Peds R Us
Department of Pediatrics
Rutgers RWJMS
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Message from the Chair
Welcome and thank you for your contributions to our 2022 2nd Quarter Newsletter.
Please enjoy reading about a variety of highlights and activities happening in our department.
Congratulations to all of you on your achievements; I am honored to be part of this Pediatric family.
Thank you for your commitment to the children and families we serve.
Your feedback and comments are welcome!
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Sally Radovick, MD, was invited to serve as a member of the Weill Cornell Medicine, Pediatric Scientist Development Program (PSDP) Steering Committee. (Term: 2022-2025)
Dr. Radovick was also invited to serve as a cohort leader for the APS/SPR Journeys Program. (Term:2022-2023). Dr. Radovick previously served in this capacity during 2021-2022.
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Sally Radovick, MD
Professor and Henry Rutgers Chair
Department of Pediatrics
Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
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2022
Department of Pediatrics
FACULTY PROMOTIONS
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DIVISION OF CRITICAL CARE |
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Stephen Horwitz, MD
Assistant Professor
Promoted to
Associate Professor
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Jennifer Owensby, MD
Assistant Professor
Promoted to
Associate Professor
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Hariprem Rajasekhar, MD
Assistant Professor
Promoted to
Associate Professor
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Swapna Borole, MD
Assistant Professor
Promoted to
Associate Professor
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Alexander Feldman, DO
Assistant Professor
Promoted to
Associate Professor
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DIVISION OF POPULATION HEALTH, QUALITY AND IMPLEMENTATION SCIENCES (PoPQuIS) |
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Manuel Jimenez, MD, FAAP
Assistant Professor, Tenure Track
Promoted to Associate Professor with Tenure
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Emanuel Lerner, MD
Associate Professor
Promoted to Professor
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Dawn Thompson, MD
Assistant Professor
Promoted to Associate Professor
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DIVISION OF PULMONARY MEDICINE |
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Lakshmi Uppaluri MD
Assistant Professor
Promoted to
Associate Professor
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Sabah Kalyoussef, DO
Clinical Assistant Professor (Volunteer)
Promoted to
Clinical Associate Professor (Volunteer)
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GRADUATING PEDIATRIC RESIDENTS, CHIEF RESIDENTS, NEONATOLOGY FELLOWS AND RESIDENCY PROGRAM TEAM |
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Daniel Helfgott, MD; Courtney Greene, DO; Kathrine Baldwin, DO; Chika Esochaghi, MD; Lauren Sall, DO; Michelle Gaglia,DO; Seherisch Ahmad, MD; Alexandria Speakman, DO; Perel Bursky-Tammam, MD and Avram Bursky-Tammam, MD |
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Elizabeth Goodman, MD; Karen Moore, Daniel Helfgott, MD, Courtney Greene, DO, Kathrine Baldwin, DO, Chika Esochaghi, MD, Lauren Sall, DO, Michelle Gaglia, DO, Seherisch Ahmad, MD, Alexandria Speakman, DO, Perel Bursky-Tammam, MD, Avram Bursky-Tammam, MD, Joann Carlson, MD and Indira Amato, DO |
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Thomas Hegyi, MD, Krystin Engelhardt, DO, Geethanjali Lingasubramanian, MD, Melissa Guillermo, MD, Balaji Sutharsanam, MD, Jeffrey Manzano, MD |
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THE BOGGS CENTER ON DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES |
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The Boggs Center Celebrates Graduation of the 2021- 2022 NJLEND Fellows at 6th Annual Maternal and Child Health Leadership Symposium
On May 6th, 2022, The Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities celebrated the graduation of the 2021-2022 NJLEND Fellows at the New Jersey Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (NJLEND) program’s 6th annual Maternal and Child Health Leadership Symposium. Held virtually, the event featured a keynote address, “Empathy and Emotional Intelligence: Tools for Leadership, Providing Support, and Relationships,” by Susan Stillman, EdD, Emerita Director of Education for Six Seconds,
Emotional Intelligence Network and Lynne Tamor, PhD, a founding member of the Whole Schooling Consortium, an experienced family advocate, and an advocate for accessible information for both people with disabilities and their families.
