March 1, 2016

bench-and-beside-Header2 Bench and Bedside is a digest of the previous month’s stories about the clinical and academic activities of our physicians and scientists. We welcome your submissions and feedback.

February 2

Texas Children’s, Rice University team up to develop new way to repair birth defect

Bioengineers at Texas Children’s Hospital and Rice University have won a National Institutes of Health grant to develop a new generation of patches to repair the damaged hearts of infants. The $1.9 million, 5-year grant will allow Jeffrey Jacot and his team to take the next steps in a long-running drive to improve the survival rates of such infants, many of whom are diagnosed in utero and require surgery soon after birth.

February 2

Department of State Health Services to award Texas Children’s $1 million grant for SIU 3116SIUTraining300

Texas Children’s is set to receive a $1 million grant from the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to put toward its newly constructed Special Isolation Unit at Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus. The funds, to be delivered during the next five years, will specifically go toward Ebola preparedness activities that bolster employee safety and quality of care.

February 2

Texas Children’s convenes task force, urges employees to educate themselves on Zika

3116zikamosquito300In light of the multiple confirmed cases of Zika infection in Texas due to foreign travel, Texas Children’s leaders encourage employees, particularly pregnant women, to refrain from traveling to areas where the outbreak is growing and to follow precautionary measures to protect themselves from Zika exposure. Since the mosquito-carrying virus has been known to increase the risk of microcephaly, a neurological fetal birth defect, Texas Children’s recently convened a task force to develop management and research strategies based on screening criteria outlined by the Centers for Disease Control for pregnant women who may have been exposed to the Zika virus.

February 2 Kline: Children deserve access to best care

Many patients have been left scrambling to find a new medical home when a number of insurance companies decided not to provide in-network coverage for many hospitals in the Texas Medical Center, including Texas Children’s Hospital. Physician-in-Chief Dr. Mark W. Kline talks about how all children deserve access to the best care.

February 2

Zoghbi to receive medal for pioneering advancements in neuroscience research

3116zoghbilab300Dr. Huda Zoghbi, director of the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s, will receive the 2016 Jessie Stevenson Kovalenko Medal from the National Academy of Science in April for her achievements in neuroscience, which includes unlocking the genetic and molecular mysteries behind rare neurological disorders.

 

February 2

Clinical Research Center presents research award to Dr. Anvari

The Clinical Research Center will present the Clinical Research Award for First Quarter 2016 to Dr. Sara Anvari, physician, Allergy and Immunology. Dr. Anvari is a dedicated clinical scientist for the food allergy research trials at Texas Children’s Hospital.

February 9

Three NRI researchers recognized for their contributions to neuroscience research

Drs. Michael Wangler and Shinya Yamamoto recently obtained a research grant from the Simon’s Foundation for Autism Research Initiative (SFARI) to advance their study on autism spectrum disorders. Their study titled, “In vivo functional analysis of autism candidate genes” is one of five projects selected for research funding by the SFARI. Dr. Andrea Ballabio, founder and director of the Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Italy, professor at Baylor and faculty member at the NRI, has been selected to receive the 2016 Louis-Jeantet Prize for Medicine. He will share this award with biochemist John Diffley, associate research director at the Francis Crick Institute, United Kingdom.

February 16

Study finds premature infants benefit from exclusive human milk-based diet

3116NEC300A recent Baylor College of Medicine study led by Texas Children’s neonatologist Dr. Amy Hair, and published in the journal Breastfeeding Medicine, found that premature infants weighing less than 1,250 grams at birth showed improved outcomes after being fed a human milk-based diet.

 

 

 

February 16

Mata twins celebrate one-year anniversary after historic separation 3116MataFamily300

A year after being separated in a marathon surgery at Texas Children’s Hospital, formerly conjoined twins Knatalye and Adeline Mata are healthy, lively toddlers. Several members of our medical staff involved in the girls’ care got to see how much they have grown and how far they have come during a recent visit to Texas Children’s for their follow-up appointments with pediatric subspecialists monitoring their health and development. Hear some of their reactions and see for yourself how much the girls have progressed.

