Plays of the Week:
Play of the week goes to Dr. Joseph Lopreiato, who was selected to the National Academy of Distinguished Educators in Pediatrics (NADEP). The selection process is highly competitive and occurs every three years. In a letter to Dr. Lopreiato, the NADEP committee wrote: “You have been chosen after careful peer review by expert NADEP members. The reviewers were impressed by the depth and breadth of your educational experiences, expertise and contributions to the field. You should be very proud of the fact that your years of commitment and hard work is being recognized by your peers in such an elegant manner.” 🎉
Play of the week goes to Dr. Cade Nylund, who was selected as this year's AOA Uniformed Services Chapter Faculty Mentor of the Year. 🎉
Play of the week also goes to Dr. Nicole Martin, who completed a champagne tap! 🍾
Play of the week goes to the NICU Fellowship, who enjoyed an academic field trip to the Multidrug-Resistant Organism Repository & Surveillance Network (MRSN) at WRAIR.
Thank you to those who helped cover the inpatient teams during the Residency Retreat: Drs. Urbina, Schulz, Groomes, Drumm, Friedman, Hepps, Ahmed, Bumgardner, and Whiteway. As well as our amazing PICU mid-levels: Mills, Harrison, and Lewis.
Last but not least, a BIG farewell to RN Charmoine Draughn, who has been part of the NCCPeds family since 2004. She will be moving on from the Pediatrics PCMH to Executive Medicine. Best of luck, you will be missed!!
Schedule:
Date | Event | Time and Location | Audience/Notes |
Sunday, 4/23 | Residency Retreat! 🚤 | | |
Monday, 4/24 | MR: Education/Reverse Ed | STAFF: 0730 - 0850 (America 2525 B/C) RESIDENTS: 0745 - 0850 (Canyon Conf Room, 4th Floor, America bldg) | Academic/Military Advisors, Rotation Supervisors, Residency Leadership Only Pediatric Residents Only |
Tuesday, 4/25 | MR: DEI Ageism Presentation, McGirt | 0745 - 0850 America 2525 B/C | All welcome |
Wednesday, 4/26 Denim Day👖 (Sexual Violence Awareness Month) | NO MORNING REPORT | | |
| Military Child Health Symposium | 1300 - 1630 | See below for the agenda |
| Resident Happy Hour | 1700 - 1900 Tommy Joe's | Medical Students and Residents Only |
Thursday, 4/27 Start of PAS Conference (click here for a calendar with presentations) | MR: Case & Journal Club, Martin | 0745 - 0850 America 2525 B/C | All welcome; see below for journal club article |
Friday, 4/28 Anniversary of USS COMFORT (T-AH 6) Kamikaze Attack 1945 | MR: PI Working Session and Sustainment/PDCA, Step 8 Lecture, Richards | 0745 - 0850 America 2525 B/C | All welcome; invite stakeholders for meeting |
Martin's Journal Club Article:
Military Child Health Symposium Agenda:
PAS Conference Agenda:
Save the Date 🗓 | Upcoming Birthdays 🎉 |
2MAY: NCR Research & Innovation Research Presentations Start | 2MAY: Amy Davis |
5MAY: Cinco de Mayo | |
8-10MAY: Intern CSA | |
12MAY: Davis Journal Club | |
16-18MAY: CC OpMed Field Trip | |
10JUN: Hail & Farewell | Do you have a birthday that you want added to the calendar? Email/text Britt |
Announcements:
All Staff Updates
Intern Clinical Skills Assessment (CSA) Volunteer
We are still looking for volunteers for the upcoming Intern CSA which is scheduled to take place May 8-10th.
For those of you who may be new or new to the Intern CSA, this event is a half-day of simulated patient encounters during which interns are directly observed by faculty and provided specific, educational feedback. We have done this for many years in conjunction with the Children’s National Medical Center (CNMC) residency program. Each faculty is assigned to observe 5-6 individual interns from Walter Reed or CNMC conduct a specific simulated clinical encounter with a standardized patient/family. You will receive guidance about your specific clinical scenario ahead of time. General pediatricians and subspecialists are all welcome.
