Division of Pediatric Immunology & Rheumatology
The Division of Pediatric Immunology and Rheumatology provides care to infants, children and adolescents at risk for or living with HIV/AIDS and provides diagnosis and treatment of conditions and diseases affecting joints, muscles and bones (e.g., arthritis, lupus, and Lyme disease).
“The mission of the University of Maryland, Baltimore Pediatric AIDS Program is the provision of clinical care, the conduct of research and the pursuit of educational activities in the areas of pediatric HIV infection of children”. The goal of our program is to provide the comprehensive care necessary for HIV-infected infants, children and youth to succeed and become productive and healthy members of the community. Our clinic utilizes a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary approach which delivers primary pediatric care as well as specialized pediatric immunologic care to HIV infected and at risk women, infants, children and youth and their families.
The University of Maryland Pediatric AIDS (PACE) Program was established in 1985 when three of the first four children with AIDS in Maryland were identified at The University of Maryland Hospital. After approximately a year and a half of working with this rapidly growing population, the program received support from the State of Maryland as the first Pediatric Diagnostic and Evaluation Unit in the state. Our program has demonstrated consistent growth and expansion over the past 25 years, changing with and adapting to the needs of our clients and the epidemic in Baltimore. The success of our program has led to the national and international recognition of our program faculty and staff. Our program faculty and staff have been invited to teach and help develop programs both nationally and in resource limited countries in Africa, South America, and the Caribbean.
Research
The Division of Pediatric Immunology and Rheumatology is a member of the International Maternal Pediatric and Adolescent AIDS Clinical Trials (IMPAACT) network. (https://impaactgroup.org/). The IMPAACT network is a cooperative group of institutions, investigators, and other collaborators organized for the purpose of evaluating potential treatment for HIV infection and it’s consequences in the infant, pediatric, adolescent and pregnant women populations both domestically and internationally.
Other Activities/Programs
In recognition of the need for coordination of support services with primary care, we have developed a comprehensive HIV care program for women, infants, children and youth at risk for, or infected with HIV. The PACE Program is a comprehensive HIV care program providing a “one-stop shop” for HIV care. The support services needed by our clients-infants and children-are housed within our program-and coordinated linkage and communication occurs in the natural flow of treatment. Services are tailored to clients’ needs and are responsive to consumer feedback and emerging needs in the local epidemic. The PACE Program is integrated with an obstetric program providing care for pregnant women infected with HIV and facilitates seamless transition after pregnancy to both pediatric and adult HIV care.
Faculty & Staff
Faculty
- Vicki Tepper, Ph.D., Division Chief
- Melissa Hawkins-Holt, MD
Staff
- Sandra Dean
- Thomas Dossey-McKinnon, LGSW
- Corinda Hilyard
- Debra Houck, CRNP
- Susan Lovelace, CRNP
- Laura Margolis, Ph.D.
- Marie Parks, RN, BSN
Contact Information
Division of Pediatric Immunology and Rheumatology
22 S. Greene Street
Room N5W40
Baltimore, MD 21201
Phone: 410-706-8220
Fax: 410-706-0031
Appointment Line: 410-328-6749