Dr. Hevil Shah discovered his passion for caring for the smallest and most fragile patients during medical school. As the only trainee on a neonatal intensive care rotation, he experienced firsthand the unique challenges and rewards of guiding newborns and their families through the earliest and most delicate stages of life. That experience confirmed that neonatology was his calling - a field where compassion, precision and teamwork come together to make a lifelong impact.

Dr. Shah earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia, followed by pediatric residency and chief residency at Arkansas Children's Hospital. He then completed his fellowship in neonatal-perinatal medicine at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, where he developed a deep appreciation for the multidisciplinary nature of neonatal care. A perpetual student, he also holds a Master of Public Health from Dartmouth College and a Master's Degree in Bioethics from The Ohio State University, blending his clinical experience with a strong foundation in ethics and population health.

Dr. Shah joined the Cook Children's NICU team in 2019. Since then, he has helped shape programs that elevate the care of premature and critically ill newborns. He was instrumental in developing Cook Children's small baby unit in 2024, a dedicated space for our extremely premature infants. He's also helping spearhead a revamped multidisciplinary bronchopulmonary dysplasia program, strengthening collaboration among physicians, nurses, therapists and families to improve outcomes for infants with chronic lung disease.

Beyond his clinical work, Dr. Shah has been deeply involved in quality and research initiatives. He helped create and launch the Home NG Program, reducing hospital stays and empowering parents to care for their infants safely at home. He's actively engaged with national collaboratives, including the Vermont Oxford Network (VON) and the Children's Hospitals Neonatal Consortium (CHNC), where he co-leads the Extremely Premature Infants and Newborns with Perinatal Substance Exposure focus groups.

For Dr. Shah, the most rewarding part of his work is the opportunity to walk beside families during some of their hardest days and helping them find hope, strength and confidence as they welcome their new baby into the world under unexpected circumstances.

Outside of the hospital, Dr. Shah and his wife, Dr. Ashita Gehlot, share a love for medicine and a passion for travel and exploring local cuisines. They're also active in their community, participating in outreach and advocacy efforts that support maternal and infant health.