A Message from the ChairHappy New Year!

I hope you all are off to a wonderful 2008!

This year I plan to build on the strong foundation of the Department to continue our successes in clinical care, research, and education.

This edition of Inside Pediatrics highlights several faculty and staff members who have received awards and honors in the recent past, information on the ongoing C.S. Mott

Children’s and Women’s Hospitals Replacement Project, and opportunities to help support our cause.

Congratulations to all and keep up the good work!

Valerie Castle, M.D.Ravitz Foundation Professor of Pediatrics and Communicable DiseasesChair, Department of Pediatrics

WINTER 2008

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New Howard Hughes Medical Institute

InvestigatorFriedhelm Hildebrandt, M.D. has been selected as a new Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator.

Dr. Hildebrandt was selected in a nationwide competition that sought applications from researchers who lead patient-oriented research programs and whose scientifi c work is guided by

their interaction with patients.

This is an extraordinary recognition of the outstanding work that Dr. Hildebrandt and his research team are conducting.

Congratulations to Dr. Hildebrandt and his entire research team!

Distinguished Career Award

Laurence Boxer, M.D. has been chosen to receive the 2008 Distinguished Career Award from American Society of Pediatric Hematology Oncology (ASPHO).

This award is given in recognition of outstanding service and signifi cant scientifi c contributions to the

understanding and treatment of blood diseases and cancer in children. It will be presented at the ASPHO annual meeting in May. Past distinguished recipients include Louis Diamond, David Nathan, Frank Oski, Elias Schwartz and Archie Bleyer.

Dr. Boxer has made extraordinary contributions to the care of children with white cell disorders most notably those associated with low white cell counts (neutropenia). Additionally, he has made seminal basic research discoveries that have improved our understanding of white cell function in normal states and in inherited and acquired diseases.

INSIDE PEDIATRICS • WINTER 2008

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Dr. Boxer is most proud of the work he has done at Michigan to develop the Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and infl uence the careers of numerous young investigators and clinician-scientists who have chosen careers in Pediatric Hematology and Oncology.

Congratulations to Dr. Boxer as his extraordinary achievements are recognized with the 2008 ASPHO Distinguished Career Award.

Shining Star Award

Lisa Hammer, M.D., a general pediatrician at Briarwood Health Associates, has been selected for this quarter’s UMHS Shining Star Award. Shining Stars are honored at a quarterly Employee Recognition Reception for their contributions to the mission, vision, and values of UMHS.

Dr. Hammer is known for going the extra mile for patients and families. Congratulations!

Help Them Make Their MarkIn partnership with Detroit-based Pewabic Pottery, the community has a unique opportunity to support the new Children’s Hospital and Women’s Hospital with specially designed clay tiles. These tiles will decorate the new facilities inside and out.

There are several ways in which the community can support the Mott and Women’s tile project:

•Tribute Gifts - For a donation of $250, you can celebrate a special occasion, honor someone special or remember a loved one with a Tribute Gift to the new C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital and Women’s Hospital as a distinctive way to create a lasting remembrance.

Your Tribute Gift will help fund unique art pieces created by Pewabic Pottery that will be installed on the welcome desks of the new facility. This art work will help create an inviting atmosphere for patients and their families.

•Mott Patient Tiles - For $100, you may sponsor a Mott patient to create a tile which will be installed in the new facility. For a $1,000 donation, a set of four Mott patient tiles with a border of specialty tiles may be purchased.

These tile sets will be used to help patients and families fi nd their way around the new facility.

All charitable contributions are 100% tax deductible. For more information on how to support the Mott and Women’s Tile Project, please visit www.mottchildrenshospital.org/tiles or call 734-936-9134.

Grand RoundsTuesdays from 8-9 a.m. in the MCHC Auditorium

January 29 - “Update on Epidemiology and Treatment of Fungal Infections,” Carol Kauffman, M.D.

February 5 - “Damage Associated Molecular Pattern: Role in Innate Immunity & Potential Use as Biomarkers,” Dirk Foell, M.D., University of Muenster, Germany

February 12 - “Macrophage Activation in Obesity - Adipose Tissue & Beyond,” Carey Lumeng, M.D.

February 19 - “Implementing Nutrition Guidelines,” Sam Gidding, M.D., Nemours Cardiac Center

February 26 - “Psychological Stresses Associated with Chronic Illness,” David DeMaso, M.D., Children’s Hospital of Boston

Future conference topics may be found at http://www.med.umich.edu/pediatrics/edu/conference.htm

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Division at a Glance:Pediatric Genetics

The Division of Pediatric Genetics provides service in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of birth defects, structural abnormalities, inherited diseases, chromosomal abnormalities and mental retardation. In addition, the Division treats children with inborn errors of metabolism and metabolic disorders identifi ed on the newborn screen.

