Dr. Bender believes managing chronic diseases needs to be done through a team approach involving the medical team, patient, and patient’s family. She believes that education regarding the disease process helps families better understand and make decisions related to their children’s health care.

Dr. Bender received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Duke University, where she also competed on the cross country and track teams. She earned her medical degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center and completed her internship in internal medicine and pediatrics at The Ohio State University and Columbus Children’s Hospital. She then completed her internal medicine/pediatrics residency at University of Texas Health Science where she also completed a combined nephrology/pediatric nephrology fellowship. During her fellowship she earned a master’s degree in public health and was involved in several research studies involving pediatric hypertension.

In her free time, Dr. Bender enjoys spending time outside with her husband and children.

Randall Jenkins, MD is board certified in pediatric nephrology and travels regularly to St. Luke's Children's from his practice in Portland.

Karen Redwine, MD, MPH cares for children with a wide range of kidney disorders including hypertension, chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal failure, glomerulonephritis, nephrotic syndrome, hematuria, proteinuria, and congenital renal anomalies (renal agenesis, multi-cystic dysplastic kidney, CAKUT, etc.). She also supports patients needing renal biopsy, dialysis, and pre- and post- renal transplant care. Dr. Redwine offers a medical home for these medically complex patients, collaborating with their broader care team (other specialists, primary care, nutrition, etc.) to ensure comprehensive, coordinated patient care. She has special interest in and extensive experience with pediatric hypertension – both primary hypertension (frequently related to diet, exercise, or obesity) and secondary hypertension (caused by underlying kidney disease, genetic disorders, or another triggering illness).

Dr. Redwine enjoys building relationships with children and their families, often caring for patients over many years. She recognizes the importance of education and empowering her patients to manage a life-long condition to achieve their best quality of life. She is passionate about healthy nutrition and physical activity habits, as well as helping children learn to live their lives, rather than live their disease.  

Dr. Redwine began her career in medical academia as a tenured, associate professor in the pediatrics department at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. During this time, she was dedicated to mentoring and advising her students and conducting pediatric hypertension research. Her research focused on the epidemiology of pediatric hypertension and optimizing the management of children with obesity-related hypertension. Dr. Redwine co-edited a book on pediatric hypertension, wrote multiple peer-reviewed publications and served as principal investigator on many clinical trials. While she found this work fulfilling, she discovered her true passion in direct patient care and left Arkansas to join St. Luke's Children's in 2016.

Dr. Redwine is a member and former chair of the International Pediatric Hypertension Association. She is also a member of the American Society of Pediatric Nephrology, American Society of Nephrology, and the American Society of Hypertension.

In her free time, Dr. Redwine enjoys singing with her church choir, baking, sewing, and spending time with her family (three generations under one roof!).

Joshua Zaritsky, MD is a board certified pediatric nephrologist specializing in a wide range of kidney disorders, from common disorders such as kidney stones and nephrotic syndrome to rare disorders such as cystinosis and X-linked hypophosphatemia. He is passionate about his work and his relationships with patients, often relying on humor to connect with kids and their families. He loves the energy children carry with them and finds supporting their health care and optimism extremely rewarding. He is also highly motivated to help families navigate complex medical conditions; as a parent himself, he knows how stressful it can be when a child is sick and strives to educate and empower families to manage difficult circumstances.

Dr. Zaritsky enjoys outdoor exercise and often rides his bike to work. In his free time, he loves traveling with his family, especially to Sanibel Island in Florida.