Every year, Hour Detroit publishes a list of the Top Doctors in metro Detroit. This year’s list contains more than 1,000 physicians in 97 specialties — all nominated by their peers. With so many doctors at our fingertips we’d be remiss not to share some of their insights with you. Below is one of the eight interviews with a 2026 Top Doctor.
What recent innovations in your field most excite you and why?
Two innovations have me especially excited because they improve patient care in very different ways.
The first is the advancement of robotic surgery in children. At Corewell Health Children’s, we’re proud to be the only center in southeast Michigan offering both multiport and single-port robotic surgery for pediatric patients. Robotic technology [allows] us to perform increasingly complex procedures through very small incisions. As the technology continues to evolve, I believe we’ll be able to offer even more children the benefits of minimally invasive surgery.
The second innovation: AI-assisted clinical documentation has transformed how I practice. Instead of spending my visits focused on typing notes, I can give my full attention to the child and family sitting in front of me. It reduces administrative burden, improves the accuracy and completeness of documentation, and helps combat physician burnout.
What medical conditions deserve more awareness?
This answer comes more from my perspective as a mother than as a pediatric surgeon.
One issue I believe deserves much more awareness is digital health and helping children develop healthy relationships with screens, smartphones, and social media. We know these technologies can affect mental health, sleep, attention, self-esteem, and relationships, yet I think we still underestimate just how powerful those effects can be.
As parents, schools, and communities, we have an opportunity to do more. I would love to see families supporting one another in delaying smartphones and social media, schools continuing to promote healthy technology habits, and communities making mental health resources more accessible. Raising children has never been easy, and today’s parents are navigating challenges that previous generations simply didn’t face.
As a pediatric surgeon, I spend my days caring for children’s physical health. As a mom, I’m just as passionate about protecting their emotional well-being. Our children deserve both.
This story originally appeared in the October 2026 issue of Hour Detroit magazine. To read more, pick up a copy of Hour Detroit at a local retail outlet. Click here to get our digital edition.
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