Heather Siefkes, M.D., M.S.C.I.
Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Critical Care
To see if Heather Siefkes is accepting new patients, or for assistance finding a UC Davis doctor, please call 800-2-UCDAVIS (800-282-3284).
Locations and Contact
Philosophy of Care
I believe there is no greater privilege than interfacing with children and helping them meet their potential. Caring for critically ill children and supporting their families is my passion and gives the me opportunity to help children meet their full potential.
Clinical Interests
Dr. Siefkes is a pediatric critical care physician offering care for the sickest infants, children and young adults in the hospital. This includes patients ill from infections, injuries, congenital defects and recovering after surgery.
Research/Academic Interests
Dr. Siefke's research focuses on improving detection of critical congenital heart disease especially though machine learning of non-invasive data. She also has interest in outcomes related to critical illness.
Division
Fetal Care and Treatment Center
Pediatric Critical Care
Center/Program Affiliation
UC Davis Children's Hospital
Trauma Program
Undergraduate School
B.S., University of Oregon, Eugene OR 2004
Medical School
M.D., Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine, Portland OR 2010
Other School
M.S.C.I., University of Utah, Salt Lake City UT 2016
Residency
Pediatrics, Oregon Health & Sciences University, Portland OR 2010-2013
Fellowship
Pediatric Critical Care, University of Utah, Salt Lake City UT 2013-2016
CTSC UC Davis KL2 Scholar, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
Eli Gold Award, UC Davis Department of Pediatrics, 2021
Young Investigator Award Nominee, American Academy of Pediatrics, 2020
UC Davis Artificial Intelligence and Healthcare Seed Grant, 2019
UC Davis, Clinical and Translational Science Center (CTSC) and College of Engineering (COE) Translational Design Projects, 2018
Friends of Doernbecher Foundation Grant, 2012
American Academy of Pediatrics Resident Research Grant, 2012
Oregon Health & Science University N.L. Tartar Trust Fellowship Award, 2012
Lai Z, Vadlaputi P, Tancredi DJ, Garg M, Koppel RI, Goodman M, Hogan W, Cresalia N, Juergensen S, Manalo E, Lakshminrusimha S, Chuah CN, Siefkes H. Enhanced Critical Congenital Cardiac Disease Screening by Combining Interpretable Machine Learning Algorithms. Annu Int Conf IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2021 Nov;2021:1403-1406. doi:10.1109/EMBC46164.2021.9630111. PMID:34891547.
Siefkes HM, Lakshminrusimha S. Management of systemic hypotension in term infants with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn: an illustrated review. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2021 Jul;106(4):446-455. doi:10.1136/archdischild-2020-319705. Epub 2021 Jan 21. PMID:33478959.
Siefkes H, Kair LR, Saarinen A, Lakshminrusimha S. Inadequacies of hospital-level critical congenital heart disease screening data reports: implications for research and quality efforts. J Perinatol. 2021 Jul;41(7):1611-1620. doi:10.1038/s41372-020-00783-z. Epub 2020 Aug 13. PMID:32792631.
Doshi K, Rehm GB, Vadlaputi P, Lai Z, Lakshminrusimha S, Chuah CN, Siefkes HM. A novel system to collect dual pulse oximetry data for critical congenital heart disease screening research. J Clin Transl Sci. 2020 Oct 19;5(1):e56. doi:10.1017/cts.2020.550. PMID:33948277.
Siefkes H, Kair L, Tancredi DJ, Vasquez B, Garcia L, Bedford-Mu C, Lakshminrusimha S. Oxygen Saturation and Perfusion Index-Based Enhanced Critical Congenital Heart Disease Screening. Am J Perinatol. 2020 Jan;37(2):158-165. doi:10.1055/s-0039-1685445. Epub 2019 Apr 19. PMID:31003242.
Lieng MK, Siefkes HM, Rosenthal JL, Sauers-Ford HS, Mouzoon JL, Sigal IS, Dayal P, Chen ST, McBeth CL, Dial S, Dizon G, Dannewitz HE, Kozycz K, Jennings-Hill TL, Martinson JM, Huerta JK, Pons EA, Vance N, Warnock BN, Marcin JP. Telemedicine for Interfacility Nurse Handoffs. Pediatr Crit Care Med. 2019 Sep;20(9):832-840. doi:10.1097/PCC.0000000000002011. PMID:31232857.
Ferrazzano PA, Rosario BL, Wisniewski SR, Shafi NI, Siefkes HM, Miles DK, Alexander AL, Bell MJ. Use of magnetic resonance imaging in severe pediatric traumatic brain injury: assessment of current practice. J Neurosurg Pediatr. 2019 Feb 8;23(4):471-479. doi:10.3171/2018.10.PEDS18374. PMID:30738383.
Siefkes HM, Holsti M, Morita D, Cook LJ, Bratton S. Seizure Treatment in Children Transported to Tertiary Care: Recommendation Adherence and Outcomes. Pediatrics. 2016 Dec;138(6):e20161527. doi:10.1542/peds.2016-1527. PMID:27940691.
Siefkes H, Hamele M, Ampofo K, Poss WB. Risk factors for poor outcomes and therapeutic strategies for seasonal and pandemic influenza. J Pediatr Intensive Care. 2014 Dec;3(4):217-226. doi:10.3233/PIC-14104. Epub 2015 Jul 28. PMID:31214469.
Siefkes HM, Hogan WJ, Flood SM, Ramsey KL, Reller MD, Starmer AJ, Phillipi CA. Impact of educational video on critical congenital heart disease screening. Clin Pediatr (Phila). 2014 Jul;53(8):733-41. doi:10.1177/0009922814525992. Epub 2014 Mar 6. PMID:24607664.