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Kim Wallenstein, MD, PhD, is Upstate's new pediatric trauma medical director

Kim Wallenstein, MD, PhD, is Upstate's new pediatric trauma medical director

For Upstate University Hospital’s new pediatric trauma medical director, a major focus of her work will be injury prevention, to keep children from needing trauma care.

“We have a wonderful trauma team in place if such care is needed, but my hope is to raise awareness of injury prevention so kids don’t suffer traumatic injuries,” said Kim Wallenstein, MD, PhD, who was appointed pediatric trauma medical director this summer.

The pediatric trauma service already supports a significant head injury prevention program, a hallmark of which is giving away free properly fitting bike helmets to children. More than a thousand helmets are distributed at various events throughout the year, including the New York State Fair and the LEON Festival. The trauma service also collaborates with Safe Kids Upstate NY to provide the community and region with injury prevention resources and programs.

Experts say that annually about 26,000 bicycle-related injuries to children and adolescents are traumatic brain injuries that are treated in emergency departments. A bicyclist who doesn’t wear a helmet is at risk of head injury.

“This is an injury that can be prevented by the rider wearing a helmet,” Wallenstein said. Recovering from traumatic brain injuries can require months of rehabilitation and other significant health impairments, she noted.

Some falls are expected with the rough and tumble life of kids, but others should be avoided at all costs. For example, Wallenstein reports that the beginning of summer and the advent of warmer weather brings to the emergency department children who have fallen out of windows. “That’s a head injury and skull fracture that can be--and should be--avoided at all costs,” she said. “Reminding parents of such dangers may seem like common sense, but sometimes offering that warning is what’s needed to have someone check their windows and screens to make sure they are well secured.”

A board certified surgeon, Wallenstein joined Upstate in 2010 as an assistant professor of pediatrics and surgeon at the Olivia Pietrafesa Children’s Surgery Center at Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital. She has done pediatric residencies and research fellowships at some of the nation’s leading children’s hospitals, including Cincinnati Children Hospital Medical Center, where she completed a fetal surgery fellowship.

A Boston native, she earned her medical degree and a PhD from Tufts University School of Medicine, and her undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

Wallenstein said the quality of care and medical team in trauma is first rate, a testimonial that can be backed up by the American College of Surgeon’s verification of Upstate University Hospital Golisano Children’s Hospital as a Level 1 trauma center. (Upstate adult and pediatric trauma service both received the top designation.)

“It indicates that we provide the highest level of medical care, including psychological and social support, backed up by research and community outreach,” Wallenstein said.

As medical director of pediatric trauma, Wallenstein juggles her surgical cases and on-call service with her responsibilities that includes a review of each pediatric trauma case to ensure patients received the best quality of care and families were well supported during their hospital stay.

“A traumatic injury to a child affects the entire family and we want to be certain that we’ve provided support for everyone during this difficult time,” she said.

And that’s what makes Wallenstein’s focus on outreach and injury prevention efforts so vital.

“Keeping our kids safe is of paramount importance,” she said.

To hear an interview with Wallenstein, check out Health Link On Air.

Caption: Kim Wallenstein, MD, PhD, is Upstate’s new pediatric trauma medical director.

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