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Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital pediatricians to receive The Salvation Army's highest civic honor

Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital pediatricians to receive The Salvation Army's highest civic honor

Two Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital pediatricians specializing in infectious diseases will receive the Other’s Award, the Salvation Army’s highest civic honor, at the 45th annual Civic Celebration Sept. 14. The Other’s Award is presented to individuals or organizations exemplifying an extraordinary spirit of service to their community.

Manika Suryadevara, MD, assistant professor of Pediatrics, and Joseph Domachowske, MD, professor of Pediatrics and director of Upstate’s Global Maternal Child and Pediatric Health Program, have offered free flu shots and pneumonia vaccinations to residents of Onondaga County during the Salvation Army’s Christmas Bureau since 2010.

In addition to vaccinating children and families, Suryadevara and Domachowske enrolled families in various studies in an effort to reduce common barriers to childhood immunizations. Participants were given assistance securing primary care or family physicians, help with insurance enrollment processes and an opportunity to voice their opinions on vaccinations.

Suryadevara and Domachowske estimate their outreach over the past five years has helped thousands of Central New Yorkers. The program has enrolled over 1,000 families per year and administered approximately 3,000 vaccines during the program’s first five years. The clinics are free of charge and held during the annual Christmas Bureau registration.

“Free vaccination clinics at sites where families are already accessing services allows us the opportunity to understand barriers to childhood immunizations in this community, provide individually-tailored vaccine education, and to vaccinate those who may not otherwise have the opportunity to be immunized,” said Suryadevara.

“Following up with these families has offered us a better understanding about the barriers that keep parents from immunizing their children and an opportunity to provide solutions,” said Domachowske.

Cynthia Bonville, the team's senior research support specialist, has participated since the program's inception. “Cynthia’s contributions and insights have been key to the project's growth,” said Domachowske.

Suryadevara, who leads the vaccination clinic program, completed her medical degree, pediatric residency and infectious disease fellowship at Upstate Medical University. She joined the Upstate faculty in 2012.

Domachowske completed his medical degree and residency at Upstate Medical University. He joined the Upstate faculty in 1989. Domachowske is also a professor of Microbiology and Immunology.

The Salvation Army’s 45th Annual Civic Celebration luncheon will be held Wednesday, Sept. 14 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the OnCenter. Actor and humanitarian Richard Gere is the guest speaker. For tickets and more information, visit www.sasyr.org/civiccelebration or call 315-434-1395.

Caption: Manika Suryadevara, MD, assistant professor of Pediatrics at Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital and lead physician of the free vaccination program held annually since 2010 at the The Salvation Army Christmas Bureau, vaccinates a local resident.

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