Please email Dr. Cassie Carr (cassandra.carr2.civ@health.mil) if you are interested in participating, the sessions are:
Monday 8MAY2023 1200-1730
Tuesday 9MAY2023 1200-1730
Wednesday 10MAY2023 1200-1730
Locked out of your CAC?

BREATHE Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Study
Researchers at USU are looking for teens (age 12-17 at consent) who may be at risk for type 2 diabetes. Some of the inclusion criteria for the study include having a BMI of at least 85th percentile for their age/sex and having at least one 1st or 2nd degree biological relative who has been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, or gestational diabetes.
If the teen is eligible they will be enrolled in a 6-week virtual group program that targets healthy lifestyle choices and/or stress and mood management. Outside of this 6-week group program on Zoom, there is one virtual or in-person study visit and 3 in-person-only study visits at USUHS. These visits take place over the course of one year.
For more information, please call Holly Spinner at (202) 643-6352 or email holly.spinner.ctr@usuhs.edu
Clinic POC Lead and Hemoglobin How-To-Guide
DEI Religion in Medicine Panel
We will be having our second annual DEI Committee Religion in Medicine Panel during morning report on May 23. We hope to have several religious leaders present for the discussion. To ensure this remains a valuable session for residents and faculty, we are collecting questions and topics of interest prior to the panel. Please email your questions and ideas to Emily Ferraro (emily.ferraro@nccpeds.com) NLT 03 MAY 2023. Thank you!
Pediatric DEI Research Study
Check out the information below regarding an approved SAUSHEC qualitative study regarding a pediatrician’s role in addressing racism and racial identity.
Although professional organizations have appropriately stated racism and bias should be addressed for the optimal health of all families, how to do so in a non-offensive and supportive way from the parental and youth perspective has not been reported. We seek to help our healthcare professionals develop practices that advocate for and are helpful, not harmful, to minoritized families.
For clarification- please note that although we would appreciate child and parent/guardian involvement, there is NO obligation for children to be present or to participate. Child participation is left up to the discretion of the family.
Contact Lt Col Michelle Lawson for questions/concerns (Michelle.l.lawson17.mil@health.mil)
MHS Genesis Updates:
Important Announcements:
MHS Genesis Provider Handbook
PDF:
Looking for a pharmacy in Genesis? Check out this quick guide
Resident-Specific Updates
Intern Clinical Skills Assessment (CSA) Information
This is an opportunity to get feedback on clinical skills in the setting of patient care simulation.The CSA is not something you have to pass to get to PGY2 year; it's just for feedback and personal improvement.
When: May 8-10th (you are assigned to only one of the afternoon sessions -- see below)
Where: Val G Hemming Simulation Center at Forest Glen
Who: both WR and CNMC interns!
Dress Code: Civilian business clothes; no military uniforms please!
If you are on an inpatient service, do not worry because we have you covered by a cross-covering resident. If you are on nights, you will go to your night shift following your CSA and will not break duty hours based on how you are scheduled.
Assignments
Monday, May 8th -- Hanciles, McNamara
Tuesday, May 9th -- Davis, Martin, Warren
Wednesday, May 10th -- Liggett, Sukenaga, Westbrook
New PCM Change Request Process
Unfortunately, with the shift to MHSG, Ms. McDow is no longer able to update PCM panels. Follow the information below to submit the requested changes and check on the enrollment status of your panel.
We should anticipate that the Genesis portal is going to be more easily accessible and used more by families compared to TriCare Online Secured Messaging. It is in everyone’s best interest to try to get their “PCM in name” and PCM in practice aligned as much as possible.
