Fall 2023

USF Health Pediatrics Newsletter Fall 2023

Chair's Message

What makes our practice of pediatrics different? I often tell our resident candidates that the fact that we are a medical school means that our mission of medical education influences all we do. This is very true. But the work that our genetics group is doing - leading clinical research in gene therapy for metabolic diseases - shows another advantage to working at an academic medical center. This research is groundbreaking and so exciting – not just for patients with Fabry disease, but for people with many other genetic disorders. The technology is moving fast, and there are hundreds of potential gene therapies under development, including for sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, PKU and muscular dystrophy, just to name a few.


Delivering gene therapy requires a large, complex, and coordinated effort from many stakeholders including pharmacy, biosafety, the IRB, research nurses and medical monitors. All these groups are involved in delivering this cutting-edge therapy to one patient. The stakes are high – gene therapy has not been without controversy and there is some risk. But there is so much to be gained: a cure. We are on the cusp of a revolution, and it is so exciting that our department is part of it. Our newborn screening programs are critical for identifying patients early so that we can get the therapy to them. There are many ethical and financial issues to address, but the field is moving forward and there is no turning back.


It is very exciting to be on the leading edge of this translation from basic science to delivery of care to our patients. We are so proud of our research teams and PIs who help make this happen. It is indeed a brave new world. 

Happenings

Dr. Marina Sorial spoke to several classes at Dunbar Elementary School for the Great American Teach-in on Nov 13. 

PetSmart stores invited customers to purchase and donate a plush toy for their toy drive. This year USF Peds was selected by PetSmart to receive toys for their patients. 

The 17th Annual Women in Leadership & Philanthropy fall symposium, held on Oct 4, was well attended by USF Peds faculty.

Peds faculty were well represented at the Oct 21 TGH Gala.

The Genetics & Metabolism research team enjoyed Halloween fun! 





The ZooTampa Kids Fun Run, held Sept 23, included faculty members and their children.

Drs. Sharon Dabrow and Chelsea Torres participated in an American Medical Women’s Association program for undergraduate students on November 18 at the Marshall Center. 



Dr. Jennifer Takagishi was highlighted in a Nov 15 story from WFRV-9 on lead in drinking water. View here: Video: Some children are being exposed to lead in drinking water in schools – WFTV

The 2023 John S. Curran M.D. Endowed Lectureship in Newborn Health, held November 2, was delivered by Dr. Camilia Martin from Weill Cornell Medicine. Dr. Martin’s lecture, Current State of Nutritional Management to Support Growth and Development of the Extremely Preterm Infant, was an excellent review of the current state of the field and the remarkable progress being made.

Dr. Barry Bercu

With sadness we share the news of the death of Dr. Barry Bercu, emeritus faculty of USF Pediatrics. Dr. Bercu was an outstanding and nationally recognized pediatric endocrinologist. He also served as the chair of the biomedical institutional review board at USF for many years and was an expert in pediatric ethics. Dr. Bercu remained a steadfast participant in our grand rounds lectures at the main campus site throughout his career. We are very grateful for his many contributions to the university and pediatrics.

Farewell

A farewell luncheon was held for Dr. Lana Soylu on Sept 22. Dr. Soylu joined USF in 2013, and will be further pursuing her career in Sarasota. We wish her the best of luck! 


Kudos

On November 1 the Peds Genetics & Metabolism team successfully administered gene therapy to one of their patients with Fabry disease, an inherited neurological disorder. He is the 25th patient in the U.S. to receive this therapy as part of a multi-center clinical trial. This remarkable accomplishment was directed by Dr. Christopher Griffith who led a large, multi-disciplinary team that included TGH staff, along with USF Peds staff members Farideh Oberheu, Kassi Wilson, Lan Tran, Maria Gomez and Gabrielle Henry

Dr. Jolan Walter was a recipient of the inaugural Champion for Women in Medicine and Science Award. The award is given to a scientist who has made an outstanding impact on the advancement of women through their dedication and contributions to the field of medicine. The award was given at the Women in Medicine and Science annual event in September. 

Dr. Tina Ho was awarded $225,000 for her NIH R21 award titled Study of Gut Dysbiosis in Anemic Premature Infants Using a Multiomics Approach. Congratulations!

