Pediatric Crier

Volume 12, No. 7, July, 2009

Much Appreciation

The annual housestaff appreciation dinner at the Brewster Inn on June 10th was another great success.  In addition to honoring each of our graduating PL-3s, chiefs, and fellows, a number of additional awards were presented:

Pediatrician of the Year – Ellen McHugh

Special Appreciation Award – Sue Mahar

Pediatric Faculty Award – Joe Domachowske

House Staff Teaching Awards -
PL-1: 1st-Saadiya Khan, Matt Mittiga, 2nd-Karen Teelin, 3rd-Marium Gill
PL-2: 1st- Marvin Mata, 2nd- Jonathan Henderson, 3rd- Megan Pecha
PL-3: 1st- Sharon Somekh, 2nd- Roopa Shankar, 3rd- Kirti Kandalkar

NICU Resident of the Year - Joseph Riego

Excellence in Advocacy for Children - Roopa Shankar, Sharon Somekh Portnoy

Child Life Award – Beth Nelsen, Angelle Cresswell

Where They Are Going:

Imad Absah - Mayo Clinic - Peds GI
Angelle Cresswell - Children's Clinic of New Orleans
Amy DiFabio - Upstate Pediatrics
Kirti Kandalkar - Private Practice, Atlanta, GA
Hazar Kobayaa - Peds ID - Wayne State
Elizabeth Nelsen - Chief Resident, Upstate
Joseph Riego - Private Practice, Salyersville, KY
Roopa Shankar - Peds Endo - Cincinnati Children's Hospital
Bashar Shihabuddin - Peds ED - Newark Beth Israel
Sharon Somekh Portnoy - Summerwood Pediatrics
Ramzi Souki - Children's Hosp of Pittsburgh-Cardiology

Chiefs:
Sean Button - Peds ED - Children's Hosp of Pittsburgh
Stephen de Waal Malefyt - Albany Med Ctr. Pediatric Group

Congratulations to all of our award recipients and graduates! We're proud of you all!

Something Old; Something New

The Department welcomes two (sort of) new faculty members starting July 1st. If they both look a little familiar it is because they are.  Amy DiFabio will be working at Upstate Pediatrics in Baldwinsville.  She writes, "Hi Everyone!
This is an exciting opportunity to be writing for the crier, not as the Resident I once was, but rather as a new faculty member at Upstate Pediatrics in Baldwinsville, New York. I am so excited about the coming year! I am a long time resident of Syracuse, as many of you know, having completed college, medical school and now Residency in Syracuse! I look forward to the next step in my training and can't wait to transition to a new role in the Upstate community!"

Our other new faculty is a name also familiar to most of us.  Bouraa Bou Aram, M.D. completed his residency here in 2006 and went on to do a neonatal fellowship at Baylor.  He has returned to Syracuse and will be our newest neonatologist in the Crouse NICU.  Though he did not have time to issue an official statement, he did send the following picture with the subject line, "There’s a new sheriff in town" clearly referring to the one on the right. Also pictured is Bouraa's son, Omar, and an unidentified pink friend.

We warmly welcome Bouraa and Amy to the team!

Women Over-Board!

Congratulations to both Trisha Tavares and Jody Sima on being our two most recent Board certified Hematologist/ Oncologists!  Way to go, ladies!

Palin Comparison

The Crier received a copy of the picture below and had the feeling there might be an interesting story to go with it:

Carol Cambareri
It all started when I read Team of Rivals for my book club. I became obsessed with Wm Seward (Hank, as I call him) and his wife, Frances.  When the city planned a Founder's Day celebration in his honor, I was all over it. Then I found a contest online in which the first place winner won a trip to Alaska for 5!! So I wrote a Poem about Seward, Auburn, Sarah and the sites- humorous and kind of silly (I didn't keep a copy and it is no longer on the website).  I sent out an email encouraging everyone to vote for me and then waited and waited. And then I found out Sarah was coming.  I became obsessed with having a picture of me and Sarah as my new Facebook picture. You know me, once I get an idea in my head, that's it!!! I thought "wouldn't it be great if I won the contest and then met the Guv? So I donated the bucks to the Seward House and got a ticket to see the "anti-Carol" as I affectionately call her!