For future PCM Change Requests please fill out the attached request form and send to: dha.bethesda.j-11.mbx.bds-enrollment@health.mil
The POC for Enrollment Management: Ms. Lisa Smith (lisa.m.smith132.civ@health.mil; 301-319-5351)
Updated Enrollment Reports can be found: https://wrnmmc-intranet.health.mil/sites/DHO/Documents/Forms/StandardView.aspx?RootFolder=%2fsites%2fDHO%2fDocuments%2fEnrollment%5fStatus%2dMonthly&FolderCTID=0x0120002D980CAD4CFD2E4BA36824C15127CE67
PI/QI Project
28APRIL: Teams should be at Step 8: Sustain Success/Transfer Knowledge.
6JUNE: Final Presentations
Each group should finalize their A3 Slides in order to present a summary of Steps 1-8.
You will have 10 minutes for your presentation.
If you haven't done so already, please ensure that one of the members of your group can present on 6/6.
Transition to Practice (PGY-3s only)
This week's focus: TTP Session Notes & Board Reimbursement Section
Check out the updated details about Graduation Rehearsal and the Graduation Ceremony
There has been specific change to the Air Force section for board reimbursement
Educational/Teaching Opportunities
Targeted Interventions Focused on the Whole Health and Wellbeing of the Military Child: April 27th from 0745-1735
Overview of Topics for Live Event
8 – 9 a.m. ET | S01: " Assessment and Treatment of Pediatric Obesity” (Navy Capt. Jill E. Emerick MD, FAAP, DABOM, Staff Pediatric Endocrinologist, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD) 9:10 – 10:10 a.m. ET | S02: "Concussion Mythbusters: Management & Evidence-Based Practices” (Air Force Maj. Elvira Chiccarelli, M.D., F.A.A.P., F.A.B.O.M, Staff Physician, Adolescent Medicine, Jennifer Moreno Primary Care Clinic, Chief, Obesity Multi-Disciplinary Clinic, Air Academy Liaison Officer, Fort Sam Houston, Texas)
10:20 – 11:20 a.m. ET | S03: “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Pediatric Medicine-An Ethical Discussion” (Gabrina L. Dixon, MD, MEd, FAAP, Attending Physician, Associate Medical Education Director, Howard Medical Student Inpatient Rotation Director, Hospital Medicine Division, Children's National Hospital Associate Professor of Pediatrics, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC)
11:30 a.m. – 1230 p.m. ET | S04: “Promoting Positive Childhood Experiences in Military Children” (Binny Chokshi, MD, Med, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Military Child and Family Research, Department of Pediatrics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD)
1:30 – 3 p.m. ET | S05: “Identifying and Addressing Food Insecurity in Military Members and Families: A Panel Discussion” (Air Force Lt. Col. Heidi L. Clark, M.S., R.D. Chief, Nutritional Medicine Clinical Support Service, Defense Health Agency, Falls Church, Va.) (Arletta Etheridge Thompson, M.A., Health Promotion Coordinator, Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, Hawaii (Elizabeth Hisle-Gorman, M.S.W., Ph.D., Associate Professor, Director, Division of Military Child & Family Research, Department of Pediatrics, Uniform Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD) (Air Force Capt. Sidney Zven, M.D., PGY-3 Pediatric Resident, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD)
3:10 – 4:10 p.m. ET | S06: “Integrating Trauma Informed Care into the Patient Care Model Across the Health Professions Serving Military Children and Youth” (Komkwuan Paruchabutr, DNP, FNP-BC, Assistant Professor, Daniel K. Inouye Graduate School of Nursing Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD)
4:20 – 5:20 p.m. ET | S07: “Evaluation and Management of Mental Health Emergencies in Children and Adolescents” (Navy Cmdr. Robyn M. Treadwell, M.D., Assistant Professor, Uniform Services University of the Health Sciences, Plans and Policy Officer, Office of the Medical Corps, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Falls Church, Va.)
