Dr. Wallace Appointed to AAP Committee on Adolescence
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recently appointed Stephenie B. Wallace, M.D., FAAP, Pediatric Adolescent Medicine, to the AAP Committee on Adolescence. As an appointed member of an AAP National Committee, Dr. Wallace will serve a 6-year term effective July 1, 2016. Congratulations to Dr. Wallace!
UAB Developing Training Program on Ebola for First Responders in Deep South
Investigators at UAB recently received a grant to provide safety and health training to health care and public safety workers through the UAB Deep South Biosafety and Infectious Disease Response Training Consortium. Co-program directors, Lisa McCormick, Dr.P.H., associate professor at the UAB School of Public Health, and Marjorie Lee White, M.D., associate professor at the UAB Department of Pediatrics, will develop and implement a training program to equip workers with the skills and knowledge needed to protect themselves and their communities from potential exposure to contaminated materials or infected individuals they may encounter.
Read more at UAB News.
View segment on ABC 3340.
Read more at UAB News.
View segment on ABC 3340.
Dr. Stagno's Grand Rounds Presentation Receives Media Attention
Sergio Stagno, M.D., former chair of the Department of Pediatrics, presented at ground rounds on Thursday, May 26. Several media outlets covered the topic, "Zika Virus (ZIKV): An Emerging Infection with Dire Consequences." Click here to view a short interview. For a full interview, click here. WSFA NBC 12, WTVM ABC 9, WBRC Fox 6, CBS 46 Atlanta, WVTM NBC 13 all provided coverage from the presentation.
To watch the grand rounds presentation, click here.
For a breakdown on the history of Zika virus, public health warnings and medical concerns, as well as updates on research and vaccinations, view the UAB Zika Experts website, which features several Department of Pediatrics Faculty.
To watch the grand rounds presentation, click here.
For a breakdown on the history of Zika virus, public health warnings and medical concerns, as well as updates on research and vaccinations, view the UAB Zika Experts website, which features several Department of Pediatrics Faculty.
Thank you Chief Residents!
Drs. Hugh Cheek, Adolfo Molina, and Erinn Schmit have done an incredible job as our 2015-2016 Co-Chief Residents. We appreciate all of your hard work!
Pediatric Interns of the Year
Congratulations to Drs. Rob Sellers & Jamie Powell, the 2016 Joe LaRussa Interns of the Year!
2016 Dean's Excellence Awards Announced - Two Pediatric Faculty Awarded
Two outstanding Department of Pediatrics faculty members were named recipients of the 2016 Dean's Excellence Awards, an honor recognizing exceptional contributions made by the School of Medicine faculty in service, teaching, research, diversity enhancement and mentorship. Lauren Nassetta, M.D., assistant professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Pediatric Hospital Medicine, is a junior faculty winner of the Dean's Excellence Award for Teaching. Richard Whitley, M.D.,distinguished professor of Pediatrics is a dual senior faculty winner of the Dean's Excellence Award in Research.Click here to read more.
A reception to honor the award recipients will be held on Wednesday, June 15 at 4 p.m. inside the Wallace Tumor Institute. All Department of Pediatrics faculty and staff are invited to attend in support and celebration of their colleagues. Congratulations to Drs. Nassetta and Whitley and all other Department of Pediatrics nominees. Click here to view the reception invitation.
A reception to honor the award recipients will be held on Wednesday, June 15 at 4 p.m. inside the Wallace Tumor Institute. All Department of Pediatrics faculty and staff are invited to attend in support and celebration of their colleagues. Congratulations to Drs. Nassetta and Whitley and all other Department of Pediatrics nominees. Click here to view the reception invitation.
Drs. Coghill and Klasner Elected to APTC
Congratulations to Tim Coghill, M.D., Pediatric Neonatology, and Ann Klasner, M.D., Emergency Medicine, who are newly elected representatives to our Pediatric Appointment, Promotion, and Tenure Committee (APTC). They will serve a three year term beginning in with the 2017 promotion cycle. The 2017-2018 APTC Committee members include: Drs. Rich Whitley (APTC Chair), Michele Nichols, Nancy Tofil, Peter Glaeser, Randy Cron, Bill Britt, Tony Fargason, Nat Robin, Shannon Ross, Tina Simpson, Ann Klasner and Tim Coghill.
Dr. Lal Selected to Participate in AAP YPLA
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) selected Charitharth 'Vivek' Lal, M.D., neonatology, to participate in the AAP Young Physicians' Leadership Alliance (YPLA) through the Section on Early Career Physicians (SOECP). This is a three-year training program designed to develop leaders and build a leadership community amongst early career pediatricians and pediatric subspecialists. Congratulations on this exciting opportunity!
Pediatrics Participates in 4th Avenue North Health Fair
On May 21, Peggy Logan, Children's of Alabama PICU Social Worker, coordinated the first annual 4th Avenue North Health Fair with several of the area merchants. Among the UAB Department of Pediatrics physicians participating was Drs. Chrystal Rutledge, Nancy Tofil, Tina Simpson and Susan Walley. The event was a success, with music, food and a great crowd. Participants received education and counseling on asthma, smoking cessation and adolescent health issues. The event was held in the Historic 4th Avenue North District downtown.
