Gastroenterology

Renee Dass, M.D.

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Renee Dass, M.D.

Assistant Professor

Provider Specialty

Gastroenterology

  • Medical School: Central Michigan University College of Medicine 2018
  • Internship: Central Michigan University College of Medicine 2018
  • Residency: Children's Hospital of Michigan 2021
  • Fellowship: Children's Hospital of Michigan 2023
  • About the Provider:

    Dr. Dass is a pediatric gastroenterologist with a clinical focus on pediatric nutrition and intestinal rehabilitation, including the management of intestinal failure and short bowel syndrome. She cares for children with a wide range of gastrointestinal and nutritional conditions and has a particular interest in supporting growth, optimizing nutritional status, and improving quality of life for patients with complex medical needs.

    Dr. Dass is committed to providing thoughtful, family-centered care and believes strongly in partnering with patients and caregivers to navigate both routine and complex concerns. Her approach to clinical practice emphasizes careful listening, clear and open communication, and the use of evidence-based, individualized treatment plans tailored to each child’s needs. She strives to create a supportive, approachable environment where children feel comfortable and families feel informed, confident, and empowered in their care.

Julie Eovaldi, NP

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Julie Eovaldi, NP

Provider Specialty

Gastroenterology

  • About the Provider:

    Julie began her career as a Registered Nurse at CHM, on 5 West in 2016. After completing her Nurse Practitioner program, she transitioned to the Gastroenterology department in 2021. Pediatrics has always been her passion, and through her work in GI, she has developed a particular interest in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). She serves as the dedicated IBD Nurse Practitioner, where she plays a key role in coordinating and supporting the program. Outside of work she loves being outside in the sunshine, working out & spending time with family and friends!

Kaitlin Love, NP

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Kaitlin Love, NP

Provider Specialty

Gastroenterology

  • About the Provider:

    Kaitlin started her nursing career in 2017 at Children’s Hospital of Michigan. She has been practicing as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner since 2022 with the Gastroenterology team. She is a mom to a little girl and expecting another this fall. Kaitlin enjoys time with her family, friends and watching/attending sporting events. As a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, she prioritizes clear communication, shared decision-making, and preventive care to support each child’s growth, development, and long-term health.

Tony Lulgjuraj, M.D.

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Tony Lulgjuraj, M.D.

Assistant Professor

Provider Specialty

Gastroenterology

  • Medical School: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine - 2013
  • Internship: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine - 2013
  • Residency: IU Health - Riley Hospital for Children - 2016
  • Fellowship: University of Michigan - Mott Children's Hospital (Pediatric GI) - 2019; University of Washington - Seattle Children's Hospital (Pediatric Transplant Hepatology) - 2025
  • Accepted Insurance: We accept most types on insurance. Please call to confirm that your carrier is on our list.
  • About the Provider:

    Tony Lulgjuraj, MD is a pediatric gastroenterologist and transplant hepatologist who cares for children with a wide range of digestive and liver conditions, including eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), nutritional disorders, and complex liver disease. His liver-focused care includes conditions such as neonatal cholestasis, biliary atresia, genetic liver diseases (including Alagille syndrome), portal hypertension, cirrhosis, viral hepatitis, and liver tumors, as well as children who may require liver transplantation. His research has focused on rare genetic liver diseases such as progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC) and on improving outcomes after liver transplant, including the use of biomarkers like flavin mononucleotide (FMN) to better understand bile duct healing.

    Dr. Lulgjuraj believes that caring for children starts with caring for the whole family. He takes time to listen, explain complex conditions in a clear and approachable way, and partner with families in making thoughtful decisions about their child’s care. He values building long-term relationships and being a consistent presence for patients as they grow, and is proud to serve children and families throughout the Metro Detroit community. He completed his medical training at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, followed by pediatric residency at Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health and fellowship at University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, with additional specialized training in transplant hepatology at Seattle Children’s Hospital.

    Outside of medicine he enjoys visiting parks, going on walks and fishing with his children. In his spare time,

Mohammad F. El-Baba, M.D.

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Professor of Pediatrics

Mohammad F. El-Baba, M.D. Read More »

Mohammad F. El-Baba, M.D.

Division Chief of Pediatric Gastroenterology

Provider Specialty

Gastroenterology

  • Academic Appointment: Professor
  • Areas of Clinical Focus: Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Areas of Research/Scholarship Focus: Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disorders, Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, Motility Disorders
  • Board Certification(s): Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Medical School: Faculty of Medicine, University of Jordan, 1982
  • Internship: Children's Hospital of Michigan
  • Residency: Children's Hospital of Michigan Pediatric Residency, 1992
  • Fellowship: Children's Hospital of Michigan Pediatric Gastroenterology Fellowship, 1995
  • Awards/Honors:
    • Recipient of College Teaching Award in the School of Medicine at Wayne State University 2011, 2016
    • Top Doc in Hour Detroit’s annual survey of Michigan doctors 2007-2021
    • Physician Difference Maker Award, Children's Hospital of Michigan 2015
  • Primary Practice Name: Children's Hospital of MI
  • Primary Practice Address: 3950 Beaubien - 3rd Floor
  • Primary Practice City: Detroit
  • Primary Practice State: MI
  • Primary Practice Zip Code: 48201
  • Practice Phone Number: (313)745-5585
  • Practice Fax: (313)745-5155
  • Accepted Insurance: We accept most types of insurance. Please call to confirm that your carrier is on our list.
  • About the Provider:

    Dr. El-Baba is the Division Chief of Pediatric Gastroenterology and a respected leader in the field of pediatric digestive health, with clinical and research expertise in eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders, inflammatory bowel disease, and motility disorders. Board-certified in Pediatric Gastroenterology, he completed medical school at the Faculty of Medicine followed by internship, residency, and fellowship training at the Children’s Hospital of Michigan.

