Dr. Tipple Joins Editorial Board of Life Sciences
Trent Tipple, M.D., Neonatology, has been asked to serve as an editorial board member of Life Sciences. As an editorial board member, Dr. Tipple will help maintain and improve journal standards by monitoring the editorial policy of the journal in terms of scope and the level and quality of papers published. Life Sciences is an international journal publishing articles that emphasize the molecular, cellular, and functional basis of therapy.More information.
Dr. Ashraf Invited to Co-Chair Pediatric Endcorine Society Education Committee
Ambika Ashraf, M.D., Pediatric Endocrinology, has been invited to Co-chair the Pediatric Endocrine Society (PES) Education Committee. The PES has over 1,300 members representing the multiple disciplines of Pediatric Endocrinology. The members are dedicated to research and treatment of children with endocrine disorders; reproductive, bone, thyroid, diabetes, obesity, growth, pituitary and adrenal. The Society works to promote the continuing education of its membership. The Education Committee is charged with organization and execution of educational opportunities such as developing patient and provider education materials, boards review courses, clinical updates and the Fellows Retreat for the members of the society.More information.
Teens and Caffeine: What's the Buzz of those Lattes?
Read the story on Your Teen Magazine for Parents.
Drs. Noel and Pernell Accepted into 2017 Health Disparities Research Training Award Certificate Program (HDRTP)
Gillian Noel, M.D., Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, and Brandi Pernell, DNP, PNP-BC, PCNS-BC, Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, have been selected to participate as scholars in the 2017 Health Disparities Research Training Award Certificate Program (HDRTP).The interdisciplinary professional development program is sponsored by Morehouse School of Medicine, Tuskegee University, University of Alabama, Alabama State University, Creighton University, Jackson State University, University of South Alabama, and the UAB Comprehensive Center for Healthy Aging, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Center for Outcomes and Effectiveness Research and Education, and the Minority Health and Health Disparities Research Center. It is funded by grants from NIH.
More information.
HPV Vaccine Significantly Lowers Rate of Second Cancer For Childhood Cancer Survivors
Health care providers play a key role in recommending the human papillomavirus vaccination for survivors of childhood cancer, according to a study from UAB and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.“Survivors of childhood cancer are at increased risk for developing HPV-related second cancers,” said Wendy Landier, Ph.D., co-principal investigator of the National Institutes of Health-funded study and associate professor in the UAB Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology. “The HPV vaccine is effective in preventing infection with the oncogenic HPV types responsible for the large majority of HPV-related cancers in this high-risk population.”The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, highlights the low rate of vaccine initiation among 13- to 26-year-old cancer survivors at 23.8 percent, compared with age-matched peers in the U.S. population, who have a vaccination rate of 40.5 percent.
Over half of the survivors or parents who reported receiving a recommendation for the HPV vaccine from a health care provider had received the vaccine. Among survivors who did not receive a provider recommendation, only one in 20 initiated the vaccine.
Read the story on UAB News.
Children's Plans Full Month of Activities to Raise Awareness of Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorder
Last year more than 190 children in Alabama were diagnosed with cancer and blood diseases. Most were treated at The Alabama Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s of Alabama and UAB Pediatrics.In September, these young warriors and their battles will be spotlighted through a number of special events to commemorate both National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month.
Children’s invites the public to learn more about its clinical and research programs and to be involved in raising awareness and funding.
Read the story on Childrensal.org.
Dr. Borasino To Serve as Section Head and Medical Director of CVICU
Santiago Borasino, M.D., Associate Professor of Pediatrics, assumed the role of Section Head and Medical Director of the CVICU effective August 1, 2017. Dr. Borasino obtained his medical education at the Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia – Alberto Hurtado Medical School, in Lima, Peru and a Master’s degree in Public Health at the Harvard School of Public Health before completing his training in Pediatrics at UAB and Children’s of Alabama. He then went to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for fellowship training in Pediatric Critical Care Medicine. He returned to UAB and Children’s of Alabama, initially as faculty in the PICU and subsequently in the CVICU. He has served as Associate Medical Director of the CVICU since 2015.
Dr. Cohen Elected to ImproveCareNow Board of Directors
Mitch Cohen, M.D., Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, & Nutrition, has been elected to the Board of Directors of ImproveCareNow. The purpose of ImproveCareNow is to transform the health, care and costs for all children and adolescents with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis by building a sustainable collaborative chronic care network, enabling patients, families, clinicians and researchers to work together in a learning health care system to accelerate innovation, discovery and the application of new knowledge.More information.
Sips for CF Wine Tasting Event Raises Awareness Funds for Cystic Fibrosis Treatment and Research
The eighth annual Sips for CF will be held on Thursday, Sept. 7 from 6 to 10 p.m. at The Gallery at The Pizitz Food Hall. The event includes wine tasting, food by tenants of The Pizitz Food Hall and live music. Tickets are $30 in advance at give.childrensal.org/sipsforcf or $35 at the door.Proceeds benefit Laps for Cystic Fibrosis, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of cystic fibrosis and providing financial support in all areas of need for CF treatment, research, care, and improved quality of life.
