December 15, 2015

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Dr. David Poplack, director of Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers, and numerous members of his medical staff helped write the recently published, 7th edition of the textbook, Principles and Practice in Pediatric Oncology, the leading textbook in the field.

This thoroughly updated edition contains 54 chapters, more than 1,300 pages, and is the most comprehensive resource on the biology and genetics of specific childhood cancers including recent advances in the diagnosis, multimodal treatment and long-term management of cancer in young patients.

“Since the first edition was published 26 years ago, the biology and treatment of pediatric cancers have become increasingly more complex, which has made it more challenging to produce a textbook of this magnitude,” Poplack said. “There was immense collaboration involved to bring this exciting project to fruition.”

Besides being used by all medical schools, pediatric oncologists and institutions pursuing pediatric oncology research around the world, this textbook also provides helpful information geared specifically to caregivers and families of children with cancer, which adds to the unique quality of the book.

“This resource guide also comes in an e-book format,” Poplack said. “We will have periodic updates on the major chapters that will be available electronically to subscribers.”

Click here for more information about this textbook.

November 17, 2015

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Otolaryngologists Drs. Binoy Chandy and MaryFrances Musso recently received the Baylor College of Medicine Master Teacher Certificate and presented at the Baylor College of Medicine Academy of Distinguished Educators. The Master Teacher Certificate is awarded by the Master Teachers Fellowship Program at Baylor.

Chandy presented on “Spaced Education in Difficult to Teach Topics: Professionalism,” looking at teaching small amounts over a period of time rather than routine lectures in hard to teach topics such as professionalism.

Musso discussed a pilot study she led using a video to educate parents of patients scheduled for an adenotonsillectomy. Parents were asked to rate the effectiveness of the video before and after surgery. This project’s main goal was to increase educational resources available to patients and families and have them be better prepared for postoperative care.

October 13, 2015

101415anesthesiologists640Anesthesiologist-in-Chief Dr. Dean Andropoulos and several members of his medical staff helped write and edit the recently published Anesthesia for Congenital Heart Disease, 3rd Edition. The textbook is the leading reference source for the field, and since the first edition was published in 2005, readership has increased significantly around the world.

The new edition contains 32 chapters, more than 800 pages, and for the first time is in full color. The book also comes with full electronic access to the text, which covers the entire field of anesthesia for congenital heart disease. New chapters addressing pulmonary hypertension and anesthetic neurotoxicity have been added and all chapters have been thoroughly updated.

“It was a privilege to be part of the creation of this very important text,” Andropoulos said. “It will be used by many for the betterment of this sector of our field.

Those in the Texas Children’s Anesthesiology Department who contributed to the effort include:

  • Dr. Dean Andropoulos – Editor-in-Chief
  • Dr. Stephen Stayer – Editor
  • Dr. Emad Mossad – Editor
  • Dr. Wanda Miller-Hance – Editor
  • Dr. Rahul Baijal
  • Dr. Ken Brady
  • Dr. Lisa Caplan
  • Dr. Blaine Easley
  • Dr. Pablo Motta
  • Dr. David Vener
  • Dr. Erin Gottlieb
August 25, 2015

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Texas Children’s Hospital recently unveiled its 2014 Annual Report, a commemorative publication that celebrates our remarkable contributions and historic milestones over the last 60 years.

Centering on the core elements of our mission – patient care, education and research – this 88-page book spotlights our early pioneers and shares the work and accomplishments that have made Texas Children’s such a stellar organization for more than six decades.

As you read through the report, you’ll find beautiful images and inspirational stories that chronicle our hospital’s humble beginnings and the illustrious history that continues to define us. The front and back cover feature a then and now photo of Texas Children’s first patient, Lamaina Leigh Van Wagner.

“Since 2014 coincided with Texas Children’s 60th birthday, our goal was to create an annual report that was memorable, impactful and inspiring,” said Annual Report Editor Rosanne Moore, a member of Texas Children’s Corporate Communications team. “Our efforts involved months of intensive research, creative writing and design and multiple rounds of edits to bring this project to fruition.”

The success of this monumental endeavor would not have been possible without the collaboration from our talented Creative Services team, who meticulously designed this masterpiece with a retro feel in mind.

“We used different color tones, vintage designs and characters to help readers navigate through different time periods in Texas Children’s 60-year history,” said Assistant Director of Creative Services Owen Sears. “All of the design elements came together perfectly to produce this top-notch commemorative publication.”

