Pediatric News
Updates from the Department of Pediatrics
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Kari Simonsen, MD, chair, UNMC Department of Pediatrics |
Department of Pediatrics Chair Update:
Kari Simonsen, MD, MBA
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Spring has arrived! Things are turning green outside, and the Department of Pediatrics is hard at work with new activities, opportunities and successes.
I'd like to celebrate the pediatric residency program and their successful Match Day! We have a tremendously talented group of new interns who will be arriving July 1. The program leaders and many faculty and staff worked tirelessly through a challenging virtual interview season to ensure our program delivered a high-quality virtual experience that was able to articulate our program curriculum and opportunities, as well as the "feel" and sense of community that is a true strength of the residency. Our fellowships have also successfully matched new candidates who will begin fellowships July 1 in Neonatology, Gastroenterology, Infectious Diseases, Pulmonary, Developmental Pediatrics, Cardiology, Hospital Medicine, and Hematology-Oncology. Congratulations again to all the faculty and staff whose efforts made this a successful match season.
In research, we have submitted new proposals in the first quarter of 2021 totaling more than $10 million in extramural funds! While we will undoubtedly not realize 100 percent success in those funding requests, this represents the greatest number of extramural grant submissions to date for our researchers and the CHRI administrative team. We are also actively contributing to the COVID-19 vaccination efforts globally with new studies evaluating candidate vaccines for young children and college students. Many thanks and kudos to all who are working to drive research and innovation that improves child health!
Clinically, we welcome new talented leaders to our department with the arrivals of Sookyong Koh, MD, PhD, professor, Division of Pediatric Neurology; chief, Division of Pediatric Neurology, Children's Hospital & Medical Center and Ioannis Kalampokis, MD, PhD, MPH, associate professor, Division of Rheumatology, UNMC; chief, Division of Pediatric Rheumatology, Children's. I know they are eager to get started building programs and services to improve the specialty care we deliver our patients. They further look forward to getting to know others in the department and across our networks within UNMC and the broader community. Please join me in extending a warm welcome to them and reach out to connect more directly on areas of potential collaboration.
Thank you again for all your efforts and contributions that make the UNMC Department of Pediatrics the success it is today and help move us forward toward what we will become tomorrow!
Kari
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Antiracism Committee Update |
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Since the fall of 2020, the UNMC Department of Pediatrics Antiracism Committee has met monthly to organize efforts, share resources and opportunities, and strategize on how to thrive as a committed antiracist academic department. The Committee is led by co-chairs Drs. Helen Grace, Geetanjali Rathore and Ruben Quiros and facilitated by Vice Chair - Culture, Dr. Chad Abresch and Jackie Ostronic.
Highlights of some of the Committee’s developments and projects include:
Designing and beginning the process of implementing a department assessment to evaluate areas for improvement to ensure the department is a welcoming and safe place to learn, work and succeed.
Advocating for underserved communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ways to assist: help direct patients and families on how to sign up/when walk-ins are available.
Crafting a department statement of antiracism which will be unveiled at our first annual Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) event to be held on Friday, May 21. Keynote speaker will be Dr. Deidre Cooper Owens, Professor in the History of Medicine; Director of Humanities in Medicine, UNL. Mark your calendars - more information to come, including a formal save the date.
Mapping incident reporting channels and resources at UNMC andChildren's Hospital & Medical Center.
Meeting quarterly with diversity leaders at UNMC and Children's to discuss ways to collaborate.
Developing communication channels to reach our department to provide education and self-reflection opportunities, resources and even a listening board to support everyone through the journey to becoming an antiracist academic department.
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Our Successes:
Department Celebrations
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The Department of Pediatrics shares accomplishments, publications and appointments. |
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Strategic planning is continuing for both Children’s Hospital & Medical Center and each division in the Department of Pediatrics. Nearly all the Department of Pediatrics Divisions now have an “operating” strategic plan. The next steps of the process include selecting priorities along with action plans. Action plans will include timing and assignment of personnel.
Key performance indicators will also be developed and will be part of the monthly tracking by the division. These metrics will be part of a scorecard that each division will develop. A “scorecard template” has been developed, and the data that will be tracked will be decided on at the division level. (See template detail screenshot above.)