Services include inpatient and outpatient evaluations to diagnose genetic diseases, syndromes or metabolic diseases, and appropriate laboratory studies including quantitative amino acids, organic acids, carnitine, chromosomal microarray analysis, karyotype, DNA-based gene sequencing, recurrence risk calculations, teratologic evaluation of abortuses, stillborns, and selected neonatal deaths, medical genetics follow-up, treatment, and genetic counseling. Website for more details: (http://www.med.umich.edu/pediatrics/division/genetics/index.htm).

Most recently, the Michigan Medical Genetics Laboratories (MMGL; website in development) was established within the Division. This comprehensive laboratory provides state-of-the-art testing for rare genetic diseases. The MMGL is comprised of two sections, one for metabolic genetic diseases such as those on the newborn screen, and one for DNA based molecular genetic methods.

Research efforts within the Division include the evaluation of long term outcomes and best practice guidelines for management of patients with inborn errors of metabolism, outcomes of patients with metabolic diseases detected pre-symptomatically by newborn screening, limb malformations, role of HOX genes in development, genetics of early postimplantation mammalian development, adrenocortical and caudal development, neural tube defects, diagnosis of kidney disease in diabetes and hypertension, genetic basis of neuronal development and autism, genetics of pre-term birth and adverse perinatal outcomes, and cystinosis.

The Division includes 11 faculty members, 18 staff members, and two medical genetics residents. Faculty members have extensive collaborations within Pediatrics, the Department of Human Genetics and other UMHS Departments.

Genetics Outreach Clinics staffed by Divisional faculty are located in Gaylord, Marquette, and Traverse City.

Replacement ProjectWork continues on the C.S. Mott Children’s and Women’s Hospitals R e p l a c e m e n t Project!

Recent progress includes placement of the fi rst piece of steel! A total of

10,500 tons of steel will be erected in the fi nal project.

In the fall, Barton Mallow employee Scott Huff shared his views from the top of the tower crane above the project site. Scott travels 315 feet up a series of yellow ladders to reach the cab of the crane where he works each day - a trip that takes him an average of 25 minutes a day.

The crane performs four different modes of operation and can lift up to 40,090 pounds. Scott depends on his co-worker, Phil, to help with the crane operation from his position on the ground. To make certain their jobs are performed safely, Phil and Scott communicate via radio.

Scott’s views on clear days include downtown Detroit. And, while working on fall football Saturday’s, he is able to view the Wolverines in the Big House with a pair of binoculars.

You can view the progress of the replacement project from the top of the Taubman Parking Structure.

For more information, please visit http://www.med.umich.edu/i/mottproject/.

Cycling GearThere is still an opportunity for bike enthusiasts to support the C.S. Mott Children’s and Women’s Hospital Replacement Project by purchasing a jersey or cycling shorts. If you are interested in making a purchase, please contact Laura Gray at 734-936-3682.

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2007 New Faculty Members

Jill Lancaster, M.D.

•Clinical Lecturer, Division of General Pediatrics•M.D., 2001, Temple University School of Medicine•Residency, 2004, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh

Dr. Lancaster will be practicing in at the Livonia Pediatrics Clinic. Her

clinical interests include preventative medicine.

Bethany J. Sallinen, Ph.D.

•Clinical Assistant Professor, Division of Child Behavioral Health•Ph.D., 2005, University of Maine•Residency, 2005, University of Florida•Fellowship, 2007, Pediatric Psychology, University of Florida

Clinical interests include pediatric obesity, psychosocial issues and family

functioning in pediatric obesity, and health promotion.

Research interests include development and evaluation of pediatric weight management programs, and family functioning in pediatric obesity.

R.A.V.E. AwardsShaney Bowers, Pediatric Cardiology, is our Extra Mile Winner for the month of July. Shaney was nominated by Diane Gaffney, Alicia Valentini and Shelly Brown. The nominators say “Shaney always has a smile on her face; she has the foresight to anticipate problems... we would be lost without her”. Shaney is appreciated for going the extra mile taking on additional task

in absence of co-workers and doing it with a smile.

