Pediatric General & Thoracic Surgery

When your child needs surgery, you want the very best. At OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois, our pediatric surgery team delivers advanced, specialized care for children of all ages.

We treat everything from common childhood surgeries to rare, complex diagnoses. You’ll have a team of fellowship trained pediatric surgeons who are board-certified in both general and pediatric surgery by your side, focused on optimal outcomes and compassionate support for your entire family.

What is pediatric surgery?

Pediatric surgery is specialized surgical care for infants, children and teens. It focuses on diagnosing and treating a wide range of conditions from birth defects and injuries to tumors and digestive issues. Pediatric surgeons are experts in caring for growing bodies and use the safest, most advanced techniques to help kids heal faster.

What to Expect at Your Appointment

From the moment you arrive, our team is here to support your family. You’ll meet with a pediatric surgeon who will review your child’s medical history, perform an exam and answer all your questions.

They’ll explain your child’s condition, review treatment options and work with you to create the best plan. If surgery is needed, you’ll be guided through every step from prep to recovery.

Meet Your Care Team

Our pediatric surgery team is made up of nationally recognized, board-certified and fellowship-trained pediatric surgeons who specialize in caring for preemies, infants, children and young adults. They’re backed by experienced advanced practice providers and dedicated pediatric support staff who understand the unique needs of growing bodies and developing minds.

See Our Providers

We provide specialized care for a wide range of surgical conditions and disorders affecting children, from common procedures to complex cases.

Cancers and Noncancerous Masses

Endocrine tumors (adrenal, thyroid, parathyroid)
Germ cell tumors
Kidney tumors (Wilms tumor)
Liver tumors (Hepatoblastoma)
Lymphoma
Melanoma
Neuroblastoma
Neurofibromas
Ovarian tumors (benign & malignant)
Soft-tissue tumors (Ewing Sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma)
Teratomas (ovarian & sacrococcygeal)

Chest Wall/Thoracic Conditions

Chest wall asymmetry
Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH)
Congenital lobar emphysema
Congenital pulmonary airway malformation
Diaphragm pacing
Esophageal disorders (atresia, strictures, achalasia)
Empyema
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO)
Mediastinal masses & cysts
Chest wall deformity
Pectus excavatum (sunken chest)
Pectus carinatum (pigeon chest)
Pneumothorax
Tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF)

Gastrointestinal

Achalasia
Anorectal malformation/imperforate anus
Appendicitis
Biliary atresia (Kasai procedure)
Biliary dyskinesia
Choledochal cyst
Congenital cysts of the mesentery and omentum
Constipation
Esophageal disorders (atresia, strictures, achalasia)
Familial adenomatous polyposis
Feeding problems/Failure to thrive (gastrostomy tubes)
Gallbladder disorders (biliary dyskinesia, cholecystitis, cholelithiasis)
Gastroschisis
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) (Nissen Fundoplication)
Hernias (epigastric/ventral, inguinal, paraesophageal/hiatal, umbilical)
Hirschsprung’s disease
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis)
Intestinal Failure
Intussusception
Intestinal malrotation and midgut volvulus (Ladd’s procedure)
Meckel’s diverticulum
Meconium ileus
Necrotizing enterocolitis
Omphalocele
Pyloric stenosis
Small bowel atresia
Spleen disorders
Tracheoesophageal Fistula (TEF)

Genitourinary Disorders (Urinary or Genital)

Circumcision (primary and revision)
Hydrocele
Inguinal hernias
Ovarian cysts
Ovarian teratoma
Ovarian torsion
Undescended testicles (cryptochordism)
Urachal cyst

Head and Neck

Branchial Cleft Cysts, Remnants, Sinuses
Cystic hygroma
Dermoid cyst
Lymphadenopathy
Thyroglossal duct cyst
Thyroid

Skin and Soft Tissue

Biopsies
Birthmarks
Dermoid cysts
Enlarged lymph nodes
Ganglion cysts
Hemangioma (port wine stains)
Lipoma
Lymphangioma
Moles
Nevus
Pilomatrixoma
Pilonidal cysts and sinuses
Polydactyly
Vascular access
Vascular anomalies

Trauma

Surgical care for pediatric trauma.

Vascular Access

Hemodialysis catheter
Central Lines
Medi-ports

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Why Choose Our Pediatric Surgery Team

Expert, Around-the-Clock Care

We maintain in-hospital surgical coverage by supervised residents, ensuring timely evaluation and care.

Your child also has access to 24/7 emergency surgical care through our pediatric emergency department. As the only Level I Pediatric Trauma Center in downstate Illinois, we provide the highest level of emergency surgical care for kids. Our expert team is ready 24/7 with pediatric-trained surgeons, emergency doctors, nurses and specialists all in one place to deliver fast, lifesaving treatment when it matters most.

