Department Newsletters

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Items to be covered in this edition:

1. Important Dates
2. In Memoriam: William O. Robertson, MD
3. Welcome to New Faculty and Changes to Current Faculty
4. Faculty News
5. Faculty Publications and Presentations

I. IMPORTANT DATES

Wednesday, December 21: Resident Case Presentation: 12:30 –1:15PM in Wright Auditorium at SCH. "Feedback in Medical Education" presented by Lanae Miner, MD. Questions? Contact  pam.burke@seattlechildrens.org

Wednesday, December 21: Special UW Security and Encryption Sessions: 10AM – 2PM in Health Sciences Lobby (C-300). If you store confidential research data, Protected Health Information (PHI), Personally Identifiable Information (PII), or other confidential information you are required to encrypt it on a laptop or mobile device. UW Medicine IT Services is providing a free Laptop and Mobile Device Encryption Presentation. Questions? Contact  steppe@uw.edu

January 24, 2012: Promotion preparation meeting.  5:00–6:00PM. W3747A at Seattle Children’s. The Department of Pediatrics Promotions Committee requires that faculty members who will be considered in the summer/fall of 2012 for promotion to Associate Professor or Professor attend one of these seminars. If you are being considered in 2012 (to be effective July 1, 2013), you, your Division Head and your Division Head’s assistant MUST attend one of these meetings even if you attended one last year (note you  do not all need to attend on the same date).  New changes this year will make the process easier and more streamlined including an online system to request letters of evaluation which will be discussed at these meetings. RSVP:  dmw@uw.edu or 206.987.1713.

January 27, 2012: Leadership Training Workshop on Sentinel/Serious Event Management. Offered by Patient Safety, the goal of the workshop is to provide the attendee with a standardized framework to address adverse events and medical error. You will learn reliable methods to investigate, disclose, and analyze adverse patient outcomes, and we will share nationally recognized tools and techniques to help the participant lead review teams in root cause analysis and the development of action plans to prevent future patient harm.  Availability is first come/first served. Contact lorraine.hartmann@seattlechildrens.org or 206.987.1197 to sign up.

February 13, 2012: Next Pediatric Faculty Meeting. 5:15–8:00PM in Wright Auditorium at SCH (5:15–5:45PM social gathering; 5:45– 8PM program). Questions? Contact  Diane.Wade@seattlechildrens.org

February 29, 2012: Promotion preparation meeting.  7:30-8:30 AM, W3747B at Seattle Children’s. The Department of Pediatrics Promotions Committee requires that faculty members who will be considered in the summer/fall of 2012 for promotion to Associate Professor or Professor attend one of these seminars.  If you are being considered in 2012 (to be effective July 1, 2013), you, your Division Head and your Division Head’s assistant MUST attend one of these meetings even if you attended one last year (note you  do not all need to attend on the same date). New changes this year will make the process easier and more streamlined including an on- line system to request letters of evaluation which will be discussed at these meetings. RSVP:  dmw@uw.edu or 206.987.1713.

April 13, 2012: Fellow’s Research Day. More information forthcoming. Questions? Contact the Fellowship Office at 206-987-5870 or PediatricFellowshipPrograms@seattlechildrens.org

Future Pediatric Faculty Meetings.  5:15–8:00PM in Wright Auditorium at SCH (5:15–5:45PM social gathering; 5:45–8PM program)

• Tuesday, June 12, 2012
• Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Questions? Contact  Diane.Wade@seattlechildrens.org

II. IN MEMORIAM: William O. Robertson, MD

The Washington medical community and Washington’s children lost an extraordinary advocate on Nov. 30, 2011. Dr. William O. Robertson, usually known as "Robbie," was a tireless advocate for children, pediatric education, the Washington Poison Center, Seattle Children’s and the University of Washington.

Robbie graduated from the University of Rochester medical school in 1949. He completed two years of rotating internship at the University of Rochester before switching to pediatric residency first at Rochester, then at Yale University where he also served as chief resident. In 1955 he moved to Ohio State University, where over the next few years he would develop an interest in toxicology and poisoning.

