Pediatric News
Updates from the Department of Pediatrics - 2023 Vol. 5
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Emergency Medicine Provided Learners
with Valuable Education, Experience
During 2022 "Tridemic"
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Parents and Emergency Medicine faculty and staff will remember the fall of 2022 for the confluence of the flu, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) that overran emergency rooms and urgent care facilities. During this “tridemic,” Emergency Medicine faculty were charged with training medical school and residency learners. As a result, learners played a crucial role in caring for patients, received the opportunity for ample bedside learning and witnessed the processes and procedures for managing high patient volumes.
Due to an abnormally slow respiratory season in 2021, learners were at a disadvantage in treating patients in 2022. This required faculty to bring the learners up to speed on the management of significant respiratory distress. Trainees quickly learned to manage respiratory patients with significant independence. Zeb Timmons, MD, chief, Division of Emergency Medicine, states, “We also found ourselves boarding patients in the ED and asking our learners to help with ongoing management of patients who would have left the unit in normal times.”
Thomas Helms, MD, was rotating through the ED when the tridemic hit. “It was a physically and emotionally taxing rotation; the acuity was high and the number of patients presenting to the ED was at times overwhelming,” he recalls. “It was shocking to witness how truly demanding the respiratory season can be on the pediatric healthcare system.” Drs. Timmons and Helms feel that the silver lining for learners was being able to witness the teamwork and collaboration of the emergency healthcare team when it mattered the most. “I remember being involved in the resuscitation of a critically ill patient who presented to the ED in respiratory failure due to COVID. The teamwork and communication throughout that resuscitation between the nurses, respiratory therapists, and ED and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit providers was an impressive and memorable experience for me as a trainee,” Dr. Helms adds. “
Dr. Timmons believes that the fall of 2022 provided a strong case study for the importance of direct patient contact and exposure for education. “You can read about how to manage bronchiolitis in a textbook but until you have seen several cases in ‘real life’ it is difficult to learn how to apply that knowledge clinically,” he says. “We must continue to advocate for bedside experiences for our learners and consider the implications of reduced ED time in new standards being drawn up by the American Board of Pediatrics.”
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Dr. Caleb Cave receiving the
Dr. George Miyzakai Research Award from
Dr. William Rizzo.
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Dr. Joseph Novotny receiving the UNMC Fellowship Teaching Award
from Dr. Kari Simonsen.
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Dr. Serenity Bashford receiving the UNMC
House Officer Teaching Award from
Dr. Kari Simonsen.
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Dr. Sidharth Mahapatra receiving the
Hobart E. Wiltse, MD, PhD, Excellence
in Medical Education Award from Dr. Sharon Stoolman. Co-recipient Dr. Jason Burrows not pictured.
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Dr. Kelli Mans receiving the Dr. Murty Adabala Resident Teaching Award from Dr. Teri Mauch.
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Abby Wolfe, UNMC M-4, incoming Pediatrics resident, receiving the Nebraska Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics Award from Dr. Sheilah Snyder. |
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Faculty, Fellows, Residents and Divisions
Receive Teaching Awards at
CHRI Pediatric Research Forum
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At the Child Health Research Institute Pediatric Research Forum on May 12, the 2023 teaching awards were announced. Congratulations to all the winners and thank you for being there for your students.
