The Department of Pediatrics is excited to announce the appointment of Christopher D. Newman, MBA, PA-C, associate professor of clinical practice, Section of Critical Care Medicine, as our next Vice Chair for Clinical Performance effective July 19. Newman was selected from an impressive pool of candidates following a comprehensive national search conducted over the past several months. He assumes the role previously held by Tim Givens, MD, FAAP, who retired effective June 30.

Department of Pediatrics | July 25, 2024

The following faculty in the Department of Pediatrics have been selected to receive 2024 teaching awards from the University of Colorado School of Medicine:

Department of Pediatrics | July 24, 2024

The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation celebrates Tolulope Falaiye, MD, MSCI, associate professor of pediatrics, Section of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Colorado School of Medicine, for receiving the Children’s Healthcare Award from the Foundation’s Rocky Mountain Chapter.

Department of Pediatrics | July 23, 2024

The Colorado Women's Hall of Fame proudly announces the Class of 2024, a group embodying the essence of Women, Wisdom, and Wonder. This year's honorees include groundbreaking neonatology specialist Lula Lubchenco, MD. She is one of 16 women whose profound impacts extend beyond their fields, shaping Colorado's history and inspiring generations with their steadfast leadership.

Department of Pediatrics | July 23, 2024

Sean O’Leary, MD, professor of pediatrics in the Section of Infectious Diseases and director, Colorado Pediatric Practice-Based Research Network at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, has been elected to serve on the Board of Directors for the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) for a three-year term commencing on July 1. Since its establishment in 1973, NFID aims to educate and involve communities, the public and healthcare professionals on infectious diseases throughout all stages of life. The board plays a pivotal role in setting the organization's strategic direction.

Department of Pediatrics | July 23, 2024

Matt Guerrieri, MD, assistant clinical professor of pediatrics, has been selected as the Poole Fellow for the inaugural 2024-25 year. The Advocacy and Health Equity Fellowship, sponsored by private funders and offered by the Department of Pediatrics at the CU School of Medicine and Children’s Hospital Colorado, aims to train pediatricians in community-based advocacy and promote health equity in primary care for underserved children. As a fellow, Guerrieri will enhance his practice and advocacy skills in pediatric integrated behavioral health and health-related social needs. He will also undertake a health equity project to transform his practice towards improving equity.

Department of Pediatrics | July 19, 2024

A University of Colorado Department of Medicine team of physicians cross-trained in internal medicine and pediatrics is helping to bridge the care gap between the children’s and adult hospitals on the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. And that team has just expanded its offerings in a way that’s rare nationwide.

Mark Harden | July 10, 2024

The Department of Pediatrics is delighted to announce that Eva Nozik, MD, (professor, Section of Critical Care Medicine), assumes the role of Section Head of Critical Care Medicine effective July 1, 2024. Nozik's extensive expertise and experience, coupled with her successful interim leadership role since December 1, 2023, have positioned her well to lead and manage the multifaceted responsibilities within the section. A graduate of the University of Colorado School of Medicine, she completed her pediatric residency and critical care fellowship training at Duke University Medical Center. She commenced her academic journey at Duke in 1995 and later returned to Colorado in 2004 as an associate professor. Her commitment and accomplishments led to her promotion to professor in 2012, subsequently achieving tenure in 2017.

Department of Pediatrics | July 02, 2024

Halden Scott, MD, associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, has a career defined by her passion for sepsis research and improving the quality of emergency care for children.

Melissa Santorelli | June 24, 2024

A teenager’s leukemia struggle – and his mature attitude through his arduous treatment – impressed his University of Colorado Cancer Center medical team and spurred his mother to launch a foundation to raise money for cancer research. And now that struggle is providing inspiration for a cycling team as it prepares for the 2024 Courage Classic Bicycle Tour fundraiser for Children’s Hospital Colorado.

Mark Harden | June 21, 2024

A grant proposal from the Department of Pediatrics recently received a President’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Grant – one of 10 awarded across the four-campus CU system. The project, NICU Health Equity Rounds, is led by neonatal-perinatal fellow Paula Dias Maia, MD, and pediatric resident and incoming neonatology fellow Mariana Niño de Guzman, MD, with mentorship by Sunah Susan Hwang, MD, PhD, MPH, associate professor of pediatrics and Lula O. Lubchenco Chair in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine in the Section of Neonatology and Jeanne Zenge, MD, associate professor of clinical practice and Neonatology Fellowship Program Director, Department of Pediatrics.

Department of Pediatrics | June 19, 2024

Today, Children’s Hospital Colorado (Children’s Colorado), in partnership with the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus (CU Anschutz Medical Campus), announced the launch of the Colorado Child Health Research Institute, which creates a unique culture of research partnership to improve the lives of children everywhere.

Children's Hospital Colorado | June 18, 2024

At the end of each academic year, awards are given in the Pediatric Residency Program to trainees, faculty and medical staff who have demonstrated excellence and made outstanding contributions in the program throughout the year. The Department of Pediatrics is proud to announce our 2024 awardees. Please see the Annual Pediatric Residency Awards page for award descriptions.

Department of Pediatrics | June 13, 2024

The Department of Pediatrics is excited to announce the appointment of Karen L. Kelminson, MD '04, MPH '10 associate professor, Section of General Pediatrics, as Clinic Medical Director of the Anna and John J. Sie Center for Down Syndrome (“Sie Center”) within the Department of Pediatrics and at Children’s Hospital Colorado, effective July 1.

