Mauri Carakushansky, MD

Endocrinology

Primary Office

Nemours Children's Hospital, Florida Nemours Children's Hospital, Florida 6535 Nemours Parkway Orlando, FL 32827 Appointment: (407) 650-7715

Other Offices

Get to Know Me

I grew up in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. From an early age, I loved learning new things and displayed an intellectual curiosity about different issues related to health conditions. Also, my father was a pediatrician who gave me the opportunity to follow his work. Having that chance to witness how rewarding it was to help families, captured my interest as well. He was my inspiration.

Why I Treat Children

Children have a pure appreciation for the work we do. I believe if you have a positive impact on the health of a child, you can impact the future of that child as well. Most of the children we care for don’t bring on their conditions – it’s out of their control. I enjoy the challenge of interacting with children and helping them to understand their condition.

What I'm Passionate About

I’m passionate about finding which hormonal abnormality is behind the child’s signs and symptoms. I also embrace the challenge of finding the best therapy to treat each condition.

How I Try to Make A Difference

I’m a big believer in communicating with the patient and family. And, I try to make myself accessible to address their concerns and needs.

Education & Training

Fellowship

  • Pediatric Endocrinology - Johns Hopkins Hospital, 2003

Internship

  • Pediatrics - Jackson Memorial Hospital, 1998
  • Medical Genetics - Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 1997

Residency

  • Pediatrics - Jackson Memorial Hospital, 2000

Medical/Dental School

  • MD - Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, 1995

Board Certifications

  • American Board of Pediatrics/General Pediatrics
  • American Board of Pediatrics/Pediatric Endocrinology

Awards & Recognition

  • 2011 Best Doctors in America
  • 2011 Nemours' Top Doctors in Endocrinology
  • 2010 Nemours' Top Doctors in Endocrinology
  • 2012 Nemours' Top Doctors in Endocrinology
  • 2016 Orlando Magazine Best Doctors 2016

Insurance Accepted

  • Aetna Better Health FL Medicaid and Healthy Kids
  • Aetna HMO/POS/PPO/EPO
  • AmeriHealth Caritas Florida (FKA Prestige Health Choice)
  • AvMed
  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield HMO
  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield Non HMO
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield Florida Blue Select
  • Cigna & Great West HMO/POS Open Access
  • Cigna & Great West PPO/EPO
  • Community Care Plan Medicaid
  • Employers Health Network PPO
  • Evolutions Healthcare
  • First Health Aetna PPO/EPO
  • Florida Medicaid
  • Florida Medicare
  • Health First Health Plans
  • HealthSmart Health Plans PPO
  • HUMANA HEALTHY HORIZONS (FKA HUMANA MEDICAID)
  • Humana HMO/POS
  • Humana PPO/EPO
  • Molina Healthcare Medicaid
  • Multiplan PPO
  • Olympus Managed Healthcare PPO ORL
  • Prime Health Services PPO Specialty Florida
  • Seminole Tribe of Florida
  • Simply Healthcare Healthy Kids
  • Simply Healthcare Medicaid HMO
  • Star Healthcare Network
  • Sunshine SMI/CMS 19 & 21
  • Sunshine State Health Plan Medicaid
  • Three Rivers Provider Network
  • Tricare/Humana Military Health Services
  • United Healthcare Commercial Products
  • United Healthcare Community Plan Medicaid
  • Volusia Health Network PPO/EPO

  • Adrenal Disease
  • Diabetes
  • Pituitary Disease
  • Puberty Disorders
  • Short Stature
  • Thyroid Disease
  • Thyroid Nodules and Cancer

Research Activities

As Chief of the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology at Nemours Children’s Hospital, I focus on research involving two main areas: type 1 diabetes and disorders of growth. In 2012, we were a research site for the following diabetes-related studies:

TrialNet Natural History Study of the Development of Type 1 Diabetes

This study focuses on screening relatives of our established patients with type 1 diabetes for diabetes-related antibodies in the blood.

Immune Function During Various Stages of Type 1 Diabetes

This study is designed to better understand the immunological mechanisms underlying the disease.

Effects of Statins In Children With Type 1 Diabetes

This study has focused on the safety and efficacy of statins in children with diabetes and hyperlipidemia.

Use of Continuous Glucose Sensors in Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes and Inadequate Diabetic Control

This study evaluates how this new technology can improve the daily care of adolescents with type 1 diabetes.

 

In 2012, we were a research site for the following studies related to disorders of growth:

Growth hormone registry studies: Norditropin, Humatrope and Genotropin

We are involved in ongoing data collection/observational studies for several growth hormone registries.The purpose of this study is to obtain additional data on the safety and outcome of growth hormone therapy in patients utilizing different brands of the hormone.

Evaluation of growth hormone therapy in children with idiopathic short stature

Idiopathic short stature (ISS) refers to extreme short stature that does not have a diagnostic explanation after an ordinary growth evaluation. This study is aimed at better evaluation of optimal management of children with ISS receiving growth hormone therapy.

Use Of Aromatase Inhibitors In Adolescent Boys With Idiopathic Short Stature

This study examines the potential role of aromatase inhibitors (with or without growth hormone therapy) in enhancing growth in adolescent boys with significant short stature.

Medical Interests

  • Adrenal disorders
  • Bone health and osteoporosis
  • Calcium deficiency and parathyroids
  • Diabetes insipidus
  • Disorders of growth
  • Disorders of puberty
  • Disorders of sexual differentiation
  • Hypoglycemia
  • Pituitary disorders
  • Thyroid cancer
  • Thyroid disorders
  • Type 1 and type 2 diabetes

  • Gurnurkar, S., Dilillo, E., & Carakushansky, M. (2021). A case of familial male-limited precocious puberty with a novel mutation. JCRPE Journal of Clinical Research in Pediatric Endocrinology, 13(2), 239-244. doi:10.4274/jcrpe.galenos.2020.2020.0067

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  • Pierce, J. S., Gurnurkar, S., Vyas, N., Carakushansky, M., Owens, L., & Patton, S. R. (2021). Feasibility of implementing a pediatric diabetes clinic via telehealth. Diabetes Spectrum, 34(2), 190-197. doi:10.2337/ds20-0060

  • Wysocki, T., James, L., Milkes, A., Taylor, A., Pierce, J., Brinkman, W. B., & Hirschfeld, F. (2018). Electronically Verified Use of Internet-Based, Multimedia Decision Aids by Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes and Their Caregivers. MDM Policy and Practice, 3(1). doi:10.1177/2381468318769857

  • Wysocki, T., Hirschfeld, F., Miller, L., Izenberg, N., Dowshen, S. A., Taylor, A., & Lawson, M. L. (2016). Consideration of Insulin Pumps or Continuous Glucose Monitors by Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes and Their Parents: Stakeholder Engagement in the Design of Web-Based Decision Aids. Diabetes Educator, 42(4), 395-407. doi:10.1177/0145721716647492

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  • Counts, D. R., Silverman, L. A., Rajicic, N., Geffner, M. E., Newfield, R. S., Thornton, P., & Wajnrajch, M. P. (2015). A 4-year, open-label, multicenter, randomized trial of genotropin(R) growth hormone in patients with idiopathic short stature: Analysis of 4-year data comparing efficacy, efficiency, and safety between an individualized, target-driven regimen and standard dosing. Hormone Research in Paediatrics, 84(2), 79-87. doi:10.1159/000381642

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