This Week in Pictures-August 17
Residents after their weekly Wellness Workout at Resolute Running Training Center. These workouts are part of the residency wellness program.
Photo credit: Spandana Induru
Veronica Givhan, Morissa Ladinsky, Sandy Thurmond, Stefanie McKerley and Lori Moler at the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama (RMCHA) Gala on August 10
Dr. Lauren Nassetta and audience power posing at grand rounds Thursday, August 16
Photo credit: Rachely Cawley
Dr. Barnes accepted into Clinical Investigator Training Program
Margaux Barnes, Ph.D., Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, was accepted into the Clinical Investigator Training Program at UAB. This program is a first of its kind at UAB, a collaborative effort of UAB’s School of Medicine, Center for Clinical and Translational Science, Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Department of Medicine and supported by funding from the HSF-GEF/CCTS. Fifteen candidates are chosen from across campus. The program is a pragmatic and hands-on program focused on preparing new investigators to plan and implement human subject investigation in a GCP compliant manner.
Dr. Kong chosen as a 2018 Women of Distinction for Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama
Congratulations to Michele Kong, M.D., Pediatric Critical Care, on being chosen as a 2018 Woman of Distinction for the Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama. The Girl Scouts have been honoring Women of Distinction in Alabama since 1993. The Women of Distinction Award honors women who have made special contributions to their communities through civic, academic, or professional efforts and who are exemplary role models for today’s girls. Dr. Kong will be honored at the One Smart Cookie Celebration on August 30.
Dr. McGuinn named Division Director for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics
Laura McGuinn, M.D., has accepted our offer to be the Division Director for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics (DDBP) beginning January 1, 2019. Dr. McGuinn is currently the fellowship program director at the University of Oklahoma and is nationally recognized for her leadership positions in the American Academy of Pediatrics relating to developmental and behavioral pediatrics. Dr. McGuinn completed medical school and residency at University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas and a fellowship in developmental and behavioral pediatrics at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. McGuinn will work closely with her division, colleagues in the Sparks Clinics and Children’s Behavioral Health, child psychiatry, Tony Fargason, M.D., director of neurodevelopmental initiatives, and Craig Powell, M.D., incoming chair of Neurobiology and The Civitan International Research Center (CIRC). Dr. McGuinn will be a terrific addition to our growing commitment to diagnosis and treatment of children with autism spectrum disorders, developmental delay, cognitive/intellectual disabilities, and attention deficit disorders/learning concerns. We are thrilled to welcome Dr. McGuinn to Birmingham and are very excited about what this means for the children of Alabama.
Dr. Stoops awarded P&F Grant for Baby NINJA Project
Christine Stoops, D.O., Neonatology, was recently awarded a P&F Grant to continue the Baby NINJA (Nephrotoxic Injury Negated by Just-in-Time Action) project at Children's of Alabama and incorporate other NICUs in the NINJA Collaborative. The award is from the pilot and feasibility program of the O'Brien Center of Excellence in Pediatric Nephrology at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. 2018 UAB Perinatal Conference
The 2018 UAB Perinatal Conference will be held Friday, August 17 at the Bradley Lecture Center. This year’s conference is titled "No Guts Still Glory.” This one-day conference will begin at 7:30 a.m. with registration and breakfast and conclude at 5:00 p.m. Click here for the informational brochure and to register.
July New Faculty Members
The UAB Department of Pediatrics welcomes eleven new faculty members during the month of July. Please join us in making them feel at home!