The symposium was attended by those from the Rutgers community, New Jersey’s Department of Children and Families and Department of Health, SPAN Parent Advocacy Network, and other state and community organizations and featured brief presentations by each graduating NJLEND Fellow sharing their personal definitions of leadership, the culmination of a year-long Defining Leadership: Charting Your Trajectory learning exercise.
NJLEND Fellows presented posters to share about their year-long leadership projects with each other and the interdisciplinary NJLEND Faculty on Friday, April 29th at a separate virtual session.
Congratulations to the 2021-2022 NJLEND Fellows and Boggs Center Interdisciplinary Trainees: Raneta Anderson, MSW; Alexandra Bowen, MGC; Clare Bozso, DO; Cali Rae FitzGerald, MGC; Gabrielle Gunin, PsyD; Steve Gruzlovic, BA; Sophie Kang, PharmD; Audrey Mariani; Kerry McGrath, MSW; Julianne McGinnis, MGC; Melanie Niederhauser, MSN, RN, CPNP-PC, CCRC; Dominique Reminick, MA; and Heather Seid, MS, RDN.
Part of a national network, The Boggs Center’s NJLEND program provides graduate-level interdisciplinary training aimed at preparing the next generation of health leaders to address the needs of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), related developmental disabilities, and other maternal and child health populations. Funding for LEND programs is authorized by the Autism CARES Act and is administered through the federal Health Resources and Services Administration’s Maternal and Child Health Bureau.
Visit the NJLEND page on The Boggs Center’s website to learn more about the program and view this year’s leadership project posters.
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APRIL 2022
EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH
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DIVISION OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND NUTRITION |
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April 2022 - Employee of the Month
It hasn't taken long to recognize the tremendous investments Melanie has made as a team player in all areas:
Due to a nationwide infant formula recall in February 2022, Melanie has developed numerous tools and workflows to support anxious parents in accessing high in demand formulas that their children desperately need.
The time she has spent in developing excellent rapport with others in the greater nutrition community has allowed her to stay afloat the latest news in formula availability, allowing our nutrition department to provide the most current information possible to concerned families.
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Since Epic was launched, Melanie has graciously taken the initiative to learn the ins-and-outs of Epic, to the point where she herself has become a superuser (as described by Epic trainers) and worked with Epic trainers to optimize the interface and develop a dedicated training session for outpatient dietitians.
This has occurred alongside all of her responsibilities as a full-time patient provider. Still today, she patiently assists her colleagues, including myself in using technology effectively so that glitches do not compromise professionalism and patient-centered visits.
The compassionate care Melanie provides to her patients is also extended to her colleagues. She never hesitates to notice others' needs, fosters a warm and welcoming environment by taking time to get to know every person (from housekeepers to IT support), doesn't hesitate to stop her work to respond to patient needs or colleague questions, and is constantly learning to expand her knowledge and skills as a clinician.
She facilitates nutrition meetings, organizes our workflow, serves as the direct contact with volunteers and so much more that I will discover in my second month as her coworker and mentee.
- Hannah Cai, MS, RD
Congratulations Melanie!
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INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF CHILD DEVELOPMENT |
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Invitation For Lecture Series at The Free University of Bozen-Bolzano
Bolzano, Italy
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Dr. Michael Lewis was invited to give a series of lectures to the Department of Psychology at The Free University of Bozen-Bolzano in Bolzano, Italy from June 14-15, 2022.
The titles of his lectures were:
“Emotional Development and Pathology”
“The Role of Shame in Symptom Formation”
“Emotion and Learning: Infant Learning and Their Responses to a Blocked Goal”
Congratulations Dr. Lewis!
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Michael Lewis, PhD
University Distinguished Professor
Director, Institute for the Study
of Child Development
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PEDIATRIC RESIDENCY PROGRAM / CLERKSHIP |
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Elizabeth (Beth) Goodman, MD, FAAP
Associate Professor
Associate Program Director
Rutgers RWJ Pediatric Residency Program
Director, Pediatrics Clerkship / Bootcamp
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Award for Excellence in Teaching |
Beth Goodman, Associate Professor and Director of the Pediatrics Clerkship, was honored by the RWJMS Class of 2022 with the Award for Excellence in Teaching.
The class thanked Dr. Goodman for "her invaluable role and commitment to their education and future careers as physicians". Dr. Goodman received this award at the graduation banquet on May 12.
