Biographies
Lisa Barker, MD, FAAP
Specialty: General Pediatrics
Where did you go to medical school, residency, and do your fellowship?
Medical School — Univerity of Washington and Residency — Seattle Children’s
What brought you to Idaho?
My husband and I both grew up in Boise and graduated from Bishop Kelly High School. We left for college, thinking we’d never come back to Idaho. Absence truly does make the heart grow fonder! After completing my medical training, we were both excited to come back home.
How many years have you taken care of kids?
I have been in medical practice for 6 years
What do you like to do on your day off?
My days off usually revolve around my small children, a 3-year-old boy and a 6-year-old girl. Our time is filled with bike rides, playing at the park, reading books, and building with legos. As a family, we love skiing, swimming, traveling, and playing with our yorkie dogs.
What was your favorite food as a kid?
Mashed potatoes!
Who inspires you?
My husband Chad, a high school teacher and coach; My colleagues at Treasure Valley Pediatrics; My loving and supportive family
Angie Beauchaine
Angie is a General Pediatrician with Primary Health Medical Group in Boise. She graduated from the University of Washington then migrated to Wisconsin for medical school and residency.
She started practice in Eastern Washington with Wenatchee Valley Clinic but has been settled in Idaho for over a decade now with her husband and two teenage sons, Mauston and Tristan. They are a musical family (they met in Husky Marching Band) and enjoy attending the boys many concerts. She enjoys cross country skiing, gardening, cooking, knitting, and hiking the foothills.
Perry Brown, MD, FAAP
After growing up in New Orleans, LA and attending college at Dartmouth in New Hampshire, he completed medical school at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and then residency at the Children's Hospital in Denver, CO. Immediately after completing residency in 1998, he moved to Idaho, where he first practiced with Saltzer Medical Group in Nampa and Meridian, and then, in 2004, he chose to change my career path a bit and joined the teaching faculty as the Director of Pediatric Education at the Family Medicine Residency of Idaho, where he continue to work. Additionally, he has served as the Associate Director of the Cystic Fibrosis Center of Idaho since 2000, and currently serve as the Boise Site Director for WWAMI 3rd and 4th year medical students' pediatric rotations.
During his years in the "real world" of pediatrics, it has become clear that the power and the wisdom of the group is superior to that of individuals, and that this power and wisdom can be leveraged politically at a local and state level with success. He has also realized that several hours of seeing patients in clinic will help a few children (and is incredibly fun and rewarding!), but that several hours of public policy and advocacy work can help a vast number of children. These insights have motivated him to participate in the American Academy of Pediatrics at both the state and national levels, and to spend time and energy lobbying our elected state officials.
He loves living in Idaho. He has great professional colleagues here, and gets to work in an incredibly supportive academic program and children's hospital. People are genuine and warm. And the state is varied and beautiful, with easy access to so many fantastic outdoor recreational activities that he enjoys, including fly fishing, hiking, and skiing. Idaho is a special place, and he feels honored to be caring for and advocating for the next generation of Idahoans.
Aaron Gardner
Specialty: Pediatric Critical Care
Where did you go to medical school, residency and do your fellowship?
Medical School — St. George’s University; Residency — Arkansas Children’s Hospital; Fellowship — Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
What brought you to Idaho?
We wanted to be back out west, in the great outdoors and closer to family
How many years have you taken care of kids?
10
What do you like to do on your day off?
Hike, run, garden, travel with family
What was your favorite food as a kid?
Ice cream . . . still is
If one of your elementary teachers would talk about you what would they say?
Smart kid, kinda goofy looking, big glasses, not very tough . . . but he stays out of trouble ;)
Who inspires you?
Optimists—with so much going wrong, I’m inspired by those who still see the good in the world, who find an ember of hope and blow on it.
Jared Hansen, MD
Dr. Hansen is a general pediatrician at Aeris Pediatrics in Twin Falls, Idaho. He grew up in Paul, Idaho and attended medical school at Oregon Health & Science University. He completed his residency at Brown University and has been taking care of kids for over 15 years since finishing his residency. He enjoys traveling and experiencing new cultures with his wife and kids, and feels honored and excited to serve the Idaho AAP Chapter in its mission of promoting health and welfare of Idaho's children.
Sivani Kuruvada, MD
Dr. Sivani Kuruvada was born in India. When she was just six months old, she and her family immigrated to Mason, Ohio in the US. She lived there for a decade before moving back to Hyderabad, India where she completed high school and went to medical school at the Apollo Institute of Medical Sciences and Research. Sivani is also a professionally trained Indian classical dancer in the South Indian dance form "Kuchipudi". She has been dancing since she was three and has given several performances all over the world, and even set up her own dance school in India in 2018. Her passion for teaching and working with young children coupled with her interest in medicine strengthened her love for Pediatrics. She always knew she wanted to be a pediatrician and is very excited to be a part of the first class of pediatric residents in the state of Idaho!