Matthew Digman, M.D., Assistant Professor in Pediatric Emergency Medicine
Emily Gantz, D.O., Instructor in Pediatric Neurology
Samuel Gentle, M.D., Assistant Professor in Neonatology
Emily Johnston, M.D., Assistant Professor in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
Claire Keith, M.D., Instructor in Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
Michael Lopez, M.D., Assistant Professor in Pediatric Neurology
Adolfo Molina, M.D., Assistant Professor in Pediatric Hospital Medicine
Swetha Pinninti, M.D., Assistant Professor in Pediatric Infectious Disease
Erinn Schmit, M.D., Assistant Professor in Pediatric Hospital Medicine
Carter Wallace, M.D., Instructor in Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
Mark Anthony Zanni, M.D., Instructor in Pediatric Hospital Medicine
Matthew Digman, M.D., Assistant Professor in Pediatric Emergency Medicine, earned his medical degree from University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, Arkansas. Dr. Digman completed his pediatric residency and Pediatric Emergency Medicine fellowship at Arkansas Children’s Hospital and University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, Arkansas. His research/clinical interests include procalcitonin and its role in pediatric sepsis.
Emily Gantz, D.O., Instructor in Pediatric Neurology, earned her medical degree from University of North Texas Health Science Center Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Worth, Texas. Dr. Gantz completed her child neurology residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. She will be joining the Movement Disorders Program led by Dr. Dure.
Samuel Gentle, M.D., Assistant Professor in Neonatology, earned his medical degree from University of Alabama at Birmingham. Dr. Gentle completed his pediatric residency at Mount Sinai in New York, New York and a Neonatology fellowship at UAB. Areas of interest include both local and statewide quality improvement initiatives, education specifically curriculum development, and a research interest in the relationship between nitrate metabolism and co-morbidities of prematurity.
Emily Johnston, M.D., Assistant Professor in Pediatric Hematology Oncology and Institute for Cancer Outcomes and Survivorship, earned her medical degree from Stanford University School of Medicine in Palo Alto, California. Dr. Johnston completed her pediatric residency and Pediatric Hematology/Oncology fellowship as well as her Masters in Health Service Research at Stanford. In addition, she is working on a Master’s in Health Services Research. She will be joining the solid tumor team in oncology and will continue her research on health disparities in end-of-life care for children. In particular, she is interested in how we determine what good end-of-life care is for children with chronic conditions and how we can ensure everyone has access to the end-of-life care they deserve.
Claire Keith, M.D., Instructor in Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nurition, earned her medical degree from University of Alabama at Birmingham. Dr. Keith completed her pediatric residency at UAB. Her research/clinical interests include: inflammatory bowel disease, constipation and quality improvement.
Michael A. Lopez, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor in Pediatric Neurology, earned his medical degree from University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Dr. Lopez completed his child neurology residency at Baylor College of Medicine/Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, Texas and a pediatric neuromuscular fellowship at Stanford University School of Medicine in Palo Alto, California. In addition, he received his Ph.D. in Structural and Computational Biology and Molecular Biophysics from Baylor College of Medicine. His research focus is on childhood-onset neuromuscular disease with particular interest in muscular dystrophies. His prior research involved understanding the role of mechanical signal transduction in skeletal muscle and uncovering its dysregulation in several mouse models of muscular dystrophy. Presently, he is working with Drs. Matt Alexander and Peter King on the role of aberrantly regulated muscle-enriched microRNAs in promoting inflammation in muscular dystrophy. In addition to muscular dystrophies, his clinical interests include congenital myopathies, neuromuscular junction disorders, spinal muscular atrophy, and acquired/inherited polyneuropathies.
Adolfo Molina, M.D., Assistant Professor in Pediatric Hospital Medicine, earned his medical degree from University of Florida College of Medicine in Gainesville, Florida. Dr. Molina completed his pediatric residency and Pediatric Hospital Medicine fellowship at UAB. He served as Chief Resident for the UAB Pediatric Residency Program between his residency and fellowship. His research/clinical interests include: pediatric asthma readmissions and health disparities as well as the care of children who are internationally adopted or in foster care.