Department of Pediatrics | June 13, 2024

Allison Kempe, MD '80, MPH, professor [and The Ergen Family Endowed Chair, Section of General Academic Pediatrics] and the founding director of the Adult and Child Center for Outcomes Research and Delivery Science (ACCORDS), has been selected for the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award in Child Health Services Research by the AcademyHealth Child Health Services Research Interest Group Advisory Committee. Ally will accept the award during the AcademyHealth 2024 Annual Research Meeting in Baltimore in July.

Department of Pediatrics | June 10, 2024

Stephen R. Daniels, MD, PhD, MPH, [professor and L. Joseph Butterfield Chair in Pediatrics], is corresponding author of a commentary published June 3 in Pediatrics on a study that reinforces the clinical utility of body mass index, particularly in identifying increased adiposity in the obesity range of 8- to 19-year-olds. Jaime M. Moore, MD, MPH '19, assistant professor of pediatrics, is co-author.

Department of Pediatrics | June 10, 2024

Nicolle F. Dyess, MD, assistant professor of pediatrics, is corresponding author of research published June 6 by BMC Medical Education that identifies knowledge gaps in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine (NPM) fellows’ understanding of how to find, prepare for, and negotiate their first post-training job. The authors conclude that these knowledge gaps are not unique to NPM fellows and that all graduate medical education trainees would benefit from an easy-to-implement, no-cost job search series like the one they created for NPM fellows during the 2020-2021 academic year.

Department of Pediatrics | June 10, 2024

Halden F. Scott, MD, MSCS '19, associate professor of pediatrics, and Justin M. Lockwood, MD, MSCS '18, assistant professor of pediatrics, are co-authors of an original investigation published June 5 by JAMA Network Open that describes findings indicating long delays in antibiotic therapy are associated with increased risk of mortality among children with sepsis. The cohort study included 19,515 pediatric patients at 51 U.S. children’s hospitals from Jan. 1, 2017, through Dec. 31, 2021.

Department of Pediatrics | June 10, 2024

Christian Mosimann, PhD, associate professor of pediatrics, is corresponding author of a research article published June 5 by Science Advances that describes a new state-of-the-art in creating transgenic zebrafish for biomedical research. Robert L. Lalonde, PhD, postdoctoral fellow in Christian’s lab, is first author, and Alexa Burger, PhD, research associate professor of pediatrics, is an expert in zebrafish genome editing contributing to this decade-spanning effort. Four colleagues from our school are co-authors. The lab contributed the cover art for the issue.

Department of Pediatrics | June 10, 2024

Three faculty members from the University of Colorado School of Medicine have been selected among eight leading Colorado biomedical researchers as members of the Boettcher Foundation’s 2024 class of Boettcher Investigators, each receiving a $250,000 award to support up to three years of their research.

Mark Harden | June 03, 2024

The Department of Pediatrics is thrilled to announce the appointment of Nicole Baumer, MD, MEd, as the new director of the Anna and John J. Sie Center for Down Syndrome (Sie Center), Children’s Hospital Colorado (CHCO) and visiting associate professor in the Department of Pediatrics, Section of Child Neurology, effective July 1.

Department of Pediatrics | June 03, 2024

The Department of Pediatrics Instructor Recognition program aims to recognize instructor/senior instructor faculty who are making substantive contributions to the university above and beyond their primarily clinical roles. Currently in a pilot phase, the program has three specific aims:

Department of Pediatrics | May 21, 2024

A team of CU researchers is making strides to advance health equity by reducing pediatric asthma disparities. Their research is part of the Disparities Elimination through Coordinated Interventions to Prevent and Control Heart and Lung Disease Risk (DECIPHeR) Alliance. This Alliance is a set of seven programs funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) to eliminate cardiopulmonary health disparities.

Melissa Santorelli | May 21, 2024

Susan Niermeyer, MD, MPH, a graduate of the Colorado School of Public Health (ColoradoSPH), senior scientist in the school’s Center for Global Health, and Professor Emerita of Pediatrics was honored this week with the 2024 Florence Rena Sabin, MD Award. Presented by the leadership of the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus (CU Anschutz), Dr. Niermeyer became the first ColoradoSPH graduate to receive this distinguished honor.

Colorado School of Public Health | May 20, 2024

Lori Sussel, PhD, professor of pediatrics and director of basic and translational research at the Barbara Davis Center of Diabetes, has been awarded Albert Renold Prize by the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD). The award recognizes Lori for outstanding contributions to better understand the function of the pancreas. The prize will formally be awarded in September 2024 at the annual meeting of the EASD in Madrid, where Lori will deliver the 18th Albert Renold Lecture.

Department of Pediatrics | May 20, 2024

Associate Director of Resources and Services

Starting in June 2024, Kevin Messacar, MD, PhD, will serve as associate director of CCTSI Resources and Services. In this role, he will work closely with Wendy Kohrt, PhD, director of resources and services, to oversee and integrate many crucial CCTSI resources, including Research Studios, Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Research Design (BERD), the Clinical Translational Research Center (CTRC) Network, Dissemination and Implementation Core, and CCTSI Marketing and Communications. Dr. Messacar is an associate professor of pediatrics and a practicing pediatric infectious disease consultant at Children's Hospital Colorado. He completed his pediatric residency and infectious disease fellowship training at the University of Colorado and has been providing expert clinical care to children for 15 years. He recently completed a PhD in clinical investigations at the University of Colorado Graduate School.