Click here to read a flip book version of Texas Children’s 2014 Annual Report.

August 14, 2015

81415transplant624Texas Children’s Hospital Transplant Services team is hosting the 2015 Pediatric Transplant Symposium at Texas Children’s Hospital.

The conference will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, September 4, at the Texas Children’s Hospital Pavilion for Women fourth-floor conference center. Lunch will be provided.

Any health care professional with an interest in the care of transplant patients and those who currently care for transplant patients, are encouraged to attend. The topics discussed at the conference will be great for:

  • Faculty, fellows, residents and trainees involved in the care of transplant patients
  • Primary care physicians caring for transplant patients outside the inpatient hospital setting
  • Nurses and other health care professionals
  • Transplant multidisciplinary team members (PT/OT, dietitians, social workers, pharmacists, child life, staff nurses, surgical team, ambulatory care)

Attendees will learn more about:

  • Transplant ethics
  • Medical issues in transplantation
  • Cutting edge advancements in thoracic & abdominal transplantation
  • Transplant regulatory implications/compliance/readiness

Please register for the conference at: http://texaschildrens.org/transplant2015/ and see the website for specific continuing education information and registration details.

Contact Melissa Nugent, clinical educator for Transplant Services, at msnugent@texaschildrens.org with questions.

July 21, 2015

72215nursingeducation640Nurses from all over the organization are invited to join an around-the-clock nursing professional day designed to educate through knowledge sharing. The 24-hour event is a first-of-its-kind seminar-style program that allows nurses with expertise in specific areas to present, sharing their knowledge with their colleagues. The nursing professional day is aimed at improving patient care and promoting professional development and nursing excellence. It fosters collaboration and teamwork within the vast department of more than 2,700 nursing professionals.

The day was organized based on identified learning needs gathered from a survey sent out to nurses across the organization.

“The concept came about in order to educate and develop all nurses via ‘knowledge sharing’ on a global scale in a meaningful and impactful way,” said Leslie Morris, one of the event’s organizers. “The purpose of this day is to promote professional development of registered nurses throughout the organization.”

The sessions provide increased knowledge and clinical skills. Participants will receive up to six hours of CNE credit with no fees.

Various topics are approached by different nurses presenting to their colleagues from across the organization.

The sessions include:

  • Building Relationships
  • Workplace Civility
  • Team Collaboration
  • Crucial Conversations
  • Escalating Concerns
  • Delegation
  • Managing Conflicts
  • Team Building
  • Communication with patients and families
  • Specialty Certification
  • Nursing Portfolio
  • Risk Management
  • Legal Issues
  • Ethics in Care
  • Evidence Base Practice
  • Disease Management
  • Treatment Decisions
  • Quality Improvement
  • Documentation Practice
  • Standard of Care
  • Code Management
  • Patient and Family Education
  • Trauma

The day will be a come-and-go format and does not require registration. The 24 hour period is designed to encourage all nurses to join for as long or as little as they can throughout their workday or before and after work. The session is coordinated in the 24-hour format to allow both day and night nurses to take advantage.

Nursing professional day will be held from 8 a.m. Wednesday, July 29, to 8 a.m. Thursday, July 30, on the fourth floor of the Pavilion for Women.

Texas Children’s Hospital is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the Texas Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

June 2, 2015

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On Saturday, May 16, Texas Children’s hosted and participated in the Greater Houston-Galveston Society for Clinical Research Associates (SoCRA) educational seminar, which drew an impressive turnout.

Organized by Neurology Senior Regulatory Affairs Coordinator and SoCRA Chapter Chair Aryn Knight, more than 150 clinical research professionals from several Texas Medical Center institutions attended the conference, which included six hour-long presentations by leaders in the field.

Topics included risk-based trial monitoring, research documentation, study feasibility metrics, ethics of informed consent, emergency versus compassionate use investigational new drug applications and developing clinical research careers.

Neurology Project Manager Christina Talley presented an innovative tool for predicting clinical trial costs and evaluating study feasibility. Neurology Senior Research Coordinator Mariam Pontifes participated in a discussion panel with Knight, Talley and others.

Demand for this conference was incredible, reflective of the fast growth and constant change occurring in the field. As host of this successful conference, Texas Children’s delivered a valuable educational service and reinforced its standing as a leader in clinical research.