Faculty Highlights

Michael S. Golinko M.D., is an Assistant Professor of Plastic Surgery and Chief of Pediatric Plastic Surgery. After obtaining his medical degree from the University of South Florida, he finished his residency in plastic surgery at New York University Medical Center. He then finished his fellowships at Emory University and New York University Medical Center.  In his clinical practice, Dr. Golinko specializes in craniofacial and plastic surgery. 

John W. Brock, III, M.D., is the chief of Pediatric Urologic Surgery and the Surgeon-in-Chief of Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt. After obtaining his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia, he finished his residency and chief residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. 

David P. Bichell, M.D., is a Professor of Cardiac Surgery and Chief or Pediatric Cardiac Surgery. After obtaining his medical degree from Columbia University, he finished residencies in general surgery and cardiothoracic surgery at Brigham & Women's Hospital as well as chief residencies in cardiac surgery at the Brigham & Women's Hospital and Boston Children's Hospital. He then finished his fellowship in cardiac surgery at the Brigham & Women's Hospital. 

John "Jay" Wellons, III, M,D., M.S.P.H., is a Professor of Neurological Surgery and Pediatrics and Chief of Neurosurgery. After obtaining his medical degree from the University of Mississippi Medical School, he finished his Master of Science in Public Health in Clinical Research from the University of Alabama. Dr. Wellons completed his residency in neurosurgery and fellowship in stroke research at Duke University Medical Center. Additionally, he finished his fellowship in pediatric neurosurgery at the Children's Hospital of Alabama. 

John C. Thomas, M.D. is an Associate Professor of Pediatric Urologic Surgery in the Department of Urology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. He completed his medical degree at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. He completed a General Surgery internship and a Urology residency (Chief Resident) at the Cleveland Foundation. He also completed a Pediatric Urology fellowship at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.

John C. Pope, IV, M.D.  is an Professor of Pediatric Urology in the Department of Urologic Surgery at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. He completed his medical degree at the University of Tennessee in Memphis and multiple surgery and urology residencies at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He also completed a Pediatric Urology fellowship at James Whitcomb Hospital for Children and Indiana University Medical Center.

Robert P. Naftel, M.D. is an Assistant Professor of Neurological Surgery in the Department of Neurological Surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. He completed his medical degree and his residency at the University of Alabama School of Medicine in Birmingham. He also completed a Pediatric Neurosurgery fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh. In his clinical practice, Dr. Naftel focuses on pediatric hydrocephalus, epilepsy surgery, spasticity, spine surgery, and endonasal treatment of brain tumors.

Amy Whigham., M.D., is an Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology in the Department of Otolaryngology at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. She completed her medical degree at Emory University School of Medicine and her residency at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center. She completed a Pediatric Otolaryngology Fellowship at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, DC, as well as a General Surgery Internship and a Research Fellowship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. She is a member of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.

Christopher Bonfield, M.D., is an Assistant Professor of Neurological Surgery in the Department of Neurological Surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. After obtaining his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, he completed his residency in Neurosurgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Dr.

Frank W. Virgin, M.D., is an Assistant Professor of Pediatric Otolaryngology in the Department of Otolaryngology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. After attaining his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia, he completed his Otolaryngology Head and Neck Residency at the University of Alabama and a Pediatric Otolaryngology Fellowship at the Boston Children’s Hospital.