Swetha Pinninti, M.D., Assistant Professor in Pediatric Infectious Disease, earned her medical degree from Osmania Medical College in Hyderabad, India. Dr. Pinninti completed her pediatric residency at the Children’s Hospital at Saint Peter’s University Hospital in New Brunswick, New Jersey and a Pediatric Infectious Disease fellowship at UAB. Dr. Pinninti previously served as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Pediatric Infectious Disease at UAB and then as an Assistant Professor in the Divisions of Urgent Care and General Pediatrics at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska. Her clinical interests include perinatal infections, vaccine advocacy and pediatric osteoarticular infections. Her research interests include defining the extent of vestibular dysfunction in infants with congenital Cytomegalovirus (cCMV) and determining the association between sexually transmitted infections and Cytomegalovirus in pregnancy.
Erinn Schmit, M.D., Assistant Professor in Pediatric Hospital Medicine, earned her medical degree from University of Alabama at Birmingham. Dr. Schmit completed her pediatric residency and Pediatric Hospital Medicine fellowship at UAB. She served as Chief Resident for the UAB Pediatric Residency Program between her residency and fellowship. Her research/clinical interests include: graduate medical education, specifically faculty evaluation of medical students and procedural competence in pediatric residents, as well as infant safe sleep education.
Mark Anthony Zanni, M.D., Instructor in Pediatric Hospital Medicine, earned his medical degree from University of Louisville in Louisville, Kentucky. Dr. Zanni completed his pediatric residency at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Virginia. Previously he worked as a neonatal hospitalist at Children’s Specialty Group in Norfolk, Virginia.
Residents selected to mentor within School of Medicine Housestaff Learning Community
Congratulations to the Pediatric and Medicine/Pediatric residents selected for the honor of being mentors within the UAB School of Medicine Housestaff Learning Community. This program is an outstanding opportunity for residents who have a passion for working with students to gain experience in medical education. The residents who were selected are listed below.
Pediatrics
Emily Foreman, M.D., PGY-3
Spandana Induru, M.D., PGY-3
Nathan Menaker, M.D., PGY-3
Andrew Watson, M.D., PGY-2
Med-Peds
Emily Bufkin, M.D., PGY-3
Madeline Eckenrode, M.D., PGY-4
David Windler, M.D., PGY-4
Dr. Cron appointed to leadership role with American College of Rheumatology
Congratulations to Randy Cron, M.D., Pediatric Rheumatology, on being selected to chair the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Rheumatology Research Foundation (RRF) Pediatric Rheumatology Visiting Professorship Selection Committee. The commitee matches up selected pediatric rheumatologists with pediatric programs across the United States that do not have a pediatric rheumatology prescence for a three to four day educational visit. Dr. Cron will serve a three year term.
Dr. Kabani wins 2017-2018 Spring CHIF/Fellow Core Conference Attendance Award
Please join us in congratulating Nazia Kabani, M.D., Combined Peds ID and Neonatology Fellow, on receiving the 2017-2018 Spring CHIF/Fellow Core Conference Attendance Award. This allows her to attend a scientific meeting of her choice, within the continental United States.
Our next award will be presented at the end of December 2018 for the fellow with the highest attendance at Fellows’ Research Roundtable and Fellow Core Conferences from July – December 2018.
Thank you to all of the fellows who have been dedicated to attending these conferences!!
Introducing Fellows' Round Table
More great news for fellows! The Child Health Investigative Forum (CHIF) will be replaced by the Fellows’ Round Table. The Fellows’ Round Table will be an interactive session for pediatric fellows from all divisions to present their scholarly work (either planned, ongoing, or completed) and receive feedback from other fellows and faculty, in order to improve research proposals, develop presentation skills, and promote cross-divisional interactions and collaborations.
The Round Table will be held in the Bradley Center from 12-1 p.m. two Fridays per month (usually the first and third Fridays). All fellows are expected to attend the Round Table, unless they are post-call or in alternate essential clinical or academic activities, if permitted by their Fellowship Program Director. Round Table sessions will be structured to include two brief fellow platform presentations, each followed by group discussions focused on strengths, areas needing improvement and future directions/opportunities for collaboration.
