Staff

Diverse, Accomplished Pediatric Team

At Good Shepherd Health, you'll join a distinguished team of pediatricians who bring diverse training experiences and specialized expertise to serve the children of Umatilla County. Unlike many rural hospitals with limited pediatric coverage, Good Shepherd has assembled a comprehensive team of board-certified pediatricians with training from prestigious institutions across the country. This collaborative group creates an intellectually stimulating environment where you can both contribute your knowledge and continue growing professionally through collegial interaction and knowledge sharing.

• Six established pediatricians with complementary skills and interests
• Training backgrounds from renowned institutions including Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, St. Louis Children's Hospital, and Miami Children's Hospital
• Board certifications and ongoing professional development
• Collaborative approach to complex pediatric cases
• Regular opportunities for case discussion and knowledge sharing

Clinical Leaders with Specialized Expertise

Your future colleagues include physicians with specialized training that enhances the department's comprehensive care capabilities. This blend of subspecialty knowledge creates an environment where you can both develop your own niche interests and access colleague expertise for complex patient needs.

• Dr. Madalina Mindrut: Board certified pediatrician
• Dr. Ekene Ajufo: Board certified pediatrician
• Dr. Anita Hancock: Board certified pediatrician
• Dr. Amjad Mahfoud: Board certified pediatrician with international training background
• Dr. Lina Castillo: Pediatric Gastroenterology & Hepatology fellowship training
• Dr. Daniel Canal: Research fellowship in Neonatology and Neonatal-Perinatal Translational Pharmacology

Structured Call System with Dedicated Inpatient Coverage

Unlike many practices where call responsibilities can become overwhelming, Good Shepherd's pediatric department has established a structured approach to inpatient coverage. Currently, Dr. Daniel Canal and Dr. Lina Castillo rotate inpatient responsibilities on a two-week-on, two-week-off schedule, with your position designed to provide strategic support throughout the month. This thoughtful approach ensures adequate hospital coverage while protecting each physician's work-life balance—a stark contrast to many settings where inpatient responsibilities dominate physicians' lives and lead to burnout.

• Established rotation system for predictable scheduling
• Limited inpatient coverage expectations (4 days monthly for your position)
• Colleagues experienced in managing the hospital-clinic transition
• System designed to prevent physician burnout while maintaining quality care
• Teamwork approach to ensure patients receive consistent care regardless of setting

Multilingual, Culturally Responsive Care Team

The Good Shepherd pediatric team reflects the diverse community it serves, with multilingual capabilities that enhance communication with families from various backgrounds. Dr. Daniel Canal and Dr. Lina Castillo are both fluent in Spanish, allowing for direct communication with Spanish-speaking families without translation barriers. Dr. Amjad Mahfoud brings international training experience from Syria, adding cultural understanding that benefits the practice's approach to care. This diverse team creates an environment where culturally responsive care is embedded in the practice philosophy, enhancing both patient satisfaction and clinical outcomes.

• Multilingual capabilities including Spanish fluency
• Diverse training backgrounds across multiple regions and countries
• Cultural responsiveness that enhances patient relationships
• Commitment to serving all families in the community
• Opportunity to contribute your own unique perspective and background

Psychiatric Support for Comprehensive Care

Recognizing the critical importance of pediatric mental health, the practice includes regular access to Dr. Christopher David, a child psychiatrist who rotates through the clinic several times monthly. This integration of psychiatric services allows for a collaborative approach to behavioral and developmental concerns, with initial consultations occurring in person and follow-up visits available via telehealth. This psychiatric support creates opportunities for addressing ADHD, anxiety, depression, and other behavioral health needs within your primary care practice—expanding your impact while ensuring patients receive comprehensive care.

• Regular access to child psychiatric consultation
• Integrated approach to behavioral health within primary care
• Support for addressing ADHD, anxiety, depression, and developmental concerns
• Combination of in-person and telehealth psychiatric services
• Opportunity to develop special interest in behavioral health if desired

The Collegial Advantage at Good Shepherd

Joining the pediatric team at Good Shepherd means becoming part of a true collegial community rather than simply filling a position. This established group has created a supportive professional environment where collaboration is valued and individual growth is encouraged. Unlike many settings where physicians practice in isolation despite sharing a group name, Good Shepherd's pediatric department functions as a genuine team—sharing knowledge, supporting each other during challenges, and collectively advancing pediatric care in the region. This collaborative spirit creates both professional satisfaction and enhanced patient outcomes that make practicing at Good Shepherd uniquely rewarding.