Pediatric News
Updates from the Department of Pediatrics - 2022 Vol. 12
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Panelists Dr. Michael Warren, Dr. Sharon Stoolman, Dr. Katie Paschall, Stephen Vick and Dr. Daniel Gih |
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CityMatCH Panelist Discuss Impact of COVID-19 on Wellbeing of Children |
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At CityMatCH’s 2022 conference, Michael Warren, MD, associate administrator of the Maternal and Child Health Bureau at the Health Resources and Services Administration, opened the plenary session, “Re-centering Children’s Health in a Time of Uncertainty,” with the African Masai greeting: “How are the children?” He explained that the Masai community prioritizes the wellness of their children with such a greeting and places their welfare at the heart of the community’s wellbeing. With that initial context in place, Dr. Warren led the panelists at the conference into a discussion of how the wellbeing of children in the United States was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The conversation began with recent statistics on children’s health. Dr. Warren and Katie Paschall, PhD, research scientist at Child Trends, shared concerning trends and information on racial inequities. They conveyed that black babies have twice the infant mortality rate of non-Hispanic white babies. Children and teens are facing lack of housing, food insufficiency, increased gun violence and increased rates of mental and behavioral health conditions. Suicide is now the second leading cause of death for children ages 10-18. Children have also missed routine medical visits and immunizations. There has been a loss of early identification of disability and disruption to education and services, including two decades of learning loss in math and reading skills among 9-year-olds. A few positive trends due to pandemic policies include a 4.1% decrease in children’s uninsured rate and a decrease of more than 50% of the number of children living in poverty. Dr. Paschall emphasized that it is so important to disaggregate our data and regarding visible trends, to identify who they apply to and under what conditions.
Dr. Warren asked the panelists to share how this national level data translates into what they are seeing in their work at the local level. In the experience of Sharon Stoolman, MD, associate professor, Division of Hospital Medicine, UNMC Department of Pediatrics, families have done everything they can but have reached their breaking point. With the resumption of in-person school this fall, she has started to see children with malnutrition, behavioral issues and injuries from abuse and violence that were previously hidden. According to Dr. Stoolman, the greatest impact of the pandemic on kids was not the disease itself, but rather the loss of access to needed services.
For his part, Daniel Gih, MD, associate professor, UNMC Department of Psychiatry, has seen a marked increase in mental health needs and patient acuity, but he notes, there is a significant shortage of providers and inpatient psychiatric units. Stephen Vick, executive director of the Infant Welfare Society of Evanston (IWSE), has seen a spike in mental health needs, behavioral/social emotional challenges in the classroom and referrals to early intervention services accompanied by a shortage of service providers. Mr. Vick stated that it is even more difficult to find bilingual, multicultural mental health providers, which makes trust difficult and access to services more inequitable.
For IWSE, communication worsened with children's families who are the most challenged economically and who require interpreters. Mr. Vick and Dr. Stoolman noted a widening of the chasm between the have and the have nots – those equipped to handle the pivot to remote schooling and work and those not equipped for the transition. This extended to Dr. Gih’s experience with telehealth. He has also seen inequities in eating disorders. The general perception is often they only affect wealthy white girls, when in fact they are widespread among all ethnicities and genders. He explains, “The difference is in inequitable resources and access to care.”
Dr. Warren made the point that data can be used to highlight inequities, but it can also contribute to inequities based on how it is used. He explained, "With data on disparities, it can be really easy for folks to think of race as the risk factor when it’s not the race, it’s the racism.” Dr. Paschall added that researchers need to ask themselves, “What are we going to use this for aside from just gap gazing?" She explained that researchers can disaggregate data and identify their own problems and solutions, but without talking to the community, they may misattribute the problem, pick the wrong indicator or expect way too much of an intervention and then say it didn’t work. Mr. Vick agreed, saying that he believes the greatest solutions come from within the community, and our role is to partner with and elevate them.
Ending on a note of optimism, panelists noted being impressed by young people's self- advocacy and resiliency. Dr. Paschall found it encouraging that so much is now understood about what works to address the challenges presented by a pandemic and the increase of uptake and policy discussions about it.
Written by Brooklyn Leitch, MD, Hospital Medicine Fellow
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The 2021-2022 Department of Pediatrics
Annual Report is Here
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We are proud to share the 2021-2022 Department of Pediatrics Annual Report. As its name suggests, this document reflects the achievements and statistics from the 2021-2022 academic year (7/1/21 to 6/30/22). Click here to access the digital animated copy.
The annual report came about through the efforts of many in the department on the leadership, faculty and administrative levels. We are so thankful for their assistance and believe the report will represent our department well to our stakeholders and greater pediatric medical community.
We are in the process of distributing the report.
If you require a hard copy of the report or PDF static version, please email Chuck Koster
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Celebrating Fellowship Matches |
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Pediatrics Residents and Fellow
Match with Desired Programs
Pediatrics Residents
Caleb Cave, MD - Neonatology, UNMC
Songita Choudhury, MD, PhD - Cardiology, Cincinnati Children’s
Kelli-ann Corrao, MD - Adolescent Medicine – Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
Jenna Essink, MD - Allergy-Immunology - UNMC
Allison Guild, DO - Hematology/Oncology - UNMC
Lauren Ridgway, MD - Neonatology – Phoenix Children’s
Claire Troia, MD - Pediatric Emergency Medicine – St. Louis University
Congratulations to chief resident Travis Schrier, MD, who matched with the UNMC Genetics residency program and to current pediatrics Genetics fellow Elizabeth Null, MD who matched for an additional fellowship in Medical Biochemical Genetics at Stanford University.