Creighton University Medical Center
2023 Student Teaching Awards
Faculty Clerkship Teaching Award - Whitney Bossert, MD
House Officer Teaching Award - Elizabeth Hartley, MD
Outstanding Children’s Physician - Frances Smith, MD
University of Nebraska Medical Center
2023 Student Teaching Awards
Faculty Clerkship Teaching Award - Brianna Brei, MD
Outstanding Senior Medical Student Mentor/Educator Award - Hannah Donaldson, MD
Volunteer Faculty Teaching Award - Chandrika Rizal, MD
Fellowship Teaching Award - Joseph Novotny, MD
Division Teaching Award - Hematology/Oncology
House Officer Teaching Award - Serenity Bashford, MD
Nebraska Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics - Abby Wolfe
Mark Husk Pediatric Scholar - Jonah Scheffler
Hobart E. Wiltse, MD, PhD Excellence in Medical Education Award 2023 - Jason Burrows, MD, and Sidharth Mahapatra, MD, PhD
Creighton-Nebraska Universities Pediatric Residency Program
Outstanding Academic Faculty Member Teaching Award - Heather Wadams, MD
Dr. Murty Adabala Resident Teaching Award - Kelli Mans, MD
Deborah Munson Barger - Resident Award - Jenna Essink, MD
Dr. George Miyzakai Research Award - Caleb Cave, MD
Division Teaching Award - Endocrine Faculty
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The Endocrinology Department, Salaheddin Elrokhsi, MD; Zoe Gonzalez-Garcia, MD; Heather Wadams, MD; and Monina Cabrera, MD, holding their Division Teaching Award plaque. |
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Cardiology Fellow Dr. Samantha Gilg Presents Research at American College of Cardiology |
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Samantha Gilg, MD, fellow, Division of Cardiology, was among select learners chosen to present research at the American College of Cardiology and World Heart Federation March meeting in New Orleans. Dr. Gilg’s research studies the outcomes and risk factors for early valve failure when a Melody valve is placed in the atrioventricular position during a hybrid surgical procedure involving the interventional cardiac catheterization (cath) team. A Melody valve is traditionally placed in the pulmonary valve position via a percutaneous approach (interventional cath procedure); however, institutions have started using the valve in the atrioventricular valve position for smaller infants. The research Dr. Gilg presented is her main fellowship research project. Currently, she is finalizing her manuscript for publication.
By attending the American College of Cardiology event in person, Dr. Gilg was able to talk to representatives of other institutions about their cath procedures and to learn about further research projects that might come from her current project. “Beyond the amazing opportunity to present my research to such distinguished peers, it’s always valuable to connect with other pediatric cardiologists for future opportunities to collaborate,” she says.
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Letter from the Chair:
Kari Simonsen, MD, MBA
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It's been another exciting month of activities and accomplishments in the UNMC Department of Pediatrics:
We celebrated the pediatrics and med-peds residents and our genetics fellows who are graduating in June with a wonderful event at the zoo this month. In addition, we celebrated the faculty who have positively impacted our students and resident education with teaching awards. It was great to see so many wonderful educators recognized for their efforts!
The CHRI annual Pediatric Research Forum this month honored the research accomplishments of students, residents and fellows. The forum is a fantastic example of the academic growth of our department, with the event reaching it's 21st year!
The Pediatric Anti-racism committee hosted the third annual DEI Conference this past week, with a focus on Indigenous Health. We were honored to have exceptional invited speakers and UNMC leaders in attendance.
It's incredible to see the breadth and depth of the accomplishments occurring in our department. Thank you again for all your contributions to the success of the Department of Pediatrics!
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Congratulations Pediatric Resident
Dr. Amissabah Kanley
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Congratulations to Amissabah “Ami” Kanley, MD, pediatrics resident. Dr. Kanley was named Department of Pediatrics April House Officer of the Month. Dr. Kanley's nomination reads, "Dr. Kanley is an excellent team leader. We love when she is on the floor," and, "Dr. Kanley is a great teacher and supervisor! We will miss her!” Well done, Dr. Kanley!
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Sheritta Strong, MD, UNMC Assistant Vice Chancellor of Inclusion; Kari Simonsen, MD, MBA, Chair, Department of Pediatrics; Dr. Donald Warne; Dr. Geetanjali Rathore; Amy Rezac-Elgohary, Global Health Research & Education Programs Manager |
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Department of Pediatrics Antiracism Committee Hosts Third Annual DEI Conference |
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The Department of Pediatrics Antiracism Committee hosted its third annual Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Conference on May 19. Keynote speaker Donald Warne, MD, co-director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Indigenous Health, spoke on the historical and current policies that impact Indigenous pediatric health. Heather Sauyaq Jean Kwamboka Gordon, PhD, research scientist II, youth development and Indigenous children and families, Child Trends, presented on the policies that contribute to racial and ethnic health inequities for Indigenous children, families and communities. A panel of local American Indian community and health care workers discussed topics such as how to engage with tribal communities for research projects and the importance of land and culture connection to Indigenous health.
