Plays of the Week:
Play of the week goes to Drs. Nicole Martin, Elise Reddington, and the rest of the Wellness Committee for providing breakfast and planning a great wellness activity for the residents!
Schedule:
Date | Event | Time and Location | Audience/Notes |
Monday, 2/20 Presidents' Day | No Morning Report; Outpatient Clinics Closed | | |
Tuesday, 2/21 Mardi Gras ✨ | MR: Case & CAPS Lecture, Trotter | 0745 - 0850 America 2525 B/C | All welcome |
| Rising PGY-2 Schedule Selection | 1900-2000 Zoom Meeting ID: 937 0287 7518 Passcode: scutdog | Rising PGY-2s Only |
| Rising PGY-3 Schedule Selection | 2000-2100 Zoom Meeting ID: 937 0287 7518 Passcode: scutdog | Rising PGY-3s Only |
Wednesday, 2/22 Ash Wednesday | NO MORNING REPORT | | |
| Academic Half-Day: Cardiology | 1300-1500 SIM Center, 4th Floor, Heroes Bldg **3rd Deck Team report to PICU for SIM at 1300** | Medical Students and Residents Only |
| Housestaff Meeting | 1500-1600 Allergy Conf Rm 4105, America Bldg, 4th Floor | Pediatric Residents Only |
Thursday, 2/23 | MR: Case and GI Lecture, Burklow | 0745 - 0850 America 2525 B/C | All welcome |
Friday, 2/24 National Thank a Resident Day 🎉 | NO MORNING REPORT: Pediatrics Residents please report to America 2525 at 0745 for a special surprise before walking to the Thank a Resident/Fellow breakfast | Housestaff: please see the flyer below with more information regarding a FREE BREAKFAST for Thank a Resident/Fellow Day |
Save the Date 🗓 | Upcoming Birthdays 🎉 |
9MAR: Kondiles CPC | 26FEB: Brian Graziose |
12MAR: Daylight Savings Time | 10MAR: Alexis Ghersi |
13MAR: Block 10 Starts | |
17MAR: St. Patrick's Day | |
22MAR: Ramadan Begins | 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)
PSU Updates
The PSU is experiencing acute-on-chronic RN staffing shortages. As of Monday 27 February 2023, the PSU will only have one remaining RN staff member. To mitigate personnel challenges as well as balance continuation of mission with safe patient care, the location of sedated procedures will move from the physical confines of the PSU into the PICU, effective Monday 27 February. Ordering providers requesting sedation support of patients with medical complexity deemed by the PSU to require pediatric anesthesia support (i.e. not those suitable for sedation by the intensivist team) will be directed to utilize the Ambulatory Procedures Unit (APU).
PSU will return to its own physical space when at least 1 PSU RN new hire completes orientation. As such, we anticipate colocation with the PICU to continue for several months. Our scheduler (Ms. Angel Morton-Jones, 301-400-1594) remains first contact for new, routine priority requests. Continue to utilize our mailbox for new requests: dha.bethesda.wrnmmc.mbx.pedsedation@health.mil
Should ordering providers need to contact the intensivist team regarding ASAP studies or with time-sensitive questions, please reach out directly to PSU Service Chief, PA Susan Kline, using the following means in order of priority:
1. Email (susan.l.kline.civ@health.mil)
2. AMS Connect
3. Call the PICU Nurse’s Station (301) 400-2010
Travel Clinic Updates
Peds ID at WRNMMC offers a Pediatric Travel Clinic to provider pre-travel medical counseling and applicable vaccinations. Due to an overwhelming number of travelers impacting our access to care, the Peds Travel Clinic will NO longer see families who are PCSing to Japan or South Korea. Starting 1 MARCH 2023 no new appointments will be booked for PCS to Japan or South Korea; however we will see those who are already booked. Please see the attached MFR explaining this further.
These are low-risk travelers and the pre-travel vaccinations should be managed by the PCM - which could be done during the OCONUS clearance appointment. To aid the PCM, we have also created a one-page reference as to what vaccinations are needed for these PCS moves (see below). Please feel free to reach out to Peds ID with clinical questions/concerns or directly to me regarding our policy change.
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 >
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
Resident-Specific Updates
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.
2023 Section on Uniformed Services (SOUS) Scientific Awards Abstract Competition (SAC) NEW!
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: April 14, 2023
Submission Types: Case Report, Original Research, or Quality Improvement (may be eligible for MOC 4 credit).
Abstracts will be considered within six scientific award topics to be given to honor research efforts by Uniformed Pediatricians. The awards are:
The Ogden Bruton Award (certificate of merit): for the best paper by a Uniformed Pediatrician on either basic science research or research on the development, evaluation, or application of an emerging technology in pediatrics.
The Andrew Margileth Award (certificate of merit): for the best pediatric paper by a Uniformed Pediatrician documenting clinical findings or assessing clinical diagnostic studies, therapeutic regimens, and outcomes leading to improved quality of health care for children.
The Howard Johnson Award (certificate of merit): for the best paper by a Uniformed Resident (of any specialty) on a pediatric topic.
The Leo Geppert Innovation Award (certificate of merit): for the Uniformed Pediatrician with the best paper outlining a Quality Improvement or Patient Safety innovation affecting the care of pediatric patients.
The Leo Geppert Case Award (certificate of merit): for the best case report by a Uniformed Pediatrician. It is the only category that accepts case reports.
The Val G. Hemming Award (certificate of merit and a travel award per individual command's approval): for the USUHS, HPSP, or ROTC medical student submitting the best paper on a pediatric-related topic in clinical or basic science research.
Your submission will only be considered under one award topic. If you are unsure which topic to submit under, please contact Michelle Kiger, MD atmichelle.e.kiger.mil@health.mil for assistance.
Formats: Posters and oral presentation for top paper in Buton, Johnson and Margileth categories. Abstracts limited to 450 words. Prior IRB approval will be required for submissions involving human or animal subjects research.
Publication: Abstracts can be previously presented but not previously published.
Awards: Certificates for top 3 abstracts in each category. Top winner only for Hemming award.
Announcement of first place during SOUS educational program during AAP National Conference.
Sponsorship: Submitters will NOT need a sponsor. Membership not required.
Questions: For questions about abstract submission guidelines, contact Jackie Burke atjburke@aap.org. If your abstract is accepted for presentation, at least 1 author must register for the NCE. The 2023 Abstract Chairperson is Michelle Kiger, MD.
Meeting: AAP National Conference is scheduled for October 20-24, 2023 in Washington, DC.
Withdrawal: To withdraw your abstract, email your request to abstracts@aap.org no later than September 8, 2023.
ARMY
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.
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
