Christopher Stark

MD, MHS

Major, Army

Department of Primary Appointment:
School of Medicine
Pediatrics
Title
Neonatologist
Location: Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD
Research Interests:
Neonatal Health Outcomes
Blood Product Transfusions, Public Health

Education

2021 – 2024 Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Fellowship, National Capital Consortium, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
2015 – 2018 Pediatrics Residency, National Capital Consortium, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
2011 – 2015 Doctor of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine
2010 – 2011 Master of Health Science, Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health
2004 – 2008 Bachelor of Arts, Biology and Psychology major; Neuroscience minor, Gustavus Adolphus College

Biography

Dr. Christopher Stark graduated from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and completed his pediatrics internship and residency at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. After serving as a general pediatrician at William Beaumont Army Medical Center and completing a rotational deployment as a PROFIS Battalion Surgeon with 1AD 3D ABCT in the Republic of Korea, he returned to the National Capital Region and completed his Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Fellowship.

Dr. Stark has authored numerous publications, particularly focusing on pediatric disease risk factors and neonatal blood transfusions. His research spans molecular microbiology, population cohort studies, and investigations into modifiable risk factors for pediatric diseases, including the effects of early post-natal exposures on health outcomes such as psychiatric diseases, obesity, and autoimmune conditions. His current research focuses on maternal, pregnancy, neonatal, and pediatric health outcomes of military aviators and their children.

Career Highlights: Positions, Projects, Deployements, Awards and Additional Publications

2024 Margret Merino Outstanding Fellow Award, National Capital Consortium Pediatrics Residency, Bethesda, MD

2024 39th Annual Navy-Wide Academic Research Competition, First Place, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD

2024 Robert A. Phillips Award, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD

2024 Bailey K. Ashford Award, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD

2020 Andrew Margileth Award, American Academy of Pediatrics, Section on Uniformed Services Awards Competition

2018 Howard Johnson Award, American Academy of Pediatrics, Section on Uniformed Services Awards Competition

2016 Howard Johnson Award, American Academy of Pediatrics, Section on Uniformed Services Awards Competition

2015 Val Hemming Award, American Academy of Pediatrics, Section on Uniformed Services Awards Competition

2015 Captain Richard R. Hooper Memorial Award, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Department of Preventative Medicine and Biometrics, Bethesda, MD

Representative Bibliography

Stark CM, Sorensen IS, Royall M, Dorr M, Brown J, Dobson N, Salzman S, Susi A, Hisle-Gorman E, Huggins BH, Nylund CM. Neonatal Health Risks Among Children of Female Military Aviation Officers. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2024 Nov;95(11):815-820. doi: 10.3357/AMHP.6417.2024

Stark CM, Sorensen IS, Royall M, Dorr M, Brown J, Dobson N, Salzman S, Susi A, Hisle-Gorman E, Huggins BH, Nylund CM. Maternal and Fetal Health Risks Among Female Military Aviation Officers. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2024 Sep 1;95(9):675-682. doi: 10.3357/AMHP.6416.2024

Liggett CJ, Zven SE, Schulz EV, Stark CM. Massive fetomaternal haemorrhage warranting novel use of tandem isovolumetric partial exchange transfusion and therapeutic hypothermia. BMJ Case Rep. 2023;16(12):e256634. doi:10.1136/bcr-2023-256634

Stark CM, Juul SE. New frontiers in neonatal red blood cell transfusion research. J Perinatol. 2023;43(11):1349-1356. doi:10.1038/s41372-023-01757-7

Stark CM, Susi A, Nierenberg AA, Nylund CM. Association of Early Life Prescriptions for Antibiotics and Acid Suppressants with Childhood Psychotropic Prescriptions. Journal of Pediatrics. 2022 Jul;246:191-198.e4. DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2022.04.030

Zavala A, Stark CM. Chest pain and fever in a healthcare provider during the global coronavirus pandemic. Military Medicine. 2021 Oct. DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usab435

Stark CM, Susi A, Emerick J, Nylund CM. Antibiotics and acid suppression medications during early childhood are associated with obesity. Gut. 2019 Jan;68(1):62-69. DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2017-314971

Tsai M, Yang C, Stark CM. Extreme hypomagnesemia: underrecognized and underappreciated. Internal and Emergency Medicine. 2018 Dec;13(8):1173-74. DOI: 10.1007/s11739-018-1931-x

Stark CM, Gorman GH, Nylund CM. Association of inflammatory bowel disease and urolithiasis in hospitalized pediatric patients. Inflammatory Bowel Disease. 2017 Oct;23(10):1777-82. DOI: 10.1097/MIB.0000000000001188

Stark CM, Nylund CM, Gorman GH, Lechner BL. Primary renal magnesium wasting: An unusual clinical picture of exercise-induced symptoms. Physiology Reports. 2016 Apr;4(8):e12773. DOI: 10.14814/phy2.12773