Continuing Education
The DHA, J-7, Continuing Education Program Office (CEPO) awards the credits which are limited in scope to health care providers who actively provide care to U.S. active-duty service members, reservists, National Guardsmen, military veterans, and their families.
Participation
To register for the Apr. 27, 2023, CCSS Live Event visit the following link: https://www.dhaj7-cepo.com/apr2023ccss
Promoting Child Health: from Environmental Challenges to Pandemic: April 27-28th
At the old WRAMC campus, or virtual
More info here: https://ctsicn.org/about-us/special-projects/niaid
*Note that you may have to use a personal device to register, as the site is currently blocked through WRNMMC computers.
USU Teaching Opportunities
Clerkship Round Robin (recurring throughout the year)
Contact Dr. Brian Hughes (brian.hughes@usuhs.edu) if interested
Tentative Dates and Times:
3May2023 1300-1700*
30Aug2023 1300-1700*
Able to interact with students of the class who have their Peds rotation coming up in the subsequent 3 months. Designed to mimic a clinic half day, each faculty member will be in an MDL room with your particular case. The students have 30 minutes with you to go through the case/skills. Then there is a 10-minute buffer between rooms. The students will move. You stay put and will deliver the same content 5 times. There are 9-10 students per group.
Research Opportunities & Upcoming Conferences
SOCR Updates:
Next meeting will take place May 16th, please email Dr. Zanetti and Dr. Kolasinski if you would like to sign up for one of the time slots: 0700, 0715, 0730, 1200, 1215, 1230, and 1245.
Please note, this will be our last session of the academic year (and last opportunity for interns to start PGY2 with a second ARM half day). The next session will occur in July.
A brief overview of the program is below:
The Scholarly Oversite Committee of the Residency was created to track resident ARM projects and help facilitate resident scholarly activity (including research rotations). The committee is composed of faculty and fellows who have research and mentorship experience, and can offer guidance on scholarly work. Everyone, including interns will receive one ARM half-day per block regardless of SOCR involvement. PGY2/3s will need to submit a project proposal to the SOCR in order to earn a second ARM half-day in each block. Please see the attached ARM Curriculum document for more information and examples of scholarly work (but know that there are many routes to achieve a second ARM day and we are flexible!). You can also present any project ideas/aspirations at SOCR without the aim of ARM time, the goal of these presentations could be to brainstorm potential projects, fine tune ones that are nearing completion or troubleshoot ones that have hit a roadblock. Residents who opt to meet with the SOCR are expected to submit their project proposal at least one week before the quarterly meeting. Those receiving extra ARM time should update the SOCR at least semiannually either via meeting or via email to myself and Dr. K. The project proposal template is attached.
Upcoming Conferences:
2023 Helfer Annual Meeting: April 16-19th in Tucson, Arizona as well as virtually
The Ray E. Helfer Society Annual Meeting Scholarship was established by the Helfer Society to encourage trainees to consider a career dedicated to the care of maltreated children. The Annual Meeting of the Helfer Society is a mid-sized meeting that promotes exposure to cutting-edge research dedicated to Child Abuse Pediatrics, as well as the opportunity to network with early, mid-career, and senior mentors. The meeting will be held April 16-19, 2023, at the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, in Tucson, Arizona. Helfer will be having a hybrid meeting with live presentations and virtual attendance option as well. This scholarship is intended to support travel costs and meeting fees for a trainee to attend the Annual Meeting with the goal of increasing commitment to a career in Child Abuse Pediatrics by talented physicians.
Partnership for Military Child Health Research Symposium: April 26th
The USU Department of Pediatrics and Division of Military Child Family Research is hosting the annual Partnership for Military Child Health Research Symposium on April 26th.
This event brings together DoD health care professionals, military family advocates, and researchers to advance care and advocacy for military connected children and families.
We are looking for research on military connected children for poster and oral presentation.