February 16

Heart Center launches series of educational animated videos 3116animation300

Featuring an armadillo, a bison and robot-like caregivers called Blings, a series of animated videos created by Texas Children’s Heart Center aims to help educate patients and their families about various heart conditions and treatment options. Six of the videos were unveiled at a February 15 red carpet premier and can be accessed on the Texas Children’s website at http://www.texaschildrens.org/hearteducation.

February 23

CVICU physician performs CPR, saves man’s life during spin class

When Dr. Natasha Afonso clipped in to a bike for a spin class on a recent Thursday evening, she didn’t know the skills she uses each day to treat patients in the CVICU would mean the difference between life and death for a fellow rider. Toward the end of the 45-minute, high-intensity class, Afonso heard 50-year-old Scott Corron collapse and fall off his bicycle. Because he wasn’t breathing and had no pulse, Afonso immediately started CPR, an action that ultimately saved Corron’s life.

February 23

New in situ simulation program enhances role clarity in high-risk emergencies 3116sitasim300

Texas Children’s Simulation Center recently launched the first-ever Neonatal Comprehensive In Situ Simulation Program for NICU providers at the Pavilion for Women. The program focuses on improving crisis resource management skills, one of which is role clarity, to ensure all code team members know each other’s specific roles when delivering care to patients during high-risk medical emergencies.

February 23

Texas Children’s helps develop nation’s first hospital-based rapid test for the Zika virus

3116zikalab300Pathologists and clinical laboratory scientists at Texas Children’s Hospital and Houston Methodist Hospital developed the nation’s first hospital-based rapid test for the Zika virus in a matter of weeks as part of the L.E. and Virginia Simmons Collaborative in Virus Detection and Surveillance. Pathologist-in-Chief Dr. James Versalovic and Dr. James Dunn, director of medical microbiology and virology, led Texas Children’s Zika test development team. The new diagnostic test identifies virus-specific RNA sequences to detect the virus and can distinguish Zika virus from other virus infections like Dengue, West Nile or Chikunguny.

February 23

Blaney receives Pioneer Award for contributions in pediatric neuro-oncology The Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation honored Dr. Susan Blaney with the Pioneer Award for Pediatric Neuro-Oncology, celebrating her 25 years of dedication to the search for new and better treatments for children with brain and spinal cord tumors. Blaney’s extensive experience in clinical translational research focuses on developing new treatment strategies for children with brain tumors and other refractory cancers. Blaney has been instrumental in developing more new agent clinical trials than anyone in the field of pediatric oncology.

February 23

Dietrich voted president-elect of North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology

Chief of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology Dr. Jennifer Dietrich has been voted president-elect of the North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology. Her tenure as president-elect begins in April. She will be voted in as president in April 2017.

February 23

Texas Children’s Health Plan Center for Children and Women earns accolades for CenteringPregnancy® program Texas Children’s Health Plan’s Center for Children and Women has earned site approval for its CenteringPregnancy® program. The Centering Healthcare Institute (CHI) has awarded both the Southwest and Greenspoint locations the official designation for closely following the CenteringPregnancy® model.

February 23, 2016

22416SSAngelinaRangelinside175Angelina Rangel of Nursing Professional Development is the latest Texas Children’s Super Star leader. “A super star is someone who is constantly striving to improve, constantly learning, working to be the best they can be as a person and as a coworker,” Rangel said. “Also this person takes ownership.” Read more of Rangel’s interview and find out how you can nominate a Super Star

Q&A: Angelina Rangel, October – December 2015 Leader

Your name, title and department. How long have you worked here?
Angie Rangel, MSN, RN, CCRN, LNC – Assistant Director of Nursing Professional Development. I have been at Texas Children’s Hospital for 24 years.

What month are you Super Star for?
October – December 2015

Tell us how you found out you won a super star award.
My leader set up a meeting to discuss events for the week. He asked me meet him in the conference room. When I arrived at the conference room, the entire team from Nursing Professional Development was there to surprise me with cake, food and gifts.