Dr. Racha Khalaf is one of three recipients of the inaugural Research Additional Mentoring Program from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The grant enables promising young investigators to enhance their research proficiency by being paired with senior leaders from outside of their home institutions. 

Ojas Natarjan, PhD, a post-doctoral fellow in the lab of Dr. Larry Dishaw, is the first recipient of an award from the Valente Scholarship Fund for his proposal titled Deciphering the Impact of Interkingdom Dynamics on Pathogenesis in Neonates. This fund supports early-career pediatric faculty, fellows and postdocs in pursuing their research interests.

Michelle Yavelow, MS, RDN and Nicole Misner, MS, RDN, both received travel awards to attend the annual meeting of the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition.

Clinical Team Members of the Month

September: Olubunmi Oladinni-Kyiali, RN at 17 Davis Clinic

October: Avery Harvey, Nurse supervisor at 17 Davis Clinic

November: Nicole Brioni, RN with the Complex Care Team

Welcome New Faculty

Dr. Katiana Garagozlo is an assistant professor in the Division of Pulmonology. She earned her MD at the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine and completed her pediatric residency at Broward Health Medical Center, where she served as chief resident. She completed her fellowship in pediatric pulmonology at New York Presbyterian-Weill Cornell Medicine where she was also an affiliated clinical fellow at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Columbia University/Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital.

Dr. Kejal Desai is an assistant professor in the Division of Neonatology. She earned her DO at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her pediatric residency and fellowship in neonatal-perinatal medicine at USF. She joins us from Lakeland Regional Hospital.

Dr. Ryan Dean is a hospitalist at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital. He earned his MD at the University of Minnesota and completed his internal medicine-pediatrics residency at the Greenville Health System in Greenville, SC. He worked as a pediatric hospitalist at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children prior to joining USF.

Welcome New Med-Peds Residents

Faris Dar Hamed, Ponce Health Sciences

Akriti Jalla, University of Oklahoma

Gautam Koipallil, USF

Logan Martin, Medical University of South Carolina

Aaron Mennitt, University of South Carolina

Meghana Reddy, USF

Welcome New Staff

Pilar Odria: Interpreter, Early Steps

Sydney Lauzier: Registered Dietician, Genetics & Metabolism

Angel Rutledge: Community Outreach Caseworker, Early Steps

Kirstin Bassinger: Community Outreach Caseworker, Early Steps

Grace Tavano: Registered Nurse, Research

Skyler Marie Cruz: Community Outreach Caseworker, Early Steps  

Mary Bergman: Community Outreach Caseworker, Early Steps        

Ruth Cajuste: Research Support Specialist, Allergy & Immunology   

Scientific Review

Faculty and trainees are reminded that all investigator-initiated studies need to be submitted for departmental scientific review prior to being submitted to the IRB. Departmental review is required before the IRB will consider the application. Please send your protocols and any inquiries about the process to Jane Carver ([email protected]).

Publications

Cameron Nereim is an author on Race, Ethnicity, and Ancestry in Clinical Pathways: A Framework for Evaluation. The article, published in Pediatrics (vol 152, Dec 2023) was accompanied by a video abstract.


Rick A, Laurens MB, Huang Y; Yu C; Martin T, Rodriguez CA, and the COVPN Network. Risk of COVID-19 after Natural Infection or Vaccination. eBioMedicine, Volume 96,2023.


Kiluk V, Galligan A and Weiss A are authors on Medical and Pharmacy Student Outcomes from an Interprofessional Education Transitions of Care Simulation. J Interprofessional Education & Practice, Volume 33, December 2023.


Walker KK, Clare A, Kumar A, Gaviria-Agudelo C. A Scoping Review of the Use of Parent-adolescent Dyads in HPV Vaccination Research. Patient Education and Counseling. Volume 118, January 2024, 108007.


Hajirawala M, Hardeman A et al.  A Short, Safe Rush-induction Protocol for Aeroallergen Immunotherapy. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2023 Jul 24.


Patel PK, Tanpowpong P, Sriaroon P, Lockey RF. Non-Allergic Diseases Associated with Foods. J Allergy Clin Immunol: In Practice. Available online 30 September 2023


Sriaroon P is an author on Clinician Experience with Using Hypoallergenic Formulas to Treat Infants with Suspected Cow's Milk Protein Allergy: A Secondary Analysis of a Prospective Survey Cohort. Pediatr Gastroenterol Hepatol Nutr. 2023 Sep;26(5):277-283. 