Kelly Hornbacher, Taubman Pediatric Clinics, is our Extra Mile Winner for the month of August. Kelly was nominated by Dr. Emily Fredericks for her effort in going above and beyond to problem solve clinic space concerns and diffi culties for obtaining dictation and careweb access for incoming psychology fellows. Fredericks says “ Kelly is always willing to lend support

to faculty, staff and trainees. She is truly dedicated to the Pediatric Clinics”.

Cheng-Yu Chang, Division Administrator for Pediatrics Endocrinology, GI and Rheumatology is our Extra Mile winner for the month of September. Cheng was nominated by 5 faculty from the various divisions he serves; Drs. Ram Menon, Chris Dickinson, Delia Vazquez, Josephine Kasa-Vubu and Vasantha Padmanabhan. The nominators

state “ Cheng consistently goes above and beyond the call of duty”...”always responsive, a great listener and unfl appable under pressure”...” has worked tirelessly to help organize our offi ce staff to make them more effi cient”...”meets the needs of various faculty and with a very cheery attitude to help faculty meet their deadlines” and “ he’s hardworking, competent and dedicated to the improvement of all the operations he performs, makes the workplace the best it can be for all staff members.”

Renee A. Shellhaas, M.D.

•Clinical Assistant Professor, Division of Pediatric Neurology•M.D., 2001, University of Michigan•Residency, 2003, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia•Residency, 2006, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia•Fellowship, 2007, Clinical Neurophysiology and Epilepsy, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

Clinical interests include epilepsy and neonatal seizures.

Research interests include neonatal seizures.

INSIDE PEDIATRICS • WINTER 2008

UPCOMING EVENTS2nd Annual Susan B. Meister Lecture in Child Health Policy - Tuesday, February 12, 2008 BSRB Auditorium, 4:30 - 6 p.m. “Bridging the Worlds of Business and Public Health” by John Agwunobi, M.D., M.B.A., M.P.H., Executive Vice President for Health, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Reservations required: www.chear.umich.edu

Developmental Origin of Health and Disease - Friday, October 17, 2008 Forum Hall, Palmer Commons. 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sponsored by the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology. For more information, please contact Amanda Howard (amanhowa@umich.edu).

Inside PediatricsEditor: Laura J. Gray (ljgray@umich.edu/734-936-3682)

Associate Chair for External Affairs: Gary L. Freed, M.D., M.P.H. (gfreed@umich.edu/734-615-0616)

Inside Pediatrics is published quarterly by the Offi ce of the Chair. Suggestions or submissions for this newsletter should be directed to Laura Gray, Editor, email: ljgray@umich.edu.

Pediatric Resident Graduation - Tuesday, June 10, 2008. For more information, please contact Denise Alton (dmalton@umich.edu).

Med-Peds Resident Graduation - Thursday, June 12, 2008. For more information, please contact Michael Lukela, M.D. (mlukela@umich.edu).

Lois Hauck, Pediatric Education, is our Extra Mile Winner for the month of October. Lois was nominated by Kim Moosekian, Sr. Admin Asst for Pediatric Critical Care. Kim says, “ Lois has done a superb job!” with staying on top of the things in the fellowship coordination role. Lois learns all she can about fellowship program’s and helps all of the

fellowship coordinators do a better job. Kim goes on to say, “ I have never seen an employee from the U go out of her way to help someone else do their job better. If we only had a few more employees like Lois, She has shared so much valuable information with all of us. Thanks Lois, you’re the best!!!”

Kathy Sundbeck, Pediatric Cardiology, is our Extra Mile Winner for the month of November. Kathy was nominated by Dr. Mary van der Velde for completing the arduous and thankless task of compiling/submitting the re-certifi cation application and materials for the pediatric echo-cardiography laboratory to ICAEL. (continued)

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In addition, Kathy coordinated the Quality Assurance and Peer Review process to help make sure that the Pediatric Cardiology team continues to deliver the best quality service to it’s patients and care givers. She did all of this in addition to her regular duties as a senior sonographer in the echo lab and never lost her cool or her smile.

Sue Clark, Taubman Pediatric Clinics, was crowned Queen for a week in October. Sue received this recognition for all of the consistent dedicated work she provides, her incredible customer service skills and ability and willingness to take on “just one more thing” all of the time. Recent emails from parents attest to the quality and dedication provided as well as

the outstanding customer service skills demonstrated. Parents of patient state, “ She is always pleasant and eager to help. She’s the fi rst person I would go to with any problems or questions”. This is the common theme Sue’s supervisor, Kelly Hornbacher, hears from anyone who has worked with Sue. Her attendance is great, she always goes above and beyond, she provides high quality work and has a pleasant attitude.