Wendy Meyer | May 17, 2024

Rachael Branscomb, a fourth-year student at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, decided to be a pediatrician when she was just 8 years old. Now, with graduation on the horizon, she’s excited to take the next step in reaching her childhood goal.  

Mara Kalinoski | May 13, 2024

James A. Feinstein, MD, MPH, associate professor of pediatrics, [University of Colorado School of Medicine] offers a heartfelt tribute to the late Steve Berman, MD, in a perspective essay published May 11 by The New England Journal of Medicine.

Department of Pediatrics | May 11, 2024

The Colorado School of Public Health (ColoradoSPH) is pleased to announce the establishment of the Stephen Berman, MD Endowed Chair in Global Health. Philanthropic gifts totaling more than $2 million generously provided by The Jack and Sarita Gantz Foundation, and scores of esteemed community leaders, family, and friends, have been directed to ColoradoSPH to establish the first endowed chair at the Center for Global Health.

Colorado School of Public Health | May 08, 2024

Young people with diabetes may have a significantly higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease later in life, according to a new study by researchers in the Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.

David Kelly | May 08, 2024

As a former middle-school teacher and soon-to-be-graduating medical student at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, Paige Romer is finding ways to combine the two skill sets.

Mark Harden | May 08, 2024

Although bird flu (H5N1) has circulated among wild and domestic flocks for 30 years, it has surprised public health experts in the past two years with the longest, largest and deadliest outbreak in history. Either through infection or preventive culling, the avian flu virus has affected a record 90 million domestic birds since January 2022 in the United States alone.

Debra Melani | May 07, 2024

University of Colorado School of Medicine’s Program to Advance Physician Scientists and Translational Research has selected five Translational Research Scholars for 2024. The program aims to foster translational research among early career faculty who are within the first four years of their assistant professor appointment. Each scholar receives up to $300,000 over four years to support their research. Congratulations to Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics, Section of Genetics and Metabolism and 2022 Boettcher Investigator Martin Breuss, PhD.

Department of Pediatrics | May 06, 2024

Stacey L. Simon, PhD, associate professor of pediatrics, Section of Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine is first author of a review published in late March by The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health that presents prevalence rates, screening tools and treatment recommendations for polycystic ovary syndrome-related conditions. Jaime Moore, MD, assistant professor of pediatrics, Section of Nutrition and senior author Melanie Cree, MD, PhD, associate professor of pediatrics, Section of Endocrinology and director of the Multi-Disciplinary PCOS Clinic are among six colleagues from our campus who are contributors.

Department of Pediatrics | May 06, 2024

Priya S. Rolfes, MD, a fellow in pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition program, is corresponding author of an original article published April 29 in The Journal of Pediatrics that identifies neonate-specific prognostic variables for survival with native liver in neonatal acute liver failure. The findings may help early risk stratification to guide medical decision-making and consideration for liver transplantation. Co-authors from our Department of Pediatrics are Professor Shikha S. Sundaram, MD, MSCI, Distinguished Professor Ronald J. Sokol, MD and Visiting Associate Professor Sarah A. Taylor, MD.

Department of Pediatrics | May 06, 2024

An index of neighborhood environmental and social conditions can help to predict the risk of severe asthma among children at the hyperlocal level, according to a study led by Emily Skeen, MD, a University of Colorado School of Medicine fellow.

Mark Harden | April 30, 2024

Allergy sufferers greet spring with relief and dread. While they bask in saying farewell to winter, they brace for the unseen enemy of warmer weather – the onslaught of pollen from everything abloom.

Chris Casey | April 29, 2024

Sixty-two faculty members who have served the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus – and is predecessor, the CU Health Sciences Center – for 25 years were honored at a reception at the Anschutz Health Sciences Building on April 23.

Staff | April 26, 2024

Theresa Grover, MD, professor of pediatrics, [Section of Neonatology] and Michael Cookson, MD '18, MHS, fellow in neonatal-perinatal medicine in pediatrics, are co-authors of an article published April 16 by the Journal of Perinatology that offers a consensus evidence-based framework for meeting the nutritional challenges faced by infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

Department of Pediatrics | April 23, 2024

Stacey L. Simon, PhD, associate professor of pediatrics, [Section of Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine] and Janet Snell-Bergeon, PhD, MPH, professor of pediatrics, [Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes] are shared first authors of an original article published April 8 by Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism that examines associations between sleep and cardiometabolic health in adolescents and adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D). “Sleep may be an important and novel target for improving cardiometabolic health in individuals with T1D,” the authors write. Nine colleagues from our campus are co-authors, including Kristen Nadeau, MD, MS, professor [and vice chair for clinical and translational research] of pediatrics, and Irene E. Schauer, MD, PhD, clinical professor of medicine, who are shared senior authors.

