Every January brings the celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Although his birthday is January 15, this federal holiday is celebrated on the third Monday of the month, this year January 18. Whereas this holiday was signed into law in 1983, it wasn’t until 2000 that all 50 states officially observed this day. I was an 11 year old girl growing up in a small town north of Memphis when Dr. King was assassinated in Memphis. My parents explained that he’d been killed because he was trying to help the abused and underpaid sanitation workers in Memphis fight for a union so they could have better wages and humane working conditions. I asked why that would upset people, and at the time their explanation made no sense: they were underpaid because they were Black. This is the first time I can remember being personally aware of “race” as defining what kind of a life a person lives. 2020 was a year of many painful reminders that race still defines the life a person lives. The murders of Black people by police certainly illustrate in stark terms the impact of white privilege, i.e., the implicit advantages given to people who are White. I think white privilege was on display last week when White demonstrators stormed the Capitol to try and reverse the election outcome and were met with a police force unprepared to “control” a group of White demonstrators compared to police “control” of Black Lives Matter demonstrators. This MLK Jr Day, I recommend you re-familiarize yourself with his most impactful and compelling speeches. This link to Time magazine includes one of my favorites - it is not a speech but a letter to local clergy from the Birmingham jail in April 1963. This letter is the source of my favorite quote of his: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”. As we embark on a new year and celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy and life, let us rededicate ourselves to becoming aware of white privilege and systemic racism, educating ourselves about the harms that result from systemic racism and acting to confront systemic racism directly, especially in health care. After the incredible year we have just experienced, I could not be more grateful for the dedication, resilience, adaptability and courage of all Baystate employees and for the insightful, steadfast, and fearless senior leadership. I wish you a year of health and happiness with less drama and uncertainty and more joy that comes from being a part of this learning community.

Infection rates in children <18 years of age in Western Mass as reported by Baystate Reference Laboratory has almost doubled in the last month. In early December, infection was 6.22%, but by December 26, it was 9.7% and then by New Year’s, it was 12%. Last week, the infection rate in children in Western Mass was stable at 11%. Hospitalizations are also rising in the country, reflecting the higher infection rates. Just published in JAMA, there were 5364 pediatric COVID-19 hospitalizations in 22 states between May and November, with large variations across states. The figure shows the percent of pediatric patients hospitalized with COVID19 in 4 New England states since the pandemic began. In MA, data was collected to mid-August and the percent of hospitalized patients who are <19 years old increased to about 1%. We saw a small uptick in COVID19 patients admitted to our children’s hospital in mid-December, but a fairly stable admission rate since Christmas. Overall, 2.2% of hospitalized patients at Baystate have been children <22 years.  Also very reassuring is a publication this month in Pediatrics that indicates transmission of the virus causing COVID19 is low in schools. Researchers from Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found just 32 cases of in-school transmission among nearly 100,000 students and staff over a nine-week period. As more data is published indicating it is safe to return to school and as more teachers are able to be vaccinated, it is imperative for our children’s education and development that they return to in-person school. Baystate Children’s Hospital faculty are in strong agreement with the AAP that children should return to school ASAP. 

Dr. Zoe Warczak has been appointed to the AAP Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health (COPACFH). This committee provides expert guidance to pediatricians on child/family mental health and publishes policy statements on best practices. Zoe received her MD from the University of Rochester and joined the Department of Pediatrics at Baystate Children’s Hospital in July 2020 as an intern in the pediatrics residency training program. She was selected as the liaison from the AAP Section on Pediatric Trainees (SOPT) to COPACFH. The SOPT liaison is chosen by the Section on Pediatric Trainees Leadership Council based on applicants’ personal statement, diversity statement, and CV. She represents pediatric trainees across all categorical and combined training programs. "The representation of trainees is very important to the work that COPACFH does for the Academy, including one of our primary purposes, the crafting of policies pertaining to the psychological and social well-being of children in our nation", according to the COPACFH chair. In addition to Fellows of the AAP and the SOPT Liaison, the Committee also includes representation from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, the National Association of Social Workers, and the Society of Pediatric Psychology. A summary of the committee, list of current members, and its history dating back to 1931, can be found here: services.aap.org Congratulations Zoe on this honor and we are so proud that Baystate Children’s Hospital is represented by you in this national effort!