"Drs. Warne and Gordon did a great job delineating the historical injustices to the Indigenous community and how they impact the community even today," said Geetanjali Rathore, MD, associate professor, Division of Neurology and co-chair of the Antiracism Committee. "The panel discussion was really helpful in helping us understand how we can connect with the communities in our area."
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Helen Grace, DO, Assistant Professor, Division of General Pediatrics and Co-chair of the Antiracism Committee |
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Community Engagement
The Department of Pediatrics and CHRI are seeking faculty, staff and trainee volunteers for the first-ever Community Partner Day on Thursday, July 13, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the UNMC campus. NorthStar Foundation, Girls Inc. and Completely Kids will be bringing eager groups of 10-15 children (late middle school to early high school) to participate in three interactive sessions: interprofessional simulation, pediatric cancer research lab and career pathways. A variety of volunteers are needed:
- Help welcome and direct students to the various stations on campus (must be relatively familiar with campus)
- Support the organizational chaperones and station leaders during their sessions
- Discuss your career field and training during the career pathway station
Contact Amy Rezac if you are interested in learning more about this volunteer opportunity.
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Partner Profile: Completely Kids |
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Completely Kids is one of the Department of Pediatrics and CHRI’s preferred community partners. The mission at Completely KIDS is to empower kids and families with the skills necessary to break the cycle of poverty and overcome barriers to their success. They serve more than 2,000 Omaha-area children and teens, primarily between the ages of 4 and 14, and their families. Completely KIDS works to address the holistic needs of each child through:
- A safe environment with caring adult mentors.
- Healthy meals and weekend food.
- Hands-on curriculum with a focus on reading, STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) and classroom readiness.
- Partnerships with other agencies to ensure families’ basic needs are met.
- Basic swimming and water safety skills through swimming lessons.
- Behavioral health services and skill building groups.
- Leadership and workforce development opportunities for teen alumni.
- Adult education classes such as ESL, literacy and GED that increase self-sufficiency for parents.
- Opportunities for KIDS and parents to engage with each other and give back to their community.
- Outdoor learning through the Nature Explore Classroom and gardening clubs
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Save the Date
CHRI Annual Scientific Conference
Friday, Nov. 3, 2023
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This month we feature Steven Haskett, MD, assistant professor, Division of General Pediatrics, and Laura Pratt, MD, assistant professor, division of rheumatology.
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Meet Dr. Haskett
What brought you to your given specialty/role?
I have always enjoyed working with children. In high school I earned money babysitting and working at daycare centers because I loved it. I have always enjoyed problem solving, so medicine seemed like a natural choice for me from high school and through college. Through my clinical years, there was nothing I enjoyed more than my pediatric rotation. During residency, I had a hard time choosing between primary care or specialization. I considered Hematology/Oncology, Neonatology (NICU), Pediatric Critical Care (PICU) and Endocrinology, but I didn’t really want to spend more years in training and wasn’t excited about research. The decision was so difficult that I spent an additional year as chief resident to give me time to make up my mind. In the end, I found a perfect opportunity practicing rural pediatrics with a group in Kearney. Here I have been able to put all the skills I learned in residency to use, providing care in the emergency room, NICU, PICU, General Pediatrics clinic and Specialty Pediatric clinic all in one place without further training. This really has been the perfect match for what I wanted to do. I’m still amazed today, after 17 years in practice, that people will drive for an hour or more to come see me because they want the specialty care I can provide.
What’s your favorite place in the world?
My family and I love Walt Disney World. We took our first trip in 2008 and have taken about 11 more trips since then. We loved our second trip so much we became members of Disney Vacation Club. We have been there over several Halloween holidays and spent Christmas Day there in 2020. We love to get immersed in everything Disney when we are there. We dress as characters, ride all the rides, enjoy our favorite snacks and visit our favorite restaurants. When we are there, we remove ourselves from the outside world and are immersed in ourselves and the magic.
What are you a fan of or very interested in?
