Department of Pediatrics News and Stories

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Children’s Hospital Colorado is announcing its recent acceptance into the Pediatric Heart Network, a collective of leading hospitals working to improve outcomes and quality of life for children – and more recently adults – with heart disease. The hospital’s Heart Institute will become one of nine clinical research centers across North America selected to be a part of this national network.

Children's Hospital Colorado | February 14, 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

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

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

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

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Council on Community Pediatrics has awarded the 2023 AAP Job Lewis Smith Award to David Keller, MD.  The award, named for Job Lewis Smith, MD, one of the founding fathers of the American Pediatric Society and chief pioneer of American pediatrics. The prestigious honor is the highest award bestowed by the Council and recognizes lifelong outstanding career achievement in community pediatrics.

Department of Pediatrics | September 11, 2023

Susan L. Johnson, PhD, (Professor, Section of Nutrition) has been selected by The Obesity Society and the Pediatric Obesity Section as the recipient of the 2023 Oded Bar-Or Award for Excellence in Pediatric Obesity Research. This prestigious award was founded in 2007 to recognize significant contributions to basic and applied pediatric obesity research that have resulted in major advances in scientific understanding of etiology, prevention, and treatment.

Department of Pediatrics | July 28, 2023

We are thrilled to announce that six of our exceptional doctors have been recognized by Colorado Springs Magazine in their annual Top Doctors edition. Our Department of Pediatrics is proud to have such dedicated individuals on our team, and we are honored to have them recognized for their outstanding commitment to our mission and the families we serve.

Department of Pediatrics | July 24, 2023

U.S. News & World Report released its annual rankings and ratings of best hospitals and specialties for 2023-2024. The Department of Pediatrics' ranked specialties were recognized as exceptional and remain in the annual report’s Top 25 with four in the Top 10.

Department of Pediatrics | June 22, 2023

Michael Tchou, MD, MSc, and Tai Lockspeiser, MD, MHPE, were recently honored by the Academic Pediatric Association.

Department of Pediatrics | May 23, 2023

The University of Colorado's Department of Pediatrics is tied for eighth in the nation for "Best Pediatrics Programs" in rankings released by U.S. News & World Report. The Department of Pediatrics consistently ranks among the best in the nation. The Department has been ranked in the top eight in each of the past 13 years.

Department of Pediatrics | May 19, 2023

Children’s Hospital Colorado held its annual medical staff dinner on Thursday, May 11, and recognized School of Medicine pediatrics faculty with awards.

Department of Pediatrics | May 12, 2023

Ronald J. Sokol, MD has been named a University of Colorado Distinguished Professor. Dr. Sokol is one of 136 CU faculty members among the four campuses to have earned this distinction since its inception in 1977.

Department of Pediatrics | November 02, 2022

Children’s Hospital Colorado has been recognized as the No. 7 pediatric hospital in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in hospital rankings and consumer advice. 

Children’s Hospital Colorado made the 2022-23 Best Children’s Hospitals Honor Roll, ranked No. 1 in both the region and state of Colorado, and ranked in all 10 specialties with five in the top 10.

Department of Pediatrics | June 13, 2022