Department of Pediatrics | April 23, 2024

Paul Rozance, MD, professor of pediatrics and The Frederick C. Battaglia Endowed Chair in Neonatology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine was recently named president-elect of the Perinatal Research Society (PRS). PRS was first established in 1969 to foster scientific interchange among pediatricians (neonatologists), obstetricians and basic scientists with research interests in the areas of perinatal medicine and developmental biology. This unique group first gathered at the University of Colorado under the leadership of the late Fred Battaglia, MD, and has since grown to include more than 400 members nationwide. Rozance’s areas of interest include neonatal hypoglycemia, intrauterine growth restriction and placental nutrient supply. As president-elect, Rozance will carry on the tradition of PRS’s Colorado founders, helping to create connections between leading researchers and other experts in perinatal research and developmental biology.

Department of Pediatrics | April 22, 2024

Stephen Daniels, MD, PhD, chair of pediatrics, has been awarded the Robert Suskind and Leslie Lewinter-Suskind Pediatric Nutrition Lifetime Achievement Award by the American Society for Nutrition (ASN) and the ASN Foundation. The award honors a clinician or researcher for lifelong contributions to pediatric nutrition, emphasizing its importance in child health.

American Society for Nutrition | April 15, 2024

Francis Hickey, MD (Professor, Department of Pediatrics) has announced his intention to retire from the university and step down from his role as director of the Anna and John J. Sie Center for Down Syndrome at Children’s Hospital Colorado, effective on April 30, 2024.

Department of Pediatrics | April 09, 2024

Shanlee M. Davis, MD, PhD, associate professor of pediatrics, [Section of Endocrinology, University of Colorado School of Medicine], is corresponding author of an original investigation published March 29 by JAMA Network Open that considers the prevalence of an additional X or Y chromosome among men who served in the U.S. military. Davis and her co- authors conducted a cross-sectional study of 595,612 men in the VA’s Million Veteran Program, finding that 1 in 370 men had a sex chromosome aneuploidy, but only 14.2% were clinically diagnosed by the time they were 60 years old. Men with an extra X or Y chromosome have increased risk of delayed development, learning disabilities, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disorders.

Department of Pediatrics | April 08, 2024

A pilot grant funded in part by the University of Colorado Cancer Center will support a study that will look at factors contributing to extreme obesity in children with a type of benign brain tumor.

Mark Harden | April 04, 2024

Paula Dias Maia, MD, fellow in neonatal-perinatal medicine in the Department of Pediatrics, has received the PROSPER Diversity Award from the Society for Pediatric Research (SPR). The PRomotion of FellOwS‘ PEdiatric Research (PROSPER) Diversity Award provides material support and mentoring for a one-year pediatric research project that will facilitate an academic research-focused career trajectory for fellows from under-represented in medicine background(s). Her current research at the Colorado Pulmonary Heart Lung Center focuses on understanding the effects of antenatal inflammation on pulmonary endothelial cell diversity and cardiopulmonary sequelae.

Department of Pediatrics | April 01, 2024

Emily Bucholz, MD, PhD, MPH, assistant professor of pediatrics, has been named associate editor of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, effective July 1. The journal is the world’s highest impact cardiovascular journal. Emily’s research focuses on sociodemographic disparities in pediatric heart disease, pediatric quality measurement, and the development of risk stratification models in congenital heart disease. She is funded by foundational grants from the American Heart Association and the Thrasher Research Fund to study maternal-fetal risk factors for congenital heart disease outcomes. She serves as a principal investigator for CU on the Pediatric Heart Network.

Department of Pediatrics | April 01, 2024

Megan J. Turner, MD, assistant professor of pediatrics, is corresponding author of an article published March 20 in the Journal of Perinatology that evaluates whether three specific urine biomarkers of acute kidney injury would predict abnormal brain MRI findings. Having earlier markers to correlate with clinically significant brain injury would help clinicians in communicating prognostic information to families. Nicholas Stence, MD, professor of radiology, and Ilana Neuberger, MD, assistant professor of radiology, are co-authors on the article.

Department of Pediatrics | March 25, 2024

When Allison Kempe, MD, MPH, professor of pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, was developing her vision that would one day become The Adult and Child Center for Outcomes Research and Delivery Science (ACCORDS), her goal was to provide a home for health services and outcomes researchers.

Melissa Santorelli | March 22, 2024

Brandi Freeman, MD, MS, associate professor, Section of General Academic Pediatrics and vice chair for diversity, equity and inclusion, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, has been appointed as a member of the Health Resources & Services Administration’s (HRSA) Advisory Committee on Training in Primary Care Medicine and Dentistry (ACTPCMD) for a three-year term. As a member of this esteemed committee, Freeman will play a vital role in providing valuable insights and recommendations on training in primary care medicine.

Department of Pediatrics | March 19, 2024

Kate LaPorta, PA-C, MHS, assistant professor of pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine Child Health Associate/Physician Assistant Program, has been named PA educator of the year by the Colorado Academy of PAs.

Department of Pediatrics | March 18, 2024

James A. Feinstein, MD, MPH, (associate professor of pediatrics and clinical research director, Section of General Academic Pediatrics; principal investigator, Adult and Child Center for Outcomes Research and Delivery Science; pediatric director, Children's Hospital Colorado Epidermolysis Bullosa Program), is a co-author of an original investigation published March 15 in JAMA Network Open that explores recurrent intensive care episodes and mortality among children with severe neurologic impairment.

