Christopher A. Collura

Christopher A. Collura, M.D. is a Neonatologist and Pediatrician at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He is affiliated with the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine's Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, with specialty focus in Critical Care and Pediatric Hematology/Oncology. Dr. Collura holds board certifications in Pediatrics, Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, and Hospice & Palliative Medicine.

His educational background includes:

• Master of Arts in Bioethics, University of Minnesota Center for Bioethics (2018)
• Harvard Interprofessional Palliative Care Fellowship, Harvard Medical School (2014)
• Neonatal & Perinatal Medicine Fellowship, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education (2013)
• Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine Residency, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education (2010)
• Medical Doctor, Saint Louis University School of Medicine (2007)
• BA Summa Cum Laude in Theological Studies, Saint Louis University (2002)

Dr. Collura's research focuses at the intersection of neonatology, palliative care, and medical ethics. His work examines decision-making for periviable infants, ethical considerations in maternal-fetal interventions, and improving palliative care delivery in pediatric settings. He has pioneered approaches to neonatal palliative transport and cross-cultural end-of-life care. His bioethics background informs his research on shared decision-making, particularly in high-stakes neonatal scenarios where medical uncertainty is significant.

His publications demonstrate a strong trend toward integrating palliative care earlier in the treatment trajectory for critically ill children, particularly in hematology/oncology and neonatal intensive care settings. There's a consistent ethical thread across his work, examining how to balance medical interventions with quality of life considerations, especially for infants with life-limiting conditions. His recent research increasingly focuses on teamwork, communication, and systems approaches to improving care for vulnerable patient populations.

Dr. Collura has received numerous awards for his teaching and clinical work:

• DPAM Favorite Faculty Award, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine (2018)
• Top Doctor Minnesota Monthly (2018)
• Teacher of the Year, Department of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine (2016)
• Kathleen Rhodes Award for Excellence in Education by a Fellow (2013)
• James W. DuShane Award for Resident Teacher of the Year (2010)

As an educator, Dr. Collura has served as Associate Fellowship Director for the Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Fellowship and as Course Co-Director for the Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development. He co-chairs the Mayo Clinic Children's Center Pediatric Ethics Advisory Group and chairs the Mayo Midwest Ethics Committee. His leadership extends to national organizations, where he serves on the Executive Committee of the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Hospice and Palliative Medicine. Dr. Collura founded the Perinatal Palliative Care Team at Mayo Clinic and has been instrumental in developing ethics consultation services for critically ill children and their families.

Dr. Collura leads or participates in several key teams and committees, including the NICU Quality & Safety Committee, the Neonatal Medicine Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity Committee, and the Kern Center Opioid Forum. His work bridges clinical care, ethics consultation, and systems improvement to enhance outcomes for neonates and their families facing complex medical decisions.