What does it mean to be recognized for the hard work you do? How has the organization helped you achieve your personal and professional goals?
I was touched and honored by this recognition. Prior to being employed at Texas Children’s, one of my personal goals was to find an organization where I felt good about going to work. A positive work environment gives any employee motivation throughout the day. I started my career at Texas Children’s as a registered nurse in the NICU-3 in 1991. Honestly I don’t remember a day when I did not feel valued and appreciated by my coworkers and leaders. In turn, I appreciate all of my colleagues as well. With the support of Texas Children’s Hospital’s tuition reimbursement program, I was able to go back to school for MSN/MBA and advance my career from bedside nurse to charge, preceptor, educator, manager and currently as the assistant director of Nursing Professional Development. In every role that I have held, I have felt appreciated and recognized for even the small things that I felt that really didn’t matter. Texas Children’s is a great place to work.

What do you think makes someone at Texas Children’s a super star?
Someone who is constantly striving to improve, constantly learning, working to be the best they can be as a person and as a coworker. Someone who takes ownership, and apologizes if appropriate. Someone who brings high energy, commitment and enthusiasms that causes others around them to respond positively.

What is your motivation for going above and beyond every day at work?
When one feels valued and appreciated, it is a natural motivation to go above and beyond.

What is the best thing about working at Texas Children’s?
As social beings, we naturally seek support from our peers and seek to belong to a group. I found the sense of unity with every team that I have had the privilege of working with at Texas Children’s. A strong team spirit. I appreciate the acceptance and tolerance of differences in perspectives and working styles between team mates. I especially am blessed to be working alongside my current teammates and leaders. There is such cohesiveness among this team.

What does it mean to you that everyone at Texas Children’s is considered a leader? What is your leadership definition?
It means that everyone has a voice. It means leading a life of action. Taking action in your own life, and making the changes that you want to see and focusing on the things you can control. Leadership is a style of persuading. It is about setting an example of inspiration and service. A true leader is a servant, ethical and authentic.

Anything else you want to share?
     Many years ago my father told me “if you want to be a leader, you need to be a servant”. Although at that time, I didn’t understand his statement. But later I understood exactly what he meant. The idea of servant leadership isn’t new. Robert K. Greenleaf first coined the term servant-leadership in a 1970 essay.
     In his works, Greenleaf discusses the need for a better approach to leadership, one that puts serving others – including employees, customers, and community – as the number one priority. Servant leadership emphasizes increased service to others, a holistic approach to work, promoting a sense of community, and the sharing of power in decision making. In his works, Greenleaf discusses the need for a better approach to leadership, one that puts serving others – including employees, customers, and community – as the number one priority. Servant leadership emphasizes increased service to others, a holistic approach to work, promoting a sense of community, and the sharing of power in decision making.
     Some of the characteristics of the servant leader are what I see in the leaders that I work with at Texas Children’s. I have seen the servant leader characteristics in the staff from environmental services to Mr. Mark Wallace. That is why this organization is where it is today. I thank God that I am part of this great organization with leaders who exhibit the philosophy and model of a servant leader. Some of the characteristics of the servant leader are what I see in the leaders that I work with at Texas Children’s. I have seen the servant leader characteristics in the staff from environmental services to Mr. Mark Wallace. That is why this organization is where it is today. I thank God that I am part of this great organization with leaders who exhibit the philosophy and model of a servant leader.

22416blaneyaward640The Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation honored Dr. Susan Blaney with the Pioneer Award for Pediatric Neuro-Oncology, celebrating her 25 years of dedication to the search for new and better treatments for children with brain and spinal cord tumors.

Blaney is the deputy director of Texas Children’s Cancer Center, a professor and executive vice chair of the Department of Pediatrics at Texas Children’s and Baylor College of Medicine, and she also serves as vice president of Clinical and Translational Research at Baylor.

Blaney’s extensive experience in clinical translational research focuses on developing new treatment strategies for children with brain tumors and other refractory cancers. Blaney has been instrumental in developing more new agent clinical trials than anyone in the field of pediatric oncology.