Department of Pediatrics | March 18, 2024

It is with a mix of admiration and nostalgia that we announce the decision of Adam Rosenberg, MD, a distinguished figure in the realm of pediatrics, to step down from his role as Pediatric Residency Program director. Rosenberg has spearheaded this highly competitive program since 2003, leaving behind a remarkable legacy spanning 21 years characterized by outstanding leadership. Under his direction, our program has flourished, setting a benchmark for excellence, garnering national acclaim and nurturing hundreds of residents who are now contributing significantly to pediatrics on a global scale.

Department of Pediatrics | March 18, 2024

Halis Akturk, MD, associate professor of pediatrics at the Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes, has been selected to receive the AACE Rising Star in Endocrinology Award from the American Association of Clinical Endocrinology at the association’s annual meeting in May in New Orleans.

Department of Pediatrics | March 18, 2024

The Department of Pediatrics Section of Emergency Medicine has announced their Joan Bothner Award for Excellence and Tim Givens Award for Service in Pediatric Emergency Medicine (PEM) winners for their accomplishments and contributions in 2023.

Department of Pediatrics | March 15, 2024

Stephen R. Daniels, MD, PhD, MPH, has been chosen as the president of the American Pediatric Society (APS), commencing his term in June of 2024. He currently holds the position of chair of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, along with being the pediatrician-in-chief and L. Joseph Butterfield Chair in Pediatrics at Children’s Hospital Colorado.

Department of Pediatrics | March 14, 2024

Erica M. Wymore, MD, MPH (associate professor of pediatrics, Section of Neonatology), is corresponding author of an article published March 2 by the Journal of Perinatology that studies the relationship between severe hypertensive diseases of pregnancy and moderate-severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Seven colleagues from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, including John Kinsella, MD (professor of pediatrics, Section of Neonatology), are co-authors.

Department of Pediatrics | March 11, 2024

Edwin Asturias, MD (professor of pediatrics, Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine and director of Latin American Projects, Center for Global Health, Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health), has received an invitation from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to join the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). His appointment is scheduled to commence on July 1, 2024 and conclude on June 30, 2028.

Department of Pediatrics | March 06, 2024

Karen Leamer, MD `86, FAAP, is set to step down from her esteemed role as the chair of the Department of Pediatrics Clinical Faculty Affairs Committee after an impressive 23-year tenure. Since 1989, Dr. Leamer has been a key figure within the department clinical faculty, taking on the leadership of the Clinical Faculty Affairs Committee in 2000. Currently practicing at Every Child Pediatrics in Aurora, she has shown unwavering dedication, commitment and support to our volunteer clinical faculty. Her remarkable contributions have made a lasting impact on our department, and we are deeply grateful for her significant influence and the privilege of having her on our team. She has taught and mentored numerous medical students and residents over the years.

Department of Pediatrics | March 04, 2024

The Surgical/Subspecialists Clinical Outcomes Research (SCORE) Fellowship within the Adult and Child Center for Outcomes Research & Delivery Science (ACCORDS) has played a crucial role in providing training, mentorship, and career development support to physician-researchers in the University of Colorado School of Medicine.

Melissa Santorelli | March 01, 2024

On January 18, 2024, the Global Down Syndrome Foundation (GLOBAL) announced that Dr. Joaquín Espinosa, leader of its Affiliate, the Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome (Crnic Institute) at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, was awarded an Anschutz Acceleration Initiative (AAI) grant that will fund a pioneering clinical trial aimed at normalizing the immune system and decreasing inflammation in children with Down syndrome.

Global Down Syndrome Foundation | February 29, 2024

Nancy Krebs, MD, MS, professor of pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, has worked for decades to emphasize the importance of nutrition to overall health and to medical practice, including incorporating nutrition into the curriculum for CU medical students and residents.

Greg Glasgow | February 28, 2024

The Department of Pediatrics Section of Neonatology has established the Giacomo Meschia Distinguished Professorship in the CU Foundation in the summer of 2023. Laura Brown, MD, professor of pediatrics in the Section of Neonatology is the first recipient of the Giacomo Meschia Distinguished Professorship for the Section of Neonatal Perinatal Medicine of the University of Colorado School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics. This is for her outstanding and trailblazing work in the field of fetal and neonatal nutrition and skeletal muscle metabolism and physiology.

Department of Pediatrics | February 27, 2024

Joshua Williams, MD, assistant professor of pediatrics in the Section of General Academic Pediatrics, has been selected as the recipient of the American Academy of Pediatrics' (AAP) Section on Early Career Physicians' Advancement in Research Award. Dr. Williams will be honored at the 2023 AAP National Meeting in October. Dr. Williams is principal investigator on an NICHD-funded K23 grant to examine the impact of digital storytelling on influenza vaccination equity. He is also co-investigator at Denver Health for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Vaccine Safety Datalink project.

Department of Pediatrics | February 27, 2024

Lalit Bajaj, MD, MPH, will be assuming the role of Chief Quality Officer for Children’s Hospital Colorado starting in January 2024.

Dr. Bajaj will oversee the Department of Patient Safety, while continuing his oversight of the Department of Clinical Effectiveness and Department of Diversity, Health Equity & Inclusion. These departments will now constitute the Division of Quality, and Dr. Bajaj will be working to complete the medical and administrative dyads in each of those departments over the coming months. 

