoDee Anderson, M.D. , M.Ed.
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics,
OHSU Doernbecher Children’s
Hospital
Director, Neonatal-Perinatal
Medicine Fellowship Program
“I love taking care of babies in
the Doernbecher Neonatal Care
Center. Helping babies and their families through difficult
situations is both humbling and incredibly rewarding.”
Dr. Anderson received her medical degree from
Meharry Medical College and completed a pediatrics
residency at Stanford University, where she also
completed a neonatology fellowship. She holds a M.Ed.
from the University of Cincinnati, and completed a
teaching and learning fellowship at the University of
Southern California. Dr. Anderson is board certified in
pediatrics and neonatal medicine. She is a fellow of the
American Academy of Pediatrics and a member of the
Society for Medical Simulation.
Close to OHSU experts
Each year, the neonatal specialists at Doernbecher
care for nearly 1000 babies, of whom 75 percent
are born at OHSU. One of the DNCC’s biggest
advantages is its proximity to OHSU’s birthing
suites, which are on the same floor. “If there are any
complications when a baby is born, it’s a very short
trip,” said Dr. Nicholson.
Doernbecher’s neonatal experts collaborate with
other OHSU providers, from family doctors to
fertility specialists, perinatologists to pediatricians.
Ali MacIntyre knows firsthand how well these
teams work together. After her sixth miscarriage,
her OHSU family doctor, John Saultz, M.D.,
recommended she visit the fertility clinic. When
Ali became pregnant with twins, her fertility
specialist, David Lee, M.D., referred her to OHSU
Perinatology for high-risk pregnancy care.
Ali’s sons Jack and Cole were delivered at just 32
weeks and immediately cared for by a neonatal team.
Despite receiving care in so many clinics, Ali said,
“It was seamless. Everyone was working together and
looking out for me.”
Serving the region, planning for growth
About 25 percent of the infants in Doernbecher’s
neonatal care center were born at other facilities in
Oregon and southwest Washington. To help babies
who are likely to be premature or need treatment
immediately after birth, OHSU’s perinatology
experts offer high-risk pregnancy consultation
to family doctors, midwives and obstetriciangynecologists
around the region. If an ultrasound
reveals that a baby will need surgery immediately
after birth, being born at OHSU with the DNCC
just steps away ensures babies receive the care they
need. “Referring doctors, within and outside OHSU,
are part of the team working towards the best
results for these babies,” said Dr. Schelonka.