Pediatrics and Women’s Health Newsletter December 2023

December 15, 2023 • Newsletter

From the Desk of Chair–Priya Bui, DO

The Department of Pediatrics and Women’s Health is honored to share our newsletter with each of you today. As many of you must relate, the last months have been a time of finding a new balance and a refreshing return to many norms. We are delighted with another successful match for our Pediatrics and OBGYN students with 21 students matching into pediatrics, 3 child neurology, 2 med peds, 1 medical genetics and 12 future OBGYNS. Seeing the next generation of physicians caring for women and children is especially fulfilling. Earlier this spring, we were also excited to witness another class of PA students graduate many of whom trained within our department.

The halls of the practice are busy with medical students, PA students, dietetic interns and learners now wearing PPE without effort. The adaptation and care displayed by students in caring for women and children is commendable. We are also overjoyed to have another year of Pediatric Research Program students complete their summer work, many with plans of presentations and publications. Mentorship and partnership with Cook Children’s and JPS were vital to this opportunity crossing multiple specialties. The next round of PRP received a record number of applications as the program continues to prove successful. Additionally, we have had pediatricians come together to facilitate Year 1 and 2 pediatric components including simulation experiences and physical exam training for the first time.

Over the past months, collaboration in the department has been very active. Our work has been highlighted with the well- earned honor of our Clerkship Leadership, Dr. Nusrath Habiba and Carolyn Anderson, receiving the Valubility of the Year Award for 2021. With the fast-passing Spring to summer, the department looks forward to connecting with our alumnae

I am delighted to connect with you all today through our Department of Pediatrics and Women’s Health Quarterly Newsletter. It is officially winter. In Pediatrics, that means the return of the busy season lasting through the spring with the peak of all things contagious. We are thankful to approach this season with a fully staffed clinic! We are also grateful to see the foundation of psychiatric practice in our clinic become integrated as our in-house Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Dr. Shalice McKnight, has begun seeing our patients with the highest level of needs in the known space they call their pediatric office. We intend to make the care of a patient’s whole care seamless. We are also enthusiastic about the integration of counseling to further care for our patients. We know there is a health crisis when it comes to our adolescents and their mental health. The vision is to serve our patients and train the next generation of students to address the whole patient as they witness and contribute to this care.

We have continued to further our community roots, through work with school districts, the pediatric mobile unit, the Healthy Steps team, CDC community grant work and a special interdisciplinary program called Catch-1, for our medical students to examine children in schools. In addition, we have started a relationship with FWISD to provide clinical behavioral health on-site using the model of a School-Based Clinic. We look forward to sharing more as we serve children who may not have had such care otherwise so they may live long, fulfilling lives.

Members of our department have been a voice of education attending many conferences, especially with the products of our Pediatric Research Program leading to posters and presentations across the nation. It was an honor to attend the annual American Academy of Pediatrics conference in Washington D.C. It was well attended by TCOM students and included a poster presentation. The Texas Pediatric Society, also attended by our physician and PA faculty, featured TCOM grads and students seeking the opportunity to become leaders themselves. This is a testament to all the hardworking faculty and staff committed to their education. Our pediatric interested students recently acted as volunteers for the Cook Children’s Leukemia Symposium, introducing renowned speakers showing professionalism and enthusiasm for the Pediatrics profession. In terms of women’s health educational initiatives, the clerkship has integrated simulation to address maternal pregnancy complications under the leadership of Drs. Kremer and Moore using a fantastic educational partnership with OBGYN residents and the phenomenal resources of the HSC Regional Simulation Center and team.

I wish you each a lovely holiday season with wishes for a renewed and meaningful 2024 upon us!

Warmly,

Priya

CONGRATULATIONS!

Connie Smith received the Jim Goodwin Driver Excellence Award in Pittsburgh at the National Mobile Healthcare Association conference for being the BEST mobile health unit driver in the nation.