This is an opportunity to highlight recent research (including quality improvement projects) focused on the health and well-being of military children, and to highlight the experiences of military connected children and families within the larger military care and advocacy community. Previously submitted/presented research is eligible for consideration in addition to anything that you might be submitting for upcoming conferences including PAS, which will be in DC April 27-May 1.
Please contact Dr. Beth Hisle-Gorman (elizabeth.hisle-gorman@usuhs.edu) and Dr. Binny Chokshi (binny.chokshi@usuhs.edu) if interested in participating.
Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) Conference 2023: April 27-May 1st in Washington, DC
Military Health System Research Symposium
The MHSRS is the Department of Defense's premier scientific meeting. It provides a collaborative environment for military medical care providers with deployment experience, DoD scientists, academia, and industry to meet and exchange information on the unique medical needs of the Warfighter.
Go to the MHSRS website (https://mhsrs.health.mil/) to review the titles and descriptions of the 2023 scientific breakout sessions, to submit an abstract, and to access Frequently Asked Questions concerning the Call for Abstracts process.
(1) DHA CAC Users: Signing in with a CAC is the most secure/desirable method since it uses two-factor authentication.
Go to https://mhsrs.health.mil/submissions/ and click 'Sign In with CAC'. If you have trouble accessing the site with your CAC, please register for a member account.
(2) All Others must have a username and password to access the site and to submit an abstract. If you have forgotten your previously issued username and password, email:
usarmy.detrick.medcom-usamrmc.list.usamrmc-web-team@health.mil for assistance. DO NOT re-register. If you have never registered on the MHSRS website (e.g., are a new abstract submitter), go to https://mhsrs.health.mil/Members/Register.aspx to register for a new member account and receive a username and password.
The 2023 MHSRS will be an in-person meeting (meeting approval, date, and location of the meeting are pending). This information will be posted on the MHSRS website and communicated via a mass e-mail to those registered on the MHSRS website when it is available.
6th annual Architecture of High Value Health Care: October 12-14th in Baltimore, MD (NEW!)
Abstract submissions are due by April 30th 2023 at 11:59pm EST. Abstract submission site
Abstract submission categories:
Improving equitable delivery of high value care (Health Equity Award)
Reducing out of pocket costs for patients (Costs of Care Affordability Award)
Improving appropriateness of diagnostic or screening services
Improving appropriateness of treatment/interventional services
Clinical care pathways to improve quality & reduce unwarranted practice variability
Optimization of patient care setting to reduce avoidable ED visits & hospitalizations
Improving the discharge process and other care transitions
Preventive medicine and evidence-based screening for early disease detection
Effective cost transparency for patients
Provider behavior modification (comparative effectiveness of interventions)
Information technology innovations
High value care educational curricula (medical school, GME, CE, CME)
ARMY
AFCT Rodeo Pick Times are now available:
Click here: Book an Appointment with HHC, Troop Command (Medical/Troop Command, WRNMMC) | Picktime
After Clicking the link please select the following options.
ACFT sign-up
TC-WRNMMC ACFT RODEO
ALPHA TROOP COMMAND
SELECT THE DATE AND TIME YOU WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND
The A Co. Command Team will be hosting an ACFT Preparation event every Wednesday @0630 on the MWR field. The target audience are those individuals wanting to practice all ACFT events, and improve their ACFT scores while learning proper form and standards for each event. The purpose is to allow Soldiers to prepare for the upcoming ACFT in April. Every Wednesday, A Co. will set up the equipment needed to conduct all the events on the ACFT, there is no signup required just show up in full PTs (down grade as you deem appropriate).
IPPS-A pand ORB Updates
There are many changes being implemented and continuously coming to the S1-Human Resources processes here at Alpha Company and Troop Command. In an effort to comfortably and efficiently transition to IPPS-A, Troop Command has put together instructional “HOW-TO” classes in the coming weeks to facilitate this change. EVERYONE will attend one of these blocks of instructions and yes it is available through TEAMS. However, I highly recommend going in-person in case you have additional questions. I have attached the class schedule.
