Kate Prendergast, First-year Ph.D. Student in the Medical Psychology Program at UAB, was awarded the Marion and Donald Routh Student Research Grant from the Society of Pediatric Psychology. This competitive $5,000 research grant will help fund Kate's research project titled "Inflammatory Biomarkers, Executive Function, and Adiposity in Children With and Without Obesity." Kate is under the mentorship of Marissa Gowey, Ph.D., Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition.
Congratulations Kate!
Laura Rochford, M.D., 2nd Year Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellow, received a 2018 Trainee Tobacco Champion Honorable Mention for her project researching utilization of a new aversive tool to decrease smoking in parents of children. The long-range goal of her project is to decrease asthma visits in the children of these parents. The 2018 Trainee Tobacco Champion Awards and Honorable Mentions are given out by the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Tobacco Control.
Congratulations Dr. Rochford!
Jacinta Cooper, M.D., Ph.D., Third Year Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellow, won first place in the Clinical Case Competition of the Section on Pediatric Trainees (SOPT) of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) at the AAP National Conference last weekend in Orlando, Florida. Dr. Cooper's wining case was titled "Paroxysmal Complete Heart Block In A Child With A Structurally Normal Heart." The SOPT has held the Clinical Case Competition since 2003. More than 300 abstracts were submitted and the top 30 authors were invited to present. First place is awarded to the best medical student, resident and fellow case.
Congratulations to Dr. Cooper for this honor!
We are pleased to announce that the UAB Cleft and Craniofacial Center at Children’s of Alabama has received the national distinction of being approved by the Commission on Approval of Teams by the American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association.
Our center was approved as both a recognized Cleft Center and as a recognized Craniofacial center and remains the only such center in the state of Alabama.
A 5 year accreditation beginning January 2019, this confirms that our center exemplifies the standards set forth by the national governing body.
Pictured: Cassi Smola, M.D., member of the Cleft and Craniofacial Center
Congratulations to Shannon Ross, M.D., Pediatric Infectious Disease, on being elected to the American Pediatric Society! Membership in the American Pediatric Society is reserved for individuals who are child health leaders, teachers, scholars, policymakers and/or clinicians who make important contributions to pediatrics. Dr. Ross's membership will begin on January 1, 2019.
A weekly photo round up of events, people and groups in the Department.
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Richard Whitley, M.D., Pediatric Infectious Disease, becoming a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians in Ireland.
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David Askenazi, M.D., Pediatric Nephrology, and National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) Director Dr. Griffin Rodgers talking about the excellent research being done at UAB and Children's of Alabama. Dr. Rodgers presented the American Society of Nephrology 2018 Presidential Award Lecture.
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The Regional Poison Control Center (RPCC) at Children’s of Alabama recently celebrated its 60th anniversary. The management team includes Medical Director Justin Arnold, D.O., MPH; Associate Medical Director Michele Nichols, M.D.; Director Ann Slattery, DrPH, RN, RPh, DABAT; and Clinical Supervisor LaDonna Gaines MPH, RN, CSPI.
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Members of the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition attend the largest, local fundraiser of the year for the Crohns and Colitis Foundation, Casino for A Cause. Pictured: Mike Leonis, M.D., Taylor Knight CRNP, Margaux Barnes Ph.D. Traci Jester, M.D., Marissa Gowey, Ph.D., and Reed Dimmitt, M.D.
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Jaime McKinney, M.D., Academic General Pediatrics, reading with patients in the Primary Care Clinic in partnership with Reach Out & Read-Alabama.
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Cassi Smola, M.D., Pediatric Hospital Medicine, presented her poster titled "A New View for Acute Otitis Media" at the American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference and Exhibition last weekend in Orlando, Florida.
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Lauren Wagner, D.O., Second Year Pediatric Hospital Medicine Fellow, presented a poster titled "Improving Screening for Tobacco Use in Adolescent Inpatients at a Children’s Hospital" at the American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference and Exhibition Section on Tobacco Control last weekend in Orlando, Florida.
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Sandy Thurmond, VP Primary Care Services and Reed Dimmitt, M.D., Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, happily tailgating prior to the Alabama-Missouri football game Saturday, October 13 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
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The Alabama Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics hosted their annual awards dinner on September 29. Below is a list of awards and winners handed out at the dinner.