Baystate Children’s Hospital and the Department of Pediatrics at UMMS-Baystate are delighted to welcome Dr. Stephen Bean to the Division of Newborn Medicine. Dr. Bean received his medical degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, DC. He completed his residency in pediatrics and his fellowship in neonatal-perinatal medicine from UMMS in Worcester. For 20 years, he was on the staff of Neonatology Associates at UMass Memorial Medical Center, Worcester, MA. He is currently Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at UMMS. He began working at Baystate Children’s Hospital as a per diem neonatologist in October 2018. We are delighted that we were able to persuade Dr. Bean to join our faculty full time here at Baystate. Welcome Dr. Bean and we look forward to your contributions in the NICU and to our training programs!

Baystate Children’s Hospital Safety Council is excited to announce that the new “Humpty Dumpty Falls Scale” will go live in the children’s hospital later this month. This is an important initiative: In 2019, we had 16 falls and 2020 we had 15 falls. The scale will be used in the PICU, Children’s and Adolescents unit, the Pediatric ED, and all Baystate Health emergency rooms (Franklin, Noble, Wing and Mary Lane) who may serve children. This tool is used in over 900 hospitals nationally and over 160 hospitals internationally. The scale takes into consideration the patient’s age, gender, diagnosis (including but not limited to neurological, respiratory, cardiac, and psychiatric), cognitive impairment, environment and any sedatives, anesthesia or medications the patient may have received. The Humpty Dumpty falls program partners with families, including education about falls on admission. High risk patient interventions will include the use of a decal outside the room, yellow socks and a yellow falls bracelet. The door will be left open to the rooms of patients who identify as high risk. Additionally, high risk patients will receive a key card for falls safety (an idea that was derived from the Solutions for Patient Safety network). This card provides nursing guidance on how patients and families can collaborate to keep the patient safe while hospitalized. Tracking our fall events and comparing the rates to previous years will help us determine the effectiveness of the new scale and interventions. This validated pediatric tool meets the recommendation of the Joint Commission. A BIG thanks to Patricia Fontaine MSN, RN, CPN our SPS Outcomes Nurse and her team of nurses for working so diligently to implement this in our hospital!

The Department of Pediatrics at UMMS-Baystate is proud to announce the residents in pediatrics and combined medicine-pediatrics training programs who successfully matched in ACGME-accredited fellowships starting July 2021! In pediatrics, our Chief Resident Dr. Samantha Roberge will be going to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital for training in pediatric endocrinology; Dr. Amara Danielczok will be going to Emory for training in pediatric endocrinology; and Dr. Eddie Zitnik will be going to UCLA for training in pediatric nephrology. From the combined Med-Peds program, Dr. Kevin Hachey, Chief Resident in Internal Medicine will be going to Indiana University for training in adult pulmonary/critical care; Dr. Faith Ikalina will be going to Montefiore Medical center for training in combined med-peds rheumatology; Dr. Laura Kvenvold will be going to University of Connecticut for training in combined med-peds Infectious Diseases; Dr. Max Norris will be going to the National Institutes of Health for training in allergy and immunology; and Dr. Theresa Sepulveda will be going to Baylor University for training in adult Infectious Diseases. Congratulations to these remarkable young physicians for matching in such highly regarded academic fellowships!

Baystate Children’s Hospital and the Department of Pediatrics at UMMS-Baystate are delighted to welcome Dr. Michele Gortakowski to the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology. Dr. Gortakowski received her medical degree from the Pennsylvania State College of Medicine in Hershey, PA. She completed a combined medicine-pediatrics residency here at Baystate and completed a combined medicine-pediatrics fellowship in endocrinology also here at Baystate. She was Co-Chief resident for the combined Medicine-Pediatrics Residency program and served on the GME Committee and Resident/Fellows Quality Council here at Baystate. She also served as a representative to the National Med Peds Residency Association (NMPRA). Michele will spend 30% of her time in pediatric endocrinology and the rest in Adult Endocrinology. Welcome Michele: we are so delighted that you stayed at Baystate!

