Maria Mascarenhas, MBBS Section Chief of Nutrition in the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Medical Director of the Clinical Nutrition Department, and Medical Director of the Integrative Health Program, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Internationally recognized leader in integrative pediatrics and pediatric gastroenterology
Dr. Maria Mascarenhas is an internationally recognized leader in integrative pediatrics and pediatric gastroenterology. She earned her medical degree from St. John's Medical College in India before completing her pediatric residency at SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn and Texas Children's Hospital in Houston.
Dr. Mascarenhas completed fellowships in Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Integrative Medicine at the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine. She is a Professor of Pediatrics at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, where she is dedicated to advancing evidence-based integrative care, clinical research, education, and innovation in pediatric health.
Throughout her career, Dr. Maria Mascarenhas has expanded her expertise through advanced training in pediatric massage, Ayurvedic nutrition, auricular acupressure, clinical hypnosis, and Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), reflecting her commitment to evidence-based integrative pediatric care.
She currently serves as Section Chief of Nutrition in the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Medical Director of the Clinical Nutrition Department, and Medical Director of the Integrative Health Program at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. She is also an active member of the Academic Consortium for Integrative Medicine & Health, where she chairs the Fellowship Recognition Committee.
A prolific researcher and educator, Dr. Mascarenhas has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications spanning pediatric gastroenterology, clinical nutrition, cystic fibrosis, medically complex pediatric care, 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, and integrative medicine. She is also the author of The Anti-Inflammatory Family Cookbook, which provides practical, evidence-informed nutrition guidance for children and families.
In recognition of her outstanding contributions to pediatric gastroenterology and integrative health, she received the prestigious Margaret Stallings Distinguished Service Award from the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (NASPGHAN) in 2023.