In addition, Beth Goodman was the invited speaker at the Gold Humanism Honor Society induction ceremony for the RWJMS Class of 2022. She was chosen by the newly inducted class to speak at their induction ceremony on April 27. Dr. Goodman spoke about keeping the humanistic practices in medicine despite the challenges that await them as they progress in their careers.
Congratulations Dr. Goodman!
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DIVISION OF POPULATION HEALTH, QUALITY AND IMPLEMENTATION SCIENCES (PopQuIS) |
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National AAP Early Literacy Sub-committee Co-Chair Position |
Under the auspices of the Council On Early Childhood (COEC), the National AAP Early Literacy Sub-committee has offered the position of co-chair to Dr. Usha Ramachandran, associate professor of pediatrics at the Rutgers RWJMS.
As of June 15, 2022, her responsibilities will include the oversight of the policy statement workgroup, with a revision of the AAP policy on literacy promotion in pediatrics due to come out next year, and other workgroups on research and education.
Congratulations Dr. Ramachandran!
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Usha Ramachandran, MD, FAAP
Associate Professor
Associate Director,
South Asian Total Health Initiative
Medical Director,
Reach Out and Read New Jersey
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ACHIEVEMENTS
AND
APPOINTMENTS
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Vadim S. Ten MD, PhD
Professor with Tenure
Director,
Division of Neonatology
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Dr. Vadim S. Ten Appointed to the Rank of Professor with Tenure
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Vadim Ten, MD, professor, was appointed to the rank of professor with tenure in the Department of Pediatrics in the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, by the Board of Governors of Rutgers.
Congratulations Dr. Ten!
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Dr. Qi Yang Appointed to the Rank of Associate Professor with Tenure |
Dr. Qi Yang was appointed at the rank of Associate Professor, with tenure, in the Department of Pediatrics in the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.
Dr. Yang is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics, Rutgers RWJMS. She is a resident scientist at Rutgers Child Health Institute of New Jersey and a member of Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science. Dr. Yang serves as a standing member in the NIH Lung Cellular Molecular Immunology (LCMI) study section. The goal of Dr. Yang’s lab is to understand the immune cell pathways and network in vital organs such as lung and brain at homeostasis and in inflammatory disorders, focusing on innate and innate-like lymphocytes.
Congratulations Dr. Yang!
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Qi Yang, PhD
Associate Professor with Tenure
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ARTICLES
AND
PUBLICATIONS
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DIVISION OF POPULATION HEALTH, QUALITY AND IMPLEMENTATION SCIENCES (PopQuIS) |
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Schmitz, K., & Kleinman, L. C. (2022). Quality of care in the delivery hospital contributes to racial disparities in outcomes for low-risk newborns. Evidence-based nursing, 25(3), 89. https://doi.org/10.1136/ebnurs-2021-103483
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Mahony, T., Harder, V. S., Ang, N., McCulloch, C. E., Shaw, J. S., Thombley, R., Cabana, M. D., Kleinman, L. C., & Bardach, N. S. (2022). Weekend Versus Weekday Asthma-Related Emergency Department Utilization. Academic pediatrics, 22(4), 640-646. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acap.2021.09.00
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Westphaln, K. K., Lee, E., Fry-Bowers, E. K., Kleinman, L. C., & Ronis, S. D. (2022). Examining child flourishing, family resilience, and adversity in the 2016 National Survey of Children's Health. Journal of pediatric nursing, 66, 57–63. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedn.2022.05.014
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HONORS, AWARDS, AND
GRANTS
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We are delighted to announce our 2022 Annual Clinical Faculty Award Recipients. Please join us in congratulating Drs. Malhotra, Horwitz and Weller on this well-deserved honor! |
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DIVISION OF ALLERGY, IMMUNOLOGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES |
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Clinical Award for Excellence in Quality and Safety
and
Clinical Award for Excellence in Service and Professionalism
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Amisha Malhotra, MD
Associate Professor
Allergy, Immunology and Infectious Diseases
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DIVISION OF CRITICAL CARE |
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Clinical Award for Excellence in Collaboration and Teamwork |
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Steven Horwitz, MD
Assistant Professor
Critical Care Medicine
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DIVISION OF HOSPITAL MEDICINE |
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Clinical Award for Excellence in Service and Professionalism
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Alan Weller, MD
Associate Professor
Hospital Medicine
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DIVISION OF PEDIATRIC HEMATOLOGY / ONCOLOGY |
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New Jersey Commission on Cancer Research Award $500,000 |
Advaitha Madireddy, PhD
Assistant Professor
Pediatric Hematology and Oncology
Rutgers Cancer Institute of NJ
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Advaitha Madireddy, PhD, Principal Investigator, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, was notified on June 10, 2020 of a grant to be awarded from the New Jersey Commission on Cancer Research, titled “Novel Molecular Mechanisms Dysregulated in the Absence of the PHF6 Tumor Suppressor in Pediatric TALL”.
