100 Percent of Pediatric Residents Pass American Board of Pediatrics Certification Exam
We are very excited to report that 100 percent of our 2015 Med-Peds and Pediatric Graduates have passed the American Board of Pediatrics Certification Exam on their first attempt---for the 4th year in a row! We are extremely proud of our graduates, and the hard work they have invested. We want to thank our awesome Faculty and Fellows for their strong dedication and commitment to helping our residents accomplish their goals.
New Specialty Clinic - Developmental Medicine
The Department of Pediatrics would like to formally announce its recently launched Developmental Medicine Clinic (DMC). The clinic, which is located in Clinic A at Children’s of Alabama’s Park Place Building, serves children of all ages for whom parents, health care providers, or other caregivers have identified concerns related to development, behavior, social skills, and/or learning. Drs. Justin Schwartz and Snehal Khatri, developmental-behavioral pediatricians, staff the clinic and provide expertise in conditions such as:
- Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Intellectual Disabilities
- Learning Disabilities
- Developmental Delays
- Developmental or behavioral assessment of children with genetic conditions (e.g. Down syndrome, Williams syndrome, Prader-Willi, etc.) or other medical conditions
- Management of common behavioral conditions (sleep, toileting, etc.)
Two Faculty Members Elected to Society of Pediatric Research (SPR)
Congratulations to Trent Tipple, M.D., Neonatology, and Gregory Friedman, M.D., Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, on their recent election to the Society of Pediatric Research (SPR).
Drs. Martin and McCormick Receive $612,000 Grant from JDRF
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) recently awarded Alexandra Martin, M.D., and Ken MCormick, M.D., Pediatric Endocrinology, a grant for their clinical research trial titled, "The Effect of GABA or Combination GABA/GAD on the Progression of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus in Children." The project is funded for $612,000.
Children's of Alabama Selected as CHA Pediatric Quality Award Semifinalist
The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) project, “Decreasing Hospital Length of Stay for Post-operative Adolescent Spinal Fusion Patients,” was selected as one of three finalists in the Children’s Hospital Association (CHA) Pediatric Quality Award (PQA) in the category of Waste Reduction/Improved Efficiency. This project represents an inter-professional effort led by Leslie Hayes, M.D., in concert with PICU nursing, PICU nurse practitioners and Joe Khoury, M.D., from the Children's of Alabama orthopedic group. All semifinalists present their projects at the National CHA Quality and Safety Conference in New Orleans, LA in March 2016, where the overall winner will be selected.
Pediatric Emergency Medicine Funded by FEMA for Sound Off Project
The UAB Pediatrics division of Emergency Medicine received funding from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for a community project called Sound Off. The project led by Kathy Monroe, M.D., and Michele Nichols, M.D., is a starter site for the Sound Off FEMA Grant, which works with Birmingham Fire and Rescue and a local school to provide fire safety education.
Faculty featured in Alabama Newscenter Article
Click here to read the article in Alabama Newscenter, Sickle Cell Disease Cure in Sights of UAB Stem Cell Institute, which features sickle cell researchers, Tim M. Townes, director of UAB Stem Cell Institute and Fred Goldman, M.D., director of the Lowder Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program at Children’s of Alabama.
B-Metro Releases Top Doctors of 2015 List
Between Children’s of Alabama and the UAB Department of Pediatrics, over 90 faculty members were recognized in B-Metro’s Top Doctors magazine. More than 2,600 local physicians voted online answering which doctors they would refer a family member to in a variety of specialties. To see the doctors recognized by their peers and the community, click here to view the issue
Dr. Walley Featured as Lead Author Article in AAP News
Congratulations to Susan Walley, M.D., lead author for the AAP Policy Statement calling on pediatricians to ask about use of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) when screening for tobacco use and exposure. The policy statement was included in theOctober 2015 AAP Journal. Dr. Walley’s paper will be published in the November issue of Pediatrics. Dr. Walley was also co-author on the Clinical Policy Statement and the supporting Technical Report.Click here to read the front-page article in APP News this month, AAP Policy Cites Harms of e-Cigarettes; Urges Screening.
Click here to view the Clinical Practice Policy to Protect Children From Tobacco, Nicotine and Tobacco Smoke.
Pediatricians First to Attain Performance Improvement Continuing Medical Education
The Alabama Child Health Improvement Alliance, in partnership with the University of Alabama at Birmingham Division of eLearning and Professional Studies and the UAB Division of Continuing Medical Education, has become the first organization in Alabama to offer performance improvement continuing medical education for exclusively practice-based physicians through its current developmental screening project, Help Me Grow/Project LAUNCH. Click here to continue reading the press release on AL.com or UAB News.
