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This Month In Pediatrics
October 2025
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More Exposure to Mother's Voice After Birth May Prevent Preemies' Language Delays
A study led by Dr. Katherine Travis at Weill Cornell Medicine, in collaboration with Burke Neurological Institute and Stanford Medicine, found that greater exposure to a mother’s voice after birth may speed the maturation of a key language-related brain circuit in preterm infants. Read more here!
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Clearing Up Misconceptions About Thimerosal in Vaccines
Dr. Karen Acker explains that thimerosal contains a type of mercury called ethylmercury, which is very different from methylmercury, the kind found in some fish that can build up in the body. Ethylmercury breaks down quickly and doesn’t stay in the body. Read more here!
| | | Appointments & Promotions | | Dr. Melissa Rose has been appointed Director of Quality and Patient Safety for Ambulatory Care in the Department of Pediatrics, effective December 1, 2025. In this role, she will collaborate with Dr. Snezana Nena Osorio, Vice Chair for Quality and Patient Safety, along with the Medical Director and Department Leadership, to strengthen ambulatory safety and quality initiatives—focusing on patient access, health equity, telehealth safety, and the implementation of new programs. | | Anya Knoblock, MA, MBA/MS, CRA, has been appointed to succeed Catherine Stevens, MPA, as Associate Administrator of the Department of Pediatrics, effective December 1, 2025. Anya earned her BA in Fine Arts from the University of Florida New World School of the Arts, an MA in International Administration from the University of Miami, and an EMBA/MS in Healthcare Leadership from Cornell University/Weill Cornell Medicine in 2025. A Certified Research Administrator, she will oversee the Division Administrators and finance team while partnering across the department on key initiatives. | |
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Members of the Grinspan Lab, including students and residents, came together for a team dinner while attending the Child Neurology Society Conference in Charlotte. The gathering offered an opportunity to connect, share experiences, and celebrate their work.
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Nicholas Harris, MD
Division of Child Neurology
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totaling $1,275,484 for her project titled “An early life multivalent immunization strategy for induction of neutralization breadth.”
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| | Dr. Christine Salvatore received $55,000 in funding for the third year of the PROACTIVE Study on congenital CMV. She was also elected as a Fellow of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (FPIDS). | | | |
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Dr. Elliott Gordon has been selected to participate in the APS SPR Journeys & Frontiers in Pediatric Research Program for 2025-2026.
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Dr. Nicole Kelly has been selected to participate in the APS SPR Journeys & Frontiers in Pediatric Research Program for 2025-2026.
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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. Stay tuned for next month's presenters. | | | |
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Advocacy in Action
Tell Congress to Protect Free Access to Lifesaving Vaccines
We continue to see the spread of anti-science legislation, specifically related to vaccines. Here’s a sampling of how vaccines have been targeted:
- Make it easier to get a vaccine exemption
- Place additional regulatory burdens, restrictions or red tape around vaccination, vaccine programs, entities that require vaccines or health services such as blood banks
- Make it harder to get a vaccine or keep vaccination rates high enough to protect against disease in the community
- Ban certain types of vaccines
- Increase liability related to vaccines
- Erode or prohibit vaccine requirements and mandates
- Give unvaccinated people protection against discrimination or special rights
- Undermine vaccines or vaccine infrastructure
Speak up to support the Protecting Free Vaccines Act (H.R. 5448/S. 2857), legislation that keeps routine, CDC-recommended vaccines free for everyone with private insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid, and protects coverage through the Vaccines for Children program. Vaccinate Your Family makes it easy to contact your members of Congress and urge them to protect access to free vaccines. Click here to send a message to your Representative and Senators today.
As a reminder, you can find who represents you here!
Join Forces and Voices in Our Integrated Advocacy Groups
We would love to have you join a vertically integrated advocacy group. We have room for lots of voices, career levels, and advocacy experience. You’ll get the tools, tips, and turnkey information to activate your outside voice. Email Ilina Ewen and let her know which focus area you want to support.