This award is for $500,000 over three years from 2022 to 2025, and is focused on pediatric leukemia. Dr. Madireddy's laboratory at CINJ is part of the New Jersey Center for Pediatric Cancer and Blood Disorders Research.
Congratulations Dr. Madireddy!
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CONFERENCES, SEMINARS,
AND
WEBINARS
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IMPROVING NUTRITION & ORAL HEALTH IN SOUTH ASIAN CHILDREN
PANEL DISCUSSION: HOW DO WE ADDRESS HEALTH RISKS IN SOUTH ASIAN CHILDREN? VIRTUAL CONFERENCE, JUNE 3, 2022, 8 AM - 12 PM
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Sunanda Gaur, MD
Professor
Division of Pediatric Allergy, Immunology & Infectious Disease
Featured Keynote: Health Risks in South Asian Children
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Usha Ramachandran, MD,
Associate Professor
Pediatric Clinician Perspective
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Department of Pediatrics
ANNUAL RESEARCH DAY 2022
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RESEARCH DAY 2022 COMMITTEE
May 11, 2022
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Lawrence C. Kleinman, MD, MPH, FAAP
Joann Carlson, MD
Thomas Hegyi, MD
Michael Lewis, PhD
Sandee Moroso-Fela
L. Nandini Moorthy, MD, MS, FAAP
Anna Petrova MD, PhD, MPH
Maricel Quiñones
Donna L. Weeks, BS, PHR
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Keynote Speaker: The FFG3 Study:
A Sneak Preview
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Nancy Reichman, PhD
Professor of Pediatrics
Division of Population Health, Quality, and Implementation Sciences (PopQuIS)
Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
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RESEARCH DAY 2022 COMMITTEE
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Lawrence C. Kleinman, MD, MPH, FAAP |
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L. Nandini Moorthy, MD, MS, FAAP |
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Anna Petrova MD, PhD, MPH |
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Better Together - A CANDID CONVERSATION ON COVID-19 VACCINES IN PEDIATRICS AND YOUNG ADULTS
May 12, 2022, 6:30 PM
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Better Together - Zoom Webinar
Join us on May 12 from 6:30 - 8 p.m., for a webinar that will answer key questions about COVID-19 vaccinations in children and young adults, including:
• Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe?
• What are the side effects?
• Why should my child get the vaccine?
• How will the vaccine interact with my child’s chronic illness?
• Whom can I trust with correct information?
In addition, a panel of renowned Robert Wood Johnson Medical School pediatric specialists will share first-hand knowledge and experiences, and participate in a live Q&A session.
A breakout session for Spanish-speaking families will be provided, as well as a session for health care providers that will offer information on vaccine hesitancy, public health resources, and best practices to effectively deliver COVID-19 vaccine information to patients and families.
