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Infectious Diseases

Contact number | 202-476-5051

Our Division of Infectious Diseases is the major referral center for infectious diseases in the Washington, D.C., area, helping thousands of patients each year, and actively promoting prevention through community outreach and education.

Infectious diseases include any disease or illness caused by germs, such as bacteria and viruses. While you can take steps to prevent disease and infection through proper hygiene and other practices, children are often at an increased risk for certain conditions while their immune systems are still developing and simply because of exposure – kids being kids.

Because diagnosis and care for an infectious disease can be complex, it is important for your child to see a pediatric specialist who can accurately diagnose and treat your child's condition. Children's National Hospital's comprehensive services include care for children with infectious diseases and epidemiological tracking that, for contagious conditions, helps limit the spread of infection and prevent further outbreaks:

Inpatient and outpatient consultations for the full range of infectious diseases in immunocompetent and immunocompromised children are provided 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Inpatient consultation is available for all hospitalized patients, including general ward patients, surgical, intensive care, solid organ and stem cell transplant patients. The Infectious Diseases Outpatient Clinic serves the needs for subspecialty referral form primary care providers throughout the Washington Metropolitan area, as well as internal referrals from Children’s National staff.

Research

Many of the division's physicians – dually board certified in pediatrics and pediatric infectious diseases – are involved in both teaching and research in infectious diseases and epidemiology at Children's National and at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Public Health in Washington, D.C. Several faculty members also participate in government committees to assist in the development of national infectious diseases guidelines.

Telehealth

Our Division of Infectious Diseases offers a virtual clinic, allowing patients to be evaluated from home. Along with in-person visits, this enables us to optimize and tailor care for every child and family. Telehealth decreases wait times and allows simple issues to be addressed quickly. Among the benefits of video visits are: 

  • Increased frequency of visits for high-risk patients
  • Patients with autism can be seen in their home setting
  • Dietitians can view inside the home refrigerator
  • Multiple providers at various locations can share screens and coordinate video visits
  • Can be combined with in-person visits when deemed appropriate
  • Saves clinic slots for patients that need to be seen in person

In addition, video visits remove barriers to care, such as: 

  • Transportation
  • Child care for other children
  • Fear of exposure to illness for at-risk patients in a hospital setting
  • Missed work

Please call the Bear Line at 1-888-884-BEAR (2327) to schedule and learn more.

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Infectious Diseases Team

  • Roberta DeBiasi

    Roberta L. DeBiasi
    Division Chief, Infectious Diseases
    Co-Director, Congenital Zika Program
    Co-Director, Congenital Infection Program
    Investigator, Children's National Research Institute

  • Andrea Hahn

    Andrea Hahn
    Assistant Program Director, Resident Research
    Infectious Diseases Specialist

  • Rana Hamdy

    Rana Hamdy
    Director, Antimicrobial Stewardship Program
    Associate Director, Fellowship Training Program
    Infectious Diseases Specialist

  • Benjamin Hanisch

    Benjamin Hanisch
    Director, Transplant Infectious Diseases Program
    Infectious Diseases Specialist

  • Nada Harik

    Nada Harik
    Director, Fellowship Training Program
    Infectious Diseases Specialist

  • Barbara Jantausch

    Barbara Jantausch
    Infectious Diseases Specialist

  • Photo of Wei Li Adeline Koay

    Wei Li Koay
    Infectious Disease Specialist
    Investigator, Children's Research Institute

  • Children's National Hospital

    Craig Shapiro
    Infectious Diseases Specialist

  • Alexandra Brugler Yonts

    Alexandra Brugler Yonts
    Director, Post COVID Program
    Infectious Diseases Specialist

  • Kathleen Ferrer

    Kathleen Ferrer
    Specialist, HIV Medicine
    Hospitalist, Infectious Diseases

  • Natella Rakhmanina

    Natella Rakhmanina
    Director, HIV Prevention and Treatment Program
    Specialist, HIV Medicine

  • Gretchen Cruz-Figueroa

    Gretchen Cruz-Figueroa
    Psychologist, HIV Prevention and Treatment Program

  • Ashley Maxie-Moreman

    Ashley Maxie-Moreman
    Psychologist

  • Lauren Arrigoni

    Lauren Arrigoni
    Nurse Practitioner

  • Rachel Brana Falik

    Rachel Falik
    Nurse Practitioner

  • Joanna Meyers

    Joanna Mareuil
    Nurse Practitioner, HIV Prevention and Treatment Program

  • Headshot of Tierra Williams

    Tierra Williams
    Nurse Practitioner

  • Children's National Hospital

    Aimee Dassner
    Infectious Diseases Pharmacist