Bindernagel C, Sotoudeh S, Nguyen M, Wetzstein G, Sriaroon P, Walter J. Case Report: ASCENIV use in Three Young Children with Immune Abnormalities and Acute Respiratory Failure Secondary to RSV infection. Front Immunol. 2023 Sep 14.


Sriaroon P is an author on Efficacy of Hizentra® Following Pediatric Hematopoietic Cell Transplant for Treatment of Primary Immunodeficiencies. J Clin Immunol 2023 Oct;43(7):1557-1565. 


Sadighi Akha AA, Csomós K, Ujházi B, Walter JE, Kumánovics A. Evolving Approach to Clinical Cytometry for Immunodeficiencies and Other Immune Disorders. Clin Lab Med. 2023 Sep;43(3):467-483.


Min Q, Csomos K, Li Y, Dong L, Hu Z, Meng X, Yu M, Walter JE, Wang JY. B cell Abnormalities and Autoantibody Production in Patients with Partial RAG Deficiency. Front Immunol. 2023 Jul 5;14:1155380.


The abstract The Effects of Novel SARS-CoV-2 on Pediatric Appendicitis Complications – a Retrospective Chart Review, was co-authored by Taylor Tragressor and published in FCAAP’s fall issue of The Florida Pediatrician for having earned the Best Abstract in Original Research award at the 2023 Resident Forum Review.

Presentations

Chenneville T, Klejdis Bilali K , Francis G, Rodriguez CA presented Psychosocial Screening of Youth Living with HIV in an Integrated Care Setting Before and After COVID-19 at the AIDS IMPACT meeting, held in Sweden in June. 


Andreatta K, Cox S, Chokephaibulkit K, Rodriguez CA et al. presented Preexisting and postbaseline resistance analyses in pooled pediatric studies of emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (F/TAF)-based antiretroviral therapy (ART) at the 12th IAS Conference on HIV Science held in Australia in July.


Andreatta K, Cox S, Chokephaibulkit K, Rodriguez CA et al. presented Preexisting and postbaseline resistance analyses in pooled pediatric studies of emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (F/TAF)-based antiretroviral therapy (ART) at the International Workshop on HIV & Pediatrics held in Brisbone, Australia in July.


Panida Sriaroon made 2 invited presentations at the FARE Food Allergy Summit 2023 in Orlando, Florida on October 13 – 15, 2023: Ask the Allergists...ANYTHING! and DeMystifying OIT


Tragressor T, Shaharestani J, O’Brien P. Safety USHERSS: A Quality Improvement Initiative on Utilizing the Safety Huddle to Empower Residents as Safety Stewards at the Johns Hopkins/All Children’s Quality Improvement Symposium.


Jolan Walter presented an educational talk on approaching diagnoses in primary immune deficiency disorders at the Immune Deficiency Foundation in August.



Vinita Kiluk was an author of a multi-institution project titled CLASS Project: Reimagining the Future of Clinical Skills Assessment which was presented at the American Association of Medical Colleges annual meeting, held Nov 8-12 in Atlanta.




AAP National Conference and Exhibition, Washington DC, October 20-24

Tragressor T, Shaharestani J, O’Brien P. Safety USHERSS: A Quality Improvement Initiative on Utilizing the Safety Huddle to Empower Residents as Safety Stewards

Libby Havlicek made an oral presentation titled Neighborhood Opportunity and Risk of Hospitalization-Acquired Venous Thromboembolism Among Critically Ill Children: A Multicenter, Randomized Trial. Anthony Sochet was co-author and mentor.

Clark C, Havlicek E, Gerstle K. Resident Clinic Resuscitation Quality Improvement: An Educational Intervention on Resident Comfort with Pediatric Resuscitation Equipment in the Ambulatory Setting.

Shahrestani J. A Shocking Source of Toxic Shock Syndrome in an Adolescent Female.

Hamner B, Black B, Gomez-Esquival R, Plant M. When “Adult” Illnesses Present in Childhood: A Care of Pediatric Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis

ID Week, Boston, Oct 11-15

Zabalo Celisse, Tsalatsanis A, Kumar A, Espinosa C, Purandare A, Rodriguez C, Gaviria-Agudelo C. Pediatric Infectious Diseases Outpatient Telehealth Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Single Center Experience.