Friday I found out I came in 2nd place in the contest! (not free but 40% off). Then John told me I was invited to be in the parade (he is a Shriner and they had a fire-truck circa 1940 coming). I was NEVER in a parade and WOW! Did I ever enjoy it... smile and wave, two things I excel at!!! So I rode the truck and laughed thru the whole thing then went to the Garden party at the Seward House, which was lovely. I was third in line for the pictures and when I met Sarah and Todd (cuz we are quite close now, you betcha) they invited me to "look them up" after hearing I would be visiting their state, which they said, was right next to Russia. They were very nice. I didn't wear my Obama shirt, nor did I tell them I had 4 yard signs for Obama in my yard but I suspect they would still have been very gracious... And now I have my Facebook picture and I am dedicating it to Sean Holdridge, as I know he is a huge fan of Sarah's.

Good as Gold

Our very own Roopa Shankar was informed that she is the recipient of the Arnold Gold Foundations Annual Humanism and Excellence in Teaching Award. Roopa was chosen for this great honor by the MS-IIIs from among 469 residents, and we are all very proud of her. Congratulations, Roopa!

Better Late

Editor's Note: Last year around this time, we were reporting on Vatinee's wedding. Here is her follow-up honeymoon report:

Vatinee Thassanapaff
I was able to escape from residency for 2 weeks back in May. My husband David and I were finally able to go on our honeymoon- ONE YEAR LATER! In 10 days we wreaked havoc in 3 different countries- London, Paris, and Venice. A couple of things to note:

1. We found the Famous Canadian coffee chain- TIM HORTON’s in LONDON! (it was very random).
2. I found the famous nose of Duke Wellington implanted in a wall. I tried to go and pick at it ...but unfortunately I was too short to reach it.
3. Lastly, I found an odd sign outside of one of the residential home- "This is not a brothel, there are no prostitutes at this address." Is that reverse psychology or something?

Needless to say it was a great trip!!! SIGH!!

A Heart-felt Thanks

Editor's Note: As many of you are aware, Dr. David Sadowitz recently suffered a heart attack on the way to his ED shift. We are all thankful that David is still here to share his story with us today.

David Sadowitz
As many of you are aware, I had a myocardial infarct on May 11th.  Patty thought you might like to hear the story from my perspective.  May 11th started off as a typical workday.  I dropped my son off at school and was driving to work when I had the sudden onset of crushing chest pain and the feeling that I was going to die.  There was no warning other than a feeling of general tiredness over the weekend.  I was driving to work and decided to continue driving rather than pull over and wait for the ambulance.  I was also concerned that my car might be stolen.  I arrived in the ER and was immediately taken to a room.  I received aspirin and nitroglycerine with immediate resolution of the chest pain.  An EKG revealed ST segment elevation indicative of an early myocardial infarct.

Cardiology arrived and had me sign consent for a cardiac cath, stent placement. I was offered sedation but decided to remain awake for the procedure. Local anesthesia was administered in the region of the femoral artery and the cardiologist then passed the catheter into the artery.  The initial pictures from the catheterization reveled complete occlusion of the left anterior descending artery (i.e. the widow maker sign). A guide wire was rapidly passed through the occlusion and then the obstruction was relieved by inflation of the balloon on the catheter.  Normal blood flow then occurred with immediate resolution of the pain within 1 hour of my arrival in the ER.

Throughout this time God graciously kept me at peace.  Two verses from the Bible were especially comforting.  In Psalm 139:16 - You saw me before I was born.  Every day of my life was recorded in your Book.  Every moment was laid out before a single day came to be. In Jeremiah 29:11 – For I know the plans for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.

Following the catheterization I went to my room and my family arrived shortly afterward.  As I reflect on this day I realize how blessed I am. The excellent care I received at every stage of my hospitalization saved my life and will in likelihood allow me to recover fully.  I have a great wife and 9 children who have been a tremendous support and encouragement.  I am humbled and overwhelmed by the outpouring of concern and prayers by many members of the faculty, staff, residents and students. 