Drs. Ambal and Askenazi Host NKC Steering Committee
David Askenazi, M.D., Pediatric Nephrology and Ambalavanan Namasivayam, M.D.,Neonatology hosted the Neonatal Kidney Collaborative (NKC) Steering Committee for a two day meeting on Oct. 4 - 6, 2015. The long-term goal of the NKC is to improve the understanding and ultimately improve the lives, health and well-being of newborns at risk for kidney disease by assembling an alliance of neonatologists and pediatric nephrologists who can perform clinically-relevant hypothesis driven studies. This collaborative will follow a birth cohort through adulthood in order to fully understand the long-term renal consequences of perinatal disease
Dr. Wolfson-Stockman Becomes New Member of UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center
Dr. Julie Wolfson-Stockman received an appointment as Associate Scientist in the Cancer Control and Population Science Program effective October 21, 2015. Congratulations to Julie on joining the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Dr. White Receives HSF-GEF Award
The General Endowment Fund (GEF) of the UA Health Services Foundation (HSF) has announced its annual faculty grants, awarding over $1.4 million to UAB faculty for projects in clinical care, patient research, medical education and laboratory research. Each project must be multi-disciplinary and demonstrate strong potential for long-term success. Marjorie Lee White, M.D., Pediatric Emergency Medicine, was awarded a grant in medical education titled, “Standardized Patient Center Re-Boot for 21st Century Health Professionals Students." The project is funded for $296,000. To find out more about teh HSF Awards, click here. Dr. Beukelman to Speak at 2015 ACR Annual meeting
Tim Beukelman, M.D., has been invited to present two talks at The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Annual Scientific Meeting this weekend. On Friday Nov. 6, he will present “Resources for Tracking Outcomes: Administrative Data” and on Sunday, Nov. 8, “Overview of Data Sources and Methods to Conduct Studies of the Pediatric Rheumatic Diseases.” In addition he will present seven abstracts.
Dr. Davis selected to be PR Examination Item Writer
Drew Davis, M.D., Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, has been selected by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (ABPMR) to serve a three year term as an item writer for the Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine (PRM) Board Examination. Congratulations Dr. Davis!
Dr. Stagno Named Distinguished Faculty Lecturer
Sergio Stagno, M.D., former chair of the Department of Pediatrics, was named the 2015 Distinguished Faculty Lecturer, the highest honor bestowed by the UAB academic health center. There will be a Distinguished Faculty Lecturer reception held in Dr. Stagno's honor in December, where he will be the keynote speaker.Dr. Stagno’s contributions to pediatric infectious diseases have dramatically advanced our understanding and treatment of a number of viral infections and have also brought recognition to Children’s of Alabama, the UAB Department of Pediatrics and to UAB as a whole. His work as an outstanding educator, “friend of the residents,” as well as his scientific accomplishments make him a perfect choice for this award.
To be eligible for this annual award, an individual must be a faculty member who has:
- Advanced the frontiers of science or otherwise made a significant contribution to the health of people, or
- Made an outstanding contribution to the Academic Health Center through education, research, or public service.
Superhero Month Continues
Click here to visit the photo gallery from Wednesday's superhero visit at Children's of Alabama. The superhero window washers visit is part of “Superhero Month” at Children's. Children’s and Books-A-Million Inc., invite the community to participate in all the month’s activities via social media. Current and past patients and families all over the state are encouraged to submit their stories to a new microsite, www.thepowerofChildrensAL.org, or via social media using the hashtag #thepowerofChildrensAL.
Dr. Glaeser Receives the 205 Rocco V. Morando Lifetime Achievement Award
Peter Glaeser, M.D. received the 2015 Rocco V. Morando Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing a lifetime of commitment and contributions to Emergency Medical Services (EMS). The award is the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT)’s most prestigious award.The presentation in Las Vegas, NV., was made on Sept. 16 during NAEMT’s General Membership Meeting. To read the news release which details some of Dr. Glaeser's achievements, click here.
Dr. Jilling Awarded R21
Congratulations to Tamas Jilling, M.D. (Neonatology) on his R21, PI award with Sadis Matalon, Ph.D., for their study, “Mechanisms and Countermeasures of Halogen-induced Injury to Pregnant Mice,” in the amount of $701,926 for the period 9/30/2015 – 8/31/2017.
Alabama Pediatricians Recognized
The Alabama chapter of American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) held an awards dinner on Saturday, Sept. 26. The awards were presented to the following:
- 2015 Legislative Heroes: Alabama Senator Steve Livingston and Alabama Representative Tommy Hanes.
- Chapter Awards and Recognition: E. Cason Benton, MD, FAAP, David Kimberlin, MD, FAAP, J. Rian Anglin, MD, FAAP, and Graham Champion.
- Carden Johnston Leadership Award: James Conrad Wiley, MD, FAAP
- 2016 Master Pediatrician Award: Maurice Dennis, Jr. MD, FAAP
- 2015 Wallace Alexander Clyde Distinguished Service Award for Excellence in Pediatrics: David B. Joseph, MD, FAAP, FACS
To view the Awards Dinner program, which includes descriptions of the awards, click here. Congratulations and many thanks to those recognized for striving toward optimal health and well-being for all children in Alabama.