Plays of the Week:
Play of the week goes to Dr. Alex Mauro, for her exceptional leadership skills as the senior resident in the clinic juggling appointment adjustments and last-minute changes.
Play of the week also goes to Dr. Andrew Warren, who has excelled under pressure and the acute NICU census bump, all with a positive attitude!
Play of the week goes the NICU fellows during their HALOsim. Pericardial tamponades are NO MATCH for them! #pericardiocentesis #practicemakesperfect #HALOsim”
Play of the week also goes to Dr. David Myles, who went above and beyond for a patient's family by escorting them and monitoring their pulse ox while waiting for X-ray.
Other BIG Announcements:
We are excited to announce that LTC Rohul Amin has been officially selected as the next GME Chief at Walter Red!! LTC Rohul Amin is currently the Psychiatry Residency Program director and brings a wealth of both institutional and academic expertise! LTC Amin will have an official start date of 20 Feb 2023 to allow time to transition into the role.

🎉 Congratulations to all who have recently received their new military assignments:
NCC Pediatric Residency Class for 2023:
CPT Ben Jack: Ft Stewart (MAP)
CPT Nick Kondiles: Ft Riley MEDDAC
LCDR(Sel) Alex Mauro: MCAS Iwakuni
CPT Elizabeth Rahman: Camp Humphreys
Maj Sharen Wilson: University of Maryland NICU Fellowship Program
NCC Pediatric Fellowship Class of 2023:
Endocrinology
MAJ Sarah Anisowicz: TAMC (Incoming Program Director)
Heme/Onc
MAJ Benjamin Smith: WRNMMC
ID
CPT Blake Cirks: MAMC
NICU
LCDR Chase Groomes: NMCP
CPT Theresa Urbina: MAMC
NCC Pediatric Staff Incoming
Adolescent
LTC Shaprina Williams
Endocrinology
LTC Rachael Paz
LTC Anthony Recupero
Gen Peds
CPT Brittany Bumgardner
Heme/Onc
MAJ Benjamin Smith
NICU
MAJ Mathew Harrell
NCC Pediatric Staff Outgoing
COL Brent Lechner: West Point
Good luck to all of those who are presenting at the AMSUS Annual Meeting this week!
Schedule:
Date | Event | Time and Location | Audience/Notes |
Sunday, 2/12 start of Cardiac Professionals Week 🫀 | | | |
Monday, 2/13 Block 10 Start | MR: Case & Orient to Service | 0745 - 0850 America 2525 B/C | All welcome |
Tuesday, 2/14 Valentine's Day 💕 | MR: Resident Wellness | 0745 - 0850 America 2525 B/C | Medical students, residents only |
| Hospitalist Meeting | 0800 - 0900 America Bldg Rm 4638 | Peds Hospitalists |
| Peds DEI Committee Meeting | 1800 - 1900 Zoom Meeting ID: 991 8204 8002 Passcode: 761497 | DEI Committee |
Wednesday, 2/15 Britt Bumgardner's Birthday 🎉 | Grand Rounds: "Framing the Issue: Racial Disparities in the Military Health System," Dr. Tracey Pérez Koehlmoos, Director of the Center for Health Services Research and Doctoral Programs in Public Health Professor (with tenure) of Preventive Medicine & Biostatistics, USUHS | 0745 - 0845 Room A3, Bldg A, USUHS Virtual Zoom Platform; Meeting ID: 999 6780 8867 Passcode: 7271775 | All welcome; outpatient residents and faculty are strongly encouraged to attend in-person |
Thursday, 2/16 | MR: Case and Otitis Media/Otoscopy Hands-On Session, Lopreiato | 0745 - 0850 America 2525 B/C | All welcome; please bring your own otoscope (if possible), there will be some available as well |
Friday, 2/17 | MR: Case and Rickets Lecture, McConnell | 0745 - 0850 America 2525 B/C | All welcome |
Save the Date 🗓 | Upcoming Birthdays 🎉 |
20FEB: President's Day (Outpt Clinics Closed) | 10MAR: Alexis Ghersi |
21FEB: Mardi Gras and rising PGY2/3 Schedule Selection | |
22FEB: Ash Wednesday | |
24FEB: Thank a Resident Day | |
9MAR: Kondiles CPC | Do you have a birthday that you want added to the calendar? Email/text Britt |
Announcements:
All Staff Updates
Black History Month Highlight:
- The theme for Black History Month 2023 is Black Resistance

- Check out the National Library of Medicine exhibit, “Binding Wounds, Pushing Boundaries” currently displayed at WRNMMC for the entire month of February. The exhibit is a series of 6 banners chronicling African-American men and women who served as surgeons and nurses during the civil war. If you don’t have the chance to visit, you can still experience the exhibit virtually. We’ve also added several additional DEI resources on the page at our library’s website (Binding Wounds, Pushing Boundaries: African Americans in Civil War Medicine: Home)
Harvard Medical School-Fenway Health LGBTQIA+ Health Fellowship Seminars
The LGBTQIA+ Health Fellowship is offering free attendance for senior residents and fellows to their longitudinal seminars on Friday afternoons.