Department of Pediatrics | February 27, 2024

Jillian M. Cotter, MD, MSCS, assistant professor of pediatrics, Section of Pediatric Hospital Medicine, is a corresponding author of a quality report published February 14 by Pediatrics that describes a quality improvement project aimed at reducing hospital-onset C. difficile infections while also eliminating unnecessary tests. The project, conducted from 2018 to 2020, included developing a clinical care pathway for testing and treatment for C. difficile, a clinical decision support tool to restrict testing, and targeted prevention efforts. Dr. Cotter and her co-authors conclude that such strategies can be used to decrease C. difficile and improve overall test utilization. 

Department of Pediatrics | February 26, 2024

Brian H. Pitts, MD, assistant professor of pediatrics, Section of Adolescent Medicine, is corresponding author of a review article published February 15 in Pediatrics that reviews and consolidates the available literature on suicide risk screening and brief intervention with youths in outpatient medical settings. Brian and his co-authors conclude that brief suicide interventions for youth in outpatient medical settings can increase identification of risk, increase access to behavioral health services, and for crisis interventions, can limit psychiatric hospitalizations. This is a critically important study because suicide is a leading cause of death in youth across the United States, with a recent survey reporting that 18.8% of students nationwide had seriously considered attempting suicide. Six colleagues from our campus are co-authors.

Department of Pediatrics | February 26, 2024

On behalf of the University of Colorado School of Medicine Pediatric Residency Program, please join us in congratulating the 2025–26 Pediatric Chief Residents!

Department of Pediatrics | February 22, 2024

In the Division of Cardiology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, Kamal Henderson, MD, is working to understand why marginalized communities shoulder a disproportionate burden of cardiovascular disease. 

Greg Glasgow | February 21, 2024

Despite some media narratives that focus on vaccine hesitancy becoming more commonplace, ACCORDS faculty members at the University of Colorado School of Medicine say the opposite is true. Most parents in the United States still support vaccinating their children.

Melissa Santorelli | February 20, 2024

We are excited to announce that Anne Adema, MD, (assistant professor, Section of Emergency Medicine), has been selected as an Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) Scholar for 2024-2025.

Department of Pediatrics | February 16, 2024

It is with mixed emotions that the Department of Pediatrics announces that Randy Wilkening, MD, (professor and head, Section of Neonatology; vice chair for clinical practice; chairman, Clinical Practice Committee; associate vice-chairman for Research Affairs, Perinatal Research; Department of Pediatrics) plans to step down from his role as section head pending the completion of the search for his replacement. Dr. Wilkening has served as the section head of Neonatology since 1992 – a remarkable 32-year leadership term.

Department of Pediatrics | February 14, 2024

Suchitra Rao, MD, associate professor of pediatrics in the Section of Pediatric Hospital Medicine, is the corresponding author of a state-of-the-art review published February 7 by Pediatrics that provides a summary of current knowledge about long COVID in children. The article is a comprehensive discussion of the prevalence and epidemiology, risk factors, clinical characteristics, and outcomes. The article also seeks to inform future treatment and prevention efforts. Listed as co-authors are 21 colleagues from major academic medical centers across the country. The New York Times also quotes Suchitra in an article about the review.

Department of Pediatrics | February 12, 2024

Kevin Messacar, MD, PhD, associate professor of pediatrics in the Section of Infectious Diseases, is the corresponding author of the main article in the March 2024 Emerging Infectious Diseases, a monthly journal of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dr. Messacar and his co-authors report on lessons learned from developing a multimodal surveillance program for enterovirus D68 and how they could be applicable to other emerging pathogens and their associated diseases. Messacar and his 12 co-authors are from University of Colorado School of Medicine, Children’s Hospital Colorado and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

Department of Pediatrics | February 12, 2024

John “Fred” Thomas, PhD, professor of pediatrics and public health and executive director of the Peer Mentored Care Collaborative (PMCC) at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, is senior author of an article published by Telemedicine and e-Health about the environmental benefits using econsults to deliver care. The authors, six members of the CU Anschutz Medical Campus, reviewed 15,499 econsults between July 2018 and December 2022 from PMCC. Among the benefits they tally are a reduction of 310,858 miles of in-state travel distance, 5,491 hours of saved travel time, fuel reduction of 13,575 gallons, and a reduction of 77 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions.

Department of Pediatrics | February 06, 2024

Media stories focusing on vaccine hesitancy can distort reality and drive a false narrative that a large percentage of parents are refusing to get their children vaccinated, according to an editorial in the New England Journal of Medicine by two pediatricians from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.

David Kelly | February 06, 2024

The University of Colorado School of Medicine is proud of our faculty's work that contributes to UCHealth's annual rankings on the U.S. News & World Report's Best Hospitals. These rankings are important as many students, residents, faculty, and patients consider these rankings when deciding where to train, practice and receive care.

School of Medicine | February 01, 2024

Colleagues, 

We are pleased to announce a generous gift of $2 million from Doug Jones, Jr., MD, Ann Jones, PhD, and their children, Monica Federico, MD, and Tobin Jones, for the establishment of the Jones Family Endowed Chair in Medical Education.

The inaugural chair holder will be Tai Mara Lockspeiser, MD, MEd, professor of pediatrics in the Section of General Academic Pediatrics, Assistant Dean of Medical Education and Director of Assessment, Evaluations and Outcomes. 