Drs. Howard and King Appointed as Professor Emeritus in the School of Medicine and Department of Pediatrics
Congratulations to Drs. Thomas Howard and William King on being appointed as Professor Emeritus in the School of Medicine. The appointment, approved by the Board of Trustees, is made in recognition of their outstanding service and years of dedication to the Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, and Children's of Alabama. Please join us in thanking Drs. Howard and King for their exceptional contribution and congratulating them in this distinguished honor.
2016 Dixon Fellows
The Dixon Foundation endows a fellowship training program in Pediatrics expressly aimed at supporting postdoctoral training and research in approved Pediatric subspecialties to prepare outstanding fellows for a career in academia. Candidates are selected on a competitive basis, and selection is made upon a Review Committee’s analysis of the written application. The selection committee met on Tuesday, May 17, to review applications for the Dixon Fellowship Training Program for the 2016 academic year. Five awards were granted, and the new fellows were announced at Grand Rounds on Thursday, May 19 during the annual Bradford Dean Dixon Lecture. Congratulations to: Jenny K. McDaniel, M.D., Pediatric Hematology & Oncology, Claudette Poole, M.D., Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Eric Ring, M.D., Pediatric Hematology & Oncology, Nathanael D. Swinger, M.D., Pediatric Critical Care and Colm Travers, MB, BCh, BAO, Neonatology.
Chu Family Educational Scholarships
Children's of Alabama and the Department of Pediatrics has been given a generous donation from the Chu Family to support educational initiatives. From this donation, a portion has been set aside for Pediatric Fellows. The selection committee for the Chu Family Educational Scholarship recently met and selected two fellows to receive this educational scholarship. Candidates were selected on a competitive basis. These awards will provide funds for tuition, books and fees related to their educational endeavors.
Please join us in congratulating the recipients for the 2016-2017 academic year:
Kathryn Hines, M.D. – Upcoming 2nd year Pediatric Hospital Medicine fellow
Dr. Hines will use funds towards completing a Medical Education Certificate Program through the University of Cincinnati.
Adolfo Molina, M.D. – Upcoming 1st year Pediatric Hospital Medicine fellow
Dr. Molina will use funds to attend the UAB Quality Academy/UAB Graduate Certificate Program in Healthcare Quality and Patient Safety.
Please join us in congratulating the recipients for the 2016-2017 academic year:
Kathryn Hines, M.D. – Upcoming 2nd year Pediatric Hospital Medicine fellow
Dr. Hines will use funds towards completing a Medical Education Certificate Program through the University of Cincinnati.
Adolfo Molina, M.D. – Upcoming 1st year Pediatric Hospital Medicine fellow
Dr. Molina will use funds to attend the UAB Quality Academy/UAB Graduate Certificate Program in Healthcare Quality and Patient Safety.
Practices Improve Screening and Referrals for Children with Developmental Delays and Autism
While only 25 percent of Alabama’s children are appropriately screened for developmental delay, 11 practices from across the state tripled developmental screening to 96 percent and nearly doubled autism screening to 91 percent over the course of a nine month quality improvement learning collaborative lead by the Alabama Child Health Improvement Alliance (ACHIA). Moreover, these practices reliably referred at-risk children to further evaluations and support such as Early Intervention and Help Me Grow. Practices in the Tuscaloosa area incorporated social-emotional screening to link children in need with behavioral resources piloted by Project LAUNCH. UAB staff involved in the ACHIA collaborative included: Myriam Peralta-Carcelen, M.D., FAAP, collaborative content expert; Justin Schwartz, M.D., FAAP, guest speaker; and Cason Benton, M.D., FAAP was the course director and QI coach. Click here for an overview of the collaborative.
Rural Children at Risk for Worse Health Outcomes, Higher Health Care Costs
Children in rural areas have high rates of medical complexity and often reside in low-income and medically underserved areas, according to researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. A study published in Pediatrics examines the inpatient health care utilization of rural children as compared to nonrural children, specifically the higher cost of hospitalization and increased frequency of readmissions.
Chang Wu, M.D., Pediatric Hospital Medicine, and Marjorie White, M.D., Pediatric Emergency Medicine, were among the investigators who looked at patient admissions in 41 freestanding tertiary-care pediatric hospitals across the United States, where rural children account for 12 percent of all admissions. The most common admissions were for asthma, bronchiolitis and seizures. Children from rural areas are particularly vulnerable, as they often experience worse health outcomes, and higher rates of obesity and tobacco exposure, and 71 percent had at least one chronic medical condition.
Continue reading here...
Fox 6 News interviewed Dr. Wu in regards to this study. Click here to view the segment.
Chang Wu, M.D., Pediatric Hospital Medicine, and Marjorie White, M.D., Pediatric Emergency Medicine, were among the investigators who looked at patient admissions in 41 freestanding tertiary-care pediatric hospitals across the United States, where rural children account for 12 percent of all admissions. The most common admissions were for asthma, bronchiolitis and seizures. Children from rural areas are particularly vulnerable, as they often experience worse health outcomes, and higher rates of obesity and tobacco exposure, and 71 percent had at least one chronic medical condition.