Four Areas of Focus:
- Workforce & Medicaid – Fair pay and strong support so every child has access to high quality care
- Vaccines – Increase access, build trust, and advocate for policy change to keep kids protected
- Mental Health – Center youth and expand services in schools and clinics
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Gun Safety – Promote safe storage and advocate for policies that save lives (Our kick-off meeting is at 2:00 Tuesday, November 18 so join us!)
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Dr. Sallie Permar delivered the prestigious Stanley A. Plotkin Lecture in Vaccinology at the annual meeting of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (PIDS). Dr. Plotkin is a vaccine hero himself as the developer of the rubella vaccine, among other vaccines. At a time that science and vaccine science are under attack, it was an energizing meeting of minds to come together as researchers, physicians, and advocates to stand up for and celebrate public health.
Dr. Plotkin, founder of PIDS, has served as a mentor to Dr. Permar and both nominated and delivered a poignant introduction to Dr. Permar for his namesake lecture. Dr. Permar’s selection reflects her continued leadership in developing vaccines that promise to reduce lifelong disabilities by preventing congenital and perinatal viral infections, as well as her commitment to championing an investment in pediatric research and the next generation of physicians and scientists.
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| | Dr. Nena Osorio received the 2025 MAC Award for Excellence in Clinical Mentoring. This is in recognition of achievements in mentoring towards the advancement of the clinical mission. | | | |
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Dr. Perdita Permaul has been accepted for membership into the Society for Pediatric Research.
| | | | Click here to view publications by faculty members published in the last 30 days! | | |
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Dr. Sallie Permar Speaks on COVID-19 Vaccine for Kids on Here's What We Know
Parents want their children to stay healthy and missed school days can be challenging for the whole family. Vaccination not only helps prevent illness or reduce its severity but also lowers the risk of spreading it to others. Hear insights from Dr. Permar on this important topic. Watch here!
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| | For the fourth consecutive year, Dr. Jennifer Salant is participating in the NYC Marathon to raise funds for PACT. Supporters can learn more and make a donation here. PACT appreciates the support, both on and off the course, and looks forward to the event on November 2nd. | | | |
| | Drs. Susan Bostwick, Nena Osorio, Duncan Hau, Jennifer Salant, and Blakely Rice, Director of Child Life, spent a week in Bulgaria leading seminars on communication, medical education, patient safety, family-centered care, palliative care, and child life programs. Supported by the America for Bulgaria Foundation, the Za Primer Foundation, and WCM International Affairs, the visit also included hospital tours and meetings with Bulgarian health leaders to strengthen collaboration and shared learning. | | | |
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Dr. Christine Salvatore delivered oral presentations titled “PROACTIVE NYS: Preliminary Results and Lessons Learned from a Longitudinal Study of Children with Congenital CMV in New York State” and “Game Changers: Congenital Cytomegalovirus Testing Outcomes from the VALEAR Trial.”
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Dr. Denis Donovan presented Grand Rounds for the Department of Pediatrics at NYP-Queens, delivering a talk titled “One is One Too Many: Preventing Sudden Cardiac Death in Children.”
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| | Dr. Nicole Kucine virtually presented at the MD Anderson Pediatric Leukemia Translational Research Meeting on "myeloproliferative neoplasms in young patients.” | | | |
| | Dr. Omar Abdul-Rahman participated in FASD Impact Week, an annual national advocacy and awareness event organized by FASD United in Washington, D.C. Board members and advocates attended meetings on the Hill, advocating for policies to support individuals and families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). | | | |
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Dr. Priya Katari spoke at the Children’s Health Council Fall Fireside Chat, sharing her insights with attendees.
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Dr. Michelle Loy was highlighted in Health Matters discussing the health benefits of pumpkin spice. As an integrative medicine specialist, she explained how seasonal ingredients such as cinnamon can contribute to an anti-inflammatory diet. Read more here!