    Known for his compassionate and patient-centered approach, Dr. El-Baba is deeply committed to working closely with children and their families to provide the highest quality, individualized care. He is passionate about building strong relationships with families and believes that collaboration, education, and advocacy are essential to achieving the best outcomes for pediatric patients.

    In addition to his clinical work, Dr. El-Baba is dedicated to advancing the field through teaching, mentorship, and research. He is an enthusiastic educator who values training the next generation of physicians and has been recognized with the College Teaching Award from the Wayne State University School of Medicine in 2011 and 2016. His commitment to excellence in patient care has also earned him the Physician Difference Maker Award at Children’s Hospital of Michigan in 2015, and he was consistently recognized as a “Top Doc” in Hour Detroit’s annual survey of Michigan physicians from 2007–2021. Through his leadership, advocacy, and scholarship, Dr. El-Baba continues to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families both within the hospital and the broader community.

Selected Publications

1. Expanding clinical spectrum of female X-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome 2 (2020)
Links: Publisher Article

2. Rectal Prolapse in Children: An Update to Causes, Clinical Presentation, and Management (2019)
Links: Publisher Article

3. The Effect of Biologics on Post-Operative Complications in Children with Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Bowel Resection (2019)
Links: Publisher Article

4. Dysphagia — Textbook of Pediatric Care (2016)
Links: American Academy of Pediatrics — Chapter

5. Obesity — Textbook of Clinical Pediatrics (2012)
Links: Springer — Chapter

6. Approach to a Child with Malabsorption — Textbook of Clinical Pediatrics (2012)
Links: Springer — Chapter

7. A Prospective Study Comparing Oral Sodium Phosphate Solution to a Bowel Cleansing Preparation with Nutrition Food Package in Children (2006)
Links: Publisher Article

8. Absence of bacteremia after gastrointestinal procedures in children (1996)
Links: Publisher Article

Curriculum Vitae

Kristen E. Cares, M.D.

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Associate Professor

Kristen E. Cares, M.D. Read More »

Kristen E. Cares, M.D.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease Medical Director/Director Gastroenterology Fellowship/Assistant Director Aerodigestive Program

Provider Specialty

Gastroenterology

  • Academic Appointment: Associate Professor
  • Areas of Clinical Focus: Inflammatory Bowl Disease/Aerodigestive/GERD/Dysphagia/Abdominal Pain/IBS
  • Areas of Research/Scholarship Focus:  Inflammatory Bowel Disease/Therapeutic Drug Monitoring/Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth/Rectal Prolapse
  • Board Certification(s): Pediatrics/Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Medical School: Wayne State University School of Medicine 2009
  • Internship: Children's Hospital of Michigan
  • Residency: Children's Hospital of Michigan 2012
  • Fellowship: Children's Hospital of Michigan 2015
  • Awards/Honors:
    • Physician Difference Maker (2018)
    • Top Doc (2017-present)
    • Bonita Stanton Professionalism in Pediatrics (2012)
    • Children's Hospital of Michigan Foundation Grant for Therapeutic Drug Monitoring in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
  • Primary Practice Name: Children's Hospital of MI
  • Primary Practice Address: 3901 Beaubien - 2nd Floor - Carl's Bldg
  • Primary Practice City: Detroit
  • Primary Practice State: MI
  • Primary Practice Zip Code: 48201
  • Practice Phone Number: (313)745-5585
  • Practice Fax: (313)745-5155
  • Accepted Insurance: We accept most types on insurance. Please call to confirm that your carrier is on our list.
  • About the Provider:

    Dr Cares is a board-certified pediatric gastroenterologist with over a decade of clinical experience, with a strong focus on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), where she serves as Medical Director. She is an active member of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation Medical Advisory Board and a recipient of the Rosenthal Award in recognition of her dedication to patients with IBD, as well as being named among the most influential women in IBD in Michigan. Her professional interests include clinical research, with involvement in both investigator-initiated and industry-sponsored trials, and authorship in several peer-reviewed journals. She has also spent nearly a decade in fellowship leadership roles as a Program Director and Associate Program Director in Pediatric Gastroenterology, and remains actively engaged in multidisciplinary care through the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Aero digestive Program.

Selected Publications

1. Rectal Prolapse in Children: Significance and Management (2016)
Links: PubMed | Publisher Article

2. Influence of Family History on Children with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (2021)
Links: Publisher Article

3. Rectal Prolapse in Children: An Update to Causes, Clinical Presentation, and Management (2020)
Links: PubMed | Publisher Article

4. Risk of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth with chronic use of proton pump inhibitors in children (2017)
Links: PubMed | Publisher Article

5. Significance of Red Blood Cell Distribution Width in Children with Celiac Disease (2021)
Links: Pediatric Medicine

Curriculum Vitae

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