Session topics:
Register here: http://www.lgbtqiahealtheducation.org
Topics
LGBTQIA+ health inequities and their drivers
Socioecological approaches for advancing LGBTQIA+ health equity
LGBTQIA+ health clinical program development
LGBTQIA+ health clinical quality improvement
LGBTQIA+ community engagement
LGBTQIA+ health policy and advocacy
LGBTQIA+ health professional education
LGBTQIA+ health data collection and research
Fundraising to support LGBTQIA+ health initiatives
LGBTQIA+ health media training
Mentorship for LGBTQIA+ mentees and mentors
Two webinars are currently scheduled; register below:
March 15, 7-8pm ET: Register Here < Caution-https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_qGAtCbqCRrKvVF82s0h8vA >
March 29, 4-5pm ET: Register Here < Caution-https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_HDSddk37TBy20_pVrZWS1Q >
Limited Ped ID Availability
The entire Peds ID group will be in MHS Genesis training on Wed Feb 15 from 0800-1200, and will not be able to see consults at that time. If you need an urgent response during that 4-hour period, please send an AMS connect message.
Similarly, Peds ID group will not be able to see consults on Thurs Feb 16 from 0900-1100 (clinic patients) and from 1300-1700 (MHS Genesis). If you have a consult on Thurs, please let us know ASAP so we can squeeze them in during free periods.
Additional Mental Health Services
Telemynd is an option for Tricare beneficiaries for accessing psychiatry/psychology services: https://www.telemynd.com/military.
Contracted through Humana Military and does not require a referral in most cases
MHS Genesis Updates:
Important Announcements
“Soft Go-Live”: Saturday, 25MAR
MHS Genesis Patient Portal will be replacing our Tricare Online (TOL) platform after “Go Live.”
Set up your accounts: https://www.health.mil/Military-Health-Topics/Technology/MHS-GENESIS
WRNMMC Command reviewed and approved an updated clinical reductions plan that will now maintain only a 25% reduction in inpatient bed capacity through both the “pre-Go Live” and “Go-Live” MHS Genesis phases (24FEB-NLT 21MAY2023), as opposed to the previously planned 50% reduction during “Go Live”
Mock Go-Live Events (27FEB-3MAR): provides a hands-on opportunity to reinforce the skills acquired during training and practice end-to-end workflow
Pre-Go-Live Events (27FEB-17MAR):
Includes sign-on fair, favorites fair, and learning lab (see below for descriptions)
It is highly recommended that you attend these events to ensure you are ready to go with the roll-out
How to sign-up for the sign-on fair and favorites fair: reliaslearning.com —> Course Library —> 20433 MHS Genesis Sign-On Fair (SOF)
You should go to the sign-on fair FIRST, followed by the favorites fair (ideally immediately after, but you can return at any point)
Sign-on Fair (SOF)
- Verify individual access to MHS GENESIS and ensure proper provisioning of end user accounts. - Audience: All End Users who have completed CBT and ILT training to obtain access to MHS GENESIS
- Time commitment: 10 minutes
Favorites Fair (FF)
- Assists providers in setting up auto text, orders sets, labs, diagnostic studies, medications, macros, and settings on their account prior to Go-Live. - Audience: All providers (MDs, Dos, NPs, PAs, etc.)
- Time commitment: 45-60 minutes
Learning Lab (LL)
- Opportunity to practice using MHS GENESIS in the training environment - Audience: All End Users
- Time commitment: up to 2 hours depending on the topic
COVID Updates
Updated USECDEF COVID-19 FHP guidance highlights:
BLUF: iless restrictions at various HPCON levels (such as visitor access and gatherings), removal of mandatory vaccination requirement for active duty and civilians, removal of process for exemptions since it is no longer mandatory, and removal of six feet of physical distancing. For healthcare settings, it specifically states that “masking of patients, visitors, and personnel working in DoD health care facilities (including military medical, dental, and veterinary treatment facilities) will occur in accordance with CDC guidelines.”
DHA has indicated they will be revising their mask/covid policy now that FHP has been updated, however at this time WRNMMC will not be adjusting our mask-wear policy until we receive further guidance.
Additional highlights
The requirement to ask about COVID-19 vaccination status is rescinded.
The requirement for Service members to be vaccinated is rescinded. Of note, it had already been rescinded by the 10 January 2023 SECDEF memo, this just formalizes it.