The goals of this project are to align priorities among divisions and the hospital, develop a means to track progress and to grow as a whole. The intent is the involvement of all faculty members, and I would encourage you to discuss these plans as a group and work toward common goals to improve each division with a joint purpose in mind. Assistance for this process continues to be from John Williams, Children's Vice President of Planning & Business Development, along with Jaclyn Ostronic with UNMC Department of Pediatrics. Please reach out to them or myself with any questions or concerns.
Casey Burg, MD
Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs
UNMC Department of Pediatrics
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Meet the New Intern Class |
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Match Day 2021 was held on March 19. We are thrilled to introduce our incoming intern class and even more excited to finally meet all of them in person after navigating the virtual interview season. Once again, we are so appreciative of the efforts of so many that contributed to a successful recruitment season and Match Day! Orientation and onboarding will look a little different again this year, but we look forward to the new interns' arrival and can't wait for you to help us welcome them to our Pediatric family. Here are the 2021 match results: |
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Pediatrics
Sterling Blackham – University of North Texas College of Medicine
Madeline DeFrance – University of North Dakota College of Medicine
Adam DeVries – University of Nebraska College of Medicine
Rebecca Dravland – University of North Dakota College of Medicine
Joshua Francois – Des Moines University College of Medicine
Thomas Helms – Marian University College of Medicine
Joslynn Hoburg – Creighton University College of Medicine
Katie Kim – Pacific Northwest University College of Medicine
Alexis Malaterre – University of North Dakota College of Medicine
Amreen Masthan – Arizona College of Medicine of Midwestern University
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Serenity McAndrews – Creighton University College of Medicine
Andrew Nguyen – University of North Texas College of Medicine
Kendra Reilly – Creighton University College of Medicine
Tamara Thevarajah – Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences College of Medicine
Chelsey Urbauer – University of Nebraska College of Medicine
UNMC Med/Peds
Lindsey Beard – Creighton University College of Medicine
Joshua Lallman – University of Nebraska College of Medicine
Audrey Lane – University of North Dakota College of Medicine
Cristian Valquier – University of Nebraska College of Medicine
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In this new feature, we present the same five questions to a new member of the UNMC Pediatrics team in order to get to know the person behind the medical professional. This month we feature Ioannis Kalampokis, MD, Associate Professor of Pediatrics at University of Nebraska Medical Center; Chief, Division of Pediatric Rheumatology, Children's Hospital & Medical Center.
What brought you to your given specialty/role?
Pediatric rheumatology brings together both my scientific and clinical interests like no other subspecialty. The human immune system fascinated me since my medical school years since it is present in every organ of the body and, together with our nervous system, is what sets us apart from all other organisms. Immunological mechanisms are involved in every single process of our body, and they represent a critical intervention point for the development of therapies for nearly every human disease. Clinically, pediatric rheumatology involves serving children which are the future of our society and provides the opportunity to deliver comprehensive care related to all organ systems in our body.
What’s your favorite place in the world?
My favorite place in the world resides in the human mind and its innumerable intellectual aspects. Geographically, the Aegean Archipelago in Hellas is where I feel connected with the universe the most.
What are you a fan of or very interested in?
The word “fan” is derived from the modern Latin word fanaticus, meaning "insanely but divinely inspired"; as such, I am not a “fan” of anything since insanity and divinity are concepts that do not belong in my life path. I have been involved in sports since early childhood. Exercise provides unique healing and evolutionary properties both for the mind and the body; currently, I am mostly focused on rock climbing. I am also heavily committed to philosophy and I spent a significant amount of my free time writing. There are no “types” of philosophy; philosophy, “the science of truth”, is ONE, similar to the cosmos.
Is there any medicine-based book, music or TV series or movie that you admire and would recommend to others? Or anything outside of the medical world that you recommend?
The books of Hippocrates, especially the ones on diet, are essential to anyone interested in well-being. Outside of the medical world, the books of Epicurus are fundamental in the philosophical realm and anyone who is committed to intellectual evolution would benefit from reading them. Democritus also has several important writings that established the true foundations of science.
What was the most important lesson taught to you during your medical training?
Every human being is unique and individualized approaches are essential in the promotion of all aspects of health. The freedom of choice is the most critical prerequisite to human well-being, and we should never force our recommendations on any individual under any circumstances.
