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Specialties

Pediatric Endocrinology

Children with endocrine disorders receive expert care at St. Luke’s Children’s. Our team includes a pediatric diabetologist and other experts specializing in conditions affecting growth, puberty, thyroid and adrenal function, bone metabolism, and glucose utilization; side effects of cancer therapies; polycystic ovary syndrome; obesity due to endocrine or genetic (syndromic) cause; and type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus.

Providers

  • Eileen A. Baez-Irizarry, MD

    Pediatric Endocrinology

    Biography

    Eileen Baez-Irizarry, MD is a pediatric endocrinologist with a wide array of interests including management of type I and type 2 diabetes mellitus, adrenal gland disorders, and hypopituitarism. She is particularly passionate about caring for children with genetic conditions such as Turner, Williams, and Noonan's syndromes. Dr. Baez is a member of the Pediatric Endocrine Society and is active in multiple research studies regarding the natural progression of type 1 diabetes mellitus, insulin analogs, and growth hormone therapy.

    Dr. Baez also supports patients through the St. Luke’s Essence Clinic, which brings together experts in pediatric urology, pediatric endocrinology, genetics, and psychology to care for infants, children, and adolescents with disorders of sexual differentiation. The clinic also provides care for transgender youth, providing gender-affirming treatment and mental health services for patients and their families. 

    Dr. Baez is originally from Puerto Rico, and completed her bachelor's degree in biology at the University of Puerto Rico before traveling to complete her medical education. She earned her medical degree at Autonomous University of Guadalajara in a joint program with New York Medical College, graduating in the top five of her class. She later completed a pediatric residency at the Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo where she received the Daigler Chief Resident’s Award, given to the senior resident who best exemplifies a commitment to life-long learning and caring for children and adolescents in pediatrics. 

    Next, Dr. Baez completed a fellowship in pediatric endocrinology at the Children's Hospital in New Orleans where she conducted focused studies on advanced glycation end products and how they may be used to identify individuals with type I diabetes mellitus who are at higher risk for complications with focus on cardiac, renal, and fatty liver disease. During this time, she was awarded the Pediatric Fellow Teaching Excellence Award in recognition of her outstanding teaching and mentoring skills. To this day, she enjoys hosting medical residents in clinic on a regular basis. “It is our responsibility as seasoned physicians to provide ongoing education for the newer generations. It is essential to translate basic clinical skills and encourage a heightened responsibility for medical decision making.” 

    Dr. Baez practiced in South Carolina for many years before moving to Idaho. While there, she served as medical director for the largest diabetes mellitus camp in the state for three consecutive years. She also hosted diabetes management education sessions for the community with the goal of empowerment. She is passionate about educating and empowering her patients to succeed when managing a chronic health condition.

    Availability

    Accepting new patients
     

  • Daniel P. Flynn, MD

    Pediatric Endocrinology

    Biography

    Daniel P. Flynn, MD specializes in diabetes and endocrine disorders in infants, children and teens. He is passionate about empowering patients and families to manage their health. 

    Dr. Flynn manages a wide variety of conditions including type I and II diabetes, thyroid disorders, adrenal disorders, disorders of growth and puberty, insulin resistance, Turner syndrome, Noonan Syndrome, hyperinsulinemia, hypoglycemia, lipid disorders, calcium disorders and hypoparathyroidism, and multiple endocrine neoplasia. He also has experience with differences of sexual differentiation, transgender and gender dysphoria, hypopituitarism, diabetes insipidus, hyperandrogenemia, irregular menstrual cycles, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

    Dr. Flynn is a member of the St. Luke’s Research Advisory Council. He serves as lead clinical investigator for St. Luke’s pediatric endocrinology and has served as principal investigator for numerous clinical trials, including multi-center, global clinical trials with industry-leading biotech groups that bring cutting-edge treatment options to St. Luke’s patients. These clinical trials have included treatment work within pediatric type I and II diabetes, as well as growth hormone disorders. Dr. Flynn is also the St. Luke’s principal investigator for NIH-funded diabetes work related to the Trial Net program. 

    Dr. Flynn is a member of the Pediatric Endocrine Society, the Endocrine Society, and the International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes.  


    Dr. Flynn completed fellowship training in pediatric diabetes, endocrinology and metabolism at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. Prior to his medical education, he earned his bachelor's degree at the University of Notre Dame. 

    In his free time, Dr. Flynn enjoys spending time outdoors.

    Availability

    Accepting new patients
     
  • Aimee L. Hastriter, NP

    Aimee L. Hastriter, NP

    Pediatric Endocrinology

    Biography

    Aimee Hastriter, DNP, PNP is certified in both primary and acute care by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board. She specializes in type 1 diabetes, insulin resistance/pre-diabetes, female puberty, short stature, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), hypothyroidism, and vitamin D deficiency. She worked as an RN in St. Luke's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and St. Luke's Children's Endocrinology and Diabetes before transitioning to a nurse practitioner role.

    Aimee earned her bachelor's degrees in biology from Northwest Nazarene University and in nursing from Regis University. She earned her doctorate in nursing practice from Creighton University.

    Availability

    Accepting new patients
     
  • Luna M. Hodges, NP

    Luna M. Hodges, NP

    Pediatric Endocrinology

    Biography

    Luna Hodges, PNP is a pediatric nurse practitioner at St. Luke's Children's Endocrinology and Diabetes and is certified by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board. She specializes in type 1 diabetes, insulin resistance/pre-diabetes, female puberty, short stature, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), hypothyroidism, and vitamin D deficiency. She gained an special interest in children's endocrinology while working at the children's endocrinology clinic as a registered nurse, inspiring her to transition to a nurse practitioner.

    Luna also worked as a registered nurse at St. Luke's Labor and Delivery Unit in Boise, Wood River's Mother Baby Unit and Special Care Nursery, and as a float nurse in the outpatient Children's Specialty Center.

    Luna earned her bachelor's degree in nursing from Boise State University and her doctorate of nursing practice, acute/primary pediatric nurse practitioner, from Creighton University.

    Availability

    Accepting new patients
     

  • Mary E. Ryder, CDCES

    Pediatric Endocrinology

    Biography

    Mary Ryder, CDCES educates children and their families about type 1 and type 2 diabetes. She helps patients learn to manage their diabetes from their initial diagnosis in the hospital through their routine visits to the outpatient clinic. She is also a certified pump specialist for different types of insulin pumps. Helping teenage patients with type 1 diabetes who are struggling with persistent hyperglycemia is her passion.

    Mary also enjoys volunteering as medical staff at Camp Hodia, a camp specifically for kids with diabetes.

    Mary earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Colorado, and became a certified diabetes educator in Denver. In her free time, she enjoys mountain biking and skate-skiing.

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Support the Kids and Families at St. Luke’s Children’s

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