2018 Legislative Hero: Alabama Representative Pebblin Warren
Chapter & District X Awards and Recognition: Nola Ernest, M.D., Morissa Ladinsky, M.D., Cathy Wood, M.D., and Dothan Pediatrics Healthcare Network
Carden Johnston Leadership Award: David Gremse, M.D.
Marsha Raulerson Advocacy Award: Cathy Wood, M.D.
2018 Wallace Alexander Clyde Distinguished Service Award: David Smalley, M.D.
2019 Master Pediatrician Award: Arnold Tauro, M.D.
Pictured:
Photo on the left: Drs. Carden Johnston, David Gremse and Andrew Stubblefield -
The Alabama Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics hosted their annual awards dinner on September 29. Below is a list of awards and winners handed out at the dinner.
2018 Legislative Hero: Alabama Representative Pebblin Warren
Chapter & District X Awards and Recognition: Nola Ernest, M.D., Morissa Ladinsky, M.D., Cathy Wood, M.D., and Dothan Pediatrics Healthcare Network
Carden Johnston Leadership Award: David Gremse, M.D.
Marsha Raulerson Advocacy Award: Cathy Wood, M.D.
2018 Wallace Alexander Clyde Distinguished Service Award: David Smalley, M.D.
2019 Master Pediatrician Award: Arnold Tauro, M.D.
Pictured:
Photo on the right: Drs. Cathy Wood, Marsha Raulerson and Andrew Stubblefield -
Drs. Monisha Goyal and Leon Dure, Pediatric Neurology, at the Superhero Breakfast on Wednesday, October 3. This year's Superhero Breakfast honored the Epilepsy Program. Also pictured is superhero Dr. Curt Rozelle.
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Yung Lau, M.D., Pediatric Cardiology and Tamera Coyne-Beasley, M.D., Adolescent Medicine, at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Leadership Development Course for Academic Physicians.
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Lauren Nassetta, M.D., Pediatric Hospital Medicine, Hannah Gardner, M.D., First Year Fellow Pediatric Hospital Medicine, Jennifer Hoefert, M.D., First Year Fellow Pediatric Hospital Medicine, Susan Walley, M.D., Pediatric Hospital Medicine, Jacinta Cooper, M.D., Third Year Fellow Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Mitch Cohen, M.D., Chair of Pediatrics, Morissa Ladinsky, M.D., Academic General Pediatrics, Laura Wagner, D.O., Second Year Fellow Pediatric Hospital Medicine, and Meghan Hofto, M.D., Pediatric Hospital Medicine, at the Children's of Alabama Children's Ball Friday, November 9.
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Shaundra Blakemore, M.D., Third Year Fellow Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Pete Glaeser, M.D., Pediatric Emergency Medicine, and Jacinta Cooper, M.D., Third Year Fellow Pediatric Emergency Medicine, at the Children's of Alabama Children's Ball on Friday, November 9.
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Hannah Hulsey, M.D., First Year Fellow, Adolescent Medicine, Samantha Hill, M.D., Third Year Fellow, Adolescent Medicine, Tina Simpson, M.D., Adolescent Medicine and Morissa Ladinsky, M.D., Academic General Pediatrics, attended the Wilcox County Health Fair on November 17. The health fair sponsored by John Paul Jones Hospital, Asera Care and UAB Medicine and provides valuable health screenings and health education to residents of Wilcox County, Alabama.
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The PCC Flu Fighter Superheroes!
Pictured: Stephanie Perry, Practice Manager, Izzy Alfano, Adrienne Walker, RN, Jessica Mashburn, RN, Miesha Hart, Becky Bilbro and Kayla Stodgel -
The Primary Care Clinic hosted a Thanksgiving breakfast pajama party. Pictured here are Rebecca Winslett, Nursing Supervisor, Sharon Dale, Kayla Stodgel, Latoya Hall, Tyneshia Freeman, Desaree Youngblood, Jessica Mashburn, RN, Stephanie Perry, Practice Manager, Jennifer Nasiatka, RN, Jazzmin Berry and Izzy Alfano.
