About Brad A. Pasternak, MD
For Brad Pasternak, MD, personal experience battling inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) fueled his desire to become a pediatric gastroenterologist and treat children with this condition.
"My own medical ailments and love of science ultimately inspired me to enter the field of medicine," says Dr. Pasternak, co-medical director of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Clinic and the Pediatric Fecal Microbiota Transplant Program. "I enjoy building lasting relationships with families and becoming a part of their lives by treating a chronic disease."
Dr. Pasternak's approach to care centers around shared decision-making. He offers information and tools that allow families to make a joint decision about the best treatment plan for their child.
Growing up, Dr. Pasternak enjoyed working with children through a variety of jobs, including camp counselor, lifeguard and babysitter.
"I have always had a soft spot for children. I enjoy their innocence and resilience," he says.
In 2017, the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation, Southwest Chapter selected Dr. Pasternak as "Physician of the Year." He received a Leadership Circle Grant from the Phoenix Children's Hospital Foundation in 2020 to study the effect of gut bacteria on pediatric IBD. Dr. Pasternak serves in several leadership positions, including the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation Medical Advisory Committee.
Dr. Pasternak is grateful for the opportunity to practice at Phoenix Children's.
"I was drawn to the faculty's great camaraderie and excited about opportunities to build a program, teach residents and collaborate on research," he says.
Outside of work, Dr. Pasternak enjoys running, skiing, traveling, live music and fine dining. He and his wife Nicole have two children: a son, Hudson, and a daughter, Anabelle. The family also includes dogs Zookie and Ginger.
Medical School / Education
Sackler School of Medicine, New York State American Program, Tel Aviv, Israel
Residency
(Pediatrics) State University of New York at Downstate, Brooklyn, NY
Fellowship
(Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Nutrition) Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, OH
Pediatric Gastroenterology
American Board of Pediatrics
Gastroenterology
Hepatology
Nutrition
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Eosinophilic Disorder
Top Doctor Recipient
Academic Affiliations
Professor, Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine
Professor, Creighton University School of Medicine
Professor, University of Arizona School of Medicine - Phoenix
Professional Affiliations
American Academy of Pediatrics
American Gastroenterological Association
Medical Advisory Committee, Crohn's and Colitis Foundation
Medical Advisor, Arizona Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders
North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (NASPGHAN)
Pasternak B, Dunn K, Wright B. Mevalonate Kinase deficiency presenting as recurrent perianal fistula andrectal abscesses. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2018; Feb 120(2):214-15.
Pasternak B, Smith J, Miloh T. Text messaging service improves adherence in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2017; Jun 64 (6): 939-42.
Dellon ES, Katzka DA, Collins MH, Hamdani M, Gupta SK, Hirano I; MP-101-06 Investigators. Budesonide Oral Suspension Improves Symptomatic, Endoscopic, and Histologic Parameters Compared With Placebo in Patients With Eosinophilic Esophagitis. Gastroenterology. 2017 Mar;152(4):776-786.
deZoeten E, Pasternak BA, Mattei P, Kader HA. NASPGHAN Clinical Report and Consensus Statement: Diagnosis and Treatment of Perianal Crohn's Disease. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Notr 2013; Jun 25 (epubahead of print).
Galloway D, Pasternak B, Garg S, Shub M. Multiple duodenal ulcers: an unexpected finding at time ofendoscopy in a patient with newly diagnosed Celiac Disease. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2013; Apr;56(4): e21.
Integlia M, Arnod J, Bousvaros A, Blank C, Jaff J, Pasternak B. Plowing through the paperwork: a guide for families and patients with IBD. Naspghan IBD Committee on Patient Advocacy. 2010. https://gikids.org/resource/plowing-through-the-paperwork-a-guide-for-families-and-patients-with-ibd/
Brad A. Pasternak, Ingrid I. Jurickova, Xiaonan Han, Tara Wilson, Lisa Petiniot, Naonori Uozumi, Lee A. Denson, Christopher L. Karp. The Role of Endotoxin and TLR4 in Pediatric and Murine Colitis. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2010 May;16(5):856-69.
Brad A. Pasternak, Margaret H. Collins, Jeffery Rudolf, Gregory M. Tiao, Maria H. Alonso, Frederick C.Ryckman, Samuel A. Kocoshis. Assessing a Standard of Care: Variability in Allograft Biopsies during Post-Intestinal Transplant Surveillance. Pediatr Transplantation 2010: 14: 72-76.
Han X, Xiaomeng R, Jurickova I, Groschwitz K, Pasternak BA, Huan X, Wilson T, Hogan SP, Denson LA. Regulation of Intestinal Barrier Function by Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription 5b.Gut; 2008
B. Pasternak, A Grom, N Yazigi, M B Cohen. Suppurative Arthritis in Inflammatory Bowel Disease. JPediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2007; July;45:117-20.BA.
Pasternak, A Kaistha. A rare cause of chronic anemia: Case report and literature review. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2006; Jan;42(1):100-103.
Pasternak BA, Karp RJ. (2007) The role of Dietary Fiber in Human Disease (in) A Teacher's Guide to Pediatric Nutrition. Karp RJ, (ed). Ambulatory Pediatric Association. Washington DC
BA Pasternak, Weizman Z. (in press) Chronic Diarrhea (in) Karp RJ , (ed). Ambulatory Pediatric Association. Washington DC
What led you to your career as a doctor?
I have always been interested in science. Developing IBD myself, led me to be further interested in the condition.
What is the best thing about your job?
The families that I get to meet and become part of their lives.
Have you received a special gift of thanks or piece of artwork from a child?
Yes- a patient brought a sculpture from his home country back for me. Another patient brought me a bible! I have been given food/sweets multiple times.
What is your favorite children's book?
Oh, the Places You'll Go! by Dr. Seuss
How do you go about calming a child's fears?
Just speaking calmly to them and at their level.
How do you build trust with a parent?
Being truthful and honest at all times.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
Spending time with my family. Running, Hiking, Skiing, Traveling.
Where are you originally from and what brought you to Phoenix?
New Jersey and the job opportunity with a great department.
Rating & Reviews
I always love how caring and considerate all the staff is at PCH. Thank you!
Couldn't have been better
This was a fabulous experience. The IBD team listened to my son's concerns with care and compassion.
Dr. Pasternak is a compassionate provider who always listens to the parent's concerns and does a great job of explaining relevant medical issues in a way that's easily digestible and understandable and always answers questions very thoroughly.
Dr Pasternak has always been easy to talk to and we feel like he genuinely cares about his patients.
Love Dr Pasternak and his team! His relaxed manner really helps him be relatable to teens and makes them comfortable with being open and honest.
Great doc!
Dr. Pasternak is a great doctor and PCH is fortunate to have him!