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This Month In Pediatrics
November 2025
Part 1
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Common-Cold Coronavirus Could be the Key to a Better COVID-19 Vaccine
A study led by Dr. Patrick Wilson analyzed human antibody responses to the base of SARS-CoV-2’s outer spike protein. This segment, known as the S2 subunit, mediates the coronavirus’s entry into a host cell, and because of this critical function does not vary much between different coronavirus subfamilies. Read more here!
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Pediatrics Team at the NYC Marathon
Drs. Jennifer Salant and Adin Nelson proudly represented our department in the NYC Marathon, running to support a meaningful cause and promote children’s health. Their strength, resilience, and dedication to health and wellness continue to inspire our entire community! Read more here!
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We are deeply saddened to share the passing of Kathleen Ingrid Burns, a cherished member of the NewYork-Presbyterian community and a tireless advocate for children’s health. Kathy passed away on September 28 at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital following a recent decline in health.
Kathy’s legacy is woven into the very fabric of the Phyllis and David Komansky Children’s Hospital. As the founder of Light Up A Life, a beloved family fundraising event, she created a joyful and impactful tradition that brought the community together in support of pediatric care. From its early days at FAO Schwarz to its later home at Chelsea Piers, Light Up A Life was for many years the only fundraising event solely dedicated to pediatrics at Komansky. The funds raised supported vital programs including Child Life, patient education, the Family Advisory Council, and fellowship training.
Kathy was also a founding member of the Pediatric Support Committee, where her leadership and vision helped shape the future of pediatric services at NYP. Beyond our walls, she was a passionate advocate for global education through her service on the board of International House New York.
Kathy’s warmth, generosity, and unwavering commitment to children’s health will be profoundly missed. Her legacy lives on in the programs she championed and the countless lives she touched.
| | Dr. Camilia Martin will step down as Vice Chair for Research in the Department of Pediatrics on January 1, 2026, to take on a part-time role as Chief Scientific Officer for The Charles H. Hood Foundation. Since July 2024, Dr. Martin has guided the department’s research strategy, strengthened collaborations across Weill Cornell Medicine, and mentored investigators at all career stages. She will continue as Division Chief of Neonatology until a successor is named. Please join us in thanking Dr. Martin for her exceptional service and wishing her continued success. | |
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Drs. Jane Chang and Lisa Ipp presented their poster titled “Presence and Severity of Acne in Pre- and Post-Menarcheal Adolescents: A Pilot Study,” at the Society for the Advancement of Research and Education in Dermatology’s Inflammatory Skin Disease Summit at the New York Academy of Medicine.
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| | Dr. Jennifer Bassetti has been appointed as a non-voting, ex-officio member of the Executive Medical Education Committee (EMEC). This amendment ensures that all chairs of EMEC’s subcommittees have a voice on EMEC. | | | |
| | The Primary Care of the NICU Graduate Symposium was held on November 3, featuring speakers from multiple divisions and departments. The session covered a wide breadth of topics, including the identification and management of conditions common among NICU graduates, prenatal preparation for families anticipating a NICU admission, the transition to home, and support for technology-dependent infants. It was a wonderful opportunity to connect across disciplines in caring for these vulnerable patients and their families. | | | |
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Rita Ohan, a medical student mentored by Drs. Sallie Permar and Ria Goswami, earned third place for her poster presentation at Medical Student Research Day.
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The following recipients were awarded the Fellows Small Research Grant, intended to supply funding that cannot be obtained through other mechanisms—such as a mentor’s grant—and to support critical aspects of their projects.
Dr. Morgan Smith (Critical Care Fellow)
"Evaluating the Longitudinal Impact of Simulation-Based Training on PICU Interdisciplinary Team Confidence in Managing Respiratory Emergencies"
Dr. Taylor Jackvony (Hospital Medicine Fellow)
"Understanding Medical Decision Making and Promoting Caregiver Reassurance in Brief Resolved Unexplained Events (BRUE): A Qualitative Study"
Dr. Nataliya Khimitch (Gastroenterology Fellow)
"Bridging the Gap: Understanding and Improving Transition of Care for Patients with Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) Through Pediatric and Adult Provider Perspectives"
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Pediatric Fellows' Research in Progress takes place on the first Thursday of each month. Third and second-year fellows present their ongoing academic scholarship work. This month's presenters were:
Brittany Groh, MD (Third Year Critical Care Fellow)
Topic: "The Airway Microbiome in Bronchiolitis-Associated Respiratory Failure."
Mia Spad, MD (Third Year Critical Care Fellow)
Topic: "Child Life After PICU-2 Study"
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SNAP Benefit Resources:
SNAP benefits will be partially paid but will be late so many families will still continue struggle for the foreseeable future. We know many of the children we care for will be impacted. Below are some resources we can share. New York Governor Kathy Hochul has allocated $65 million in new state funds for emergency food assistance, providing 40 million Meals to New Yorkers. Additionally, we encourage you to continue advocating as an individual constituent. Reach out to Ilina Ewen if you have any questions or need guidance on federal advocacy.