Department of Pediatrics | January 24, 2024

Join the Department of Pediatrics for "Tribute to the Legacy of Michael Hambidge, MD, ScD," during pediatrics grand rounds on Friday, February 2, from 12:30–1:30 p.m.in Mt. Oxford, second floor conference center in Children's Hospital Colorado. Erick Boy, MD, PhD, chief nutritionist, HarvestPlus Nutrition, International Food Policy and Research Institute, will present "Biofortification – Reaching Millions of Rural Farming Households with Micronutrient-Rich Staple Crops Sustainably," with a reception to follow at 1:30 p.m. in the lobby. 

Department of Pediatrics | January 23, 2024

Steven H. Abman, MD, professor of pediatrics in the Section of Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine, is a co-author of an article published January 13 in the Journal of Perinatology finding that transpyloric feeding is associated with adverse in-hospital outcomes in infants with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia affects 10,000 preterm infants annually in the United States and is the most common complication of preterm birth.

Department of Pediatrics | January 22, 2024

James A. Feinstein, MD, MPH/MSPH, associate professor of pediatrics in the Section of General Academic Pediatrics, is co-author of an article published January 4 in Pediatrics that considers drug-drug interaction exposure in pediatric outpatient settings. Using a database of Medicaid beneficiaries, the authors reviewed cases involving more than 780,000 children and found that 21.4% experienced major exposures, putting children at risk for negative health outcomes and adverse drug events.

Department of Pediatrics | January 22, 2024

Shikha Sundaram, MD, MSCI, professor of pediatrics in the Section of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, has been named medical director for child health for CU Medicine and associate dean for clinical affairs for the CU School of Medicine, effective February 1.

Department of Pediatrics | January 22, 2024

The CU Anschutz School of Medicine’s Program to Advance Physician Scientists & Translational Research recently announced the scholars in its Stimulating Access to Research in Residency (StARR) Program, which is funded by an award from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.

Lauren Maloney, MD, resident in pediatrics, is one of four scholars selected. Her project is studying age-specific differences in the immune response to obstructive cholestasis, with Sarah Taylor, MD, visiting associate professor of pediatrics, as her mentor.

Department of Pediatrics | January 22, 2024

An international research team led by Tell Bennett, MD, MS, professor of biomedical informatics and pediatric critical care at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, released new diagnostic criteria for sepsis in children this week, marking the first update to the pediatric sepsis definition in nearly two decades.

Kara Mason | January 21, 2024

A vaccine that prevents all cancer may still be decades away from becoming a reality, but for cervical cancer and several other types of cancer, a vaccine already exists that drastically reduces the risk of getting the disease. 

Greg Glasgow | January 17, 2024

Nine projects chosen for their promise to deliver life-changing advancements in medicine within the next three to five years were announced as the Anschutz Acceleration Initiative (AAI) winners on Jan. 10, marking the end of a selection process that began with 165 letters of intent and 56 full proposals.

Staff | January 15, 2024

The new members of the Finance Committee with CU Medicine were announced beginning this month with Nanette Santoro, MD (Professor, Obstetrics and Gynecology) as the new chair, joined by Neill Epperson, MD (Professor, Chair of Psychiatry), Glenn Furuta, MD (Professor and Section Head, Section of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition) and Katie Dean (DFA for Orthopedics). Mike Jonen (Vice Chair for Finance and Administration) was selected for a second term. 

Department of Pediatrics | January 10, 2024

Rachel Cafferty, MD, assistant professor of pediatrics, and Bruno Anthony, PhD, professor of psychiatry, are co-authors of a viewpoint article published December 28 by JAMA that calls for formal training in suicide prevention for frontline emergency clinicians and staff caring for children and adolescents. The commentary describes the growing public health problem of pediatric suicide, high risk patients and the front seat of the ED to this crisis and offers suggestions for clinical and policy-level solutions. They propose standardized screening practices and increased engagement with community partners and outpatient mental health services.

Department of Pediatrics | January 10, 2024

Lilliam Ambroggio, PhD, associate professor of pediatrics, Christina M. Osborne, MD, instructor of pediatrics, and Brandie D. Wagner, PhD, associate professor of biostatistics and informatics in the Colorado School of Public Health, are co-authors of an article published January 2 in Nature Communications that adds information about antimicrobial resistance in the lung microbiome. The authors performed an observational study of children and adults with acute respiratory failure. Their findings of higher resistance in adults compared to children could have implications for clinical management and public health.

Department of Pediatrics | January 10, 2024

Stephanie W. Waldrop, MD, instructor of pediatrics, is corresponding author of a comment published January 3 by Nature Medicine that addresses inequities in access to medications for weight loss. Barriers to access for the medications known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists include high list prices, variable insurance coverage, and bias in prescribing. Stephanie and her co-authors conclude: “Health is a social good, and thus society has an obligation to provide health services that address the needs of all. GLP-1 agonists are effective treatments for weight management, and although regulatory bodies and medical providers are on the right path, we have a long way to go.”

Department of Pediatrics | January 10, 2024

Gates Institute recently announced four recipients of the 2023 Gates Grubstake Fund. These awards are designed to support investigators who are researching and developing regenerative medicine-related technologies. The awards of up to $350,000 are made annually in a process administered in collaboration with CU Innovations. The fund made awards totaling over $1.4 million to University of Colorado Anschutz researchers in 2023.