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Dalya Chefitz, MD
Professor
Pediatric Hospital Medicine
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Monica Chugh, MD
Assistant Professor
Pediatric Cardiology
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Paulette Forbes, MPH, MS, APN
Inpatient Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Hematology and Oncology
(Not Pictured)
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Sunanda Gaur, MD
Professor
Pediatric Allergy, Immunology and Infectious Diseases
Director, Clinical Research Center
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Daniel Horton, MD
Assistant Professor
Pediatric Rheumatology
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Benjamin J. Lentzner, MD
Associate Professor
Pediatric Cardiology
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Emanuel Lerner, MD
Associate Professor
Population Health, Quality, and Implementation Sciences (PopQuIS)
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Simon Li, MD
Associate Professor, Director
Pediatric Critical Care
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Paula Lucuara Revelo, MD
Assistant Professor
Pediatric Hospital Medicine
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Amisha Malhotra, MD
Associate Professor
Pediatric Allergy, Immunology and Infectious Diseases
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Lisa Mikesell, PhD
Associate Professor
School of Communication and Information
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Lakshmi N. Moorthy, MD, MBBS, MS
Professor, Director
Pediatric Rheumatology
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Shilpa Pai, MD
Associate Professor
Population Health, Quality, and Implementation Sciences (PopQuIS)
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Usha Ramachandran, MD,
Associate Professor
Population Health, Quality and Implementation Sciences (PopQuIS)
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Maya Ramagopal, MD
Associate Professor
Pediatric Pulmonary
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Zorimar Rivera-Nunez, PhD, MS
Assistant Professor
Rutgers School of Public Health
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Alan Weller, MD
Associate Professor
Pediatric Hospital Medicine
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Patricia N. Whitley-Williams, MD
Professor
Pediatric Allergy, Immunology, and Infectious Diseases
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DIVISION OF POPULATION HEALTH, QUALITY AND IMPLEMENTATION SCIENCES (PoPQuIS) |
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JUNE WORKSHOP SERIES
Bedside Teaching Through A Health Equity Lens
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On June 20, learn how to bring health equity perspectives into your clinical teaching armamentarium. Using case-based learning, you will gain the skills to teach learners to be conscious of how social determinants of health, implicit bias, structural racism, and race-based algorithms lead to health disparities.
Presented by:
Brad Kamitaki, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology
Shilpa Pai, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics
We discussed tips for how to improve your health equity teaching practices!
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Shilpa Pai, MD
Associate Professor
Department of Pediatrics
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NEW
PROGRAMS, SERVICES & DEDICATIONS
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CHINJ LAB DEDICATED TO LONG-TIME SUPPORTERS |
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The Child Health Institute of New Jersey (CHINJ) honored one of its former board members and long-time supporter, Jack Borrus and his wife Adele, with the dedication of a laboratory.
Hosted by Arnold Rabson, MD, Laura Gallagher Chair of Developmental Biology and director of the institute, along with the Rutgers University Foundation, the event honored the couple who both passed away in recent years, with the dedication of the "Jack and Adele Borrus Asthma Research Laboratory."
According to Dr. Rabson, Mr. and Mrs. Borrus, along with the Dr. James J. O'Connell Fund, which Mr. Borrus administered, provided a large amount of philanthropic support for the institute, including support for the development of an asthma research program.
The Borrus' children -- Janet, Amy and David -- attended the dedication, along with members of Mr. Borrus' law firm. Grant funding provided by the Borrus' and the O'Connell Fund helped to develop an immunology and asthma research infrastructure at the CHINJ and to recruit outstanding immunologists including Qi Yang, MD, PhD, associate professor of pediatrics and resident scientist at the institute, who joined the medical school in October 2021. Dr. Yang gave a short presentation about her research during the event, as did Derek Sant'Angelo, PhD, professor of pediatrics and pharmacology, and associate director for basic sciences at the institute, and Cynthia Koziol-White, PhD, assistant professor of pharmacology and member of the Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science (RITMS). Funding has also supported the growth of collaborative research between the CHINJ and the team of Reynold Panettieri Jr., MD, professor of medicine, Director of the RITMS, and vice chancellor, clinical and translational sciences for Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences.
Congratulations to you all on this achievement!
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(Pictured, left-right) Arnold B. Rabson, MD, Laura Gallagher Chair of Developmental Biology and director of the Child Health Institute of New Jersey (CHINJ), with Amy, David and Janet Borrus at the dedication of the Jack and Adele Borrus Asthma Research Laboratory at CHINJ. |
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Qi Yang, MD, PhD
Associate Professor
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Derek Sant'Angelo, PhD
Professor of Pediatrics and Pharmacology, Associate Director for basic sciences at the institute
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EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION & RETIREMENTS |
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RWJMS FACULTY, STAFF RECOGNIZED BY RUTGERS LEADERSHIP ACADEMY |
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Several faculty and staff were named as fellows in the 2021-2022 Rutgers Leadership Academy |
The academy is a leadership development program designed for mid-career faculty and staff (individuals with approximately seven years of professional experience) from across the university, who are interested in learning more about the core concepts and competencies associated with leadership in higher education.