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Jeffrey Lebensburger, M.D., Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, gave an oral presentation at the American Society of Hematology 2018 meeting in San Diego, California, discussing that hyperfiltration in children with sickle cell disease is a risk factor for albuminuria.
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Pediatric Primary Care Clinic ringing in the season with Tacky Holiday Sweaters!
Pictured: Kayla Stodgel, Becky Bilbro, Tyneshia Freeman, Rebecca Winslett, Nurse Supervisor, Desaree Youngblood, Jennifer Nasiatka, RN, Sharon Dale, Adrienne Walker, RN, Stephanie Perry, Practice Manager, Rachel Williams, RN, Izzy Alfano and Jazzmin Berry.
Sixty women have been selected to join the inaugural class of Upward, Alabama’s premier early career leadership development program. Among these is Allison Black, M.D., Neonatology.
Momentum created the new Upward program to target early-career women. The program leverages Momentum’s expertise and alumnae network to develop the next generation of talented leadership.Upward is delivered in half-day sessions over a nine-month period from January to October. Program sessions are interactive, classroom-style and facilitated by training professionals and Momentum alumnae. In between sessions, participants will complete assignments, meet with their co-mentoring group, and enjoy networking opportunities with experienced senior leaders.
More information.
Ambika Ashraf, M.D., Pediatric Endocrinology, has been invited to join the American Board of Pediarics Subboard of Pediatric Endocrinology for a six-year term beginning January 1, 2019. The subboard is responsible for developing the initial certifying, MOC, MOCA-Peds and SITE examinations, ensuring each exam is comprehensive, fair, reliable and valid.
PEDIATRICS WELCOMES TWO NEW FACULTY MEMBERS IN OCTOBER 2018
The UAB Department of Pediatrics welcomes two new faculty members during the month of October. Please join us in making them feel at home!
Katie Grisanti, M.D., Assistant Professor in Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
Kimberlly Stringer, M.D., MPH, Associate Professor in Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics
Katie Grisanti, M.D., Assistant Professor in Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, earned her medical degree from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine in Lexington, Kentucky. Dr. Grisanti completed her combined internal medicine/pediatric residency at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and allergy and immunology fellowship at the Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio.
Kimberlly Stringer, M.D., M.P.H., Associate Professor in Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, earned her medical degree from the University of Tennessee in Memphis, Tennessee. Dr. Stringer completed her pediatric residency at Texas Tech Health Science Center in Lubbock, Texas and developmental-behavioral pediatrics fellowship at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In addition, she also completed a Master of Public Health at UAB. Prior to joining the department, Dr. Stringer worked at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Her research/clinical interests include improving patient assess to developmental-behavioral pediatric services including telehealth services, implementation of developmental screening in childcare centers, using practice transformation to improve developmental and behavioral screenings in primary care practices and studying developmental outcomes in children with congenital heart disease.
New Endowed Chairs
Ralph Froshin, Jr. Chair
Susan Nabers Haskell Chair
Virginia Walker Jones Chair
Philippe W. Lathrop Chair
L. Gwaltney McCollum, Jr. Chair
Benjamin Russell Chair
New Chair Holders
Tamera Coyne-Beasley, M.D.- Derrol Dawkins, M.D., Chair in Adolescent Medicine
Jennifer Dollar, M.D.- Susan Nabers Haskell Chair in Pediatric Anesthesiology
Skip Gilbert, M.D.- L. Gwaltney McCollum, Jr. Chair in Pediatric Orthopaedics
Laura McGuinn, M.D.- Thomas H. Lowder Chair in Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics
Nancy Tofil, M.D.- Ann Dial McMillan Chair in Pediatric Critical Care
Terry Wall, M.D.- John W. Benton Chair in General Pediatrics 
Children’s of Alabama (COA) provides generous and meaningful support to the pediatric enterprise in many ways. In particular, with the creation of six new chairs this year, COA now supports 26 endowed chairs for the pediatric enterprise. These chairs honor long serving members of the Board of Trustees (23) or physicians (3) who have served the pediatric enterprise. They are a wonderful way to honor the legacies of these important people. In addition, they provide support for faculty and are key differentiators in recruiting and retaining faculty in the Department of Pediatrics and other departments at COA. Congratulations to the longstanding board members and the new chair holders!