Lobeck Inna

About

Inna Lobeck, MD, FACS, FAAP, surgical director, Elizabeth J. Ferrell Fetal Health Center at Children's Mercy Kansas City, assistant professor of pediatric surgery – University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology – University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine. What makes her an "Audrey" is Dr. Inna Lobeck, a talented and dedicated pediatric and fetal surgeon. She performs complex and often life-saving surgeries before, during, and after birth, including fetoscopic laser therapy for twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), fetal spina bifida repair, fetoscopic endotracheal occlusion balloons (FETO) for congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), and the full spectrum of pediatric general and thoracic surgery from birth to adulthood. Her passion and dedication to patient care run deep – and started early. She told her pediatrician at age 7 that she would buy his practice one day. Dr. Lobeck was born in Moldova, part of the former Soviet Union. Seeking a safer and better life, her family immigrated to the United States as refugees. Dr. Lobeck says her background shaped who she is today. Dr. Lobeck is triple-board certified in adult general and thoracic surgery, surgical critical care, and pediatric surgery. She is also currently leading a large multi-institutional research study on the ex-utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) procedure and has initiated a phase III clinical trial at Children's Mercy for prenatal intervention for severe diaphragmatic hernia – a procedure that offers a chance of survival for some of the sickest babies. She will tell you that she wants families to know that having a baby with a congenital anomaly can be scary and isolating, but in a place like Children's Mercy, with a robust Fetal Health Center and a multitude of experts dedicated to ensuring the best care for every child, even before birth, they should feel reassured knowing they have a support system. Dr. Lobeck says the most rewarding part of her job is being with her patients from birth (or even before) through adulthood and being able to change their course through prenatal or postnatal interventions. She has even had three patients who have carried her name, Inna. Notable Achievements: The first female pediatric surgeon (ever!) at the University of Wisconsin. Founded, built, and developed the University of Wisconsin Fetal Diagnostic and Treatment Center in 3 years, which became a regional referral center for fetal surgical conditions, changed referral patterns, and became a steering committee member for the North American Fetal Therapy Network. Surgical Director of the Children's Mercy Kansas City Fetal Health Center; initiated the fetal surgery program at Children's Mercy, which has already begun to change referral patterns and perform complex pre-, peri-, and postnatal surgical interventions. Led two international, multidisciplinary, multi-implication studies on social determinants of health in access to fetal surgery and ex-utero intrapartum treatment and its outcomes. Leading a phase 3 clinical trial for prenatal intervention for severe congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Dr. Audrey Evans inspires me because, as a woman in a heavily male-dominated field (surgery), it's easy to fall into the norm; to be complacent; to not make waves... Audrey Evans broke glass ceilings and pushed the field of medicine forward. One of my core beliefs is that in medicine, we should always be growing. Just as important as caring for our patients is the desire to advance the field, as Dr. Evans did. I want my legacy to be one of living outside the comfort zone. I would like to push the boundaries and provide hope for babies who previously would not have had a chance at survival, a good quality of life through prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal interventions. Access to fetal surgery programs is limited in the United States due to the limited number of fetal surgery centers. By opening two fetal surgery centers, I would like my legacy to be one of allowing more pregnant patients to have access to these essential services and have the option to opt for fetal interventions.