As with CHIF, one fellow will be selected annually for the Fellow Core Conference Attendance Award. This allows the fellow to attend a scientific meeting of their choice, within the continental United States. The Department will reimburse expenses for registration, airfare, food and lodging up to a maximum of $1500.
Please join us for the UAB Pediatric Residency Reunion!
The UAB Pediatric Residency Program is hosting a reunion for residency alumni and friends of the program. The reunion will be on Saturday, August 25 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Bradley Lecture Center. Click here to RSVP for the reunion!
Children's and Kaul Pediatric Research Institute announce 2018-2019 grant application
Children’s of Alabama and the Kaul Pediatric Research Institute (KPRI) have released the announcement and guidelines for the 2019 KPRI grant application process. This year there are two grant categories that will be funded: Established Investigator Awards and New Investigator Awards. A new round of Quality/Safety/Educational Awards will be announced at a later date. The major goal of the New and Established Investigator grant program is to allow investigators to obtain data that will advantage applications for additional extramural funding. This will bring new knowledge to the care of children, leverage the investment of the KPRI and allow projects to be competitive for the very best science on the national stage. Awards are open to all faculty in pediatric disciplines and all employees at Children’s of Alabama.
Established Investigator Awards: Up to two awards will be funded, one named in honor of Dr. Sergio Stagno and one named in memory of Dr. Rud Polhill, each at an amount of $50,000 per year for a maximum of two years.
New Investigator Awards: Up to five awards will be funded, each at an amount of $35,000 per year for a maximum of two years.
To ensure accuracy, completeness, and proper processing through UAB OSP – all KPRI applications from Department of Pediatrics faculty (ONLY) should be submitted to Carla Parrish for internal review on or before Wednesday, September 9. Investigators must submit final applications by email to Mary Aiken by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, September 28.
The PRO is available to assist all investigators with application development. Please do not hesitate to contact Cheryl Perry, Melissa McBrayer or David Ingram with questions.
Application guidelines and forms, along with an FAQ section, can be found on the Pediatric Research Office (PRO) website or download FAQ here.
DOP representatives participate in Health Careers Exploration Experience in Alabama Black Belt
On June 24, a team from UAB Department of Pediatrics and the School of Medicine traveled to Livingston, Alabama for a third year as Workshop Presenters with rising high school juniors in the West Alabama Rural Health Initiative's health career exploration experience. Attendees hail from Choctaw, Marengo and Sumter Counties in the Alabama Black Belt where infant mortality and life expectancy are among the worst in the nation. They will be first in their families to attend college and from our trainees, received living proof and true encouragement they can change the outcome as adults. Faculty, residents and students then visited the Rush Rural Medical Group's Livingston Clinic where providers Todd Vaughan, M.D. and Sharon Henson, FNP discussed the eye opening unpredictable challenges of primary care delivery in a harshly underserved area along with the immense rewards.
Attendees included: Morissa Ladinsky, M.D., Academic General Peditrics, Tina Simpson, M.D., Adolescent Medicine, Jaime McKinney, M.D., Academic General Pediatrics, Derrill Wilson, Patient Relations, David Windler, M.D., MedPeds PGY-4 Resident, Leen Matalka, M.D., Pediatric PGY-3 Resident, Catherine Gooch, M.D., PedsGenetics PGY-3 Resident, and students from the UAB Schools of Medicine and Public Health.
Dr. Keith win 2018 Quality Improvement Award
Congratulations to Claire Keith, M.D., Pediatric PGY-3, on winning the 2018 Quality Improvement Project Award for her project titled Use of Quality Improvement Process to increase influenza Vaccination in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients. Her mentor on this project was Traci Jester, M.D., Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition.
Pictured L to R: Drs. Susan Walley, Claire Keith and Traci Jester
2018-2019 Founders' Fund Grants Announced
Congratulations to the recipients of the 2018-2019 Founder's Fund Grants!
