Kevin Walker

Dr. Meznarich received her medical degree from the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle, Washington. She then completed her residency in Pediatrics and fellowship in Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at the University of Utah/Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah. She joined the faculty of the University of Utah in 2016, where she is currently an Associate Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology. Her clinical and research interests are in non-malignant hematology, bleeding disorders, thrombosis and clotting disorders, and hemoglobinopathies including thalassemia and sickle cell disease.

Nicholas Whipple, MD, MPH, received his medical degree from the University of Mississippi School of Medicine in Jackson, MS. After completing his pediatric residency at the University of Utah and Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City, UT, Dr. Whipple completed 3 years of fellowship training in Pediatric Hematology-Oncology and 1 year of Fellowship training in Pediatric Neuro-Oncology at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN. During fellowship training, Dr. Whipple also earned a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree at the Milken Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University. Dr. Whipple joined the faculty of the University of Utah in 2017, where he is currently an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology. He serves as the Medical Director of Pediatric Neuro-Oncology at Primary Children’s Hospital and the University of Utah. He also serves as the Principal Investigator for the Pacific Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Consortium (PNOC) in Utah (1 of 18 sites in the nation), where he oversees all PNOC clinical trials in Utah. Dr. Whipple’s clinical focus is in pediatric neuro-oncology, histiocytic disorders, and rare tumors. He has authored several publications and book chapters on a variety of topics in both pediatric hematology and oncology. His research primarily focuses on pediatric neuro-oncology, hereditary cancer syndromes, and improving the treatment of children with central nervous system tumors using molecularly targeted therapies. He is currently working to develop early phase clinical trials for children with recurrent malignant central nervous tumors. Dr. Whipple is board certified in both Pediatrics and Pediatric Hematology-Oncology.

Michael D. Rollins, M.D. Professor of Surgery is a board-certified Pediatric Surgeon with expertise in the treatment of patients with anorectal malformations (imperforate anus, cloaca) and Hirschsprung disease. Dr. Rollins’ clinical interests include pediatric surgical problems such as: inguinal hernia umbilical hernia undescended testicle cholecystectomy (removal of the gallbladder) gastrostomy tube (placement of a stomach feeding tube) appendectomy (removal of the appendix) vascular access (ports and central lines for long-term intravenous therapy) ulcerative colitis Crohn’s disease gastroesophageal reflux disease chest wall deformities (pectus excavatum and pectus carinatum) congenital lung lesions congenital diaphragmatic hernia endocrine and oncologic surgery anorectal malformation medically refractive constipation fecal incontinence Hirschsprung Disease inflammatory bowel disease rectal prolapse Dr. Rollins is the founder and director of the Pediatric Colorectal Center at Primary Children's Hospital. The focus of the Center is on the multidisciplinary care and long-term management of children born with anorectal malformations and Hirschsprung disease as well as children with severe, medically refractive functional constipation (severe motility disorders). Recently, the center has been expanded to include surgical care for children with inflammatory bowel disease. Dr. Rollins is a Co-Founder of the Pediatric Colorectal and Pelvic Learning Consortium (PCPLC). https://pcplc.org/ The PCPLC was organized in 2016 as an international consortium of surgeons, scientists, and other specialists in order to facilitate research on anorectal malformations, Hirschsprung disease, and other colorectal and pelvic disorders. The PCPLC includes clinical centers and a central data coordinating center (University of Utah Data Coordinating Center). The PCPLC maintains a detailed registry of patients and provides the infrastructure for conducting focused studies which will help direct future treatments. Dr. Rollins is also currently working with members from the Utah Population Database to evaluate inheritance patterns in children with anorectal malformations and Hirschsprung's disease. Outside of work, Dr. Rollins enjoys cycling, mountain biking, hiking and skiing.