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Dr. Patricia Hoffman (Hematology Oncology Fellow) gave Grand Rounds for the General Pediatrics division at Metropolitan Health.
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Dr. Kasia Stoj (Pediatric Hospitalist Fellow) presented a poster at IDWeek in Atlanta showcasing their study titled “Impact of a Pediatric Reflex Urine Testing Algorithm across a Multihospital Network.”
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Eden Jarrett, a summer intern from Weill Cornell Medicine who shadowed with us for six weeks, was recently featured on ABC 7 Eyewitness News! Eden founded a nonprofit organization, Tiny Fighters Africa, which focuses on shipping critical neonatal incubators to hospitals in need.
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Pediatrics Spirit Week Was a Blast!
Our Pediatrics team showed off their creativity and team spirit during Pediatrics Spirit Week — and it was an absolute hit! From Disney day to whacky Wednesday, every day brought smiles, laughter, and a big boost of fun to our halls. Some of our furry friends joined the celebration as well!
Our amazing staff went all out with their themed outfits, decorations, and enthusiasm, making the week truly special for both our team and our patients.
Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make this week unforgettable. Your spirit and dedication continue to make our Pediatrics team shine!
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Primary Care of the NICU Graduates
Over the course of the day-long session, attendees will hear from speakers from general pediatrics, pediatric subspecialists, including pulmonologists, gastroenterologists, and endocrinologists, as well as from other departments, including pediatric surgery, ophthalmology, psychology, nutrition, and feeding therapy. The division of neonatology will review prenatal management of a family requiring NICU care and the long-term outcomes of NICU graduates.
Date: November 3, 2025
Time: 9 AM-5 PM
Location: 1283 York Ave DHK 301/302 and Zoom
Register Here!
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A Practical Guide to AI Implementation in Epic
Dr. Jonathan Elias has been selected as a featured speaker for the AI in Healthcare series.
Date: November 5, 2025
Time: 5-6pm
Location: Zoom
Register Here!
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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:
November 13, 2025
December 8, 2025
Register Here!
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Lights of Love: Honoring Our Children and Our Loss through Memory and Hope
We are delighted to be bringing back our Pediatric and OB Service of Remembrance on Thursday, November 13, 2025, from 6-8 PM, in person on the third floor of the David H. Koch Center and remotely via Zoom.
The service, entitled Lights of Love: Honoring Our Children and Our Loss through Memory and Hope, will be our first since 2019, and all staff and faculty are invited to attend in person (space permitting) and via Zoom. You should have received an email invite by the time of this notice, but if you have not, please contact Stephen Douglas at sed9075@nyp.org and we’ll be sure to send you an invitation. We look forward to seeing you there for this time of honoring the dear lives we’ve lost and the love we continue to carry in our hearts.
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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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Shout-out to the Pediatric Cardiology RNs Ellie Cush and Shannon Kelly who encountered a person who had collapsed on the street on their way home from work and performed CPR until EMS arrived.
Shout-out to Lauren Duplessis! Lauren is an exceptional pediatric RN. Her unwavering dedication to our patients and her tireless support of the team set a gold standard for nursing excellence. She brings not only clinical expertise but also compassion, leadership, and a deep sense of responsibility to every task she takes on. Her commitment is evident in the way she advocates for each child, mentors her peers, and consistently goes above and beyond. Lauren is the bar that all our nurses should strive to meet—her impact is felt in every corner of our unit, and we are incredibly fortunate to have her.
A big shout-out to the amazing pediatric cardiology sonographers—Tatyana Amchentseva, Amy Tan, Vincent Batista, Susanne Masucci, and Sunah Byun—for Sonographer Month! Their skill, care, and ability to comfort our young patients make them an invaluable part of the Weill Cornell Medicine team.
Drs. Denis Donovan, Catherine McGuinn and Aliza Solomon 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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