Congratulations to Dr. Swanson for becoming Clinical Reasoning Module Section Director for TCOM.

Hilda Rivera, Call Center Agent Celebrating retirement after 35 years of service Congratulations! Thank you for everything you’ve accomplished at HSC! We hope you enjoy your future with lots of time to enjoy your hobbies, friends and family as much as we’ve enjoyed having you! Cheers to your retirement.

Welcome!!

Claribel Flores, MPH, CPH Project Coordinator Education: I have a bachelor’s degree in Allied Health from Texas A&M University (WHOOP! Go Ags!), and I graduated this past May with my Master of Public Health from HSC! Hobbies: I love running. I love finding cool art murals around the city, and I am a movie and music enthusiast! Family life: I am the youngest of four siblings. I have two beautiful nieces who I adore, and my parents are my best friends. What is something that only a few people know about you? When I lived in Mexico (for 11 years), I took Italian classes for two years so I could keep conversations in Italian, and I understood the language pretty well! Sadly, that went away as I grew older because I didn’t practice it.

Jaclyn Howell, LVN, Pediatric Triage Nurse I officially started in my position on Nov. 20.  I have been married for 16 years and have four children.   I love watching my kids participate in sports and going to the games where we always meet new people. Something a few people know about me: I have one brother and one sister with five nieces and two nephews.  My mom was in the Air Force and moved here from Okinawa. I love coaching volleyball for my daughter and have coached her since she was 6.

Nathan McClintock, LMSW, Pediatric Social Worker Education: I have a Master’s degree in Social Work from The University of Texas at Arlington. Hobbies:  I enjoy working out and playing sports and board games in my spare time. Family life:  I am engaged! My fiancé and I are set to be married in June 2024! What is something that only a few people know about you?  I am not a native Texan, although I got here as fast as I could!

Bradley Stubbs, LVN, Manager of Clinical Operations Education: I became a nurse in 1990 in Florida and have worked most of my life in long-term care. Hobbies: My hobbies would be travel and camping. I just got into kayaking. Family life: I have two fur babies at home named Xoey, who is a 4-year-old bishonapoo, and a 4-month-old terrier puppy named Savannah. What is something that only a few people know about you? I used to competitive ballroom dance. Latin style.

	Haley Rolfe, MA, Pediatrics I officially started my position on Dec. 1. I grew up around Austin and just recently moved to this area. My parents and boyfriend live within the metroplex, and I also have a brother who is married. I went to New Hope High School and graduated early. I enjoy cooking, fishing and camping.

The Department hosted a fun Cook Children’s Physicians TCOM Alumni Event on Oct. 5. We have a special relationship with more than 47 TCOM grads now at Cook Children’s. We truly value our Cook Children’s partners!

Texas Pediatric Society Annual Meeting 2023

Collaborative Work

Healthy Start Team Hosted a prescription drug take back and vaccine event on Saturday, Sept. 23. This was a joint effort with Healthy Start, School of Public Health students, TCOM students, College of Pharmacy students and the Andrew Doc Sessions Community Center.

Newly Remodeled Behavioral Health Clinical Space –Dr. Shalice McKnight Child Adolescent Psychiatry

OB/GYN TCOM clerkship has integrated a Maternal Simulation Case in partnership with the Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Program at HCA Medical City Arlington.

Timothy Kremer, MD Program Director OB/GYN Residency Program HCA Medical City Arlington

The Pediatric Research Program (PRP) 2023 PRP offered a unique opportunity for the rising second-year TCOM students to engage in four weeks of intensive summer research. This year, we witnessed an overwhelming response, with 128 enthusiastic applicants vying for a coveted spot in the program. After matching with the available mentors, 75 students were accepted into the program. Our research program has a rich history of nurturing TCOM students by providing a platform to hone their research interests. For more information about PRP, please visit unthscstaging.wpengine.com/prp or contact Riyaz.Basha@unthsc.edu or Leah.Zimmerman@unthsc.edu.