Pediatrics Flyer
The official newsletter of the Department of Pediatrics
|
|
|
University Developmental Assessment Clinics
Happy Birthday to us! We are 5 years old. The University Developmental Assessment Clinics (UDAC) are focused on development, including our own. We’ve learned a great deal in our first 5 years but continue to grow and develop to be the best we can be. Our vision is to be a center of excellence for the evaluation and care of children and youth throughout the Intermountain West with and at an increased likelihood of developmental differences.
Five years ago, the Department of Pediatrics' General Pediatrics Division took on the role of overseeing the developmental clinics from the Utah Department of Health Children with Special Health Care Needs program while continuing to partner with them for care coordination. Our team of providers includes general and developmental pediatricians; psychologists; occupational, speech and language, and physical therapists; nurses; medical assistants; and support staff. We have added providers as the needs and the diversity of our services have expanded.
The pandemic challenged us all but not for long, as UDAC was already doing a portion of our visits over telehealth. We had the processes and staff in place to transition from predominantly in-person to a full telehealth schedule within a week. Currently, we offer both options with most families choosing telehealth.
The Child Development Program evaluates children and youth for all types of developmental concerns. We start with a welcome visit and tailor the evaluations depending on the child’s needs. The question of autism spectrum disorder is the most frequent concern. Through several QI projects, we have streamlined our care process model in order to significantly decrease wait times for families. Beyond evaluation, we have recently expanded to offer a parent medicated intervention known as "RUBI" which helps parents address behavioral challenges in young children.
Our longitudinal follow-up clinics include the long running Neonatal Follow-up Program (NFP) and the Heart Center Neurodevelopment Program (HCNP), which began in 2015. Babies meeting criteria from any of our level III and IV NICUs in Utah are seen in NFP from 3 months of age to 4 years of age. Infants who have heart lesions requiring neonatal cardiac surgery and other cyanotic heart lesions qualify for the HCNP. These children are followed developmentally from birth to 12 years of age. Through generous support, we are able to run these two clinics without any out-of-pocket expense to the families.
We are all about celebrating milestones at UDAC. Help us celebrate our 5th birthday! Referrals can be made through EPIC and iCentra.
|
|
Welcome to the Team!
To see the new faculty and staff who joined us in January, click here.
|
|
David Austin – Transitioned from Clinical Data Manager I to Clinical Data Manager II in Critical Care
Efrain Chu-Jon – Transitioned from Software Design Engineer to Senior Software Engineer for the Medical Home Portal in General Pediatrics
Brianna Conley – Transitioned from Clinical Data Manager II to Clinical Data Manager III in Critical Care
Erin Schumaker – Transitioned from Administrative Assistant for General Pediatrics to Pediatrics Administration (Williams Building Chair's Office Front Desk)
Randi Willi – Transitioned from Administrative Program Coordinator for the CPCCRN team to the DCC General Admin team in Critical Care
|
|
WellU Wellness Program Reminder
The deadline to complete WellU requirements to participate in the WellU Program for the 2021/2022 Plan Year is June 30, 2021. Access the WellU Tracker to view the status of your participation in the WellU Wellness Program. Click here for additional information detailing the WellU Wellness Program.
Annual Compliance Learning Modules
Annual compliance learning modules are available in Bridge and must be completed by March 31, 2021. Faculty and staff can access their required annual compliance learning modules here or by selecting the icon in CIS titled Bridge LMS. Employees should work with their supervisor to schedule a time to complete these assignments during work hours. Contact Emily Hansen at emily.r.hansen@hsc.utah.edu with questions.
COVID Childcare and Family Resources
The university offers several resources to help families with child and pet care, tutoring, housekeeping, and financial assistance during the pandemic. The newest resource is a cooperative childcare app called Komae. Learn how to join the University of Utah Komae group here. View this helpful PowerPoint on the various resources available, or check out the Family and Childcare Resources website on Pulse. |
|
|
|
Palliative Medicine Announces New Fellow
We are excited to announce that Dr. Mark Harousseau, currently serving as chief resident for the University of Utah Pediatrics Residency Program, has matched into the Pediatric track of the Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship for 2021-22.
|
|
Utah Doctors ask People to Double Down after UK Variant Found
Dr. Andy Pavia (chief of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases) talks with Fox 13 News about the transmissibility of new COVID-19 variants. Watch or read the interview here.
|
|
Best is Yet to Come: Intermountain Healthcare Discusses World's Largest Pediatric DNA Mapping Effort
Primary Children's Center for Personalized Medicine, directed by Dr. Josh Bonkowsky (chief of the Division of Pediatric Neurology), is launching the HerediGene: Children's Study, which will involve the voluntary collection of 50,000 DNA samples. Watch or read the press release here.
