Dr. Theophil Stokes is the Medical Director of Neonatology at Howard University Hospital in Washington, DC. He is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the George Washington University School of Medicine, and he is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics in General Pediatrics and Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine.

Dr. Stokes retired from the United States Navy in 2022 after a distinguished twenty-year career as an active-duty Medical Corps officer. He was stationed at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda Maryland for the majority of his career, where he served in a variety of leadership positions including Chief of Neonatology, President of the Medical Staff, and a member of the Walter Reed Board of Directors. He also served as Chair of the Healthcare Ethics and Provider Wellness Committees, and as the Associate Program Director for the Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine fellowship training program. In 2017 he was promoted to Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland.

He earned his medical degree from Boston University’s School of Medicine, where he was awarded a US Navy Health Professions Scholarship. He was commissioned as an active-duty Naval officer upon his graduation from medical school and completed his pediatric residency and neonatal-perinatal medicine fellowship at what is now the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. In 2013 Dr. Stokes completed a Pediatric Bioethics Certificate program at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri.

His academic interests are rooted in a belief that advanced communication skills are essential for doctors who work in emotionally charged environments like the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), and his work is aimed at better understanding and improving communication between NICU doctors and families. Dr. Stokes clinical interests include, physician-patient communication, healthcare ethics, provider wellness, and graduate medical education.

Dr. Stokes has earned his board certification in pediatrics and neonatal-perinatal medicine from the American Board of Pediatrics, as well as the following awards: Master Clinician, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center; White House Fellows Program Regional Finalist; Fran C. Rash Teacher of the Year, Naval Medical Center San Diego, US Navy Health Professions Scholarship; Joint Service Commendation Medal; Joint Service Achievement Medal; Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal; Army Commendation Medal.

* Non-financial relationships: No non-financial relationships have been disclosed.