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Dr. Juliana Romano and her team were awarded the Pediatric Patient-centered Action Network for Data-driven Advancement (PANDA) grant for her project on "Development of PICU Telehealth Follow-up Clinic to Improve Health Outcomes After Critical Illness Hospitalization."
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Dr. Isabella Kong (Postdoctoral Associate)
received a 2025 ASH Abstract Achievement Award for your abstract titled Epigenetic silencing via SP140 and H3K27me3 restricts immunogenic viral antigen expression in EBV+ lymphomas.
| | | | Click here to view publications by faculty members published in the last 30 days! | | |
| | Dr. Bernhard Kuhn presented his research on “Cardiac Regeneration in Congenital Heart Disease” at the AHA conference. Members of his lab also shared their work, including Honghai Liu, who presented “Localized Calcium Depletion at the Spindle Poles Is Essential for M-Phase Progression in Cardiomyocytes,” and Anita Bargaje, who presented “Evidence for Decreased Cardiomyocyte Proliferation in Infants with Heart Disease and the Potential for Therapeutic Reversal.” | | | |
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Dr. Emina Hodzic presented at the AHA’s NYC Department of Education professional development series, delivering an engaging session on the effects of vaping and the importance of teaching hands-only CPR to high school students.
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| | Dr. Amar Ingravera presented at the AHA’s NYC Department of Education professional development series, delivering an engaging session on the importance of exercise for elementary-aged children. | | | |
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Dr. Kimberley Chien presented “Young Guts, Hidden Risks: VTE Prevention in Pediatric IBD” at the NASPGHAN/APGNN Annual Meeting in Chicago, Illinois.
She also co-directs the NASPGHAN Junior Faculty Conference, December 4–6, 2025, in Chicago, where she speaks on “Efficiency in the Daily Life of a Pediatric Gastroenterologist.”
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Dr. Ria Goswami presented multiple invited talks and posters, including research on gut microbial influences on pediatric HIV outcomes at ID Week in Atlanta, Georgia, and on germline-targeting SOSIP trimer immunizations in infant macaques at the 42nd Annual Symposium on Nonhuman Primate Models for AIDS in Madison, Wisconsin.
She also received the HIV Vaccine Trial Network Early-Stage Investigator Award to attend these conferences.
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| | Four Siblings Diagnosed with Rare Incurable Brain Condition – The story features Dr. Jeffrey Greenfield, pediatric neurosurgeon at NewYork-Presbyterian and Weill Cornell Medicine. Austyn’s March 2023 surgery at NewYork-Presbyterian Komansky Children’s Hospital was successful. The article highlights a remarkable team effort in caring for the family. Read the full story here! | | | |
| | Dr. Rachel Kowalsky presented “Bringing Artists to Class: Sessions With Poets and Writers for Emergency Medicine Residents” as an oral abstract at the annual Health Humanities at Johns Hopkins Emergency Medicine virtually. | | | |
| | Hannah Federman (postdoctoral fellow) and Chantalle Campbell (research technician) from the Akchurin Lab gave oral presentations showcasing their work at the East-West Iron Club meeting in Baltimore, Maryland. | | | |
We’re excited to announce the launch of our department’s new blog — a space to share stories, research, and insights from across our community. Our debut post, “The Era of the Child: Centering Wellbeing Through Parents, Pediatricians, and Teachers,” explores how collaboration can foster healthier, more supportive environments for children. From research highlights to personal reflections, our blog is designed to be a platform where every voice can be heard. | | | |
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Schedule your Professional Headshot
External Affairs has established "headshot days" to fill the business need for standardized institutional headshots, particularly for clinical faculty profiles.
Employees in need of headshots may sign up for a 10-minute time slot through Microsoft Bookings (login required).
Upcoming headshot days:
December 8, 2025
Register Here!
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2nd Annual Multidisciplinary Care of Autistic Youth Conference
This two-day virtual event is open to all, including mental health and pediatric professionals and trainees, parents and caregivers, self-advocates, and members of the community.
CME and CE credits will be offered.
Dates: January 22, 2026 | 8:30am-4:30pm
January 23, 2026 | 8:30am-4:15pm
Location: Virtual
Register by emailing wcmpsychiatryce@med.cornell.edu
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Global Infectious Diseases Across a Woman's Lifespan Course
Date: May 13-15, 2026
Deadline to apply: October 31, 2025
Email wgh@med.cornell.edu for more information.
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Drs. Nicole Kucine, Sujit Sheth and Oksana Lekarev were among the top pediatric physicians with stellar Google review ratings this month!
Share your appreciation for colleagues by submitting a shout-out for inclusion in the department newsletter here!
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