|
|
Primary Children's Hospital Co-Leading Nation's First Long Term Study on COVID-19 Related Disorder
Dr. Ngan Truong (Division of Pediatric Cardiology) discusses the Long-Term Outcomes after Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MUSIC) study, the nation's first longitudinal study to understand how MIS-C affects children. Watch or read the interview here.
|
|
Compassion and COVID - Reflections for 2021
By the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Thriving in Pediatrics Champions: Emily Thorell, MD, MSCI and Trahern "TW" Jones, MD, MMC
Compassion is a frequently invoked value in healthcare. Many of us have discussed the importance of compassion in medicine and nursing in our professional school applications, letters of reference, and other venues, but rarely do we explore the phenomenon itself as a philosophical concept. Where does compassion come from? Where is its starting point? And how do we practice it, especially when we find ourselves exhausted, overextended, or even challenged by the situation at hand?
There is no singular answer to all of these questions—in all likelihood, the answer is somewhat different for every person, and requires some time for personal reflection to answer for oneself. Most major religions and philosophical systems emphasize the importance of compassion and provide some considerations regarding its practice. Interestingly, many seem to highlight the common idea that the starting point of compassion is empathy: that is, the recognition of another’s perspective, pain, suffering, or joys and satisfaction as comprehensible, and even as one’s own.
In the new and unusual landscape of 2021, where the map of daily life is fraught with political battle lines, our practice of compassion is frequently challenged. As healthcare providers, we are aware of the dangers of COVID-19 and the need for masks, social distancing, and immunization to stop the spread of SARS-CoV-2. However, this knowledge is frequently contradicted by those who misunderstand these measures, refuse or forget to mask, or fear the available vaccines for a variety of reasons. Many of us may even silently blame those who contract the virus…"They didn’t take it seriously," we think quietly to ourselves, or "This person was irresponsible." Sometimes, we may even judge others we see in public based on whether they wear a mask in various situations—or if they wear too much personal protective equipment. As physicians, it is not uncommon for our kids to be the only masked kids on the playground. We suffer that inner angst of wanting to set the perfect public health example but not wanting our kids to be singled out or made fun of.
Snap judgements based on appearances come easily to us. But instead, we can look at these instances as opportunities to practice compassion, particularly by utilizing empathy as the starting point of our practice. We can seek to understand, and perhaps imagine as our own, the fears and worries of those who flagrantly disregard masking—that the world seems surreal and unfamiliar when everyone wears a mask, or that concepts of respiratory droplets and epidemiology, once alien, abstract concepts, are now daily concerns. "What a strange, new world this person must find him- or herself in," we could think, "I can see how frightening this must be for them." Similarly, those who seem overprotective could have their fears understood—perhaps they live with someone whose health is particularly fragile, or they have seen someone pass away or become seriously debilitated by the virus. Perhaps their own health is of particular concern in ways we do not immediately appreciate. "Wouldn’t I be concerned too?" we can think to ourselves. And when it comes to those who contract the virus, we can simply imagine what it is like to be in their situation—perhaps they had no idea where it came from, how it entered their home, or they had no idea how bad it could be. "I would want someone to care for me, regardless of how this happened," we can think. "I would need a caring hand, not a judgment on who I am, or whether I was careful enough."
Such empathetic options in the way we think of others can ease the practice of compassion. This is particularly true when we find ourselves challenged by beliefs that contradict the science of public health and epidemiology. This will only get more confusing as we see herd immunity increasing both by natural disease and vaccination. We will not get to the point of sustained transmission for some time, and our kids will not be vaccinated any time soon. We will need to continue to try to empathize with our community where there are so many competing priorities. People will not understand why these measures may be continued, but we need to do our best to explain the science. We will encourage everyone to continue our public health measures: masking, social distancing, hand hygiene, isolation and quarantine, until public health experts say otherwise, but gentle, compassionate reminders will be necessary. We are all exhausted, but things can get better if we remain vigilant.
|
|
February Recommendations:
Buddhist roshi Joan Halifax works with people at the last stage of life (in hospice and on death row). She shares what she's learned in this Ted Talk about compassion in the face of death and dying, and a deep insight into the nature of empathy.
|
|
|
In this short article, Tania Israel, PhD, professor at the University of California Santa Barbara in the Department of Counseling, Clinical and School Psychology, shares three key tips for having a meaningful exchange with another person.
|
|
Ron Day, MD
Professor
Pediatric Cardiology
-
When did you join the Department of Pediatrics? July 1991
-
What role(s) do you have in the department? I am the director of the Program for Pulmonary Vascular Disease
-
What's your favorite part of your job? Illustrating heart and vessel problems and using illustrations to help patients and families understand their cardiovascular problems and options for care.