In 1959 Robbie became the director of the Columbus Poison Control Center, then in 1963 the University of Washington recruited him to serve as Medical Director for University Hospital and Assistant Dean for Clinical Affairs. He was also an attending pediatrician at University Hospital, Harborview Medical Center and Children’s Orthopedic Hospital and served as consulting pediatrician to the US Public Health Hospital and Madigan Army Medical Hospital.

Robbie founded the Washington Poison Control Center and although he was not the creator of Mr. Yuk (the iconic green face sticker used to warn of poisonous substances), his license plate read "MR YUK" and he always carried a stack of stickers to give away. He was one of the guiding forces behind the American Association of Poison Control Centers and served as secretary/treasurer for many years, serving as president from 1988 to 1990.

His commitment to the University of Washington and to Children’s put him in a key position to encourage and advance the  affiliation between the two institutions. Twice he was appointed as interim chairman of the University of Washington Department of Pediatrics. He was comfortable within both institutions and encouraged their collaboration. As Dr. John Neff, former Children’s  medical director, expressed, "He had a large impact on Children’s and contributed significantly to improving relationships between Children’s and  the UW."

Robbie's two professional loves were medical education, especially for students and practitioners, and poison prevention. He was the organizer for Pediatric Grand Rounds at Children’s for 20 years and he served on the Continuing Medical Education committees for Children’s, the UW and the Washington State Medical Association (WSMA). Dr. Bruder Stapleton, chief academic officer, noted, "Dr. Robertson was a role model and inspiration to his colleagues and students for his integrity and life-long scholarship. His impact will live on in the lives of his many students."

Robbie was the recipient of many awards during his illustrious career, including the UW School of Medicine’s Distinguished Faculty Teaching Award (three times); the American Academy of Pediatrics Abraham Jacobi Award and Lifetime Achievement Award; and the University of Washington Lifetime Achievement Award. He also has several funds and awards named after him, including the Washington Poison Control Center’s William O. Robertson Honorary Fund; the University of Washington’s William O. Robertson Advocacy Fund; and the WSMA’s William  O. Robertson Patient Safety Award.

Bill Robertson was a considerate and engaging man who often wore a three-piece suit that he found at Salvation Army or Value Village. He loved plaids and usually wore a plaid bowtie. He salted everything and loved chocolate, often eating dessert first. He frequently mentioned the importance of his wife, Barbara, a Rochester classmate, in the care and raising of their children; his devotion and love for his family was evident.

Robbie was gracious and giving to all who worked with him. He will be greatly missed.

-  Dr. Tom Pendergrass, Director of Medical Education

There will be a memorial service in January 2012 (TBD). Additionally, this is a  link to the obituary published in the Seattle Times.

III. WELCOME TO NEW FACULTY AND CHANGES TO CURRENT FACULTY

IV. FACULTY NEWS

Congratulations to all new Pathway Participants:

Thank you to Maneesh Batra, MD, whose excellent leadership efforts culminated in the successful launch of the Global Center for Integrated Health of Women, Adolescents, and Children (Global WACh) on December 8th. As this new interdisciplinary Center is jointly sponsored by the UW Departments of Global Health, Pediatrics, and Obstetrics, all three respective department chairs were present to announce the first seed grant recipients. Dr. Bruder Stapleton had the honor of awarding one of the first three grants to our own Dr. Casey Lion, and Drs. Caroline Russe and Dilys Walker for their project "Emergency Birth! – Piloting Video Game Technology as a Tool for Training Critical Practices for Maternal and Neonatal Survival among Traditional Birth Attendants."

Faisal Malik (R3) was elected to the position of Assistant District Coordinator for the AAP Section on Medical Students, Residents and Fellowship Trainees.

Ramsey Tate (R3) was chosen to receive an AAP Resident Travel Award for her project in South Africa in May 2012.

Evelyn Hsu, MD, has been chosen to participate in the inaugural class of the Clinical Research Scholars Program.

Aaron Olson, MD, and Kim Ahrens, MD, MPH, were both recently elected to membership in the Society of Pediatric Research.