Continue reading here...
Fox 6 News interviewed Dr. Wu in regards to this study. Click here to view the segment.
OFD Presents Faculty Scholars Program Recipients
The Office of Faculty Development is pleased to announce the inaugural class for the Department of Pediatrics (DOP) Faculty Scholars Program. Congratulations to: Heather Austin, Ph.D., General Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine; Krista Casazza, Ph.D., RD, LD, General Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine; JR Hartig, Ph.D., General Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine; Morissa Ladinsky, M.D., General Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine; Claire Lenker, LCSW, CCM, Pediatric Pulmonary; Leslie Rhodes, M.D., Pediatric Cardiac Critical Care; Mary Lauren Scott, M.D., Pediatric Endocrine; Nicole Sims, M.D., Pediatric Critical Care; Cassi Smola, M.D., Pediatric Hospital Medicine and Stephenie Wallace, M.D., MSPH, General Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine.
This one-year program is designed to strengthen our cadre of teaching faculty and support the development, implementation, and evaluation of innovative curricula designed to improve pediatric graduate medical education.
This one-year program is designed to strengthen our cadre of teaching faculty and support the development, implementation, and evaluation of innovative curricula designed to improve pediatric graduate medical education.
Eight DOP Members Participate in the CCTS Panels Done Quickly/Nascent Panel Project
The UAB Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS) recently acknowledged Department of Pediatrics (DOP) members who participated in the CCTS Panels Done Quickly (PDQ)/ Nascent Panel Project (NPP) team this past year.
PDQs and NPPs provide investigators across the UAB Campus and throughout the CCTS Partner Network with expert feedback during a critical window of grant development - within 6 weeks of an application deadline. Reviewingproposals at this stage requires an agile, highly focused response that is only possible with the involvement of accomplished scientists. Those who participated from the DOP include: Drs. Smita Bhatia, Randy Cron, Maaike Everts, Tom Harris, Wendy Landier, Jeffrey Lebensburger, Melissa McBrayer, and Alyssa Reddy
PDQs and NPPs provide investigators across the UAB Campus and throughout the CCTS Partner Network with expert feedback during a critical window of grant development - within 6 weeks of an application deadline. Reviewingproposals at this stage requires an agile, highly focused response that is only possible with the involvement of accomplished scientists. Those who participated from the DOP include: Drs. Smita Bhatia, Randy Cron, Maaike Everts, Tom Harris, Wendy Landier, Jeffrey Lebensburger, Melissa McBrayer, and Alyssa Reddy
Dr. Benton to Serve on AAP MOC Panel
Cason Benton, MD, FAAP, has been selected to serve on the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) Portfolio Review Panel. Under the purview of the AAP Quality Cabinet, review panel members provide ongoing review and critique of part four MOC applications, bi-annual project reports, and final reports for projects submitted through the AAP MOC Portfolio.
Pediatric Science Day Review
So… you say you weren’t able to join us for the first annual Pediatric Science Day. Here is your chance to see the 20 pediatric platform presentations that were showcased. These included presentations by 12 pediatric fellows, six pediatric residents, one post doc in psychology, and one medical student. The link below will take you to individual links for the respective presentations. Thank you again for your interest, and we look forward to seeing you next year!
Click here to view the Pediatric Science Day 2015 Lectures.
Click here to view the Pediatric Science Day 2015 Lectures.
ConscienHealth highlights the work of Drs. Casazza and Allison
Krista Casazza, Ph.D., Associate Professor in General Pediatrics, and David Allison, Ph.D., Professor and Associate Dean of the School of Public Health, were highlighted in ConscienHealth for their writing in a Clinical Obesity publication titled, "Stagnation in the clinical, community and public health domain of obesity: the need for probative research." Click here to read more.
Welcome Civitan - Sparks Clinic!
On May 1, the Civitan - Sparks Clinics will join the Department of Pediatrics! This will now align these clinical and training efforts within the Department of Pediatrics and specifically with the new Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics (DDBP). Dr. Fred Biasini and colleagues will continue to provide interdisciplinary evaluations for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities and serve as a long and short-term training experience for many disciplines such as social work, audiology, psychology, occupational and physical therapy, speech/language pathology, nutrition, nursing, pediatric dentistry, and medicine. The Clinics are an important component of the Alabama University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD), and are the home base of the MCH Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities training program (LEND). Clinics include the Child Development Clinic, Behavioral Assessment Clinic, Psychoeducational Clinic, and Autism Clinic. Located in the UAB Community Health Building at 930 20th Street, the Civitan-Sparks Clinics also includes Sparks Pediatrics, a primary care clinic that serves healthy children as well as children with complex medical and social needs. Dr. Snehal Khatri, a developmental pediatrician, leads this team. All of these professionals are strongly committed to serving children with neurodevelopmental disabilities, and we welcome them to the Department of Pediatrics!