My cardiac rehab is going well.  I am doing 40 minutes of continuous aerobic activity with no problems.  The goal now is to continue increasing the intensity of the workload. Thank you again for the many kind expressions of concern and support on my behalf from the department.  I look forward to working with many of you in the years to come.

A Grand Kid!

Grandma Meguid is pleased to announce that Sam (Samuel) Michael Delgado was born 5/28 at Strong Memorial Hosp, in Rochester. Vicki reports that he was 6 lbs, 2 oz, and beautiful. We agree! Congratulations, Vicki.

Thanks to Everyone!

Sue Delaney sent the following note of thanks to the department:

Not a day has gone by that I haven't thought about all of you.  You have helped our family through both a difficult and loving time. We have truly been touched and comforted by your prayers, thoughtfulness and abundant generosity. We have shared a bond that has been precious and rare, and I am forever grateful. 

My family has been blessed to know such a special group of people. Saying “thank you” hardly seems sufficient to express our gratitude but if these words can reflect what is in our heart you will know how deeply we appreciate each of you - and all you’ve given us.

Now there is HOPE at the beginning of each day because of the kindness and love that has been shared.  I am so proud to have shared my life with such a wonderful man. David was a man who touched the lives of so many and our hope is that his legend will live on through our family and friends, as we share our memories and continue to provide care to others.

 As of right now, I’m planning on returning to work in September; understanding that the painful days are not over I would request you continued to be patient and steadfast as I walk this "new" road.  Know that I will continue to draw my strength from your prayers and support. I look forward to seeing each of you and to share the memories of my courageous family.   
Fondly,
SueD.

We all look forward to having Sue back with us in September.

Pediatric Star-of-the-Month

By Lisa Blystone
Beth Nelsen and Colleen Baish have been been chosen as the Pediatric Stars of the month, for their willingness to take over the last two Comm.Skills lectures for the students on very short notice when Drs. Bennett, Bergstrom and Andrake were all unable to be there. Beth was even post-call for one, and Colleen came in early for the other. Their dedication to student education meant that instead of the lectures being missed or canceled, the students were given top-notch teaching.  Congratulations, ladies - please contact Patty Mondore or Lisa Blystone to pick out your prize from the Stars gift cupboard.

Best Star Nomination

While the Star-of-the-Month normally goes to the person nominated for the award, we would like to bring special recognition, this month, to the star nominator for the all-time most creative entry. And the winner is, Matt Mittiga's nomination for Jon Henderson (other than that he spelled Jon’s name wrong):

"John Henderson, MD, PL-2, 4A Senior - For conspicuous and meritorious service in resurrecting the crashed Filemaker Signout program on 4A while beset with multiple admissions, nagging attendings, and borderline incompetent interns.  Dr. Henderson selflessly devoted himself to painstakingly opening every file on the hard drive in an attempt to salvage the program, and when that failed, escalated the intervention to far more dramatic levels.  Without regard to his own personal safety or sanity, Dr. Henderson vigorously applied physical force by pounding the keyboard with his fists and repeatedly slapping the monitor, all while muttering obscenities under his breath.  This fearsome display of advocacy served to somehow miraculously resurrect the signout, saving the 4A team countless hours of frustration, wailing, and gnashing of teeth.  Dr. Henderson then ensured the future safety of the list by cheerfully offering to painfully decapitate anyone caught closing the program. For these actions, Dr. Henderson is hereby awarded the Pediatric Star of the Week."

Best Wishes

As many of you already know, the Department of Pediatrics will be saying a sad goodbye to Denise Woodall-Ruff as she and her family head off to New Orleans on July 17th. We wish her the very best. She will be greatly missed by us all.

A Thousand Words

And finally, we end this special appreciation issue of the Crier with the following:

JULY BIRTHDAYS
7/2 Kim Vogelsang
7/6 Robin Jodoin
7/14 Esther Livingstone, Karen Teelin
7/16 Mouhammad Yabrodi
7/20 Jana Shaw
7/23 Chris Kuehnle

Questions? Rave Reviews? Article suggestions? Contact Patty Mondore, Dept. of Pediatrics. For all criticisms and complaints, click here.