Blaney serves as vice chair for the Children’s Oncology Group and was one of the initial members of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium (PBTC). Additionally, she serves as a mentor to numerous pediatric neuro-oncology fellows and faculty who are current or developing leaders in the field. Among other appointments and positions, she is a member of the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) Clinical Trial Advisory Committee and serves on the Executive Committee for the NCI-funded Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium. She has served as a member of the Investigational Drug Steering Committee for the National Cancer Institute and as a regular consultant for the Food and Drug Administration’s pediatric Oncology Drug Advisory Committee.

Blaney has published more than 190 articles in peer-reviewed journals and has authored numerous book chapters. She is dedicated to the development of new anti-cancer agents and therapeutic strategies for malignant central nervous system tumors of childhood and to decreasing the morbidity of current therapeutic strategies. In addition, she is passionate about the mentorship of young faculty members in clinical and translational research to ensure that there is sustained leadership in the field.

22416JenniferDietrichinside175Chief of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology Dr. Jennifer Dietrich has been voted president-elect of the North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology.

Her tenure as president-elect begins in April. She will be voted in as president in April 2017.

“I am extremely honored to have been chosen for this position,” Dietrich said. “I will carry my banner for pediatric and adolescent gynecology not only on behalf of the North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, but also for Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital.”

The organization is the premier society that provides gynecologic care to children and adolescents.

February 16, 2016

Texas Children’s wants its employees to know their service and long-term contribution to the mission is appreciated. That’s why once a year at the annual Employee Recognition Celebration the organization rolls out the red carpet and pampers those who have been with Texas Children’s for 15 plus years.

This year, the event was held on February 9 at the Bayou Event Center amid a sea of round tables decorated with candelabras and 3-foot-tall flower arrangements. As the more than 500 honorees arrived, they fanned out across the ballroom, mingling, posing for photos and noshing on a sit-down lunch before the official program began with a performance from the Bayou City Brass Band.

“Happy Fat Tuesday!,” President and CEO Mark A. Wallace told the crowd. “It is amazing to look around the room and see so many familiar faces who have been an integral part of Texas Children’s tremendous growth and success.”

“Did you know that all of you together in this room equates to nearly 9,000 combined years of service at Texas Children’s,” Wallace asked. “I am humbled by this staggering number but it does not even begin to measure the infinite passion you deliver for our mission each and every day.”

In addition to Wallace, honorees heard words of thanks and encouragement from Pathologist-in-Chief James Versalovic, Senior Vice President Linda Aldred and Board of Trustee Member Jodie Jiles before being led down the red carpet and on to a stage where leaders shook their hands and thanked them for their 15, 20, 25, 30 and 40 years of service to Texas Children’s. Recipients of the Best of the West, Mark A. Wallace Catalyst Leadership, Smiles and Super Star awards also were recognized.

“I’m proud to be part of this organization,” said 20-year honoree Richard Nguyen. “It’s all about the people and that’s what I really like.”

Congratulations to all of the honorees!

A copy of the event’s program can be found here and a photo gallery of the celebration can be found below.

February 9, 2016

21016Anvari175The Clinical Research Center will present the Clinical Research Award for First Quarter 2016 to Dr. Sara Anvari, physician, Allergy and Immunology. Dr. Anvari is a dedicated clinical scientist for the food allergy research trials at Texas Children’s Hospital.

The award was established by the Clinical Research Center in collaboration with the Research Resources Office to recognize and honor individual contributions to protecting the best interest of the research subjects and compliance with applicable rules and regulations.

Dr. Anvari’s research activities in the CRC focus on understanding the underlying immunopathogenesis of food allergies and the mechanisms that lead to the development of oral tolerance in food allergic patients undergoing immunotherapy.

Through the support of the Texas Children’s Food Allergy Program, Texas Children’s Center for Human Immunobiology and the Clinical Research Center, Dr. Anvari has been able to pursue her research goals and currently oversees the clinical research trials that will provide her with the groundwork for the development of innovative diagnostic and therapeutic options for patients with food allergies.