Read the story on Childrensal.org.
2017 UAB Promotion and Tenure Awards
The Department of Pediatrics congratulates the following faculty on their new academic appointments, which will be effective Oct. 1, 2017. Maaike Everts, Ph.D., promoted to professor in Pediatric Infectious Diseases.
Gregory Friedman, M.D., Pediatric Hematology & Oncology, awarded tenure.
Sridaran Narayanan, M.D., promoted to associate professor in Pediatric Hospital Medicine.
Jayne Ness, M.D., Ph.D., promoted to professor in Child Neurology.
Priya Prabhakaran, M.D., promoted to professor of Pediatric Critical Care.
Tina Simpson, M.D., promoted to professor in Adolescent Medicine.
Michael Stalvey, M.D., promoted to associate professor in Pediatric Endocrinology.
Trent Tipple, M.D., Neonatology, awarded tenure.
Bradley Troxler, M.D., promoted to associate professor in Pediatric Pulmonology.
UAB depends on its faculty to uphold the teaching, research, and service missions of the University and to take a leadership role in the collaborative efforts that help build a community of scholars. Congratulations to these Pediatric faculty members.
Children's Partners with UAB to Create Extended Indoor Walking Trail
The UAB Medicine Trail, part of the revamped campus walking trail system, now extends to Children’s of Alabama. It officially opens with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Aug. 23 in the second-floor Russell Lobby at 9:15 a.m. Patients, families and employees of Children’s of Alabama and UAB are invited to the event.Read more at UAB News.
For printable maps and more information on the UAB Walking Trails, go to uab.edu/walk
ACHIA Selected Health Measures For Alabama's Primary Care Providers to Improve
“Which measures should primary care practices prioritize in the next five years to improve health outcomes for children and youth?”To answer that question, ACHIA’s partners, including UAB and Children's of Alabama, weighed the impact and feasibility of more than 100 health measures during a year-long process guided by the UAB School of Public Health.
From the measures list, three were determined to provide the best opportunities for improvement:
- Asthma
- Adolescent Well Child Visits
- Developmental Screening
Interested in partnering with ACHIA to work with engaged practices on these health topics?
Contact Cason Benton, MD, FAAP cbenton@peds.uab.edu.
Interested in participating in the 2018 Asthma collaborative?
Contact Linda Champion, lchampion@alaap.org.
Learn more at www.achia.org.
Dr. Gowey Receives UAB PCOR K12 Award
The UAB Patient Centered Outcomes Research (PCOR) K12 Program has appointed Marissa Gowey, Ph.D., Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, as a UAB PCOR K12 Scholar. These awards are supported by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institutional Award. Dr. Gowey's award in career development titled, "Addressing healthcare disparities in pediatric obesity treatment: Development of a novel, patient-centered intervention targeting executive function," is funded for two years. More information.
Department of Pediatrics Sponsors 'Just a Call Away 5K and Fun Run'
The 3rd Annual Just A Call Away 5K & Fun Run, a 5K race and fundraiser for the Crisis Center at Uptown Birmingham, will be held Saturday, August 19 at 8 a.m. Runners of all ages and abilities are welcome. A 1 Mile Fun Run will be offered as well. Participants may register here.The Crisis Center’s mission is to serve the unmet needs of people experiencing personal crisis or mental health issues and respond with services that promote coping, emotional health and well-being, and serves the community of Central Alabama. All services of the Crisis Center are 100% free and available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
For more information about this event and the mission of the Crisis Center, visit www.crisiscenterbham.org.
Dr. Quenelle Retirement Celebration
Wednesday, Aug. 23 | 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. | Children's Harbor Building Library - Suite 311*Note change in location.
Join us to bid farewell and honor Deb Quenelle, Ph.D., Pediatric Infectious Diseases, for outstanding service to UAB, Pediatrics, and Children's of Alabama.
More information.
Children and Activities: Listen to Your Children
As school starts for many this week, WBRC Fox 6 turned to Heather Austin, Ph.D., Adolescent Medicine, to help navigate decisions regarding children and their extracurricular activities. Watch the segment on WBRC.com.
Drs. Jester and Noel Accepted into UAB Clinical Investigator Program
Traci Jester, M.D., and Gillian Noel, M.D., Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, have been nominated and selected to participate in the Clinical Investigator Training Program. The program was launched in the spring of this year and the second pilot program will start this fall. This is pragmatic and hands-on clinical investigator training program (CITP) focused on preparing new investigators to plan and implement human subject investigation in a GCP compliant manner.
