Department of Pediatrics

Dr. Hirai joined Northwestern University in July 2018 from University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Dr. Hirai completed his postdoctoral training in Molecular pharmacology at Northwestern University, Chicago and Stem cell biology at University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.

I am a pediatric endocrinologist engaged in clinical care and clinical research.  My clinical interests are in the care of children with long-term endocrine sequelae of childhood cancer, thyroid disorders, growth disorders, and disorders of puberty.  I participate in the multidisciplinary STAR (Survivors Taking Action and Responsiblity) clinic and participate in the Fertility & Hormone Preservation & Restoration Program.

I received my medical degree from the University of Louisville School of Medicine in 2005, prior to completing my Pediatrics residency at the University of Texas Southwestern/Children's Medical Center Dallas. I completed a fellowship in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology in 2015 and a fellowship in Developmental Therapeutics in 2016 at McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University/Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago. I subsequently became a member of the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology division with a specialization in Solid Tumors at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Ch...

As Associate Chief Medical Officer of Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago and Medical Director of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, my research is focused on generating innovative solutions to improve patient outcomes and quality of care, while fostering dynamic strategies to minimize waste, optimize resources, and streamline patient throughput and access to care. In particular, as Director of Innovation (IGNITE Innovation) I build multi-disciplinary innovative strategies and platforms for novel idea generation, solutions for costly systems including patient care processes, a...

My primary clinical focus is treatment of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. I see patients at our affiliate institution, La Rabida Children's Hospital, and at our off-site clinics in Homer Glen and St. John Indiana. I also enjoy educating families and healthcare providers about weight management and obesity prevention.

I am a clinical pediatric endocrinologist and physician-scientist engaged in clinical research focused on reproductive and metabolic disorders in children. I also have a strong interest in medical education and teaching medical studies, residents, and fellows. 

Dr Perez's research interest is in neonatal pulmonary development, pulmonary hypertension and glucocorticoid signaling. Specifically, Dr Perez's research focuses on the impact of hydrocortisone, a glucocorticoid commonly used in the NICU, on alveolar and pulmonary vascular development as well as effects of glucocorticoids on pulmonary vascular remodeling and nitric oxide signaling pathways.

After completing a residency in general pediatrics at Children's Memorial Hospital, Brandon joined the Pediatric Hospital Based Medicine division as a full time clinical faculty member. In addition to his clinical duties at Lurie Children's Hospital and at Northwest Community Hospital, he is also the site leader for the Convenient Care Clinic at Northbrook. Interests include resident education in hospital based medicine as well as research and clinical interests in pediatric sepsis, asthma, and graduate medical education.

Dr. Loretta Li is a pediatric oncologist with clinical expertise in hematologic malignancies, including leukemia and lymphoma. She has a particular interest in caring for patients with high-risk leukemia including those with relapsed or refractory disease. She leads a translational leukemia research laboratory that uses a variety of approaches to identify new therapeutic targets, develop preclinical models of disease, and test novel therapeutic agents in cell lines and mouse models. She is committed to offering patients access to new therapies through clinical trials. By working to incorporate...

As a board-certified pediatrician practicing hospitalist medicine, Dr. Berger spends her time working as the delivery team attending at Prentice, in the neonatal intensive care units at both Prentice and Lurie, and also in the observation unit practicing general pediatric medicine. She also spends her team conducting research in the areas described below, teaching medical students, as well as pediatric and emergency medicine residents. She has a particular interest in breastfeeding medicine and is pursing her certification as an Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC).