As we plan what the "new normal" will be, Dr. Pavia and I will be hosting a Town Hall on March 19 where we'll interpret the best, current information that we have about what the rising vaccination rates mean among our team in specific and within our community in general in the coming months. Please submit questions prior to the meeting if you can so that we can address what is on everyone's mind. You can send questions to [email protected] or submit them anonymously to the chair's suggestion box. If you cannot attend, the session will be recorded so that you can watch it and stay informed when you are best able to listen.

For a pdf version of Dr. Hogan's announcement, click here.

Fidelity Investments 30-minute virtual and phone meeting consultations are available on March 18th and March 23rd.

Fidelity Investments is offering a quick 15-minute virtual help desk session at noon on each of the dates below for those who are unable to schedule a meeting. The Ask Fidelity session will cover the following topics and are open to questions & answers: 

TIAA 60-minute virtual meetings consultations are available on March 23rd and March 24th.

For instructions on how to sign up for any of the sessions above, click here.

To request a consultation or support, email us at [email protected].

Dr. Krow Ampofo is a Professor of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, with a history of funded research in pediatric respiratory infections and global health. Dr. Ampofo completed medical school at the University of Ghana and maintains strong research contacts in sub-Saharan Africa. Dr. Melissa Watt is an Associate Professor of Population Health Sciences. She is a social-behavioral scientist who has a history of NIH funded research. Dr. Elizabeth Keating is an Adjunct Instructor in Pediatric Emergency Medicine. She serves as the Pediatric Emergency Medicine Global Health Fellowship Track Director, and is currently funded as an NIH Fogarty Global Health Fellow. 

We have released a pilot grant opportunity for $25,000 awards to support research in our programmatic areas. To be eligible, you must have a faculty appointment in the Department of Pediatrics. A concept survey is due on March 17, and the final application is due on April 30. The application is available on our website.

Congratulations to Natalie Darro, DO, FAAP from the division of Complex Care (formerly known as Physical Medicine & Rehab) for receiving a Council on Children with Disabilities (COCWD) scholarship. The COCWD is dedicated to supporting mentorship and leadership of pediatric trainees and early career physicians interested in careers caring for children with disabilities. As part of this work, the COCWD offers an annual scholarship/mentorship program that supports pediatric trainees and early career physicians in attending the AAP National Conference & Exhibition. 

Relationship building isn’t typically the focus of medical training but is a necessary skill for truly excellent clinicians. DeDee Caplin (Behavioral Health), Joni Hemond (General Pediatrics), Jared Henricksen (Critical Care) and colleagues developed a model to integrate relationship management skills into medical training, helping create a more well-rounded, complete clinician. The original peer-reviewed article, published in Baylor University Medical Center Proceedings, can be found here. You can also read a synopsis in U Health's Accelerate or watch the animated YouTube video.

Clint Mason (Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology), along with co-authors Julie Feusier from Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) and Sasi Arunachalam from St. Jude (formerly a postdoctoral fellow at HCI), describe an analysis of their data, published in Blood Cancer Discovery, from more than 7,000 patients diagnosed with leukemia and other blood disorders. Their findings provide new clues about mutations that may initiate cancer development and those that may help cancer to progress. Read the press article here. The original peer-reviewed article, entitled Large-Scale Identification of Clonal Hematopoiesis and Mutations Recurrent in Blood Cancers, can be found here.

Kathleen Campbell (Pediatrics Resident), Paul Carbone, Diane Liu, and Carole Stipelman (General Pediatrics) had their article on autism screening and referrals published in the March issue of Pediatrics. Read the article here.

The Division of Pediatric Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine was asked to provide insights this month on "Finding Meaning." To find meaning is a deeply personal journey which looks different for everyone. I have found meaning in experiences as small and simple as smiling at someone who seems sad to serving the homeless community or going on a humanitarian trip. I have found meaning during challenging times, such as losing a loved one to disease. Likewise, I have found meaning in the happiest of times, like gaining a new niece or nephew. Much like single threads being woven into a beautiful tapestry, who I am and what my life means to me has been shaped by small experiences day by day, hour by hour, and even minute by minute. Some days I may struggle more than others with how I feel I fit into the larger scheme of things, but I find comfort in knowing that finding meaning develops and changes overtime and doesn’t have to be figured out all in an instant.

-Ashly Buhler, Administrative Coordinator

This is where I feel like me. I am fortunate to have 5 acres up in the mountains just 100 miles from my home. Off-grid living. Minimal solar power for the necessities. My mind. My soul. My peace. My place. - Sue Meihls, RN

Adapted from an acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) exercise by VeryWellMind.com to help you discover your core values and live a purpose driven and meaningful life.

From Better Me with BodyByBree, Season 1 Episode 20

Recognitions will be published in an upcoming issue of the newsletter. Please note: if a submitter's name is not given, we will not publish the comment. However, the submitter's name will remain anonymous in the newsletter.