-
Do you collect anything? I have collected many of my heart illustrations from my cath reports.
-
What are your hobbies and/or talents? I used to be a good distance runner, but now settle on going for walks when I have time. I fold paper cranes, which some might consider mindfulness and others might consider mindlessness.
-
What's your favorite motto or quote? I have a couple. At a key point in my career, I had a fortune cookie with the following saying: "Assert yourself. Your ideas are worthwhile." And a quote about sakura (cherry blossoms).
-
What’s your favorite band, musical artist, or music genre? I like a lot of artists. Eva Cassidy is one of my favorites.
-
What’s your favorite book or movie? Two favorite movies are "Charade" and "Something the Lord Made" (a movie about the role of Vivian Thomas in the development of the Blalock-Taussig shunt). I also liked the PBS series, Victoria.
-
Who or what inspires you? My wife and my three daughters.
-
What is your favorite way to decompress after work? Watching the PBS NewsHour if I get home in time.
-
If you could snap your fingers and become an expert in one thing, what would it be? The science of magnetic resonance imaging: I am working to advance intracellular methemoglobin as an intravascular contrast agent for magnetic resonance angiography.
-
What is something you learned recently? 3G towers are being torn down so I need to get a new cell phone.
-
If you could share a meal with any three well-known individuals, who would they be? Maybe Jenna Coleman since Audrey Hepburn is no longer alive. Maybe Joan Benoit Samuelson since Roger Banister is no longer alive. Maybe Dieter Uchtdorf since Fred Rogers is no longer alive.
-
What do you consider your superpower? I do not have any superpowers, but I wish I was more kind.
-
What are your guilty pleasures? Chocolate, ice cream and grape juice.
-
What’s something you saw recently that made you smile? The fireworks during the Biden inauguration.
-
What's the most daring thing you've ever done? I hiked the trail to Angel’s Landing with my youngest daughter.
-
What is something that might surprise us about you? I have run a marathon in 2 hours and 25 minutes.
|
|
Dave Meyers
Associate Director of Ambulatory Operations
Pediatric Clinical Enterprise
-
When did you join the Department of Pediatrics? September 2012
-
What role(s) do you have in the department? I help oversee the operations of the central services that we provide to our patients and divisions. I work directly with the managers to ensure our patients', divisions', and employees' needs are met.
-
What's your favorite part of your job? I get to work with people in so many different roles, so I’m always learning. My favorite thing is when I’m able to help change a negative patient experience to a positive one, help fix a problem, or lighten someone’s workload.
-
Do you collect anything? I don’t really collect anything, but I do have a lot of fishing gear for year round fishing. I have a few hundred jigs and lures. My favorite fishing is ice fishing. It’s a bit of an addiction for me.
-
What are your hobbies and/or talents? I love golfing, fishing, fantasy football, and grilling with a smoker.
-
What is your favorite motto or quote? Negativity is like cancer. It spreads like crazy. I heard a speech once that has stuck with me. A military leader who went into healthcare administration was explaining that you can't have a bad day when you're a leader. Your attitude trickles down to everyone. If you’re having a bad day the first thing you must do is change your attitude. If you can’t change your attitude then you need to fake it for the day. If you can't do those things, you should take a personal day because you’re doing more damage than good. If you find that you have to take personal days routinely, it might be time to change positions.
-
What's your favorite band, musical artist, or music genre? I enjoy lots of different genres of music. My frequent favorites are country music and Christmas music. It drives my family crazy, but I listen to Christmas music for about 3 months a year.
-
What’s your favorite book or movie? My favorite movie is Grumpy Old Men. My favorite books are the Harry Potter series.
-
What are you currently reading, watching, or listening to? I’m currently watching a Netflix Series called The Umbrella Academy. I listen to the Good News Podcast, ice fishing podcast (shack talk), and several NFL podcasts.
-
Who or what inspires you? I am inspired by people who are passionate about their jobs or hobbies and share it with others. I believe that we all should strive to be the best at what we do. If you’re not passionate about something, move onto something else.
-
What is your favorite way to decompress after work? I love to watch fishing videos from Shifty Outdoors. I also enjoy playing a video game with my sons or playing a game on my phone.
-
If you could snap your fingers and become an expert in one thing, what would it be? Probably a head coach of an NFL or NHL team.
-
What is something you learned recently? Reverse searing method for steak on my smoker grill. It tastes like it was cooked over an open fire.
-
If you could share a meal with any three well-known individuals, who would they be? Ellen Degeneres, Jimmy Fallon, and Andy Reid. Fun fact: Andy Reid actually cooked me a meal at his home when he was the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles.