In 20 years, the Baystate Health I&T team has helped hundreds of families during the holidays. The division’s tradition of adopting a family and purchasing toys and clothes for them has become a cherished activity each holiday season. However, this year needed to be different due to COVID-19, so the team focused their attention on Griffin’s Friends. Judy Baird, I&T project manager (right in photo), and Ann Chenier, I&T office manager and executive assistant (pictured left), received an email from Baystate Health Foundation’s Mia Gorecki who was looking for divisions and departments interested in supporting Griffin’s Friends this year. They immediately said, “this is it.” Founded in 1994, Griffin’s Friends is a group of volunteers dedicated to providing support to children with cancer. Named in memory of Griffin D. Kelleher, the group supports patients at Baystate Children’s Hospital through donations to Baystate Health Foundation. This determined team ended up putting together 20 gift baskets with $200 worth of gifts cards to be donated to families who have children battling cancer. A BIG thanks to the I&T department for their generosity and support of kids for the holidays! You inspire all of us not to be deterred by a pandemic to make dreams come true for children.

When to Refer

How to Refer

What to Expect From Baystate Children’s Hospital Visit

Baystate Children’s Hospital and the Division of General Pediatrics and Community Health is delighted to welcome Ms. Jillian Midghall, FNP to High Street Health Clinic. Ms. Midghall received her undergraduate degree in microbiology from the University of Massachusetts – North Dartmouth, MA and her Master of Science in Nursing- Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration from the American International College here in Springfield. As a FNP student, she did some of her clinical rotations right here at Baystate as well as pediatrics training with Dr. Amy Pelletier, a former Chief Resident in Pediatrics at Baystate Children Hospital and currently practicing at Fairview Pediatrics in Chicopee. Jillian will focus on primary care in pediatrics at HSHC. Welcome Jillian - we are delighted you have joined us!

COVID19 vaccinations for patient-facing health care workers at Baystate began in late December with great expectation. As of January 12, more than 8200 Baystate employees have received their first dose. Dr. Joeli Hettler, Chief of the Pediatric Emergency Department at Baystate Children’s Hospital pretty much sums up the feelings of relief, excitement and gratitude for all of us. “I feel a huge sense of relief to have had both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Knowing I can expect to have the levels of protection shown by the vaccine trials leaves me and my family so grateful for "Science." I'm sleeping better at night. I didn't realize how much I'd been worrying about my frontline ED team members getting COVID, until I felt the relief of seeing our high vaccine acceptance rates. I've read that side effects from the vaccine are more common after the second dose, are self-limited and often start 12-24 hours after administration. I scheduled my vaccine to have the least impact on other responsibilities and to "treat" myself through any side effects, I stopped by my favorite bakery for a few cookies and prepared a list of movies to watch. Happily, like after the first shot, my only side effect was a sore arm. I ate the cookies and watched movies anyway. I welcome the responsibility that comes with being a Baystate employee, knowing that people watch what I do related to how I social distance in my personal life. I feel like the vaccine has offered me an invisible, added layer of PPE but until more people are vaccinated, I won’t change much about how I interact with people at work or at home. I’m trying to spread the word and share with everyone in my personal circle how relieved I am to be vaccinated. I hope people will feel as grateful and confident as I do about getting vaccinated themselves.”

This perspective articulates well how important the social determinants of health are to a patient’s health and well-being.

And this study provides additional confirmation that the overwhelming majority of children with SARS-CoV-2 infection develop mild symptoms

       Click here to join the Zoom Meeting

Charlotte M. Boney, MD, Chair of Pediatrics

Linda Todaro, MPA, Director of Pediatric Services

Nancy Rines, MSN, RN, NE-BC, Director, Women's Services & Baystate Children's Hospital

To access our Physician Liaisons, please contact BJ Goodwin at 413-265-9537,

Kevin Garvin at 413-530-2064 or Ben McCarthy at 413-386-6866