Maya Bunik, MD
Professor, Pediatrics-General Pediatrics

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Medical School:
  • MD, University of Minnesota Medical School (1988)
Graduate School :
  • MSPH, University of Colorado Denver (2006)
Undergraduate School:
  • BA, Carleton College (MN) (1984)
Internship:
  • University of Colorado (Children's Hospital Colorado) Program (1989)
Residency:
  • University of Colorado (Children's Hospital Colorado) Program, Chief Resident, Pediatrics (1992)
Fellowships:
  • University of Colorado, Primary Care Research Fellowship (2003)
Languages: English
Department: Pediatrics-General Pediatrics

Professional Titles

  • Professor, Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine
  • Associate Chief Medical Officer (ACMO) - Ambulatory, Children's Hospital Colorado

Recognition & Awards

  • Bonnie W. Camp Distinguished Professor in Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics (2023)
  • COVID Hero for Leadership in a Pandemic, Department of Pediatrics (2020)
  • Teamwork Makes the Dreamwork Award in Child Health Clinic, Staff and faculty of Child Health Clinic (2018)
  • Harmon Memorial Award for Outstanding Service in Mental Health, Colorado Psychological Association (2015)
  • Outstanding Service Award, Children’s Hospital Colorado Medical Staff (2015)

Research Interests

Prior to COVID and now, I have been actively involved in the Black Health Initiative and participated in a nationwide collaborative with Accelerating Child Health Transformation. With grant funds we have been exploring Diversity and Equity issues for families in our clinic medical home. In my previous role as medical director in the primary care clinic for 15 years and currently in my new hospital leadership position, I have been involved many teaching initiatives for our large teaching clinic and projects that have resulted in publications. I have co-led the fully integrated mental health and behavior program for over 12 years. In terms of quality improvement research with screening for asthma, well child care adherence, pregnancy-related depression, developmental delay, psychosocial/social determinants of health as well Second-Hand Smoke (SHS). I am also the director of the Breastfeeding Curriculum for our Pediatric residents and a breastfeeding elective for medical students. I have published on breastfeeding support in LatinX and developed and completed a randomized trial of a bilingual (Spanish) texting and breastfeeding support app Mother's Milk Messaging. (BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2022). I am the lead editor of the Current Diagnosis and Therapeutics in Pediatrics 27th Edition textbook. I have received excellent feedback on my book, Breastfeeding Telephone Triage and Advice published by the American Academy of Pediatrics (4th edition) as a helpful resource for physician practices and anyone providing advice for breastfeeding. I am proud of the research side of my clinical and administrative leadership work here and will be starting a Language Power Quality Improvement project as part of my funding from Bonnie W. Camp Distinguished Professorship.