This year's fellows include Richard Brodsky, MD, associate professor of pediatrics, assistant director of pediatric emergency medicine and director of pediatric telemedicine (pictured at far right); Christopher Gitzelmann, MD, associate professor of surgery and chief of pediatric surgery at St. Barnabas Medical Center (center); Marsha Gordon, MPH, executive director of the Center Advancing Research and Evaluation for Patient-Centered Care and division administrator for the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health Research Division; and Mafudia A. Suaray, MD, MPH, assistant professor of family medicine and community health (left).
Congratulations to you all on your achievement!
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RUTGERS UNIVERSITY ACADEMIC AFFAIRS ISSUES DIGITAL BADGES |
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Sponsored Programs Academy for Continuing Education (S.P.A.C.E.) Research Administration Training Program
Tracey Sharp, Program Manager, Assistant to Sally Radovick, MD, was recently awarded digital badges for fundamentals and advanced micro-credentialing upon successfully completing the Sponsored Programs Academy for Continuing Education (S.P.A.C.E.)
Research Administration Training Program.
Offered through the Rutgers Office of Research, comprehensive training and Digital Badges for micro-credentials ensure that members of the Rutgers research community have a solid understanding of the university's processes when it comes to sponsored programs and administering research.
Congratulations Tracey!
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DIVISIONS OF CRITICAL CARE AND NEONATOLOGY |
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The Department of Pediatrics and Divisions of Critical Care and Neonatology wish to thank:
Diana Brantley
For her dedicated service and commitment to the faculty and staff at the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, from October 12, 1998 to August 31, 2022
Happy retirement Diana! We will miss you at the office!
Congratulations Diana !
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Welcome!
MAY
Division of Population Health, Quality, and Implementation Sciences (PopQuIS)
Myriam Casseus, PhD, MPH, MA
Postdoctural Fellow
Amanda Ratigan, PhD, MPH
Postdoctural Fellow
JUNE
Practice Plan Support
Carmen Feliciano, BSN, RN, PED-BC Assistant Nurse Manager Pediatrics who will be responsible for the day to day management of clinical operations and supervision of clinical staff. She will ensure Joint Committee readiness and participate in performance improvement projects to develop best practices for our ambulatory sites.
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DIVISION OF CRITICAL CARE (PICU) |
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Rutgers Recruiting Participants for Pfizer Pediatric Oral Antiviral
COVID-19 Treatment Clinical Trial
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May 12, 2022
Rutgers will enroll children with symptomatic cases of COVID-19 who are at risk for severe disease.
Rutgers has been selected as a clinical trial site for the global Pfizer-BioNTech research study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a potential oral antiviral treatment for children under 18 years with COVID-19 who have health conditions that put them at risk for severe illness.
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Cassandra Louis, MD
Assistant Professor
Critical Care (PICU)
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DIVISION OF CHILD NEUROLOGY & NEURODEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES |
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Study Shows Stem Cell Irregularities in the Brain Cells of Patients with Autism |
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June 2, 2022
According to a recent study led by Emanuel DiCicco-Bloom, MD, professor of pediatrics and neuroscience and cell biology, irregular production of brain cells may lead to autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
The research focused on the stem cell activity of five individuals with ASD, including those with idiopathic autism where there is no known genetic cause, and others with genetically defined 16p11.2 deletion. Those with macrocephaly, a medical term for an abnormally large head, had neural precursor cells (NPCs) that produced too many brain cells. The remaining two patients, who did not have macrocephaly, had NPCs that produced too few brain cells.
Dr. DiCicco-Bloom shared with Rutgers Today, “The NPCs we studied from all samples showed abnormal proliferation, either ‘too little’ or ‘too much,’ which suggests that poor control of proliferation of brain cells is an important basis for ASD causation.”
James Milonig, PhD, senior associate dean of Rutgers School of Graduate Studies, and associate professor in the Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, along with Zhiping Pang, PhD,
associate professor in the Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, also contributed to the study, which revealed findings supporting a concept scientists have long suspected: ASD arises early in fetal development during the period when brain stem cells divide to form the elements of a functioning brain.
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CHINJ STUDY FINDS MARKER AND POSSIBLE TREATMENT FOR IBD |
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May 9, 2022
An in-depth, 10-year study by researchers at the Child Health Institute of New Jersey (CHINJ) may give hope to individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
The study, led by principal investigator Derek Sant'Angelo, PhD, associate director of basic science at CHINJ, along with first author Agata Krzyzanowska, a doctoral candidate at Rutgers University, uncovered a new immune cell in the intestine that specifically prevents inflammation in model systems -- a potential trigger for diseases like IBD.
