Department of Pediatrics News and Stories

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

Dedicated to finding innovative ways to improve healthcare processes and transform safety standards, Becker's Hospital Review honored the best patient safety experts to know in 2024. Lalit Bajaj, MD, Chief Quality Officer, was recognized for his work at Children's Colorado

Becker's Hospital Review | June 25, 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

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

Led by Teri Schreiner, an associate professor of pediatrics-neurology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, the observed PK/PD profile of ocrelizumab in this pediatric population was similar to that seen in adults. In addition, no new T1-gadolinium-enhancing lesions were reported at week 12.

Neurology Live | June 06, 2024

“It’s pervasive,” said Robin Deterding, a pediatric pulmonologist and medical director of the Breathing Institute at Children’s Hospital Colorado [and professor of pediatrics at CU School of Medicine]. “All teenagers know people who vape and use nicotine.”

The Denver Post | June 06, 2024

"How this drug works is that it binds to the t-cell and causes it to go and get re-educated. Instead of being activated and wanting to kill the cells that make insulin, it basically becomes tired and isn't responsive to the beta cells," explained Dr. Kimber Simmons, Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the Barbara Davis Center within the University of Colorado School of Medicine.

CBS News | June 06, 2024

Dr. Melanie Cree, a pediatric endocrinologist [and director of the Multi-Disciplinary PCOS clinic] at Children’s Hospital Colorado [and associate professor at University of Colorado School of Medicine] who has been working with this class of medication in clinical trials with children for almost a decade, says the drugs have been a game-changer not just to help kids lose weight and lower blood sugar, but also to lower liver fat and improve cardiac and kidney function – “all of those conditions that go with type 2 diabetes.”

CNN | May 29, 2024

Heather De Keyser, MD '10 (associate professor, Section of Pulmonary Medicine), gives tips on how to keep your kids with asthma safe this summer in this episode of Health Watch from CBS News Colorado.

CBS News | May 26, 2024

“There is nothing about this study that alarms me or would make me recommend that pregnant women stop drinking tap water,” said Patricia Braun, MD '90, a professor of pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and a spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The New York Times | May 22, 2024

In this physician profile, we spoke with Edwin Liu, MD, a [professor and] pediatric gastroenterologist and director of the Colorado Center for Celiac Disease at Children’s Hospital Colorado. Dr Liu also serves as Taplin Endowed Chair for Celiac Disease and is a founding member of the Society for the Study of Celiac Disease and board member for the International Society for the Study of Celiac Disease.

Gastroenterology Advisor | May 17, 2024

An asthma medication that thousands of people rely upon, including children, hasn’t been available in pharmacies across Colorado since the beginning of the year. Now, doctors at Children’s Hospital Colorado are beginning to see the impacts from its loss. “They discontinued Flovent,” said Monica Federico, the medical director of the Asthma Program at Children’s Colorado [and associate professor of pediatrics at CU School of Medicine].

Denver 7 | May 15, 2024

The dedication of our participants and the follow-up and completion of surveys, despite occurring during the pandemic, allowed for a very comprehensive study," said Marisa Stahl, MD, [assistant professor,] gastroenterologist at Children's Colorado and primary author of the study.

Medical Xpress | May 13, 2024

“We have a handful of things we know work,” O’Leary said, “but there’s always room for more.” In the videos, O’Leary, a professor of pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and chair of the AAP’s Committee on Infectious Diseases, explains how “boot camp translation” helped the researchers leverage the participation of clinical and nonclinical staff, parents and teens at six pediatric practices in three Colorado counties to increase their HPV vaccination rates.

Healio | 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

It was a school day afternoon when Blaise learned his diagnosis. He came to find out that his parents had received a call from the doctor that day. Soon after, the family had a telehealth appointment with Teri Schreiner, a pediatric neurologist who specializes in neuroimmunology [associate professor of pediatrics at CU School of Medicine] and the study’s lead pediatric researcher.

The Colorado Sun | May 09, 2024

GLP-1 agonists improve insulin resistance and lead to weight loss, so it makes sense that they also improve PCOS symptoms, added Melanie Cree, director of the multidisciplinary PCOS Clinic at Children’s Hospital Colorado. “It is completely being used now with no evidence because the [obstetrics] field knows that if you have 5% weight loss in these individuals with PCOS, you will improve fertility,” she said.

CNN | May 08, 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

“The neighborhoods right around our hospital definitely are disproportionately impacted by these social determinants. We see many children with more severe asthma coming from those neighborhoods. Children are not impacted equally across our city, and so it’s important to figure out what is driving that,” said Emily Skeen, pediatric pulmonologist with Children’s Hospital Colorado and fellow at University of Colorado School of Medicine, in a press release.

Pharmacy Times | May 05, 2024

Providers recognize it can be easier said than done for teenagers to get all of the necessary nutrients they need through diet alone. Rochelle Cason-Wilkerson, MD, nutritionist, provides important information on how teens' needs change as they develop and how to incorporate vitamins into their diet.

Teen Vogue | April 25, 2024

Aline Maddux, associate professor of pediatrics [Section of Critical Care Medicine] in the pediatrics intensive care unit, is a part of Cartier’s medical team. “His heart stopped beating. We tried to revive it, and there was fear that he might not survive this,” Maddux said.

Fox 31 | Channel 2 | April 23, 2024

“The ‘oops’ babies on Ozempic and Wegovy are happening all over the place,” Melanie Cree-Green, [associate professor of pediatrics, Section of Endocrinology and] director of the polycystic ovary syndrome clinic at Children’s Hospital Colorado in Aurora, told the news outlet. “It’s very exciting, but it's a bit scary because we’re moving forward without all the data.”

Becker's Hospital Review | April 23, 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

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

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

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

“It’s almost impossible to avoid reactions and live in the real world,” said BJ Lanser, a pediatric allergy specialist at National Jewish Health in Denver [and associate professor of pediatrics at CU School of Medicine]. “That peace of mind and knowledge of the protection that is there is obviously of significant benefit to many.”

The Colorado Sun | March 29, 2024

Most providers working in birthing facilities don’t know that the law changed, though, and they may still report families based solely on a drug test, said Christine Gold, a pediatric hospitalist at University of Colorado Hospital [and associate professor of pediatrics at CU School of Medicine].

The Denver Post | March 29, 2024

“It’s a pretty miserable disease,” said Sean O’Leary, a professor of pediatric infectious diseases specialist [and director, Colorado Children's Outcomes Network] at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.

The New York Times | March 25, 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 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

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

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

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 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

Stephanie Bourque MD, MSCS, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Section of Neonatology and Associate Medical Director, Children’s Hospital Colorado Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, has been appointed the first recipient of the Niermeyer Family Distinguished Professorship in Neonatology.

Department of Pediatrics | September 28, 2023