Med/Peds Residents
Raquel Lamarche, MD - Cleveland Clinic for Adult Critical Care
Spencer Robinson, MD - Pediatric Cardiology, UNMC
Evan Symons, DO - Pediatric Hospital Medicine, UNMC
Pictured below
(first row): Drs. Cave, Choudhury and Corrao
(second row): Drs. Essink, Guild and LaMarche
(third row); Drs. Null, Ridgeway, Robinson
(fourth row): Drs. Schrier, Symons, Troia
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UNMC Fellowship Programs
Match with Candidates
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Eight Department Fellowship Programs Successfully Match
Critical Care Medicine
Andrew Pulfer, MD
University of Rochester Medical Center
Gastroenterology
Vanessa Starns, MD
UNMC Pediatric Residency Program
Tolulope Olorunsogo, MD
BronxCare System
Hematology/Oncology
Allison Guild, DO
UNMC Pediatric Residency Program
Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Fellowship
Caleb Cave, MD
UNMC Pediatric Residency Program
Pediatric Cardiology
Spencer Robinson, MD
Internal Medicine-Pediatrics
UNMC
Pediatric Emergency Medicine
Jared Baxter, MD
UNMC
Hunter Creglow, MD
Children’s Mercy
Pediatric Hospital Medicine Fellowship
Evan Symons, DO
Internal Medicine-Pediatrics
UNMC
Transplant Hepatology
Morgan Dreesen, DO
UNMC GI Fellowship
Pictured below
(first row): Drs. Baxter, Cave, Creglow
(second row): Drs. Dreesen, Guild, Olorunsogo
(third row); Drs. Pulfer, Robinson, Starns
(fourth row): Dr. Symons
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Department of Pediatrics Chair Update:
Kari Simonsen, MD, MBA
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Holiday Greetings!
2022 has gone so fast. With the fall respiratory viral surge of RSV, influenza, and COVID-19 keeping all of us busy clinically, I want to thank you for your ongoing dedication to taking care of the children of our region who are relying on us. I will also remind you all that the old adage about an ounce of prevention still holds true. Keep encouraging patients, families, friends, neighbors, etc. to get vaccinated for COVID and influenza. It's not too late!
I hope you will all find an opportunity during these last few weeks of the calendar year to take some time off and enjoy the company of family and friends. It can also be a time where those who are struggling face significant challenges, so please keep an eye on and help support each other.
The New Year also brings us opportunities to celebrate our accomplishments and highlights and to plan for our future. It’s exciting to share with you, and with our leaders and stakeholders, the 2021-22 Annual Report for the Department of Pediatrics. Thanks to all who helped contribute to the publication and to everyone whose efforts are outlined within. I look forward to the work we will all do to advance the care of children in 2023.
Best,
Kari
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Grant Application Support Reminder |
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Happy December! As a reminder for upcoming grant applications, we are quickly approaching the holidays and already have 18 applications scheduled for support between now and early February. If you have any applications you may be considering with due dates coming up between now and March 5, please communicate with Valarie Warner and Shamaere Ashby immediately so they can determine how best to schedule support for the application. Thank you!
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This month we feature Jill Fahner, Pediatric Research Office Clinical Study Coordinator, and Kristi Graybill, GME Education Program Coordinator III/Pediatrics Administration.
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Meet Jill Fahner
What brought you to your given specialty/role?
A college friend introduced me to the world of research, and I have been working in the field ever since. For the past several years, I have been fortunate to work with the Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Team in the role of research coordinator. We have been involved with many important studies that are showing significant improvements in the lives of people with CF. CF research is supported by the Therapeutics Development Network, and it is a very exciting time to be involved, as the ultimate goal is to have “CF” stand for CURE FOUND!
What’s your favorite place in the world?
My favorite place in the world includes a beach, the ocean and sunshine! A perfect day for me includes an early morning run, watching the sunrise, hanging out with my family doing all things ‘beachy,’having a nice dinner and finally watching the sun set!
What are you a fan of or very interested in?
I have a family of soccer players, so I have travelled many miles and places to watch my kids (now adults) play. I enjoy watching the World Cup and hope to attend some live games when the United States co-hosts next time around!
Is there any book, music or TV series or movie that you admire and would recommend to others, particularly if it relates to the medical world?
I am a bit of a ‘true crime’ junkie, and I recently finished listening to a podcast titled Your own Backyard. The podcaster was determined to figure out what happened in the unsolved disappearance of a college student back in 1996. I was intrigued by the podcaster’s hard work to shed light on the case, and, in the end, help solve it.
What was the most important lesson taught to you during your career training?
Everyone has a story. Take the time to listen, you’ll be glad you did.
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Meet Kristi Graybill
What brought you to your given specialty/role?
I have always loved helping people. Providing guidance, institutional support, and professional development. As well as receiving new ideas, tactics and perspectives.
What’s your favorite place in the world?
Home on my back patio.
What are you a fan of or very interested in? (this can be a sports team or a type of cuisine or leadership philosophy - whatever resonates with you)
I am a fan of kindness. I think if you give it, you’ll get it in return.
Is there any book, music or TV series or movie that you admire and would recommend to others, particularly if it relates to the medical world?
It's not new, but I really love Friends.
What was the most important lesson taught to you during your career training?
Go with the flow…..change isn’t always a bad thing.
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Our Successes:
Department Celebrations
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Please click on the link below to see achievements by Department of Pediatrics faculty and staff, including awards, certificates, publications, grants and more. |
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Staff Milestones:
Recent Service Anniversaries
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Congratulations to those celebrating recent work anniversaries. We wish you all the best for continued success! |
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University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Medicine Department of Pediatrics
982155 Nebraska Medicine
Omaha, NE 68198-2155
402-955-3933
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