Published in Science Immunology, the study uncovered a dedicated type of T cell (immune cell) that is essential for protecting the intestine against inflammation. Further, the likelihood of having IBD was directly correlated to having fewer of these protective cells in the intestine. The discovery could be used for potential treatment, Dr. Sant'Angelo says.
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Derek Sant'Angelo, PhD
Professor of pediatrics and pharmacology, Associate Director, basic sciences at the institute
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DIVISION OF POPULATION HEALTH, QUALITY AND IMPLEMENTATION SCIENCES (PoPQuIS) |
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Rutgers Study Finds Increased Parental Depression Screening Could Broaden Access to Important Resources for New Parents |
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Manuel Jimenez, MD, MS, FAAP
Associate Professor
Pediatrics, and Family Medicine and Community Health
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Screening both mothers and fathers for depression beyond their child’s first birthday in pediatric offices – the current standard practice – could identify families in need of mental health and other critical resources, according to a Rutgers study led by Ava Marie Hunt, MD '21, who performed the research as a medical student with senior author Manuel E. Jimenez, MD, MS, FAAP, associate professor of pediatrics, and family medicine and community health.
“Pediatric professionals can play an important role in detecting parental depression,” said Dr. Hunt, who just completed an internship in the Department of Pediatrics at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
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“However, the current American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines only recommend that pediatric clinicians screen for maternal depression in the first year of their infant’s life. This is especially important for parents who do not have a regular source of health care but attend the children’s well visits.”
The study, published in the journal Pediatrics, examined parental depression or mood disorder screening at pediatric health-care facilities after a child’s first birthday. Structured screening programs outside of the postpartum period in pediatric settings are rare, researchers found, despite the fact that many parents screened positive for depressive symptoms. In many cases, parents who screened positive for depressive symptoms didn’t receive the appropriate referrals and follow up, according to the study. The findings suggest that increased screening for parental depression across a wider age range and in a broader array of clinical settings has the potential to identify families in need of resources.
The study was recommended as a "must read for clinicians" in an accompanying blog. Study co-authors included Sallie Porter, DNP, PhD, APN, PED-BC, CPNP, FNAP, an associate professor at Rutgers School of Nursing, and Nila Uthirasamy, a research assistant at the medical school.
Read more about the study in Rutgers Today.
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TRIBUTE TO SUZANNE ANDERSON
Rutgers Flag Flown at Half Staff Old Queens
June 8- 9, 2022
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It is with profound sadness to share that Suzanne Anderson, program assistant for the Office of Inclusion and Diversity, passed away on January 19, 2022. Suzanne also served as the program assistant for the Department of Pediatrics, Chair's Office, and Division of Pediatric Allergy, Immunology and Infectious Diseases.
The Rutgers flag in front of the Old Queens, 83 Somerset Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 building flew at half-staff on June 8 and 9, 2022, in tribute and in memory of our dear colleague and friend.
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Remembering Suzanne Anderson
Suzanne Anderson, former program assistant for the Office of Inclusion and Diversity, passed away on Jan. 19 following a short illness. Five months following her death, the university remembers and pays tribute to Suzanne by having the Rutgers flag at Old Queens flown at half staff from June 8 - June 9.
Suzanne was a recipient of the RBHS Chancellor’s Sustained Service Award for “her unwavering support to the Pediatric Department at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in the midst of a challenge, exemplifying a positive attitude, persistence, professionalism, and fortitude.”
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"This is a very nice tribute." -Doug Baker, MD |
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"Her happiness and love will remain in our hearts." -Fatima Corona, MHT
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""This is phenomenal ! Thank you for making this happen. Yes, she is missed everyday."
-Sunanda Gaur, MD
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"She will be missed for a long time." -Abdur R. Khan
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"Indeed, lovely." -Lawrence Kleinman, MD
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"Very meaningful tribute." -L. Nandini Moorthy, MD |
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"She was a wonderful human being. So patient and kind. She is truly missed."
-Sheila O'Reggio
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"May you rest in eternal peace and your smile will always be present in our hearts."
-Lillian Saturria, RN
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"A lovely tribute to a beloved and greatly missed colleague. Gratitude for this having been arranged."
-Deborah M. Spitalnik, PhD
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