Sam Zinner, MD, was chosen by UNICEF as a consultant in Macedonia to implement a 6-week stage-two nationwide pilot evaluation on developmental disabilities. The findings will help to create a uniform clinical instrument that meets international standards of disability measurement. Ultimately, the instrument will be used throughout developing countries, but customized to the local context.

Edgar Marcuse, MD, recently received the Martin H. Smith, MD Award for Achievement in Childhood Immunization.

Linda Quan, MD, received the 2011 Community Lifesaver Award from the National Drowning Prevention Association this September.

V. FACULTY PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

Carolyn Schook (R1) had her manuscript "From Intensive to Preventive Care: Bridging the Gap for Better Medicine” accepted for publication in Hospital Pediatrics.

Congratulations on publication to these authors, who are former SCH/UW residents: Beth Tarini, MD, Margaret Alison Brooks, MD, MPH and David Bundy MD, MPH: A Policy Impact Analysis of the Mandatory NCAA Sickle Cell Trait Screening Program. Tarini BA, Brooks MA, Bundy DG. 2011. Health Services Research. doi: 10.1111/j.1475-6773.2011.01357.x

Simon Horslen, MD, was invited  to participate  in the "Consensus Conference  on Transplant  Program  Quality  and Surveillance" sponsored jointly by the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR) and the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) on Feb. 13-15 in Arlington, VA.

Mithya Lewis-Newby, MD: Measuring Family Satisfaction with Care and Quality of Dying in the Intensive Care Unit: Does Patient Age Matter? Lewis-Newby M, Curtis JR, Martin DP, Engelberg RA. J Palliat Med 2011:14(12):1284-90.

The recently published Jump Ropes to Genetics featured many chapters authored/co-authored by faculty members:
Thomas Hansen, MD:  "Healthcare Reform and Progress – The Long View"; "Helping Children in Developing Nations Breathe More Easily"
Dimitri Christakis, MD, MPH: "What is the Full Impact of TV Viewing on This Generation  of Youngsters?"
Brian E. Saelens, PhD, and Lenna Liu, MD, MPH: "Childhood Obesity: A Multigenerational  Trap"
Leslie Walker, MD:"The Lost Years: Why Teenagers Are Falling Through the Cracks in the Healthcare System"
Elizabeth McCauley, PhD, ABPP: "Adolescent Mental Health – An Anxiety-Producing Transition"
Fred Rivara, MD, MPH: "Playing it Safe – Childhood Injury Prevention"
Beth Ebel, MD, MSc, MPH: "Booster Seats Boost Car Safety"
Linda Quan, MD: "Parents Play an Important Role in Drowning Prevention" with Dr. Elizabeth Bennett
Mark Lewin, MD: "Angels, Aortas and Arteries – Mending Broken Hearts at Seattle Children’s" with Dr. Gordon Cohen and William Meyers; "Telemedicine – Expanding the Boundaries of 21st-Century  Pediatric Care" with Phil Busch.
Benjamin Wilfond, MD: "Attaining Clarity and Reaching Closure in the Midst of a Medical Dilemma"
Michael Cunningham, MD, PhD: "Saving Face – How the Craniofacial Center Helps Children" with Dr. Richard Hopper
Douglas Hawkins, MD: "How Standardized Care Helped Us Take On and Tame Childhood Cancer"
John Neff, MD: "The Chronic  Care Problem  and Solution"
Rita Mangione-Smith, MD, MPH: "Are We Positively  Affecting  the Health  of Our Patients?"
James Hendricks, PhD: "Pediatric Research – A New Passion, Persistence and Participation"
Bonnie Ramsey, MD: “From Bench to Bedside – Transforming 21st-Century Pediatrics"
Nino Ramirez, PhD: "A New Understanding of the Child and Adolescent Brain"
Michael Jensen, PhD: "New Center Focuses  on a Novel Approach  to Fighting  Cancer"
David Rawlings, MD: "Gaining a Better Understanding  of the Pediatric Immune System"
Michael Bamshad, MD, and Holly Tabor, PhD: "Breakthroughs and Implications  – Gene Sequencing and the Ethical Questions It Creates"
Mark Majesky, PhD:  "Regenerating the Pediatric Heart"
F. Bruder Stapleton, MD: “What’s Ahead: Educating the Next Generation of Pediatricians"