Explore Trauma Care

Care Close to Home

We understand the challenges families face when traveling for specialty care. That’s why our surgeons offer satellite clinics throughout the region, giving you access to pre- and post-operative care closer to where you live.

Nationally Recognized Quality & Safety

Your child’s safety is supported by rigorous national standards and proven outcomes:

ELSO Gold Center of Excellence for ECMO (extracorporeal life support)
EDAP/PCC verification, demonstrating our specialty readiness for pediatric emergency care
Participation in NSQIP and TQIP (including pediatric-specific programs), which benchmark our quality and help us continuously improve surgical outcomes

These recognitions reflect our commitment to delivering the highest level of pediatric surgical care.

Specialty Programs & Multidisciplinary Clinics

Your child’s needs are unique and so is our approach. Our pediatric surgery team works closely with experts from neonatology, pulmonology, gastroenterology, cardiology, oncology and rehabilitation to deliver coordinated, whole-child care.

We offer several specialty programs and multidisciplinary clinics, each designed to support children with complex conditions:

Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Clinic

Our Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) Clinic at OSF Children’s Hospital brings together a team of pediatric surgery and neonatal experts to care for babies born with CDH. We provide comprehensive, coordinated treatment from diagnosis through surgery and follow-up.

Learn About the Clinic

Aerodigestive Clinic

A collaborative program for children with breathing, swallowing or feeding challenges, supported by surgery, pulmonology, gastroenterology, otolaryngology (ENT) and speech therapy.

ECMO Program

As an ELSO Gold Center, we provide advanced extracorporeal life support for critically ill infants and children who need heart-lung support during or after surgery.

Learn About ECMO

Pediatric Chest Wall Program

Specialized evaluation and treatment for chest wall differences such as pectus excavatum or pectus carinatum.

Prenatal Surgical Consultation

When a potential surgical issue is identified before birth, our pediatric surgery team works closely with maternal-fetal medicine to create a coordinated plan for your pregnancy and delivery. This ensures your baby receives the right care from the very beginning.

See Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Pediatric Surgery Second Opinions

Families who want more clarity or reassurance can schedule a second-opinion consultation with our pediatric surgery specialists.

Coordinated Care with Plastic Surgery

If your child needs plastic surgery, our pediatric surgery team will help coordinate care with trusted plastic surgeons and work closely with families to ensure a coordinated care plan.
Talk to your child’s pediatrician about plastic surgery options.

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Preparing for Your Child’s Surgery

Knowing what to expect can make surgery day less stressful for you and your child. From pre-op instructions to what to bring and how to support your child’s recovery, we’ll guide you every step of the way.

Prep for Your Child’s Operation

Celebrating Our Amazing Patients

Kane has had multiple surgeries since birth. When we went to appointments everybody knew Kane and would wave and make it more personal. I feel like they have gone above and beyond to help Kane and make the best choices when it comes to his care.

Watch Kane’s Story

At OSF Children’s Hospital, our pediatric surgeons are actively involved in research and national collaborations that help improve surgical safety, outcomes and recovery for children. By participating in clinical studies and quality improvement programs and by contributing to published medical research, our team stays at the forefront of pediatric surgical care.

This commitment means your child benefits from care informed by the latest evidence, shared expertise and nationally recognized best practices.

National Research and Quality Collaborations

Our pediatric surgery team participates in a variety of regional and national research initiatives focused on improving outcomes for children. These collaborations allow us to compare results, share knowledge and continuously refine how care is delivered.

Examples of our involvement include:

Pediatric Surgical Oncology Research Collaborative Cancer Consortium – Advancing research and treatment approaches for children with cancer.
The GOOD Study – A national study focused on improving outcomes for children undergoing surgery.
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) research – Contributing to research that improves care and outcomes for children born with CDH.
Appendicitis clinical trials
Safe and effective pain control after surgery guidelines – Participation in national guideline development to improve pediatric pain management.
Participation in American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) – Monitoring outcomes and quality measures to continually improve surgical care.
Participation in American College of Surgeons Trauma Quilty Improvement Program (TQIP) – Improving trauma care through data-driven quality improvement.

Research Published by Our Pediatric Surgeons

Our pediatric surgeons contribute to peer-reviewed research that helps improve surgical safety, recovery and long-term outcomes for children. These studies reflect real-world questions that arise from caring for children every day and the solutions that help guide better care.

Below are examples of research published by members of our team, with links to the original studies for families who want to learn more.

Improving Surgical Techniques and Outcomes

Research focused on how surgeries are performed and how to improve safety and results for children.

Advanced Imaging and Surgical Planning

Studies addressing rare or complex conditions that may require specialized surgical expertise.

