Pediatrics Flyer
The official newsletter of the Department of Pediatrics
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Russell Butterfield, MD, PhD
Division of Pediatric Neurology
Dr. Russell Butterfield is an Associate Professor in the Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology, and the director of the Utah Program for Neuromuscular Disorders (UPIN). After receiving his B.S. in Microbiology from Brigham Young University, he joined the Medical Scholars Program at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He completed his PhD training in mammalian genetics, studying genetic aspects of organ-specific autoimmunity. After completion of medical school, he moved west to the University of Utah where he completed training in Pediatrics and Child Neurology and a fellowship in Neuromuscular Neurology. His research efforts are in understanding the impact of genetic modifiers of severity of muscular dystrophy phenotypes and identifying targets for therapy development. This includes NIH-funded research in characterization of genotype/phenotype relationships and molecular pathogenesis in Collagen VI related muscular dystrophies and a CDC funded surveillance project for all types of muscular dystrophy. He has an interest in all types of neurogenetic and neuromuscular disorders with an emphasis on muscular dystrophies of childhood onset. In his spare time, if he had any, he would be mountain biking or hiking or wandering out in the desert somewhere off the beaten path.
The Utah Program for Inherited Neuromuscular Disorders
Under the direction of Dr. Butterfield, the Utah Program for Inherited Neuromuscular Disorders (UPIN) was founded in 2015 with the mission to improve the lives of men, women, and children with inherited nerve or muscle disorders through clinical and translational research and cutting edge clinical care. UPIN projects include a large portfolio of clinical and laboratory projects with funding from federal, industry, and advocacy sponsors. Our studies include multiple high-impact studies including gene replacement therapies that represent transformative change in our practice.
The UPIN team is a multifaceted team of physicians, physical therapists, speech therapists, genetic counselors, study coordinators, laboratory staff, genetic researchers and administrative personnel. UPIN studies involve over 800 pediatric and adult patients enrolled across 23 active interventional trials, 7 natural history or disease progression trials, and 3 registries. Clinical trials performed under the UPIN umbrella include transformative gene therapies for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and Spinal Muscular Atrophy, with the addition of gene therapies for X-linked Myotubular Myopathy and Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy in the coming year. Early involvement in clinical trials for these transformative therapies has facilitated rapid adoption of these therapies in the clinic after they are approved by the FDA.
Laboratory projects at UPIN include development of a novel diagnostic tool and screening of 50,000 dried blood spots for repeat expansion in the DMPK gene, responsible for Myotonic Dystrophy. This study demonstrates that genetic prevalence is almost 5 times greater than previous estimates. Another large study in the lab aims to identify genetic modifiers of severity in Fascioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSHD). This study capitalizes on a large Utah kindred with FSHD that was originally published in 1950 as part of the first extramural NIH grant ever awarded, and was part of the seminal description of FSHD. Our project brings together 70 years of follow-up with this kindred across multiple investigators at a time when genetic tools have matured to a point that deep phenotype and genetic analysis are possible in a whole new way.
Complex Clinical Care
Dr. Butterfield directs multidisciplinary specialty clinics for neuromuscular patients at Primary Children’s Hospital, Shriner’s Hospital, and the Clinical Neurosciences Center at the University of Utah. Their multidisciplinary approach consolidates care under one roof for this vulnerable patient population and includes specialized neuromuscular and neurology physicians, social workers, genetic counselors, physical therapists, nutritionists, pulmonologists, respiratory therapists, and a psychologist.
As the complexity of care for neuromuscular patients continues to evolve and the population in the Intermountain region grows, Dr. Butterfield’s UPIN team is devoted to the facilitation of a greater commitment to meeting national care guidelines, increasing access to revolutionary therapies through promising clinical trials, and bridging critical gaps in care for all neuromuscular patients.
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Charles "Chuck" Pruitt, MD
Associate Professor of Pediatrics
Pediatric Emergency Medicine
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When did you join the Department of Pediatrics? March 2006
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What's your favorite part of your job? My work as a child advocate, formerly as Medical Director of Child Advocacy for the Department of Pediatrics and the Pediatric Residency Program, as well as past-president and legislative director of the Utah Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and currently as DOPEM Advocacy Director and national AAP Committee On Federal Government Affairs (COFGA) member.
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Do you have any pets? My family recently adopted a Labradoodle puppy, Romeo!
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Do you collect anything? My father, a Jack-of-all-trades, was a United Auto Worker and self-trained carpenter who built the house in which I grew up; I have his tools (which I still use), my own tools that I have acquired over the years, and an ever growing collection of priceless-one-of-a-kind garage sale tools.
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What are your hobbies and/or talents? I'm a former garage band member and forever frustrated musician.
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What is your favorite motto or quote? It's not a motto or quote, but more of an inspiration; it’s the memory of my mother studying for her high school equivalency test so that she could apply to nursing school.
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What’s your favorite band, musical artist, or music genre? Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band changed my life!
