Don't miss the debut of our Faculty Spotlight!
Don't miss the debut of our Faculty Spotlight!
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Faculty Newsletter - Nov/Dec 2018
Newsletter Editor: Kris Rehm | kris.rehm@vumc.org
Communications Consultant: Rachel Wilburn | rachel.h.wilburn@vumc.org
December 2018 Faculty Spotlight with Daniel Benedetti, MD
Daniel Benedetti, MD, MA
Assistant Professor
Hematology-Oncology

A Letter From the Editor

Happy Holidays!
As 2018 comes to a close, I wanted to take this opportunity to reflect on the joy of community. The Mix, Mingle and Jingle was a smashing success, thanks to the wonderful partnership between the Cumberland Pediatric Foundation and its member Pediatricians from Vanderbilt and throughout Middle Tennessee. This year, over 315 of us gathered at the Pinewood Social with representatives from 17 community practices! This is a highlight for us all as we shared the evening building relationships that will last for years to come.
I hope you enjoy the new format of the Newsletter and look forward to your feedback via the short survey at the end. Here is to a prosperous and healthy 2019 for you all!
Cheers,
Kris Rehm
Award Icon

Faculty Awards

Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society Young Investigator Award
Jim Cassat, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor
Infectious Diseases

Kathy Edwards, MD
2019 Frank H. Morriss, Jr. Leadership Award
&
T.J. Martell Foundation Medical Research Advancement Award
Kathy Edwards, MD
Professor
Infectious Diseases


Plotkin's Vaccines Textbook Wins 2018 British Medical Association's Medical Book Award in Public Health Category


Kathy Edwards, MD
Professor
Infectious Diseases

APS/SPR New Members

Natasha Halasa, MD, MPH
Associate Professor
Infectious Diseases
APS
Lori Jordan, MD, PhD
Associate Professor
Neurology
APS
Jeffrey Neul, MD, PhD
Professor
Neurology
APS
Jeff Reese, MD
Professor
Neonatology
APS
Edwin Trevathan, MD, MPH
Professor
Neurology
APS
Christian Rosas-Salazar, MD, MPH
Assistant Professor
Pulmonary
SPR

Promotions

Mary Romano, MD, MPH
Mary Romano, MD, MPH
Associate Professor
Adolescent Medicine
Derek Williams, MD, MPH
Associate Professor
Hospital Medicine
Elizabeth Copenhaver, MD
Assistant Professor
Outreach Medicine
New Providers

New Providers

Baani Bawa, MD
Outreach Medicine
Katie Morgan, APRN
Hospital Medicine

Recent Grants

  • Ashley Shoemaker, MD - R03 - Glucose Homeostasis and Beta Cell Function in Pseudohypoparathroidism
  • Tyler Reimschisel, MD, MHPE - US Department of Education - Tennessee Deaf-Blind Project 5-Year Renewal
  • Buddy Creech, MD - Human Vaccines Project - HVP-UIVI-001a: Kinetics of the Immune Response to Inactivated Influenza Vaccine in Healthy Adults (KIRV)
  • John A. Phillips III, MD - Sanofi - Better Outcomes in Lysosomal Storage Diseases (BOLD) Fellowship & Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP)

November 2018 Elevate Team Award

The VUMC Elevate Team Award, which recognizes team efforts to improve a process, solve a problem or advance organizational culture at VUMC, was recently awarded to the Program for Children with Medically Complex Needs, led by David Hall, MD. Congrats to this team for the well-deserved recognition!
At stake is nothing less than the 'joy of work' that clinicians bring to their patients — joy that is inextricably linked to emotional well-being, and the satisfaction we experience from careers dedicated to caring for patients.
To read more from Jeffrey Balser, MD, PhD, click here.

Department of Pediatrics Wellness Committee

In conjunction with the institutional efforts in supporting physician wellness, we are excited to announce the Department of Pediatrics Wellness Committee. Co-chaired by Cristina Estrada, MD and Todd Callahan, MD, the committee will work to: assess the needs of faculty and current practices in the department; facilitate wellness efforts; communicate wellness opportunities; and facilitate the inclusion of wellness as appropriate in department activities.
Please let one of the co-chairs know if you would be interested in participating in this committee.

MCJCHV breaks ground on new facility in Rutherford County

Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt broke ground Oct. 29 on a new 37,500-square-foot facility that will significantly expand pediatric specialty care, outpatient surgery and imaging services to children in Rutherford and surrounding counties... Read more.

"You Are Tough. You Have to Be This Boy's Mother. You Can Do a Saturday Puzzle."

In the NICU, a life hangs in the balance and a new mother practices self-care with crossword puzzles and mocha frappuccinos... Read more.

Quality Academy Accepting Applications

Quality Academy is a year-long course designed to teach quality improvement (QI) principles and science among provider, nursing and administrative leaders through project-focused and didactic learning. Participants envision, create and lead a team to complete a QI project focused on improving one or more of the following: patient outcomes, hospital or department goals, value by reducing waste, efficiency or USNWR reporting. 

URM Gathering

Sponsored by the Pediatric Office of Faculty Development and Children's Hospital Office of Inclusion and Health Equity, this event is held each year as a way for URM faculty, fellows and residents to meet and get to know one another.
For the past 2 years, the event has been held the evening before URM residency interviews so candidates can also attend.
"The event is always engaging and a great opportunity for residents, fellows, faculty and department leaders to connect in an informal setting," said Kecia Carroll, MD, associate professor in General Pediatrics.

Vanderbilt internship '87, '88 reunion

The Vanderbilt Pediatric intern classes of 1987 and 1988 met for a combined reunion Nov. 16-18.
The event was described as a wonderful opportunity to catch up with old friends and renew the bonds forged during residency.  
"The weekend took me back to my days in the Navy" said an attendee. "Our residency classes are a Band of Brothers. Far closer than mere friends.” 
Another attendee said, "My memories that had long been forgotten came flooding back and served to remind me how blessed I was to train at such an amazing institution, and more importantly, with such an awesome group of people." Thanks to all who helped put this event together!

Young heart patient, care team bond through music

Sydney Andrade-Rubio usually brings her ukulele during hospital stays and clinic visits. The 15-year-old likes to pass the time humming tunes and sometimes playing along with her cardiologist, Frank Fish, MD... Read more.


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