Workplace screening testing based on vaccination status is rescinded.
Individuals exposed to someone with COVID-19 are no longer required to quarantine. Instead, they are required to mask indoors for 10 days following contact. Service members in the workplace must test at least once 5 full days following exposure (this is being clarified).
MTF mask requirements will follow CDC guidance for healthcare settings. The additional requirement to follow OSHA Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS) is rescinded.
Workplace occupancy limits for each HPCON level are removed.
In-person meetings, events and conferences where the Community Level is High no longer require approval at the Service Secretary/Undersecretary level.
Travelers shall follow Host Nation and GCC requirements ROM and entry requirements.
Masks are now recommended, not required on DoD conveyances (e.g. aircraft, maritime vessels, and busses)
Requirements to socially distance 6 feet are modified or rescinded. The updated definition of physically distancing is to “Maintain separation between individuals and prevent crowding in areas.”
Resident-Specific Updates
Don't forget to reach out to your Block 10 Rotation Supervisors regarding your schedule. View the attachment below for the most up-to-date contact information.
Transition to Practice (PGY-3s only)
This week's focus: ABP General Pediatrics Certifying Exam
View the "Pre-Graduation Handbook" on the Transition to Practice webpage
The window for registering for your boards is currently open and will close on 3/31.
Additionally, please take a minute to fill out this brief form for the AAP to let them know your plans after you complete residency training. They have membership options with different prices and benefits, and this information helps to connect you to the right path. For residents continuing to a Chief year, please let them know that as well. Thank you!

Educational/Teaching Opportunities
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.
Cardiopulmonary Renal Module Sessions (Jan-Feb)
HTN/HLD POPS: Friday, Feb 24 1000-1130
ICR Acid Base: Tuesday, Feb 21 1300-1700
ICR Kidney Disease: Thursday, Feb 23 1300-1700
Please contact COL Jacob Collen if interested (jacob.collen@usuhs.edu)
Humanities Week: March 2023
Contact Dr. Sebastian Lara (sebastian.lara@usuhs.edu) if interested
Co-facilitate a variety of multi-disciplinary health humanities activities. Past sessions include painting, comics design, dance, art of observation with National Gallery of Art, improv in medicine, narrative writing.
Dates: 6MAR (0800-1300), 8MAR (0800-1300), 10MAR(0800-1300)
Research Opportunities & Upcoming Conferences
Upcoming Conferences:
AAP Advocacy Conference: March 26-28th in Washington, DC
The conference brings together pediatricians, pediatric subspecialists and pediatric trainees who share a passion for child health advocacy. This year's conference will feature distinguished guest speakers, advocacy skills-building and child health policy issue sessions and opportunities to learn how to be a strong voice for children.
On the final day of the conference, participants and other attendees from their state will attend meetings with their congressional offices to discuss a timely child health issue.
Scholarships available! Complete an application to apply for a scholarship to attend the advocacy conference. Scholarships will completely cover the early bird registration fee ($500 for trainees; $700 for all other AAP members). Apply here!
Register TODAY here
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
2023 MHSRS Call for Abstracts opened on 9 January 2023 and closes on 19 February 2023.
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.
ARMY
The Army has officially released their updated extended parental leave policy
ACFT Equipment is housed in a shed at the MWR Field (USUHS Field). We can sign out the key to someone who would like to take the lead with equipment. If you’d like to have a SME on-sight to assist with demonstrations then we can work something out seeing as you do not have an Army NCO in Pediatrics. However, I would also encourage you to reach out to SFC Love as your DMS SEL if you’d like to work with her. Let us know if you have specific dates/times that would work best for your group.
Reach out to Dr. Patterson for assistance
EFMB packets for the E3B being conducted at Ft. AP Hill are due 10February. There is currently a group chat on WhatsApp for EFMB. Check the attached flyer for QR codes to those groups. There is a 12-mi ruck on Friday, February 27th and the written exam needs to be proctored by a badge holder. Reach out to the EFMB group admins to coordinate. The E3B may be too close to be considered, but there are other EFMB opportunities in FY23. Residents should review the official page and reach out with their questions: https://medcoe.army.mil/efmb
There are qualifications every month. Typically one day is M17 and two days are M4, but this can vary from range to range, and the details aren’t known until the OPORDs are posted by S-3. The next M17 range is the 26th and 27th of January, all day at, Ft. AP Hill. Reach out to the distro to try and hop on. The next ranges are slotted for 13-17FEB, and 27-30MAR (Hosted by ACO). The OPORD for the February range is attached.
Reach out to Dr. Patterson for assistance
Planning on going on leave? You can find the most updated leave forms here: https://www.nccpeds.com/army-leave
AIR FORCE
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
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
Training Schedule