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What’s your favorite book or movie? Jonathan Livingston Seagull, by Richard Bach, also changed my life.
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What are you currently reading, watching, or listening to? A collection of Charles Bukowski's letters
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Who or what inspires you? As previously mentioned, my mother is my greatest inspiration. She grew up poor and disadvantaged in Detroit, overcame tremendous adversities, and while raising a family of 5 children attended nursing school.
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What is your favorite way to decompress after work? I drive home with the top off my Jeep playing music way too loud!
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If you could snap your fingers and become an expert in one thing, what would it be? International diplomacy
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What’s the most interesting or weirdest job you’ve ever had? Working a farm in Medina, Ohio; in the winter I would shuttle families by tractor-pulled sled to pick out Christmas trees and send them off with a basket of popcorn on the cob that I had raised the previous season.
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What is something you learned recently? I'm still trying to learn how to play my guitar!
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If you could share a meal with any three well-known individuals, who would they be? Susan Rice, Jimmy Carter, and Vladimir Putin - so we could work some things out!
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What do you consider your superpower? I outlast everyone else
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What is your guilty pleasure? Impractical Jokers, on truTV
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What’s something you saw recently that made you smile? My tomatoes are coming in!
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What's the most daring thing you've ever done? I climbed Mt. Kazbek in the former Soviet Republic of Georgia with International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War.
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What is something that might surprise us about you? I played organized football for 9 years including 2 years of college.
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Cheyne Trammell
Administrative Assistant
Pediatric Cardiology
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When did you join the Department of Pediatrics? April 2017
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What is your role in the department? Administrative Assistant to Dr. Williams, Dr. Etheridge, and 13 Pediatric Cardiology Fellows
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What's your favorite part of your job? Enabling lectures and education of the fellows. When I’m successful in taking care of my providers' needs so they can train our fellows and care for our born and unborn patient children with greater ease.
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Do you have any pets? No, but getting a dog soon.
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What are your hobbies and/or talents? I gather and digitally archive records of oracles, sermons, events, and other scripture directly related to Joseph Smith Junior. I edit, format, and systematize the documents, as well as translate the text from Early Modern English to contemporary English (following what might be close to a functional equivalence approach). I have collected nearly 300 distinct records so far. My learning of another language and my faith convictions moved me into this work over the last 10 years.
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What’s your favorite band, musical artist, or music genre? Trip Lee
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What’s your favorite book or movie? Fiction: The Hobbit / Lord of The Rings
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What are you currently reading, watching, or listening to? I just began watching The Chosen with my wife. Excellent!
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Who or what inspires you? Jewish King Josiah in the Book of Kings in the Old Testament, when after finding the book of the law he made significant, courageous changes to do right contrary to his society and the injustice at that time.
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What is your favorite way to decompress after work/on the weekends? Playing & scootering at the park with my children.
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If you could snap your fingers and become an expert in one thing, what would it be? Wine making
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What’s the most interesting or weirdest job you’ve ever had? Coroner assistant for a very short time. That was tough…
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What is something you learned recently? I just listened to a lecture learning about the surpassing skill and unmatched reputation and ferocity of the warriors of the Native American Comanche tribe. Apparently all who witnessed them in battle were in awe. There may be only 1 known man who can replicate their techniques these days.
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If you could share a meal with any three well-known individuals, who would they be? Dr. Michael Quinn (Historian of Mormon History), Dr. Royal Skousen (Linguist), Lew from Unbox Therapy (YouTuber, 17 million subscribers)
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What do you consider your superpower? Finding a way to get something done or finding a solution even against obstacles or in complex situations
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What is your guilty pleasure? My wife’s homemade donuts
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What’s something you saw recently that made you smile? A photo of a brave little boy Bridger with 90 facial stitches who is being hugged by his glowing 4 year old sister because he saved her by shielding her from a dog attack.
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What's the most daring thing you've ever done? Move to Spokane, WA to begin dating Nini, my wife now
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What is something that might surprise us about you? I’m a professional Marshallese interpreter (my wife’s native language).
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Welcome to the Team!
To see the new faculty and staff who joined us in July, click here.
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New Interns
A big welcome to our new interns!
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New Cardiology Fellows
The Division of Pediatric Cardiology would like to welcome their new fellows!
- Matthew Beaver, MD
- Lindsey Gakenheimer, MD
- Mary Howell, MD
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New Emergency Medicine Faculty Member
Dr. Elizabeth Keating graduated from the PEM-Global Health fellowship in AY2020, and we are so fortunate that she will be joining the Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine as faculty (Adjunct Instructor) beginning August 1, 2020. Dr. Keating will spend AY2021 as a Fogarty Global Health fellow supported by the NIH (in conjunction with Vanderbilt, Emory, Cornell, and Duke institutions) and during this time, will complete research in pediatric injuries at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center in Moshi, Tanzania. In her ongoing faculty role with the Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Dr. Keating will serve as the Pediatric Emergency Medicine-Global Health Fellowship Track Program Director and provide clinical attending services in the Primary Children’s Hospital ED and RTU.
