Shefali Parikh, MD

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Shefali Parikh, MD, is an attending physician with the Justin Michael Ingerman Center for Palliative Care at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Locations: Main Hospital
Appointments and Referrals: 1-800-TRY-CHOP (1-800-879-2467)

Background

Shefali Parikh, MD, is the Medical Director of the Pediatric Advanced Care Team at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Dr. Parikh completed her pediatric training at CHOP and then went on to complete a pediatric hematology/oncology fellowship. After practicing as a hematologist for a few years, she decided to return to training to complete a pediatric palliative care fellowship. 

“I am now completely devoted to how we approach the care and treatment of seriously ill children and their families, not only those who suffer from cancer, but from a myriad of other childhood diseases that can result in a shortened life.  Palliative medicine has been a way to improve services, provide meaningful care to families, and patients, and focus attention to topics once not spoken of: not all children survive childhood disease, despite our best efforts, and children and families can suffer unnecessarily at the end of life. CHOP continues to be an amazing place to work, and has embraced this concept. The pediatric palliative care program continues to grow in its depth and services. For the last several years, I have been in the position of being the medical director of this interdisciplinary team.“

“I am fortunate to work with and lead a team that provides comprehensive and excellent inpatient and outpatient palliative care services. Our team works closely with our community to ensure continuity of excellent palliative care beyond the hospital setting. Our team consists of physicians, nurse practitioners, and nurse coordinators, along with a robust psychosocial team that includes social workers, a chaplain, a child life specialist, and an art therapist. The interdisciplinary work of our team is the essential backbone to providing excellent and full care to our patients. Collaborative work amongst our team and with our consulting colleagues drives our ability to provide excellent care, and continues to inspire me in this role.”

Education and Training

Medical School

MD - University of Medicine and Dentistry, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ

Internship

Pediatrics - The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA

Residency

Pediatrics - The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA

Fellowship

Pediatric Hematology/Oncology - The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
Pediatric Hospice and Palliative Medicine - The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA

Board Certification

Hospice and Palliative Medicine – American Board of Pediatrics
Pediatric Hematology-Oncology – American Board of Pediatrics
Pediatrics – American Board of Pediatrics

Titles and Academic Titles

Attending Physician

Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Departments and Services

Publications

Posters and Presentations

Lectures by invitations

2014

"Concurrent Care for Children: Opportunities and Challenges," Partners for Pediatric Palliative Care, Philadelphia, PA

"Pediatric Concurrent Care and the Importance of Care Coordination," Pennsylvania Hospice Network, Harrisburg, PA

2013

"Diamond Blackfan Anemia," Duke University, Durham, NC

"Diamond Blackfan Anemia: Diagnosis, Pathophysiology, and Treatment," Emory University, Atlanta, GA

Leadership and Memberships

Memberships in Professional Organizations

National

2014-present, American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine

2008-present, American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology

2008-present, American Society of Hematology

2005-present, American Academy of Pediatrics