February 8, 2016

 

bench-and-beside-Header1

Bench and Bedside is a digest of the previous month’s stories about the clinical and academic activities of our physicians and scientists. We welcome your submissions and feedback.

January 5

Zoghbi to receive Vanderbilt prize in Biomedical Science

2116zoghbilab300Dr. Huda Zoghbi, professor of molecular and human genetics at Baylor College of Medicine, and director of the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s, will be honored with the 2015 Vanderbilt Prize in Biomedical Science. This award is given by the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine to recognize women scientists with a stellar record of research accomplishment who have also mentored other women in science. More

January 5

Second location of The Center for Children and Women celebrates milestone

2116TheCenterAnniv300Texas Children’s Health Plan recently celebrated the first anniversary of The Center for Children and Women in Southwest Houston. During the past 12 months, the Center has provided care to more than 5,800 patients, including 356 births, demonstrating The Center’s remarkable footprint in the community. More

 

 

 

January 12

Dr. Sanjeev Vasudevan selected for Baylor Young Alumni Award

Dr. Sanjeev Vasudevan will receive the 2016 Young Alumnus Award from the Baylor College of Medicine Alumni Association. Vasudevan is a pediatric surgeon and researcher specializing in pediatric cancers such as neuroblastoma, liver cancer, renal tumors and sarcomas. More

January 12

Harpavat receives ASSLD award for study on newborn screening tool to detect biliary atresia earlier

Dr. Sanjiv Harpavat, a pediatric gastroenterologist at Texas Children’s and Baylor College of Medicine, received the 2015 Jan Albrecht Clinical and Translational Research Award in Liver Diseases from the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) Foundation. His study titled, “Assessment of a Novel Newborn Screening Tool for Biliary Atresia,” explores a new strategy to detect infants with biliary atresia earlier. More

January 12

Pediatric Surgeon Dr. Sundeep Keswani awarded visiting professorship

Dr. Sundeep Keswani, pediatric surgeon, was chosen by the Association for Academic Surgery to receive the 2016 International Visiting Professorship Award to attend the Columbia Surgical Association Congress in Bogota, Colombia, in August 2016. Keswani is the principal investigator for the Texas Children’s Laboratory for Regenerative Tissue Repair. More

January 12

Family Fertility Center advances innovative research to improve IVF process

2116FFC300From exploring the metabolic factors impacting egg quality to the genetics of embryo implantation, Family Fertility Center researchers at Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women are engaged in several fascinating studies to help infertile couples achieve successful pregnancy outcomes. Read about the various studies in progress. More

 

 

January 19

Three Texas Children’s Cancer Center researchers receive prestigious ASH awards

The American Society of Hematology (ASH) recognized three researchers from Texas Children’s Cancer Center and Baylor College of Medicine for their work in advancing our understanding of disease pathogenesis and exploring novel innovative approaches for the treatment of pediatric cancers. More

January 19

Texas Children’s uses advanced orthopedic imaging, less radiation exposure

2116EOS300Texas Children’s is the first pediatric hospital in the southwest to offer advanced orthopedic imaging that provides full body, 3-D views of a patient’s bone structure using less radiation. Because of the low radiation dose, EOS imaging is beneficial for orthopedic patients with scoliosis and other spinal deformities who require frequent imaging to monitor disease progression. More

 

January 26

Texas Children’s Hospital welcomes expert pediatric hand surgeon

Texas Children’s Hospital is excited to welcome Dr. William Pederson, a highly-regarded pediatric hand surgeon, to the Department of Surgery. Pederson, whose appointment was effective in January, also is a professor of surgery and pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine. More

January 26

Texas Children’s Heart Center welcomes trio of cardiologists

Texas Children’s Heart Center has welcomed three new pediatric cardiologists to the team. Drs. Tobias Schlingmann, Betul Yilmaz and Justin Zachariah joined Texas Children’s in July. More