-
What do you consider your superpower? Killing with kindness is my superpower. I have the ability to stay calm when dealing with a very upset customer. Even when hurtful words are directed towards me, I don’t let it affect me. I can listen and determine what the cause of their frustrations are and help work to resolve them.
-
What is your guilty pleasure? Extreme tubing, long walks down the fishing aisles at Scheels, dad jokes, and watching prank videos.
-
What's the most daring thing you've ever done? I did a lot of dumb dares when I was a kid. I jumped off a 2 story roof because of a dare, walked across a frozen river, and surfed on top of a moving car. I’m actually lucky to be alive. As an adult the most daring thing I’ve done is building a 10 foot tall deck on the back of my house by watching YouTube videos.
-
What is something that might surprise us about you? I take a really long time shopping. Whether it's fishing supplies, clothes, a new gadget, or purchasing things that I’ve bought hundreds of times, I have to research and debate before I feel comfortable making a decision. My family often avoids shopping with me.
|
|
Recognize Someone for a Job Well Done!
The department has an online tool you can use to show appreciation for other members of Pediatrics and recognize them for exemplifying the PROMISE behavior standards: People Centered, Respect, Ownership, Making a Difference, Innovation, Safety, and Excellence.
Recognitions will be published in an upcoming issue of the newsletter. Please note: if a submitter's name is not given, we will not publish the comment. However, the submitter's name will remain anonymous in the newsletter.
The link to the recognition form can be found on the department intranet home page, or click the box below.
|
|
This Month's Recognition
Lindsay Browning - Allergy/Immunology, Clinical Enterprise, Nephrology, & Rheumatology
Recognized for Innovation
Lindsay did us a solid by figuring out how to make it easier for our MA to get their hotel paid for. It was a barrier that was causing the MAs not to travel to cover a clinic in Idaho. She really saved us here.
Patty Dickinson & Jaquelin Virgen - Clinical Enterprise
Recognized for Making a Difference
Pediatric Rheumatology is grateful for the excellent support of our two dedicated MAs. Your support is integral to our clinical operations and makes a big difference. Thank you for always being willing to step in and assist with patient care and various research needs. We could not do what we do without you.
Shelby Fox - Gastroenterology
Recognized for Ownership
I have been working with Shelby on her providers' out-of-state licensing. She has taken ownership of this task to make sure she was learning everything she can to make the process efficient. She asked all of the right questions and was quick to get me the information I have needed. Medical licensing applications have many different pieces needed to complete them, and she was vital in helping me keep track of what was happening with each provider in her group.
Aimee Hersh - Rheumatology
Recognized for Making a Difference
Dr. Hersh is a wonderful team leader. During these difficult times Dr. Hersh has made an effort to check in with her team weekly, to touch base on how we are all doing as people. She has continued to nurture intrapersonal relationships, and is always the first to recognize supporting staff for all their efforts. She keep us informed of the goings on in the division, but also checks in to make sure we are attending to our emotional needs. She is a compassionate, incredibly intelligent, and thoughtful leader and our Rheumatology Division would not be the same without her.
Lisa Young & Data Coordinating Center Team - Critical Care
Recognized for Making a Difference
The Division of Pediatric Inpatient Medicine would like to recognize Lisa Young and the DCC IT team. She and her team have gone over and beyond to help us determine best practice and have graciously provided insight, experience and advice that has been invaluable to us over the past few months. We cannot thank them enough for their attitude of collegiality and partnership; for welcoming us into their group and for providing us with the help that we needed, especially as we know they are balancing their own works in progress. It has helped us better understand our operations and positioned us to plan more strategically going forward. We are so grateful to have the privilege to work with such generous and thoughtful people.
Tyler Sebahar - Administration
Recognized for Respect
Tyler Sebahar is wonderful to work with. He is responsive, friendly, and professional. I know that I can reach out to him with questions any time and when I have made a mistake or been uncertain about how to move forward, he has helped me work through the situation in a way that makes me feel valued and respected. We are lucky to have him in our department and on our leadership team. Thanks for all you do, Tyler!
Kevin Villar - Clinical Enterprise Scheduling
Recognized for Making a Difference
Kevin is super helpful and extremely efficient, getting things done on time with very little notice. I sincerely appreciate his efforts!
|
|
DEPARTMENT CHAIR'S SUGGESTION BOX |
|
Dr. Giardino wants to hear from you!
If you have any ideas or concerns you'd like to share with Dr. Giardino, please submit your comments to his suggestion box. The link can be found on the department intranet home page in the "Contact Us" tile, or send a suggestion now by clicking box below.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