Toni Lapp | January 08, 2024

Navin Pinto, MD, a professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine on the CU Anschutz Medical Campus, has been named medical lead at Gates Institute. In this role, he’ll work in partnership with the Investigational New Drug and Device (IND/IDE) Office to oversee Gates Institute-supported clinical trials, providing expertise drawn from his extensive experience with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy. 

Toni Lapp | January 08, 2024

Christopher J. Stille, MD, MPH, professor of pediatrics, is co-author of an original investigation, “Pediatric Medical Subspecialist Use in Outpatient Settings,” published January 4 by JAMA Network Open. The study used electronic health records and health plan claims data to compare rates of subspecialist use, finding that 8.6% of Medicaid beneficiaries, 10.4% of those with commercial insurance, and 21.3% of those whose primary care is received in academic health systems use pediatric subspecialty care each year.

Department of Pediatrics | January 04, 2024

Down syndrome, also known as trisomy 21, is caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21 and is the most common chromosomal abnormality in the population. Research shows individuals with Down syndrome often experience widespread immune dysregulation and inflammation that can lead to many different co-occurring conditions including issues in the gut. Many are diagnosed with several types of gastrointestinal (GI) motility issues such as celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome and chronic constipation during their lifetime.

Chelsea Donohoe | December 12, 2023

Down syndrome, also known as trisomy 21, is caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21 and is the most common chromosomal disorder in the human population occurring at an estimated rate of one in every 700 births. The number of babies born with Down syndrome continues to increase and individuals with Down syndrome are living longer than ever. In fact, the average life expectancy for an individual with Down syndrome has increased dramatically from 10 years old in the early 1900s to about 60 years old today.

Chelsea Donohoe | November 29, 2023

The Department of Pediatrics is extremely pleased to announce Shelley D. Miyamoto, MD, (professor, Section of Cardiology) as our new Section Head of Pediatric Cardiology and Co-Director of the Heart Institute, effective December 1, 2023. Dr. Miyamoto brings a wealth of experience to our team, having completed her Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship at the University of Colorado in 2005 and holding key positions since then. Prior to joining us, she obtained her medical degree from the University of Iowa and completed her pediatric residency training at Brown University and Rhode Island Hospital in Providence, where she served as a chief resident.

Department of Pediatrics | November 28, 2023

Barry H. Rumack, MD, (Professor Emeritus), has been awarded the 2023 Prince Mahidol Award in the field of Public Health.

Dr. Rumack is recognized for his groundbreaking work in clinical toxicology, specifically in the study of paracetamol overdose.

He created the Rumack-Matthews nomogram, which has allowed doctors worldwide to appropriately diagnose paracetamol toxicity and formed a treatment protocol that became the global standard for managing paracetamol toxicity.

Department of Pediatrics | November 28, 2023

The Department of Pediatrics announces the appointment of Mandy A. Allison MA, MD, MSPH (Associate Professor, Section of General of Pediatrics) as the next Director of the Prevention Research Center for Family and Child Health (PRC). The PRC is a joint program of the Department of Pediatrics and the Adult and Child Center for Outcomes Research and Delivery Science (ACCORDS).

Department of Pediatrics | November 27, 2023

The Department of Pediatrics has announced several leadership updates, including the appointment of a new Vice Chair.

Department of Pediatrics | November 07, 2023

The Strauss Health Sciences Library is proud to present a new exhibit honoring the memory of Dr. Nancy Nelson, MD. The Nancy Nelson memorial display case, donated by the Office of Advancement, will have a permanent home on the third floor of the library outside the Tower Room. This case will frequently feature important women in healthcare and medicine. The inaugural exhibit will showcase the life and achievements of Dr. Nelson herself.

Department of Pediatrics | October 31, 2023

We are pleased to announce that Thomas Parker, MD, Professor, Section of Neonatology, has been appointed as Vice Chair for Education for the Department of Pediatrics effective November 1. Dr. Parker has been serving as Interim Vice Chair since August 2021 and his appointment follows an extensive search led by Dr. Shale Wong (Chair), Dr. Jennifer Barker, Dr. Robin Deterding, Dr. Brandi Freeman, Dr. Mary Kohn, Dr. Adam Rosenberg, Dr. Jennifer Soep, Mike Jonen, Gene Liffick and LeAnn Olonia.

Department of Pediatrics | October 30, 2023

First awarded in 1969, these awards are the highest honor and recognition bestowed by the Medical Alumni Association. The Silver and Gold Award for Excellence in Humanitarianism, Citizenship and Professionalism is presented for outstanding service to the community and contributions to the science and art of medicine.

Department of Pediatrics | October 26, 2023

A grant entitled, “Living Donor Liver Transplant: Is It a Cost-Effective Option for Children in Need of Transplantation,” from Amy Feldman, MD (Section of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition), was given a Mid-Level Career Development Award from the North American Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (NASPGHAN) Foundation. Over the last five years, Children’s Hospital Colorado (working in partnership with Dr. Elizabeth Pomfret and the liver transplant team at the Department of Surgery) has been the leading center for pediatric living donor liver transplant and the leading center for pediatric non-directed living donor liver transplant across the country. 

Department of Pediatrics | October 26, 2023

The poster, Surgical Co-Management (SHARe), highlights the benefits of comprehensive hospitalist co-management of surgical patients. Studies show that co-management of surgical patients by hospitalists can significantly enhance the quality, safety and efficiency of care.

Department of Pediatrics | October 26, 2023