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A Mental Wellness Reminder |
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A note from UNMC and Nebraska Medicine Wellness champions includes various internal and external resources available for those feeling depressed and/or anxious.
Dear Community Physicians,
Dr. Joseph Stothert tragically lost his life to suicide last month. When a clinician colleague dies by suicide, it can bring up many confusing and contradictory thoughts and feelings in survivors. It can trigger our own sense of vulnerability to depression, anxiety and other common mental health concerns that ordinarily we may be able to suppress or deny, but now cannot ignore. That can be stressful for health care providers who are used to healing others, but not so familiar with accepting help from other professionals. However, it’s clear that asking for and receiving needed mental health care can be lifesaving and career saving.
If you are feeling depressed or anxious in the aftermath of a colleague’s suicide, know that there is help. Don’t suffer in silence. You have given hope and healing to many others; please be willing to accept help when you need it.
Internal Resource: Peers in Need of Support (PINS) program
Metro Omaha Medical Society
LifeBridge
- https://www.nebmed.org/lifebridge
- For physicians across Nebraska
- Free support and coaching from other specially trained physicians
- Helps physicians deal with job stress, work/life balance, difficult life issues, etc.
Suicide Prevention Helpline
- 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals
- 1.800.273.8255
Key Facts about Suicide
- Reactions to suicide are varied, including disbelief, self-blame, guilt, shame, blaming, anger, fear, feeling abandoned/rejected and sometimes relief
- Human beings have a need to understand what happened
- Human beings need opportunities to grieve
It is okay to not be okay, and it is okay to get help.
Sincerely,
Steve Wengel, MD, assistant vice chancellor for Wellness, UNMC and UNO
Sarah Richards, MD, senior medical director, Care Experience, Nebraska Medicine
Lindsay Gage, MD, medical staff president, Nebraska Medical Center
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Dr. Rathore EarnsTeacher Recognition Award |
Geetanjali Rathore, MD, Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Neurological Sciences, UNMC, was awarded the prestigious A. B Baker Teacher Recognition Award 2021, by the American Academy of Neurology at their Annual Meeting virtually in April. The American Academy of Neurology believes that excellent teachers deserve recognition for their contributions to improving neurology now and in the future. This award, in addition to the Extra Mile Teaching award that Dr. Rathore has received from the Department of Neurological sciences for the last three consecutive years, are proof of Dr. Rathore’s teaching success. Congratulations, Dr. Rathore!
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UNMC PEDIATRICS LIAISON LIBRARIAN REPORT:
SPSS/SAS Programs on library computers; Maker Space now open; Library Speaker Series
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Access to SPSS and SAS programs on library computers.
SPSS and SAS statistical software is now available on 12 PCs in the Rudolph F. Sievers Technology Commons (room WH7063). Students, faculty, and staff can access the software using their UNMC NetID and password.
Jim and Karen Linder Maker Studio is open.
The Maker Studio is available to you for research, individual projects, group activities, or personal wellness. Contact us now to set up a tour, make a new thing, to discuss opportunities to incorporate 3D printing into courses or projects.
Library Speaker Series. Save the date!
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Installing the NOW Mobile App |
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For those that may have missed it, linked below are the instructions for installing the Nebraska Medicine NOW app, the internal communications platform for Nebraska Medicine news. |
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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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Years of Service:
Donna Kuntzelman, BSBA - 41 years,
Patty Davis - 28 years
Matthew Beaver, BS - 16 years
Robert Spicer, MD - 9 years
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Nagendra Chaturvedi, PhD - 9 years
Jessica Coyer - 7 years
Sharissa Stewart, BS, CTBS - 1 year
Aubrey Honcoop, BS - 1 year
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CME Event: Seeking Strength in Times of Crises
Discuss how pathways to flourishing can help health professions learners, practitioners
and organizations find strength and resilience during crisis. Describe the types of well-being and mental health resources necessary to sustain strength and resilience for health professions learners, practitioners and patients, during and after crisis. Discuss how expectations for caring, committed and courageous individuals should be balanced with multifaceted institutional and societal support in attaining strength and resilience.
Pediatric Cardiology: Updates for Non-Cardiologists
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University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Medicine Department of Pediatrics
982155 Nebraska Medicine
Omaha, NE 68198-2155
402-559-6400
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