USA Health welcomes new neonatologist and physician-scientist
“Practicing in an academic health system can provide advantages to see patients with different levels of acuity as well as provide solid support for clinical and basic research,” said Ting Wei, M.D., Ph.D.
USA Health is expanding its neonatology division with the addition of Ting Wei, M.D., Ph.D., a physician who specializes in the care of premature infants. She will also serve as an assistant professor at the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine.
Before moving to the United States, Wei earned her medical and doctorate degree at the West China School of Medicine. She then served as chief resident and attending at Guangxi Medical University in China and specialized in pediatric surgery for five years.
“While at times it is stressful and exhausting to be a neonatologist, it is more rewarding to see a baby grow bigger and stronger,” Wei said. “Taking care of children, especially tiny human beings, is always my motivation.”
Wei moved to the U.S. in 2012 to conduct research on pediatric anomalies at Arkansas Children’s Research Institute. She later completed her pediatric residency at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in 2022 and fellowship at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Wei deeply enjoys patient work and research equally. She said working at USA Health will give her the resources to combine both her interests working with patients and continuing research as a faculty physician-scientist.
“Practicing in an academic health system can provide advantages to see patients with different levels of acuity as well as provide solid support for clinical and basic research,” she said.
Wei has published several articles about her area of study and has contributed to multiple research projects. Her main interest lies in bronchopulmonary dysplasia, a chronic condition affecting the lungs in premature infants.
“Bronchopulmonary dysplasia is the most common morbidity related to extreme preterm birth,” Wei said. “I hope doing research can help me better understand this disease and potentially develop new therapeutic intervention for these fragile and precious babies.”
Wei also has years of teaching experience. As a resident, she instructed medical students at Guangxi Medical University. Then, she served as an instructor for medical students and residents during her fellowship at UAB.
Wei will care for premature infants in the region’s only level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and the newborn nursery at Children’s & Women's Hospital.
