Ratna Behal, MD
Locations: Main Building, Buerger Center for Advanced Pediatric Care, Middleman Family Pavilion
About Ratna Behal, MD
Titles
Attending Physician
Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics (General Pediatrics), Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania
Certifications
Pediatrics – American Board of Pediatrics
Pediatric Hematology-Oncology – American Board of Pediatrics
Hospice and Palliative Medicine – American Board of Pediatrics
Awards and Honors
2024, Faculty Teaching Honor Roll, Pediatric Residency Program, University of California School of Medicine
2020-2021, Selected Participant, UCLA Medical Education Fellowship One-year program entitled "Certificate Program in Innovations in Curriculum Design and Teaching Excellence" offered to selected UCLA junior faculty.
2020-2021, Selected Participant, CA Medical Association Wellness University Longitudinal course entitled "Clinical Leadership in 2021 and Beyond: Well Self, Well Teams, Well Organization" and taught by international thought leaders in physician wellness.
2017-2018, Selected Participant, Palliative Care Education and Practice, Longitudinal program offered through Harvard Medical School to palliative care specialists nationally and internationally to further develop and enhance leadership skills.
Leadership and Memberships
2016-present, American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine
- 2025-2026, Past-Chair, Pediatric Council
- 2024-2025, Chair, Pediatric Council
- 2022-2024, Chair-Elect, Inaugural Pediatric Council
Editorial and Academic Positions
Editorial Positions
2021-present, Ad Hoc Reviewer, Academic Pediatrics
2020-present, Ad Hoc Reviewer, Journal of Pain and Symptom Management
Academic and Institutional Committees
2026-present, Pediatric Palliative Care Fellowship Program Evaluation Committee (PEC)
Education & training
Undergraduate Degree
BA in Psychology - Georgetown University, Washington DC
Medical Degree
MD - Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington DC
Internship
Pediatrics - New York Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, New York, NY
Residency
Pediatrics - New York Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, New York, NY
Fellowship
Pediatric Hematology/Oncology - Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and New York Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, New York, NY
Hospice and Palliative Medicine - Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
Publications
Abstracts (includes Posters and Scientific Presentations)
2024
Behal, R., Fossa, M., Mueller, C., Borchik, A. K., Boles, J., & Thompson, A. : AAHPM Pediatric State of the Science 2024. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management 67(5): E535, March 2024 Notes: Podium presentation, American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine Annual Meeting, Phoenix, Arizona, USA.
2023
Behal R, Moresco B, Borchik AK, Bass A, Thompson AL, Mueller C, Bass A: AAHPM Pediatric State of the Science 2023. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management 65(3): E292, March 2023 Notes: Podium presentation, American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine Annual Meeting, Montreal, Canada.
Lectures by Invitation
2024
Behal R. "AAHPM Pediatric State of the Science", Concurrent podium address, American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine Annual Meeting, Phoenix, AZ. Mar 2024.
2023
Behal R. "AAHPM Pediatric State of the Science", Concurrent podium address, American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine Annual Meeting, Montreal, Canada. Mar 2023.
Editorials, Reviews, Chapters
2019
Behal, R.: When Your Child is Sick: A Guide to Navigating the Practical and Emotional Challenges of Caring for a Child Who is Very Ill. J Relig Health 58(1): 356-357, Oct 2019.
2015
Behal, R., & Dunkel, I.J.: Recent Advances in Retinoblastoma Treatment. Treatment of Extraocular Retinoblastoma. Cham: Springer International Publishing, Page: 97-103, 2015 Notes: Chapter.