Meet our new faculty members
The Jane and John Justin Institute for Mind Health would like to welcome the following new physicians and management.
Neurosciences
Alfred Balasa, M.D.
Dr. Balasa is a pediatric neuroimmunologist and neurodevelopment specialist. Originally from abroad, he earned his medical degree from the University of Pécs Medical School in Hungary. He then completed his pediatric residency, along with two subsequent fellowships in child neurology/neurodevelopmental disabilities and neuroimmunology, at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. Dr. Balasa has a special interest in pediatric neuroimmunological disorders. He is also passionate about global health and has contributed to medical initiatives in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) and Malawi. Outside of medicine, Dr. Balasa enjoys spending time with his wife, two dogs and three cats. In his free time, he finds joy in the outdoors, whether hiking through nature or cooking a traditional goulash over a campfire. As a dedicated superhero enthusiast, he enjoys reading comic books, especially those featuring He-Man and the Masters of the Universe.
Danny Peltier, Manager of Jane and John Justin Institute for Mind Health
Danny joined the Justin Institute from Outpatient Psychiatry. He’s worked in various other roles throughout Cook Children’s over the past 11 years, including Child Life, Emergency Department, Neighborhood Health Centers, Urology and Psychiatry. Danny grew up as a patient of Warren Marks, M.D., in Neurology, where he received treatment for cerebral palsy. However, after Danny's children were born, Dr. Marks helped discover that Danny and his children actually have hereditary spastic paraplegia (SPG3A). In his free time, Danny coaches and plays wheelchair basketball and football with his children.
Psychiatry
Raafae Agha, M.D.
Dr. Agha is a board-certified psychiatrist with fellowship training in child and adolescent psychiatry. He completed medical school and general psychiatry residency at Texas Tech University, and went on to complete his child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Dr. Agha has experience working in both community outpatient and partial hospitalization settings. He currently sees patients in the outpatient psychiatry clinic and is excited to be part of the hospital’s continued growth, including the Jane and John Justin Institute for Mind Health.
Psychology
Sarah Nichols
Sarah is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) and family therapist with Cook Children’s Psychology. Sarah has worked in the mental health field since 2017, and she is passionate about delivering high quality care in collaborative, multi-disciplinary settings. Sarah specializes in working with adolescents with mood disorders, anxiety and trauma. Sarah is excited to join Cook Children’s in the mission to improve the well-being of every child in the community. In her free time, Sarah enjoys spending time with her loved ones, reading, art and playing with her dog and two cats.