Department of Pediatrics

(OCTOBER 24, 2022) A study co-authored by Benjamin Lee, M.D., associate professor of pediatrics; Beth Kirkpatrick, M.D., professor and chair of microbiology and molecular genetics and professor of medicine; and Mary Cushman, M.D., M.Sc., professor of medicine, along with researchers from Columbia University and Boston University, concluded that post-vaccination symptoms are a good sign, CNN reported.

A study by UVM researchers of nearly 2,000 children found that those who reported playing video games for three hours per day or more performed better on cognitive skills tests involving impulse control and working memory compared to children who had never played video games.

(OCTOBER 4, 2022) Thomas Delaney, Ph.D., associate professor of pediatrics, comments on the rising suicide rates in Vermont in an article in VTDigger about the launch of a new website and education campaign geared toward helping the public understand how to intervene before a suicide attempt.

For students pursuing a degree in medicine, there’s no off-season. During a two-month break between their first and second years, many Larner College of Medicine medical students tackled projects to address unmet health needs, practice clinical skills, and immerse themselves in specialty clerkships with physician preceptors.

Associate Professor of Pediatrics and neonatologist Danielle Ehret, M.D., M.P.H., was invested as the inaugural Asfaw Yemiru Green and Gold Professor in Global Health in a formal ceremony held at the University of Vermont’s Larner College of Medicine on July 28, 2022.

Three Larner College of Medicine faculty-led, interprofessional group projects have been selected to receive 2022 Frymoyer Scholars funding. The three projects focus on newborn resuscitation, building an interdisciplinary gender affirming care model, and fostering excellent clinical teachers, respectively.

(JULY 6, 2022) Associate Professor of Pediatrics Rebecca Bell, M.D., spoke with Alexandra Montgomery of WCAX-TV Channel 3 for a story about updated guidance on safe sleep for babies issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Kiana Heredia, a medical student in the Larner College of Medicine Class of 2024, helped Larner Assistant Professor of Pediatrics L.E. Faricy, M.D., create the URiM Pathway to Pediatrics program to assist others who may encounter the doubts she experienced during her undergraduate years. The program originated from a grant proposal Faricy and Heredia developed with help from Nicole Obongo ’24, Annaliese Lapides ‘24 and Mialovena Exume ’24, for American Academy of Pediatrics funding to support events aimed at increasing workforce diversity and supporting students historically underrepresented in medicine.

On May 13, the Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont held Honors Night for graduating medical students in the Class of 2022. Accolades presented included the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society faculty, housestaff, and community physician awards; the Arnold P. Gold Foundation's Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine faculty and student awards; Area Health Education Center Scholars; department awards to students; and awards from the Class of 2022.

(MAY 13, 2022) Benjamin Lee, M.D., associate professor of pediatrics, was quoted in a story in The Atlantic on the alarming trend of previously healthy children being diagnosed with hepatitis .

(MAY 9, 2022) Michelle Shepard, M.D., Ph.D., FAAP, assistant professor of pediatrics, said in an NECN-TV news story that she and her colleagues have received many calls from extremely stressed parents about the shortage of baby formula.

“Going above and beyond” and consistently demonstrating kindness, compassion and respect were common accolades in the nomination letters for the 2022 Dean’s Awards for Professionalism recipients. On May 3, the Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont marked the third anniversary of the formal introduction and celebration of the College’s Statement on Professionalism at a virtual awards presentation ceremony.

UVM Pediatric Primary Care is removing barriers to mental health care with an evidence-based Primary Care Mental Health Integration program, piloted with support from the UVM Health Network.

Infants and children living in rural states are less likely than those living in other states to have a chance to enroll in clinical research, especially clinical trials. Underserved and minority children are particularly underrepresented. The University of Vermont is one of 18 sites in a state-of-the-art pediatric clinical research network to improve access to clinical trials for children in rural and underserved areas. Together, the sites constitute the Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Institutional Development Awards (IDeA) States Pediatric Clinical Trials Network (ISPCTN).

University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine faculty, leaders, and colleagues gathered virtually for the Teaching Academy’s 2022 Snow Season Education Retreat January 20-21. Highlights of the two-day event included a plenary session by representatives of the Kern National Network for Caring and Character in Medicine, the Induction and Award Ceremony, and an in-person poster session.

A grassroots effort led by Larner College of Medicine alum and Associate Professor of Pediatrics Keith Robinson, M.D.’07, and key partners across the academic medical center and state, has established an invaluable resource to ensure pediatric patients and their families receive the quality and amount of food they need.

Lewis First, M.D., M.S., professor and chair of pediatrics, has announced the appointment of Rachel Garfield, M.H.S., Ph.D., as the next executive director of the Vermont Child Health Improvement Program (VCHIP) and an associate professor pediatrics at the University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine.

Professor of Pediatrics William Raszka, M.D., has received the prestigious 2021 Alpha Omega Alpha Robert J. Glaser Distinguished Teacher Award. The award is part of the Association of American Medical Colleges annual slate of honors and will be formally conferred at an October 27 virtual recognition event.

Described as “a traditional summer camp experience with a queer twist,” Camp Outright provides a supportive environment and a range of activities focused on community, social justice, and fun for youth aged 13 to 17. During the two 2021 summer sessions, the camp also served as a place for medical trainees and campers to see a different side of patient care and clinicians, respectively.

Department of Pediatrics Administrator Sue Victory will be retiring on July 9, 2021 after nearly 44 years working at the University of Vermont Medical Center and University of Vermont's Larner College of Medicine.