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Tricia Westbrook has retired after 28 years of service to the Department of Pediatrics. She spent most of those years facilitating the process whereby faculty get promoted and achieve the award of tenure. Her historical memory and smiling face will be missed.
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Edward B. Clark, MD V Endowed Chair
Holder: Martin Tristani-Firouzi, MD
The Edward B. Clark V Endowed Chair was established to commend and support an outstanding faculty member in the Department of Pediatrics. During Dr. Tristani-Firouzi's tenure with the department, he has made extraordinary contributions. In addition to being a highly-respected clinician, Dr. Tristani-Firouzi is a productive investigator and engaged mentor. He has received 22 years of continuous extramural federal and foundational funding and currently has seven active grants on which he is principal or co-principal investigator, co-investigator, or center director. Additionally, he has authored 85 peer-reviewed journal articles in high impact journals. He is an active mentor within and outside of the Division of Pediatric Cardiology and currently has nine mentees, one of whom was recently awarded the Gary M. Chan, MD Endowed Chair in Pediatric Neonatology. He is internationally recognized as an expert in the field of cardiovascular genomics and has successfully translated basic science observations from the lab to the clinic. In particular, Dr. Tristani-Firouzi is dedicated to the study of Precision Cardiovascular Medicine and uses a multi-disciplinary approach coupled with cutting-edge research techniques. His lab strives to build the infrastructure supporting personalized medicine by connecting disciplines that excel in genomic analysis, functional analyses, and health care information technology, while leveraging the unique local resources such as the Utah Population Database. His team’s goal is to understand the genomic determinants of disease susceptibility in order to improve clinical management, risk stratification and clinical outcomes.
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Office for Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Resources
The Office for Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion has instituted a newsletter called Mediversity. To subscribe or read highlights, click here.
Their website also includes information such as health disparities research data and tutorials, funding sources for research into health disparities, and professional development opportunities.
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Listen to Andy Pavia, MD and Adam Hersh, MD, both from the Division of Infectious Diseases, as they give a press conference to the media about COVID-19 and its potential impact on schools. Watch the press conference.
Con Yost, MD (Neonatology) discusses the identification of inflammatory proteins, known as neutrophil extracellular traps, that may contribute to the onset of cardiac complications among patients with COVID-19 infection. Read the article.
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Recent Publication from the Division of Emergency Medicine
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How to Flip Your Classroom (Or Meeting) to Achieve Meaningful Learning
Academic medicine has been thrown into the brave new world of virtual communication, instruction and online learning. Pediatric endocrinologist and clinician educator Kathleen Timme, MD shares a process to transition from traditional training to meaningful and engaging learning. Read the article.
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Recognize Someone for a Job Well Done!
The department has a new 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.
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This Month's Recognition
Jason Genovesi
Recognized for Making a Difference
"Wow! Jason Genovesi deserves a medal. (Along with the entire IT staff) - He has been so patient with so many Zoom questions and always been quick to answer them. He and the IT team really keep the gears of this operation going. We are so grateful for them!"
Tyler Sebahar, Laurie Beckstrom, Brandi Johnson, Alyssa Rimer, Katherine Knobloch
Recognized for Excellence
"My short time within the Department of Pediatrics has been nothing short of amazing! The reason for this has been the fantastic people that have helped me along the way. I want to formally thank those individuals who have been invaluable in mentoring/educating me as I have stepped into my new role. They have been a fantastic resource and examples of what the department strives to be as we support our patient population. Their work ethic and dedication to our mission has been infectious and has made it a place I want to continue to work for many years to come!"
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DEPARTMENT CHAIR'S SUGGESTION BOX |
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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.
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Well Office Certification
The Department of Pediatrics at the Eccles Outpatient Building recently became Well Office Certified at the Bronze Level. Well Office Certification by the Office of Wellness & Integrative Health is a program created to empower work groups or offices to tweak work culture in a way that creates a more well office space. Groups can pick and choose which well action items listed on the Well Office checklist they would like to adopt.
We are now turning our sights to achieving Silver Level through the implementation of an office-wide challenge that employees can participate in, hosting a Resiliency Center workshop, incorporating more mindfulness activities, and creating a wellness handbook for new staff and faculty over the next year or so.
For more information including the list of other Well Office Certified departments, click here.
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How to Get In the Habit of Talking About Diversity
It’s clear that equity, diversity and inclusion need to be a part of workplace conversation. Senior nursing director Rita Aguilar shares how to incorporate discussions of diversity and inclusion into everyday work—and why those discussions are so important to the care we provide. Read the article.
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COVID-19 and Racism: Make Way for Enduring Change
Varsha Iyer is an inpatient child and adolescent psychiatrist at Utah’s University Neuropsychiatric Institute. Here she shares both individual and institutional advice on dealing with the chronic stress of racism and the acute stress of COVID-19 to lead the way for positive, enduring change. Read the article.
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