Teaching

  • Professor (2017)
    School of Medicine, Pediatrics

Publications

  • Kenny J, Kelsay K, Bunik M, Xiong S, Millar A, Talmi A. Addressing Adolescent Suicidality in Pediatric Primary Care. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2023 Oct-Nov 01;44(8):e527-e535. PubMed PMID: 37796627
  • Bunik M. Breastfeeding Success or Failure: It Is Time to Align Public Health Recommendations with Strong Clinical Support Systems. Breastfeed Med. 2023 Jun;18(6):409. PubMed PMID: 37335329
  • Bunik M, Jimenez-Zambrano A, Solano M, Beaty BL, Juarez-Colunga E, Zhang X, Moore SL, Bull S, Leiferman JA. Mother's Milk Messaging™: trial evaluation of app and texting for breastfeeding support. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2022 Aug 24;22(1):660. PubMed PMID: 36002798
  • Meek JY, Noble L; Section on Breastfeeding. Policy Statement: Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk. Pediatrics. 2022 Jul 1;150(1):e2022057988. doi: 10.1542/peds.2022-057988. PMID: 35921640.
  • Bunik M, Shek L, Valenzuela M, Munson AL, Federspiel D, Helmkamp L, Haemer M, Dickinson LM. Bikes for Life: Measuring the effects of a bicycle distribution program on 6 to 12-year-old children's BMI and health behaviors. Obes Res Clin Pract. 2021 Sep-Oct;15(5):491-498. PubMed PMID: 34521597
  • Townsel C, Metz TD, Bunik M. The Term Newborn: Prenatal Substance Exposure. Clin Perinatol. 2021 Aug;48(3):631-646. PubMed PMID: 34353584
  • Kenny J, Costello L, Kelsay K, Bunik M, Xiong S, Chiaravalloti L, Millar A, Talmi A. All Hands on Deck: Addressing Adolescent Depression in Pediatric Primary Care. J Pediatr Psychol. 2021 Aug 19;46(8):903-911. PubMed PMID: 34010421
  • Wymore EM, Palmer C, Wang GS, Metz TD, Bourne DWA, Sempio C, Bunik M. Persistence of ?-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol in Human Breast Milk. JAMA Pediatr. 2021 Jun 1;175(6):632-634. PubMed PMID: 33683306
  • Sempio C, Wymore E, Palmer C, Bunik M, Henthorn TK, Christians U, Klawitter J. Detection of Cannabinoids by LC-MS-MS and ELISA in Breast Milk. J Anal Toxicol. 2021 Aug 14;45(7):686-692. PubMed PMID: 33002141
  • Costello LH, Suh C, Burnett B, Kelsay K, Bunik M, Talmi A. Addressing Adolescent Depression in Primary Care: Building Capacity Through Psychologist and Pediatrician Partnership. J Clin Psychol Med Settings. 2021 Mar;28(1):53-66. PubMed PMID: 31749100
  • Bunik M, Galloway K, Maughlin M, Hyman D. "First Five" Quality Improvement Program Increases Adherence and Continuity with Well-child Care. Pediatr Qual Saf. 2021 Dec 15;6(6):e484. doi: 10.1097/pq9.0000000000000484. PMID: 34934873; PMCID: PMC8677984.
  • Sempio C, Wymore E, Palmer C, Bunik M, Henthorn TK, Christians U, Klawitter J. Detection of Cannabinoids by LC-MS-MS and ELISA in Breast Milk. J Anal Toxicol. 2020 Oct 2. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 33002141
  • Cree-Green M, Cree J, Urban K, Bunik M, Sass AE, Rosenberg A. A Structured Neonatal Parenting Elective: An Approach for Parenting Leave During Residency. Acad Pediatr. 2020 Jul;20(5):595-599. PubMed PMID: 32045680
  • Kelsay K, Bunik M, Buchholz M, Burnett B, Talmi A. Incorporating Trainees' Development into a Multidisciplinary Training Model for Integrated Behavioral Health Within a Pediatric Continuity Clinic. Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2017 Oct;26(4):703-715. PubMed PMID: 28916009
  • Bunik M. The Pediatrician's Role in Encouraging Exclusive Breastfeeding. Pediatr Rev. 2017 Aug;38(8):353-368. PubMed PMID: 28765198
  • McConnell KA, Krisher LK, Lenssen M, Bunik M, Bunge Montes S, Domek GJ. Telehealth to Expand Community Health Nurse Education in Rural Guatemala: A Pilot Feasibility and Acceptability Evaluation. Front Public Health. 2017;5:60. PubMed PMID: 28405582
  • Jansson LM, Bunik M, Bogen DL. Lactation and the Marijuana-Using Mother. Breastfeed Med. 2015 Jul-Aug;10(6):342-3. PubMed PMID: 26121013
  • Talmi A, Bunik M, Asherin R, Rannie M, Watlington T, Beaty B, Berman S. Improving developmental screening documentation and referral completion. Pediatrics. 2014 Oct;134(4):e1181-8. PubMed PMID: 25180272
  • Bunik M, Dunn DM, Watkins L, Talmi A. Trifecta approach to breastfeeding: clinical care in the integrated mental health model. J Hum Lact. 2014 May;30(2):143-7. PubMed PMID: 24595703
  • Bunik M. Mastoiditis. Pediatr Rev. 2014 Feb;35(2):94-5; discussion 94-5. PubMed PMID: 24488833
  • Neville MC, Anderson SM, McManaman JL, Badger TM, Bunik M, Contractor N, Crume T, Dabelea D, Donovan SM, Forman N, Frank DN, Friedman JE, German JB, Goldman A, Hadsell D, Hambidge M, Hinde K, Horseman ND, Hovey RC, Janoff E, Krebs NF, Lebrilla CB, Lemay DG, MacLean PS, Meier P, Morrow AL, Neu J, Nommsen-Rivers LA, Raiten DJ, Rijnkels M, Seewaldt V, Shur BD, VanHouten J, Williamson P. Lactation and neonatal nutrition: defining and refining the critical questions. J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia. 2012 Jun;17(2):167-88. PubMed PMID: 22752723
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Professional Memberships

  • AAP, Fellow
  • APA, Member
  • ISRHML, Member
  • ABM, Fellow

Practice Locations

Children's Hospital Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
13123 East 16th Ave
Aurora, CO 80045
720-777-1234

Children's Hospital Colorado South Campus
1811 Plaza Drive
Highlands Ranch, CO 80129
720-478-1234

Children's Colorado Health Pavilion
860 N Potomac Cir
Aurora, CO 80111
720-777-1234

Hospital Affiliation
  • Children's Hospital Colorado
Center Affiliations

Specialty Information

Specialties
  • Pediatrics, Board Certification (2003)
  • Fellow Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, Specialized Training (2007)
Conditions & Treatments
  • Primary Care
  • Women's Health - Breast Feeding
  • Women's Health
Clinical Interests
Breastfeeding, Primary Care, Health Disparities, Integrated Mental Health

Care Philosophy
I have a practical style and shared team approach to taking care of children and their families.

Personal Interests
I enjoy spending time with my family--3 wonderful adult children, walking my dogs, reading, barre/Peloton, gardening, travel and SCUBA diving/skiing when I can.

Volunteer Activities
Chair of the AAP Section on Breastfeeding, Paid Parental Leave Policy, Ankyloglossia and Advocacy for accommodation for workplace support for nursing mothers.

Public Speaking
Yes
Breastfeeding support, general pediatric topics, quality improvement in primary care

General Information

Medical Schools:
  • MD, University of Minnesota Medical School (1988)
Graduate Schools:
  • MSPH, University of Colorado Denver (2006)
Undergraduate Schools:
  • BA, Carleton College (MN) (1984)
Internships:
  • University of Colorado (Children's Hospital Colorado) Program (1989)
Residency Programs:
  • University of Colorado (Children's Hospital Colorado) Program, Chief Resident, Pediatrics (1992)
Fellowships:
  • University of Colorado, Primary Care Research Fellowship (2003)
Download CV
Languages: English
Department: Pediatrics-General Pediatrics
SOM Resources
CU Resources
Contact Us
CU Anschutz
Fitzsimons Building
13001 East 17th Place
Campus Box C290
Aurora, CO 80045

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