62-year-old Grandmother Donates Kidney to Save 2-year-old Granddaughter Suffering From Rare Congenital Nephrotic Syndrome
term with no health issues for either her or her baby. The only abnormality — which may have been a clue of the difficulties to come — was that Haley had an abnormally large placenta and measured far ahead of schedule halfway through the pregnancy.A newborn screening suggested Wryn had congenital hypothyroidism, an inadequate thyroid hormone production in newborns. But a few weeks later, Wryn began doing worse despite treatment. She developed widespread swelling of the skin and sepsis, which led to an intensive care admission at just over 2 months of age. Wryn was dehydrated, and it was difficult to draw the blood needed to help accurately diagnose what was wrong.
Daniel Feig, M.D., division director of Pediatric Nephrology at UAB and medical director of Renal Transplantation at Children’s of Alabama, and his nephrology team were able to definitively diagnose a 10-week-old Wryn with congenital nephrotic syndrome of the Finnish type, a rare and severe disease seen in one in 50,000 children worldwide.
Read the story at UAB News.
Pediatrics Welcomes Seven New Faculty Members in July 2017
The UAB Department of Pediatrics welcomed seven new faculty members during the month of July. Please join us in making them feel at home!
Nick CaJacob, M.D., Assistant Professor, Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, earned his medical degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine in Cincinnati, OH. Dr. CaJacob completed his pediatric residency and Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition fellowship in the UAB Department of Pediatrics. In addition, he earned a graduate certificate in healthcare quality and safety from UAB in 2016. His interests include clinical research in eosinophilic esophagitis and quality improvement with a focus on inpatient gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition.
Courtney Campbell, M.D., Instructor, General Pediatrics, earned her medical degree from Louisiana State University Health in Shreveport, LA. Dr. Campbell completed her pediatric residency in the UAB Department of Pediatrics. In addition, she has served as a Chief Resident for our Pediatric Residency program this past year. Her clinical interests include community advocacy, medical education, and care of medically complex children.
Marissa Gowey, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, earned her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL. Dr. Gowey completed her APA accredited predoctoral internship in clinical psychology at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati, OH. In addition, she just recently completed an NIH T32 postdoctoral fellowship in obesity research at UAB in the Nutrition Obesity Research Center. Overall clinical/research focus is on pediatric obesity and family-based healthy lifestyle intervention, including biopsychosocial models of assessment and treatment. Specific research interests include (a) the development and implementation of novel behavioral interventions for pediatric and family-based health promotion to prevent and treat pediatric obesity, (b) understanding the role of executive functioning in the development, maintenance, and treatment of obesity and dysregulated eating behavior, and (c) addressing pediatric healthcare disparities and underserved populations.
Gillian Noel, M.D., MSCS, Assistant Professor, Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, earned her medical degree from the University of Colorado School of Medicine in Aurora, Colorado. Dr. Noel completed her pediatric residency and Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition fellowship at the Children’s Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado School of Medicine. In addition, Dr. Noel earned her Masters of Science in Clinical Science from the University of Colorado Graduate School at the Colorado Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute. She joins us after recently completing a Pediatric Transplant Hepatology/Advanced Hepatology Fellowship at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine. Her clinical/research interests include pediatric liver allograft survival, health disparities and the impact of culturally responsive medical care on chronic disease management.
Robert Richter, M.D., Assistant Professor, Pediatric Critical Care, earned his medical degree from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine in Columbia, SC. Dr. Richter completed his pediatric residency at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati, OH. Most recently, he completed a Pediatric Hospital Medicine Fellowship and a Pediatric Critical Care Fellowship at the UAB Department of Pediatrics. His clinical/research interests include respiratory support for infants post-cardiac surgery and elucidating mechanisms of and treatment for endotheliopathy in pediatric sepsis.
Amanda Soong, M.D., Assistant Professor, Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, earned her medical degree from UAB School of Medicine. Dr. Soong completed her Pediatric Residency at the UAB Department of Pediatrics. Dr. Soong previously served as an Instructor and Assistant Professor with the UAB Department of Pediatrics for eight years. She currently practices at Acton Road Pediatrics and will return part-time as an Assistant Professor in Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition. Her clinical interests include management of constipation, reflux and failure to thrive.
Tennille Webb, M.D., Assistant Professor, Pediatric Nephrology, earned her medical degree from Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, GA. She completed her pediatric residency at Advocate Christ Medical Center at Hope Children’s Hospital in Oak Lawn, IL. Dr. Webb completed her Pediatric Nephrology Fellowship training at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, PA. In addition, she completed an Acute Care Nephrology Fellowship at the Center for Acute Care Nephrology at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Her research interest is in Acute Kidney Injury in the pediatric population.
Dr. Barber Honored for SPS Service
Judson Barber, M.D., Pediatric Emergency Medicine (PEM) physician and Medical Director of the PEM Sedation Service, was recognized at the 2017 Society for Pediatric Sedation (SPS) Conference in Orlando, Florida, for his six years of service on the board of Directors for the Society. Dr. Barber is also a founding member of the SPS and serves as the chairman of the communications subcommittee. The SPS was founded in 2007 to promote safe, high quality care, innovative research and quality professional education in pediatric sedation.