The Founders' Fund was established by the UAB Department of Pediatrics to honor the exceptional lifetime achievements of the founders Drs. John W. "Bill" Benton, Ralph E. Tiller and Paul A. Palmisano. For more than a decade, the Founders' Fund has been used to encourage and support educational endeavors in the Pediatric Residency Program through educational grants. These educational grants support new, innovative educational research or programs related to the curriculum or quality and outcomes research of the residency program.
11 Founders' Fund Awards were given this year:
Principal Investigator and Project Titles
Emily Bufkin, M.D.- Creating a Medical Home for Children with Medical Complexity within Primary Care Clinic.
Eunice Dixon, M.D.- Infant Safe Sleep QI: Exit Counseling to Reduce Unsafe Sleep Habits.
Austin Doss, M.D.- Procedural Competence in Pediatric Residents.
Eric Jorge, M.D.- Improving Firearm Safety Counseling in Primary Care Clinic.
Will Sasser, M.D.- Introduction of an Ultrasound Fundamentals Training Session to the Pediatric Intensive Care Education Curriculum Supplemented with a Vascular Access
Training Model.
Kristyn Jeffries, M.D.- All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Injury Prevention through Education in Schools.
Sai Surapa-Raju, M.D.- Teaching residents Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) cardiac arrest guidelines using Rapid Cycle Deliberate Practice (RCDP).
Rashmi Patil, M.D.- Baby Shower for Young Mothers Program.
Kristyn Jeffries, M.D.- Pediatric Research Academic Program (Pediatric RAP).
Candice Dye, M.D.- Use of Mental Health Simulation to Improve Pediatric Primary Care, Resident Reflection on Suicide Prevention, and Development of Support Groups.
Michele Nichols, M.D.- Spanish Class for Residents.
Drs. Britt and Carlo appointed Distinguished Professors in the School of Medicine
Congratulations to William Britt, M.D., Pediatric Infectious Disease, and Waldemar Carlo, M.D., Neonatology! Both were appointed as Distinguished Professors in the School of Medicine in recognition of their outstanding academic accomplishments and peer recognition.
Dr. Ashworth appointed as Professor Emerita in the School of Medicine
Congratulations to Carolyn Ashworth, M.D., Academic General Pediatrics, on being appointed as Professor Emerita in the School of Medicine! She was appointed to this role in recognition of her outstanding service and years of dedication to the Department of Pediatrics.
Eight Children's of Alabama Specialties Recognized Among Nation's Best By U.S. News & World Report
For the ninth consecutive year, Children’s of Alabama is ranked among the nation’s best children’s hospitals by U.S. News & World Report. Eight of Children’s pediatric specialty services – Cancer, Cardiology/Heart Surgery, Diabetes and Endocrinology, Gastroenterology/GI Surgery, Neonatology, Nephrology, Neurology/Neurosurgery and Pulmonology – were placed among the top 50 in the United States in the magazine’s 2018-19 Best Children’s Hospital rankings. Currently, U.S. News & World Report ranks 10 specialties. The complete listing and corresponding rankings may be found at https://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/pediatric-rankings.
Read the story at Childrensal.org
Dr. Windler awarded Primary Care Extra Mile Award
The Primary Care Extra Mile Award winner for this quarter is David Windler, M.D., PGY-3 Med/Peds Resident. The following was Dr. Windler's nomination from colleagues in Primary Care Clinic:
"A severely autistic child came in for her depo and Tdap shots. She was very agitated on this particular day, and staff had a hard time even getting her into the room. When it came time for her shots, Dr. Windler immediately volunteered. He stayed in the room until family and staff were able to come up with a safe plan for administering her shots. The mom was distressed, and he was calm and reassuring with both the family and staff. Thank you for your positive attitude and teamwork, Dr. Windler!"