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Ask for a Referral

Contact your child’s pediatrician about a referral to pediatric surgery at OSF Children’s Hospital of Illinois. Need a pediatrician? Browse our directory.

Search Providers

Featured Providers

Kathryn T. Anderson, MD

Pediatric General Surgery, General Surgery

Peoria, Bloomington, Urbana

Charles J. Aprahamian, MD

Pediatric General Surgery

Peoria, Springfield, Ottawa, Moline, Urbana

Paul M. Jeziorczak, MD

Pediatric General Surgery

Peoria, Moline, Urbana, Springfield, Ottawa

Anthony J. Munaco, MD

Pediatric General Surgery

Peoria, Springfield, Bloomington, Moline, Ottawa, Urbana

Kristin A. Kang, APRN

Pediatric General Surgery

Peoria

Rachel Lee, PA

Pediatrics

Peoria

Daniel J. Robertson, MD

Pediatric General Surgery

Peoria, Springfield, Ottawa, Urbana

Lizabeth J. Wallace, APRN

Pediatric General Surgery

Peoria, Moline, Springfield, Urbana

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Locations

Peoria, IL

400 Northeast Saint Mark Court

OSF Children's Hospital of Illinois - Pediatric Surgery Center

Bloomington, IL

302 Saint Joseph Drive

OSF Children's Hospital of Illinois - Pediatric Surgery Center

Moline, IL

515 Valley View Drive

OSF Children's Hospital of Illinois - Pediatric Surgery

Ottawa, IL

1050 East Norris Drive

OSF Children's Hospital of Illinois - Pediatric Surgery Center

Springfield, IL

2524 Farragut Drive

OSF Children's Hospital of Illinois - Pediatric Surgery Center

image-2e01f006-97fc-416b-9e52-fc8d9c6d0b1b

Urbana, IL

1405 West Park Street

OSF Children's Hospital of Illinois - Pediatric Surgery Center

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Why Choose Our Pediatric Surgery Team

Expert, Around-the-Clock Care

We maintain in-hospital surgical coverage by supervised residents, ensuring timely evaluation and care.

Explore Trauma Care

Care Close to Home

Nationally Recognized Quality & Safety

Your child’s safety is supported by rigorous national standards and proven outcomes:

ELSO Gold Center of Excellence for ECMO (extracorporeal life support)
EDAP/PCC verification, demonstrating our specialty readiness for pediatric emergency care
Participation in NSQIP and TQIP (including pediatric-specific programs), which benchmark our quality and help us continuously improve surgical outcomes

These recognitions reflect our commitment to delivering the highest level of pediatric surgical care.

Specialty Programs & Multidisciplinary Clinics

We offer several specialty programs and multidisciplinary clinics, each designed to support children with complex conditions:

Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Clinic

Learn About the Clinic

Aerodigestive Clinic

A collaborative program for children with breathing, swallowing or feeding challenges, supported by surgery, pulmonology, gastroenterology, otolaryngology (ENT) and speech therapy.

ECMO Program

As an ELSO Gold Center, we provide advanced extracorporeal life support for critically ill infants and children who need heart-lung support during or after surgery.

Learn About ECMO

Pediatric Chest Wall Program

Specialized evaluation and treatment for chest wall differences such as pectus excavatum or pectus carinatum.

Prenatal Surgical Consultation

See Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Pediatric Surgery Second Opinions

Families who want more clarity or reassurance can schedule a second-opinion consultation with our pediatric surgery specialists.

Coordinated Care with Plastic Surgery

This commitment means your child benefits from care informed by the latest evidence, shared expertise and nationally recognized best practices.

National Research and Quality Collaborations

Examples of our involvement include:

Pediatric Surgical Oncology Research Collaborative Cancer Consortium – Advancing research and treatment approaches for children with cancer.
The GOOD Study – A national study focused on improving outcomes for children undergoing surgery.
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) research – Contributing to research that improves care and outcomes for children born with CDH.
Appendicitis clinical trials
Safe and effective pain control after surgery guidelines – Participation in national guideline development to improve pediatric pain management.
Participation in American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) – Monitoring outcomes and quality measures to continually improve surgical care.
Participation in American College of Surgeons Trauma Quilty Improvement Program (TQIP) – Improving trauma care through data-driven quality improvement.

Research Published by Our Pediatric Surgeons

Below are examples of research published by members of our team, with links to the original studies for families who want to learn more.

Improving Surgical Techniques and Outcomes

Research focused on how surgeries are performed and how to improve safety and results for children.

Advanced Imaging and Surgical Planning

Studies addressing rare or complex conditions that may require specialized surgical expertise.

Pediatric General & Thoracic Surgery

What is pediatric surgery?

What to Expect at Your Appointment

Meet Your Care Team