Erik Meyers, MD
Erik works as both a pediatrician and a neonatologist. He currently serves as the assistant medical director in the NICU at St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital. He attended medical school at the University of California, San Diego and completed both his residency and fellowship in Neonatology at University of California, San Francisco. Before coming to St Luke’s, he was an associate professor of pediatrics and cell biology at Duke University for eight years. Erik enjoys spending time with his wife, hunting, fishing, backpacking, cross-country skiing and peak climbing. He also enjoys spending time with his two daughters, both of whom are following in his footsteps by entering into the medical field. Some of his favorite books include The Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Razor’s Edge and The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat.
Andrea Prasch, MD
Dr. Prasch attended the University of Washington Medical School through the WWAMI Program, and completed her Pediatrics residency at the University of Utah's Primary Children's Hospital in 2017. She now resides in Boise, Idaho with her husband and children. She practices outpatient general pediatrics at Treasure Valley Pediatrics in Meridian, Idaho. As a member of the Executive Committee of the AAP's Idaho Chapter, she appreciates having a broader impact on children's health than her own personal practice allows. Specific areas of interest include breastfeeding medicine and the impact of society, politics, and social media on children's health. When she is not working, she loves to play with her children and dog, bake (especially with her kids), practice yoga and mindfulness, and play in Idaho's wilderness.
Jean Prince, MD
Jean is a general pediatrician working at Lakeside Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine Clinic in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
She went to Loma Linda University for Medical School and then pediatric residency for three years at Loma Linda Children’s Hospital followed by a one year chief residency there. She then moved to Coeur d’Alene and opened Lakeside Pediatrics with her partner, Ronda Westcott, MD.
Aside from seeing amazing patients, she loves hanging out with her husband, Bryce, and their two boys Cooper (age 8) and Austin (age 5). She loves camping, skiing, snowboarding and playing the piano.
Meghan Sainsbury
Meghan’s life has been full of adventure. Her childhood included Denver, Colorado; Minnesota; Montana; Redmond, WA; Memphis, TN; and Salt Lake City, UT. She attended the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO and finished her Degree at Central Washington University in Ellensburg, WA. She moved to Idaho in 2000 and has chosen to call Idaho home.
She loves working with projects, conferences, events, and helping organizations move forward. She has a special love working with children and art.
She met her husband, Chris, rafting in Stanley, Idaho. They have four children (three boys and one sparkly girl). Chris and Meghan operate the Roto-Rooter from Ontario, OR to Rupert, ID. They love Southern Idaho! As a family, they enjoy river rafting, skiing, cooking, and cheering each other on at any event they are participating in.
Meghan's Motto is “Be Kind & Work Hard”.
Jennifer Salame, MD
Dr. Salame is a pediatric hospitalist with St. Luke’s. She earned her medical degree at Loma Linda University. Following that, she completed her pediatric residency and chief year at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. She relocated to Idaho along with her husband and children in 2021. She is looking forward to executive committee participation as a representative of early career physicians as they take the leap into independent practice. Outside of work you will find her living her best mom life—attending school activities and library story times, party planning, baking, and exploring parks!
Scott Snyder
Specialty: Neonatology
Where did you go to medical school, residency, and do your fellowship?
University of Nebraska Medical Center for Med School, Children’s Hospital of New Mexico in Albuquerque for residency and fellowship
What brought you to Idaho?
A 1997 Subaru Outback loaded up with my future wife, two big dogs, and a U-Haul with a bunch of really crummy furniture that should have never been moved.
How many years have you taken care of kids?
If you include my older sister, then all my life. Otherwise, since 1998.
What do you like to do on your day off?
Sleeping in, skiing, boating, fishing, hiking, camping, craft-beer and cider drinking.
What was your favorite food as a kid? Mac n cheese with a can of Hormel chili. Good Midwestern grub.
Favorite Book(s): The Unbearable Lightness of Being, The River Why
Mark Uranga, MD FAAP
Joe Wilbanks, MD, FAAP
Joe Wilbanks is a board-certified pediatrician who provides compassionate, comprehensive care for infants, children, and adolescents. He has a special interest in supporting children with anxiety, depression, ADHD, behavioral challenges, and autism spectrum disorder. Dr. Wilbanks believes in building strong partnerships with families to promote each child’s health and development. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Wilbanks is actively involved in local advocacy for children’s health. He serves on the executive committee of the Idaho Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and contributes to other statewide efforts dedicated to improving the lives of children and families. Dr. Wilbanks earned his bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and completed medical school at McGovern Medical School at UT Health Houston. He completed his pediatric residency at Baylor Scott & White McLane Children’s Hospital where he served as chief resident. Outside the clinic, Dr. Wilbanks enjoys the outdoors and adventuring through life with his children.