The following faculty (one former) participated in the Excellence in Paediatrics international conference in Istanbul, Turkey. Nov. 30- Dec 3:
Dimitri Christakis, MD, MPH: Chairman of the Steering Committee; Welcome and Closing Remarks; Debate Moderator; Chair to Keynote Lecture "The Use of Science, Innovation and Partnerships to Begin to Control Micronutrient Deficiencies in Millions of Children Globally"
Fred Rivara, MD: Co-chair to Plenary  Lectures  "Pneumococcal conjugate  vaccine and prevention  of pneumococcal  infections" and "Social networking  sites  and  adolescents";  Plenary  Lecture, speaker "Global burden  of injuries";  Workshop, speaker "How to  get Published—Meet the editors"
Dr. Megan Moreno, speaker, plenary lecture "Social networking  sites and adolescents"
Dr. James Stout, Chair to round table "Pediatric Sleep Update" and "Food Allergy in Childhood"; Speaker, workshop on "Spirometry"

Recent publication of Berkowitz’s Pediatrics: A Primary Care Approach included these chapters by following the faculty:
Mollie Greves Grow, MD, MPH  and Lenna Liu, MD, MPH: "Childhood Obesity"
Suzinne Pak-Gorstein, MD, PhD, MPH and Maneesh Batra, MD, MPH: "Global Child Health"
Charlotte Lewis, MD, MPH: "Oral Health and Dental Disorders"; "Common Oral Lesions"

Drs. Frank Virant, Clifton Furukawa, Fatima Khan, Leonard Altman, Paul Williams, Michael Kennedy, Jonathan Becker, Mary Lasley, Michael Weiss, Stephen Tilley, Ashley Tatum, David Naimi, DO, and Audrey Park: Influenza Vaccine Administration in Egg Allergic Children. To be published in Journal of Allergy & Clinical Immunology, and presented by Fatima Khan MD (oral poster session) at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology meeting in March 2012 in Orlando.

Jiang Zheng, PhD:

1. Hepatic Sinusoidal Obstruction Syndrome Associated with Gynura Segetum, An Erroneous Substitution of Chinese Medicinal Herb Sedum aizoon. Lin G, Wang JY, Li N, Li M, Gao H, Ji Y, Zhang F, Wang H, Zhou Y, Ye Y, Xu HX, Zheng J. J. Hepatol. 2011, 54, 666- 673.
2. Ethanol-Induced Inhibition of Fetal Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis due to Prenatal Overexposure to Maternal Glucocorticoid in Mice. Liang G, Chen M, Pan XL, Zheng J, Wang H. Exp. Toxicol. Pathol. 2011, 63, 607-611.
3. Pulmonary Toxicity and Metabolic Activation of Tetrandrine in CD-1 Mice. Jin H, Li L, Zhong D, Liu J, Chen X, Zheng J. Chem. Res. Toxicol. (Epub ahead of print).

Linda Quan, MD:

1. Invited lecturer: Pediatric Drowning- ALNW Trauma Conference, Oct, 2011 Seattle, WA;
2. Invited speaker: Drowning, a Cultural Condition- at the World Aquatic Health Conference, October 13, 14, 2011 Seattle, WA
3. Invited speaker: Washington State Boating Marine Law Enforcement 2011 Conference, October, 2011, Olympia, WA
4. United States Lifeguard Standards: An Evidence-Based Review and Report by the United States Lifeguard Standards Coalition. International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education. 2011;5:61-129.
5. Analysis and Rebuttal of Development of an In-Water Intervention in a Lifeguard Protocol. International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education. Wernicki PG, Chambers PR, Fielding RR, Lees TA, Markenson D, Pia F, Quan L. 2011;5:6-13.
6. Where the Evidence and Expert Opinion Meet: A Review of Open-Water Recreational Safety Messages. International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education. Moran K, Quan L, Franklin R, Bennett E. 2011;5:251-270.
7. Drowning. Shephard E, Quan L. In: Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. Kliegman RM, Stanton BMD, St. Geme J, Schor N, Behrman RE., eds. 19th edition. Philadelphia PA: Elsevier 2011.