General and Thoracic Surgery

Our pediatric-trained general surgeons are experienced in caring for the wide variety of medical issues children may have, from hernias to appendicitis. We work with pediatric specialists across the Children’s system any time a child needs surgery to provide comprehensive, safe, child-friendly care for infants to young adults.

Illnesses, conditions and injuries treated include:

Comprehensive, advanced surgical care

Our general and thoracic surgery team department offers comprehensive, advanced surgical care to infants (including newborns), children and teens including:

• Trauma surgery
• Surgical critical care
• Thoracic (chest) surgery
• Abdominal surgery
• Head and neck surgery

• Hernia repair
• Bariatric (weight loss) surgery
• Neonatal/congenital malformations
• Pediatric gynecology

A variety of clinics and programs

Our general surgeons also participate in the following multispecialty clinics and programs:

• Aerodigestive Center: Provides evaluations and treatment for children with disorders involving the upper digestive tract, airway and respiratory systems.
• Diaphragm Pacing Program: Our team provides the diaphragm pacing system for children with congenital central hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS). This unique treatment helps improve a child's breathing, possibly eliminating the need of a traditional ventilator either part-time or full-time.
• Pelvic and Anorectal Care Program: Provides care for children with diseases that lead to constipation, soiling, poor motility and pain.
• Strong4Life Clinic: Staffed by a team of doctors, nutritionists, psychologists and exercise physiologists who work with children and families to treat or prevent obesity. The clinic promotes an active lifestyle, healthy eating and other preventive measures, and also offers a surgical weight loss program.
• Vascular Anomalies Clinic: One of the only centers in the country to offer specialized, coordinated care for children with vascular anomalies.
• Fetal Care Center: Collaborates with obstetricians and perinatologists to assist women and families experiencing high-risk pregnancies in developing a comprehensive care plan, from evaluation and diagnosis to postnatal surgical intervention and care.

Our pediatric general and thoracic surgeons have advanced training in surgery to treat a wide range of conditions on children from newborns to teens. Nearly half of all the operations performed at Children’s involve a pediatric general surgeon. Whatever your child’s needs, we will work together and with other specialists to provide safe, comprehensive surgical care.

At Children's, our team is 100 percent committed to kids. Our pediatric doctors and nurses understand that children’s medical and emotional needs are different from adults. That is why we use specialized equipment and techniques to provide the care kids need to thrive. Every member of our team has just one focus—help kids and teens get better faster.

Physician leadership

• Mark Wulkan, MD, FACS, FAAP, Surgeon-in-Chief; Vice Chief of General Pediatric Surgery at Egleston
• Amina Bhatia, MD, MS, FACS, FAAP, Medical Director of Trauma Services at Egleston hospital
• John Bleacher, MD, FACS, FAAP, Practice Director of Children's Physician Group-Pediatric Surgery at Scottish Rite, Chief of General Pediatric Surgery at Scottish Rite hospital
• Matthew Clifton, MD FACS, FAAP, Chief of General Pediatric Surgery at Egleston hospital
• Megan Durham, MD, FACS, FAAP, Practice Director of Children's Physician Group-Pediatric Surgery at Egleston, Medical Director of Pelvic and Anorectal Care, Surgical Director of Intestinal Rehabilitation
• Julie Glasson, MD, FACS, FAAP, Vice Chief of General Pediatric Surgery at Scottish Rite
• Kurt Heiss, MD, FACS, FAAP, Medical Director of Surgical Quality 
• Matthew Santore, MD, Medical Director, Trauma Outcomes

General surgeons and advanced practitioners

Egleston-based providers

• Amina Bhatia, MD
• Matthew Clifton, MD
• Megan Durham, MD
• Kurt Heiss, MD
• Johnathan Meisel, MD
• Paul Parker, MD
• Matthew Santore, MD
• Mark Wulkan, MD

• Bridgette Cross, CPNP-PC
• Kathleen Hoff, PA
• Larry Little, CPNP-PC
• Caitlin Sullivan, CPNP-PC

Scottish Rite-based providers

• Samiksha Bansal, MD
• John Bleacher, MD
• Joseph Bussey, MD
• Julie Glasson, MD
• Rona Norelius, MD
• George Raschbaum, MD
• Alexis Smth, MD

• Breck Ardrey, PA
• Adam Ayer, CPNP
• Angela East, CPNP
• Ashley Foster, NP
• Holly Piper, PA
• Jenny Robinson, CPNP
• Kami Gudger, PA
• Kara Hogan, CPNP

Parent resources

Make an appointment

New patient questionnaire 

Download "Five things you need to know before your child's appointment"

Pre-anesthesia history forms

When your child is scheduled for surgery, you need to fill out a pre-anesthesia history form with health questions about your child. You can fill out this form in advance at home and save time. Choose the link for the location where your child is having surgery:

Egleston hospital pre-anesthesia history form

Scottish Rite hospital pre-anesthesia history form

Children's at Satellite Boulevard pre-anesthesia history form

Children's at Meridian Mark pre-anesthesia history form

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