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Our Impact

The Division of Pediatric Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine's physicians and associated health care professionals compose a team that works together to form a true multidisciplinary program. Our overarching goal is to help develop programs in pulmonology and sleep medicine that are highly respected and help lead the nation in clinical care and research.

We also strive to recruit and sustain an excellent and diverse faculty committed to the mission of the Division. Our team is dedicated to furthering the field of pediatric pulmonology and helping to create niches of expertise within the specialty.

This Division remains fairly new within the Department of Pediatrics, but our commitment to improving the health of infants, children, and young adults is already well established. We pursue our mission by:

  • Providing quality clinical services
  • Furthering the understanding of respiratory illnesses through original research
  • Participating in the education of physicians at all levels

Andrew Gelfand, M.D., served as Chief of the Division of Pediatric Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine for seven years. The 2024 Impact report reflects a broad range of innovative work done under his direction. Lael Yonker, M.D., was appointed as the new Chief in November 2025. Dr. Yonker brings an outstanding record of contributions across clinical care, research, teaching, and leadership.

2024 Impact

  • By the Numbers

    By the Numbers

    Faculty and Staff icon

    Faculty

    • 12 faculty
    Fellowships icon

    Clinical

    • 2 clinical sites
    • 20 APPs
    • 8,548 inpatient encounters
    • 20,398 outpatient encounters
    Doctors in Training icon

    Education

    • 2 fellows
    Clinical Studies Icon

    Research

    • 6 active awards
    • 12 active clinical trials
    • $14,264 revenue from clinical trials (FY25)
    • 6 lab and data studies
    • 16 publications
    • 379 citations
  • Honors and Awards

    Honors and Awards

    D Magazine Best Doctors

    Andrew Gelfand, M.D.
    Clinical Professor

    Steven Copenhaver, M.D.
    Associate Professor

    Tanya Martinez-Fernandez, M.D.
    Professor

    Yadira Rivera-Sanchez, M.D.
    Associate Professor

    Preeti B. Sharma, M.D.
    Clinical Associate Professor

    Texas Monthly Super Doctors

    Andrew Gelfand, M.D.
    Clinical Professor
    Division Chief, Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine

    Steven Copenhaver, M.D.
    Associate Professor

    Other Honors

    • CF Care Center Quality Care Award, 2019 and 2025 – Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
    • Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD) Foundation accreditation
  • Top Peer-Reviewed Publications and Book Chapters

    Top Peer-Reviewed Publications and Book Chapters

    • Grapsy J, Ueng C-S, Patel K, Dassner A, Sharma P. Initial Antibiotic Selection Based on Microbiologic History in Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis–Related Pulmonary Exacerbations. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2025 Feb;60(2):e27491.
    • Rivera-Sanchez Y, Blair ZW, Wall TJ, Goss KN. Growing Up With Developmental Lung Diseases: A Review for the Adult Pulmonologist. CHEST. 2025 Jul;168:95-105.
    • Sanchez-Solano NJ, Wall TJ, Barton GP, Dane DM, Hsia CCW, Goss KN. Lung Function in a Multiethnic U.S. Cohort of Adolescents and Adults Born Preterm in the New BPD Era. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2025 Aug;60(8):e71226.
    • Afolabi FC, Swigert JB, Hodgson T, Riutta J, Lyon D, Dziura J, Patel P, Gelfand A, Naqvi KK, Rao DR, Griffiths M, Schneider JB, et al. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia and ventilation-associated outcomes after pediatric tracheostomy. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2024.
    • Richard K, Kirkby S, Bishay L, Martinez-Fernandez TM, Iwanaga K, Sheares BJ, De A, Nelson BA. Pediatric Pulmonary Fellowship Interviews: The More Options, the Better. ATS Scholar. 2024 Oct;5(4):531-537.
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