Clare A, Gaviria-Agudelo C, Walker K. A Scoping Review of the Role of the Provider in HPV Vaccination Dyads Research, 2012-2022.

Florida Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Society, July 14-26, Orlando


Zabalo C, Bindernagel C. A Case of X-Liked Moesin-Associated Immune Deficiency in a Pediatric Patient


Patel P, Bindernagel, Sullivan S, Nguyen M, Sriaroon P, Walter J. Chronic Granulomatous Disease Presenting as Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy and Eosinophilic Esophagitis.

Nomula K, Persaud K, Chang C. A Novel Presentation of PSTPIP1 Gene in a 5-month old with PSTPIP1-associated Myeloid-related Proteinemia Inflammatory (PAMI) Syndrome


Walter J, Rosenbach K. Challenges Associated with Respiratory Viral Infections in Patients with Primary Immunodeficiency: An Expert Discussion & Real-World Experience.




North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Oct 4-7, San Diego

Trocchia C, Mosha M, Hamner B, Goldenberg N, Khalaf R. Low Frequency of GI Procedures Despite Increasing Burden of GI Manifestations in Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis 


Clark C, McClain-Merrell A, Fernandez J. Esophageal Epidermoid Metaplasia; Is a Case of a Rare Premalignant Condition Never Described In The Pediatric Population 


Edwards M, Germain D, Cloyd B, Gomez-Esquivel R, Khalaf R. Concurrent Autoimmune Hepatitis and Autoimmune Pancreatitis: A Report on A Unique Presentation of Immunoglobulin G4 Related Disease 


Gomez-Esquivel RD. Colorectal Cancer Screening in Pediatric IBD: It’s A Thing 


Misner N, Yavelow M, Patrusky L, Love S, Blanco M, Khalaf R. Initiative to Standardize Concentrated Infant Formula Recipes Using the Electronic Medical Record 



Misner N. A Single Center Initiative to Identify Prevalence of and Diagnoses Associated with Food Insecurity Amongst Pediatric Gastroenterology Patients 


Creech J, Edward M, Khalaf R. Dupilumab Use for Treatment of Eosinophilic Gastritis in an Adolescent Patient 

Hamner B, Nguyen D, Mhaskar R, Khalaf R. Adverse Effects of Aci Blockers on Nutritional Outcomes in Pediatric Patients with Cystic Fibrosis

Yavelow M, Couluris M, Khalaf R. Characterization of Nutrition Outcomes in Pediatric Patients on VS Off ETI In A Single Center Cohort 

Bowers K, Clark C, McClain A, Metter D. A Case Report. Viral Vs. Autoimmune, An Example of Their Multifaceted and Multidirectional Relationship in the Setting of Epstein Barr Virus and Autoimmune Hepatitis 

North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference, November 2-3, Phoenix 

Hamner B, Nguyen D, Mhaskar R, Salemi J, Goldenberg N, Khalaf R. Prevalence of acid blockade use and its association with social determinants of health amongst patients with cystic fibrosis: A preliminary analysis of Cystic Fibrosis Foundation registry 

Trocchia C, Mosha M, Hamner B, Goldenberg N, Khalaf R. Utilizing the TriNetX international database: GI manifestations in cystic fibrosis 

American Pancreatic Association Annual Meeting, November 15-18, Loews Coronado Bay, CA 

Racha Khalaf, MD was an author on Pediatric Cystic Lesions of the Pancreas: A Systematic Review and Evidence-Based Management Recommendations from the North American Pediatric Pancreatic Cystic Lesions Consortium. Selected as a Poster of Distinction

Save the Dates

Jan 11, 2024: Deadline for Research Day abstract submissions

Jan 24, 2024: Bernard Pollara Resident Lectureship

April 18, 2024: Barness Lecture and Fellows Forum

March 1, 2024: USF Health Research Day

March 15, 2024: Match Day

May 3-6, 2024: Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting

May 3-6, 2024: USF Health Graduation

Follow the department on Twitter and Facebook

Twitter  Facebook

Follow the pediatrics residents on Instagram and Facebook

Facebook  Instagram

Follow the internal medicine-pediatrics residents on Instagram and Facebook

Facebook  Instagram

Please send content for the next newsletter to [email protected] by 2/01/2024