The point of this correspondence is to tell the masses that there are NO LONGER Officer Record Briefs (OER) or Enlisted Record Briefs (ERB). They have all transitioned to Soldier Talent Profiles (STP). One of the noticeable changes in this switch is that awards are no longer viewable on the STP. They are viewable in your Personnel Profile. The information that IPPS-A uses was pulled from other systems that include iPERMS. Please stay tuned as more information is sure to follow.
Planning on going on leave? You can find the most updated leave forms here: https://www.nccpeds.com/army-leave
AIR FORCE
Training Reports:
Drafts are due to Dr. Zanetti by 1May.
Please view the original attachments in the email sent on 23FEB.
We have transitioned to the ALQ, which does away with bullets and changes to a narrative format without abbreviations which is much simpler.
For PGY2/3, take a look at your last 2 training reports (if you need a copy let me know and I can send you).
In general you could address the following items (if you have them) in the academic/training and professional qualities sections
Awards at conferences/meetings
Presentations at academic meetings/ conferences (need the official title)
PI/QI project title and your involvement
Journal club presentation (with title of article)
PT score
MEDRETE, humanitarian missions... with dates and what you did (also don't think we had any of these)
Papers, abstracts, posters, publications, etc
Precepting medical students (e.g. ICR at USU)
CPC title (for 3rd yrs)
Committee involvement
Care metrics (number of RVUs/cost of care delivered) – note when I compiled these they are cumulative for your residency, to get a reasonable estimate divide them by your PGY year so it reflects only this year.
The “Other Comments” section is generally a more vague statement about how you are doing – see examples in email
Laurie Creel is on extended leave; please forward any questions/concerns to Dr. Zanetti or Britt Bumgardner
PT Tests:
To schedule a test, please contact the following individuals:
TSgt Wilson: jonathan.a.wilson41.mil@health.mil
Every Thursday @1400
SSgt Starr: cody.j.starr2.mil@health.mil
Mondays and Fridays @1400
Leave
When submitting leave request from now through at least May: please put in the request that “Walter Reed Physician, leave is authorized”.
Andrews is not allowing their people to take leave without commander signoff during genesis roll out, but we are exempt. This will prevent your leave from getting denied.
Send a LeaveWeb request, designate Dr. Zanetti and Brittany Bumgardner as your primary and backup approver.
If you have a negative balance, submit requests to Col Rieker.
Ensure you are up to date with your Individual Medical Readiness
For Fellows: Submit leave to Maj Mary Hoffman and backup is AF personnel within specialty
NAVY (NEW!)
Navy PFA - 2023 Cycle 1: Starts Monday April 17th
Complete PARFQ and request waivers (if needed) now (deadline for waivers is 13APR)
Complete PARFQ (electronically preferred, if your PDHA/PHA/PDHRA date is not updated in prims, provide a copy of your PARFQ and IMR when you come to weigh in). There is no “Validating” this cycle so please plan to participate.
If needing a waiver, please schedule appt and have Treating provider sign BOTH Waiver and PARFQ form.
Once signed, waivers/PARFQs will be routed to the PRT office (person/email) then taken to the CO for final review.
Pregnant or Post-Partum SM will provide a copy of their pregnancy statement to dha.bethesda.j-11.list.prt@health.mil if they haven’t already.
TAD/PCSing prior to command cycle please coordinate with our team to schedule a PRT.
SKILLBRIDGE or SEPARATING will require a special request chit to the CO if the desire is to be omitted from the cycle.
Division 4 BCA ("Weigh-Ins”): 24-28 April 2023 in the Physical Readiness Office (Building 17A, 1st Deck, across from the CAC office); valid for 45 days; late BCA requests require DMS documentation
PRT: 1 May-2 Jun 2023; late PRT is case-by-case 5-9 Jun 2023

Training Schedule
