Upulie Nawaratne, MD

Biography

Upulie Nawaratne, MD, is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Critical Care Medicine at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, where she also serves as the associate program director for the Pediatric Critical Care Fellowship. Board certified in both general pediatrics and pediatric critical care medicine, Dr. Nawaratne brings a robust background in clinical care, medical education, and program development.

Dr. Nawaratne completed her medical degree at St. George’s University, followed by a residency in general pediatrics at Albany Medical Center and a fellowship in pediatric critical care at Harbor-UCLA. She pursued further specialization with advanced training in pediatric cardiac critical care at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. Her clinical roles have included appointments in high-acuity cardiac and pediatric intensive care units, including her current position at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital.

A dedicated educator, Dr. Nawaratne has developed and led simulation-based curricula and resuscitation skill programs, coordinated cardiac education for critical care fellows, and actively mentors numerous trainees. Her academic efforts are recognized with awards including the Dean’s Teaching Excellence Award in 2024. She has contributed to institutional protocols and quality improvement initiatives, including the development of anticoagulation protocols and cardiac arrest prevention bundle.

Dr. Nawaratne’ s research and scholarly work spans neonatal sepsis in the context of COVID-19, anticoagulation, early mobility and ICU liberation and immunoconjugates in bladder cancer. She has presented nationally at the Society of Critical Care Medicine and continues to contribute to the advancement of pediatric critical care through clinical innovation and academic leadership.