Department of Pediatrics

Heather Herrington, M.D., associate professor of surgery and pediatrics, has been selected as one of 45 women to participate as a member of the 2023-24 class of fellows in the Executive Leadership in Health Care program at the Hedwig van Ameringen Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine® (ELAM®) program at Drexel University College of Medicine.

A study by UVM researchers and colleagues finds mental health care lagging after firearm injury, which increases risk for serious mental health conditions.

(JUNE 7, 2023) Greater efforts are needed to connect children with mental health services after a firearm injury, according to a study by a research consortium of Children’s Hospital Association professionals that included Christian D. Pulcini, M.D., M.Ed., M.P.H., assistant professor of emergency medicine, Healio reported.

The Larner College of Medicine medical Class of 2023 Honors Night on May 15 featured recognition and awards for graduating medical students, faculty, and staff.

(MAY 16, 2023) Neonatologist Leslie Young, M.D., associate professor of pediatrics, was interviewed by Fox5 TV about her research on more effective ways to care for newborns exposed to opioids in the womb. In short, these littlest patients have shorter hospital stays when treated with the “Eat, Sleep, Console” (ESC) care approach.

(MAY 5, 2023) Whether or not the COVID-19 pandemic is over, the mental health crisis for young people that spiked over the past two years continues, child psychiatrist Andrew Rosenfeld, M.D., associate professor of psychiatry and pediatrics, told WCAX-TV.

(MAY 3, 2023) Judith Shaw, Ed.D., M.P.H., RN, FAAP, professor emerita of pediatrics, told Healio that the annual Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting, held April 28–May 1 in Washington, D.C., “highlights a broad issue of interest across the full spectrum of pediatric research, science, and education.” Shaw served as program chair for the 2023 conference.

Research led by Leslie Young, M.D., demonstrates that the "Eat, Sleep, Console” care approach (ESC) for newborns exposed to opioids in the womb results in shorter hospital stays and decreased need for medication. National Institutes of Health funded the study. The findings are published in New England Journal of Medicine.

(APRIL 30, 2023) New research led by neonatologist Leslie Young, M.D., associate professor of pediatrics, shows that babies exposed to opioids in the womb have shorter hospital stays when care includes more parent involvement and a quieter environment, the Associated Press reported.

An expanded partnership between University of Vermont physician-founded THINKMD and global children’s health leader Save the Children aims to have a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of children in vulnerable communities across the globe.

(APRIL 26, 2023) Health care professionals play a critical role in promoting safe firearm storage, Associate Professor of Pediatrics Thomas Delaney, Ph.D., — who does suicide prevention work at the Larner College of Medicine — told Vox.

Undergraduate students from groups under-represented in medicine often overlook pediatric medicine as a career choice. Larner medical students hosted an event to increase pediatrician diversity and support undergrads who feel apprehensive about medical school.

(APRIL 3, 2023) Judith Shaw, Ed.D., M.P.H., RN, FAAP, professor emeritus of pediatrics and PAS program chair, spoke to Yahoo Finance about the upcoming Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) 2023 Meeting in Washington, D.C., April 27 – May 1, the largest and most prestigious pediatric research meeting in the world.

(MARCH 21, 2023) Pediatric pulmonologist L. E. Faricy, M.D., assistant professor of pediatrics, supports banning the retail sale of all flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes, according to VTDigger.

(MARCH 17, 2023) Rebecca Bell, M.D., associate professor of pediatrics, supports legislation that would establish a waiting period for all gun purchases and a so-called safe storage provision that would require gun owners to keep their weapons securely locked if someone else who shouldn’t have a gun would otherwise be able to gain access, according to Vermont Public.

(FEBRUARY 19, 2023) Alexandra Bannach, M.D., Haley McGowan, D.O., and Greta Spottswood, M.D.’11, M.P.H., spoke to VTDigger about the Vermont Child Psychiatry Access Program, a grant-funded program conceived of by Spottswood that offers a free telephone hotline for primary care providers who see children and youth with mild to moderate mental health challenges.

(FEBRUARY 15, 2023) Christian Pulcini, M.D., M.Ed., M.P.H., assistant professor of emergency medicine, and Rebecca Bell, M.D., associate professor of pediatrics, commented to NBC5 in response to news that thousands of free gun locks will soon be available to the public across the state.

(FEBRUARY 9, 2023) Erica Gibson, M.D., associate professor of pediatrics and division chief of adolescent medicine, and OBGYN resident Mackenzie Delzer, M.D., commented to NBC5 on a bill that would make reproductive procedures and gender-affirming services legally protected in Vermont.

(JANUARY 18, 2023) Kelly Cowan, M.D., associate professor of pediatrics and a pediatric pulmonologist at the UVM Children’s Hospital, spoke with WCAX-TV about a new study that concluded that more than 12.5 percent of current childhood asthma in the U.S. is due to gas stove use.

(JANUARY 16, 2023) Martin Keller, M.D., associate professor of pediatric surgery, is a co-author of a study that found increased pediatric firearm injury and death rates tied to the COVID pandemic, HealthDay News reported.