I really enjoy birdwatching. I have multiple types of feeders in my front and backyards and each feeder contains different types of foods to attract different birds. I read books and magazines on the best way to attract certain birds and then challenge myself to get them to my yard. I keep binoculars by the window so I can observe closely. I get excited like a kid at Christmas any time I spot a new bird in the yard.
I also have to mention Creighton basketball. I was a freshman during Dana Altman’s second year there and went to almost all the games during my four years. I remember going to games in the old Civic Auditorium when Northern Iowa would come and have more fans at the game then Creighton had. I remember cheering for those teams and being rowdy in the student section as year after year the teams improved until they became the best team in the Missouri Valley and had an intense rivalry with Wichita State. It was a great time. My wife and I have kept our season tickets even after we moved out to Kearney and still try to make several games a year. I have multiple player jerseys hanging in my house, including one signed by Doug McDermott that I got at a charity auction. I dream one day to make it to the Big East Tourney and watch Creighton play at Madison Square Garden.
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?
When it comes to books, movies and TV, I try to get as far removed from reality as possible. My favorite is Star Wars. I have loved it since I was young. I watch all the TV series and movies, though I’ve gotten way behind with so much new stuff coming out at one time. I have a huge collection of Star Wars Legos that I build with my kids. My favorite of all the Star Wars is “Rogue One.” The movie is an emotional roller coaster and the ending really gave me a new perspective on the original movie “A New Hope.” If I really just need to laugh and relax then I’ll watch Dodgeball, Rat Race, Tommy Boy, Monty Python and the Holy Grail or an Adam Sandler movie.
What was the most important lesson taught to you during your career training?
The most important was how to be an active listener: to let the patient talk without interruption, to acknowledge the patient’s concerns or feelings, to repeat back what I understood that the patient said, to verify that I understood the patient correctly, and finally, to answer the patient’s question or concern. Even if I don’t have the right answer to the problem, or even any answer to the problem, the patient appreciates that I listened and that they were heard and that I took the time to understand them. Sometimes, that is the best we can do to help
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Meet Dr. Pratt.
What brought you to your given specialty/role?
I have always wanted to work with children. From a young age, I volunteered at kids’ camps, taught swim lessons, and babysat for younger cousins and friends. As I started my medical training, pediatrics was the obvious choice for me. I became interested in rheumatology during medical school and pediatrics residency. I enjoy thinking about complex patient cases, spending time reading about rare diseases, and trying to put together puzzle pieces of symptoms, exam findings, lab work, and imaging studies. Also I value continuity of care and development of long-term relationships with patients and families. Rheumatology is the perfect combination of complex, mystery cases and clinic continuity!
What’s your favorite place in the world?
My favorite place is at the top of a mountain peak, after a good hike. This location seems like the most peaceful place in the world to me, often a place without artificial noises or air pollution. The achievement of hiking to the top of the mountain adds a feeling of accomplishment as well! My recent favorite hike was around Mt Rainer in Washington (see photo)!
What are you a fan of or very interested in?
I am most passionate about exercise as a form of medicine. I try to talk to all of my patients about the importance of physical activity. I strive to include exercise in my weekly personal life as well.
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 recently watched the movie Beautiful Boy. It is about a father’s struggle to help his son with a drug addiction. As a pediatrician, I thought the movie gave some incredible insights into the struggles of parents of children with chronic medical problems, particularly mental health issues. It was a good reminder to think about the entire family in pediatric care.
What was the most important lesson taught to you during your medical career training?
I always looked up to my mentors who made a significant effort to make a personal connection with their patients. They embodied the importance of maintaining humanism in medical care.
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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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Patti Jones Retiring in June |
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Congratulations to Patti Jones on her upcoming retirement.
Ryan Foreman, MBA, department finance and business manager, had this to say about Patti.
"Patti Jones has been an instrumental member of the Department of Pediatrics and the Child Health Research Institute for the past three and a half years. Patti has been an active and invested teammate as we worked to streamline our accounting and financial processes and updated the funds flow model between Pediatrics and Children’s. Patti will be greatly missed, but we are excited and happy for her as she turns her focus to creating lasting memories with her grandchildren. Thank you Patti and best wishes!"
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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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