Under the Rainbow, In the News - Fall 2014
A kaleidoscope of significant news from Batson.
Preteen immunization is best bet against cancer later
Experts at UMMC say parents should get children vaccinated against a sexually transmitted disease that can cause cancer in adulthood.
Although girls were the initial focus of the vaccine for human papillomavirus, or HPV, it is just as important that boys are protected.
“Girls are getting their HPV from someone. They’re usually getting it from the boys,” said Dr. Rana El Feghaly, an infectious diseases specialist and assistant professor of pediatric infectious diseases.
“If you can prevent it in boys, then you can prevent it from being transmitted to girls.”
The HPV infection, the most common STD in the nation, is spread through genital skin-to-skin contact and sexual intercourse. Because the vaccine provides best immunity when given early, before sexual activity begins, the Centers for Disease Control recommends children as young as 9 receive the immunization, given in three doses over a six-month period. The CDC recommends it for all children ages 11-12, boys through age 21, and girls through age 26.
The statistics in Mississippi are alarming. Just 12 percent of girls ages 13-17 complete the vaccine, the lowest rate in the nation. The rate is 50 percent or higher in some other states.
Mississippi has a high rate of HPV infection, with an incidence of 8-10 new HPV-related cervical cancer cases per 100,000 population.
“It is critical for Mississippi physicians to understand and embrace the concept that the vaccine is useful in children who are not yet sexually active because of its effects years into the future,” said Dr. Gailen Marshall.
“This is like seat belts,” said Dr. Will Sorey. “It’s just something you must do to protect yourself.”
Occupational therapist earns leadership kudos
When a coworker told Candice Barber about a dog left unattended for days in a car in the stadium parking lot adjacent to UMMC, the animal lover sprang into action.
Barber, an occupational therapist at Batson Children’s Hospital, found out the dog’s owners had a family member in the ICU. She provided food, gift cards and gas cards for the family, helped with sleeping arrangements and made sure the dog was cared for during their stay.
She was recognized for her thoughtfulness and hard work by Children’s CEO Guy Giesecke during the UHHS Leadership Meeting.
Ronald McDonald House celebrates 25 years
The Ronald McDonald House turned 25 this May, marking the occasion with a celebration at the Cedars in Fondren.
Built on the UMMC campus in 1989, the house is a home away from home for families whose children require specialized medical care. Meals, bedrooms and play spaces are provided through volunteers and donors.
To date, more than $165,000 has been given to Batson projects through Ronald McDonald House Charities of Mississippi.
Fugate quads go home
The Fugate quadruplets are finally all home.
The babies were born nearly 13 weeks premature. Their parents, Kimberly and Craig Fugate, originally expected triplets.
“There are more feet,” her physician said during delivery.
The odds of identical quadruplets without fertility treatment are extraordinarily rare.
Will Rogers, Variety charity award $25,000 to NICU
A $25,000 grant was awarded to the state’s only Level IV neonatal intensive care unit.
The funds purchased monitoring equipment that tracks CO2 levels without repeated blood tests, improving care for fragile infants.
Procedure repairs hearts without opening children’s chests
A minimally invasive catheter-based procedure is offering an alternative to open-heart surgery for children with heart defects.
The technique allows for shorter hospital stays and avoids major surgery.
Ceremony honors leaders in children’s nursing
Batson nurses were recognized with top honors during the 2014 Excellence in Nursing Awards ceremony.
- James Polson – Advanced Practice Nurse of the Year
- Dennis Demesa – Clinical Practice Nurse of the Year
- Adyn Dancy – Nurse Rookie of the Year
- Denise Adams – Nurse of the Year
- Pam Farris – Nurse Manager of the Year
- Terri Gillespie – Nurse Administrator of the Year
Emergency teams aid in tornadoes’ aftermath
UMMC emergency teams deployed to assist communities following tornadoes in Mississippi.
Mobile hospital units and specialized teams supported search and rescue and patient care efforts.
New pediatric specialists added to Children’s faculty
Children’s of Mississippi added multiple specialists across neurology, oncology, cardiology, nephrology and more.
- Marcus Lee, M.D. – Neurology
- Melissa Rhodes, M.D. – Hematology-Oncology
- Eric Dec, M.D. – Genetics
- Uwe Blecker, M.D., Ph.D. – Gastroenterology
- Zach Cannon, M.D. – Ambulatory-Grenada Lakes
- Holly Dawson, M.D. – General Pediatrics
- Austin Harrison, M.D. – General Pediatrics
- Salwa Gendi, M.D. – Cardiology-Tupelo
- Christian Paine, M.D. – Palliative Medicine
- Atul Poudel, M.D. – Nephrology
- Anza Stanley, M.D. – Ambulatory
- Spencer Sullivan, M.D. – Hematology-Oncology
- Kathryn Thomas, M.D. – Ambulatory-Grenada
- Lamar Davis, M.D. – Neurology
- Michael Foster, M.D. – Emergency Medicine
- Dustin Sarver, Ph.D. – Child Development
- Nina Sarver, Ph.D. – Child Development
- Divya Shakti, M.D. – Cardiology
- Christopher Bean, M.D. – Surgery-Urology
- Damon A. Darsey, M.D. – Emergency Medicine
- Sabahat Afshan, M.D. – Nephrology
- Sophie Lanciers, M.D. – Gastroenterology-Endocrinology
New law advances cannabis-derived epilepsy treatment
New legislation allows UMMC to dispense cannabidiol oil for children with severe epilepsy under controlled clinical trials.
Researchers continue to study its safety and effectiveness.
Dedication of Wall of Heroes honors pediatric organ donors
The Wall of Heroes honors pediatric organ donors and their life-saving gifts.
Children’s Hospital patient wins Orlando Dream Giveaway
A Batson patient and family received a Disney vacation through the Orlando Dream Giveaway.
Pediatric nurse garners recognition for achievement
Hailey Moore was recognized for providing compassionate support to a patient’s family member during a difficult time.
Pediatric palliative care establishes accredited fellowship
UMMC’s pediatric palliative care program is now one of only a few in the nation offering an accredited fellowship.
The program aims to grow expertise and expand care for children with complex conditions.
Children’s Safety Program: new report underscores importance of buckling up
A national report highlights the importance of seat belt use among teens.
UMMC programs continue working to improve safety and reduce preventable injuries.
Researchers find detectable HIV in “Mississippi Baby”
After a period of remission, HIV was again detected in the child known as the “Mississippi baby.”
Researchers say the case still contributes important insights toward finding a cure.
Friends of Children’s Hospital begins MiracleHome
After a three-year hiatus, the MiracleHome project is back.
Friends of Children’s Hospital broke ground in July on the 2014 Batson MiracleHome, presented by Trustmark National Bank.
Co-created in 2003 by Friends of Children’s Hospital and the Home Builders Association of Jackson, the Batson MiracleHome quickly became one of Friends’ largest fundraisers. Friends and the HBAJ work with a volunteer builder to construct the home. This year’s builder is Scott Shoemaker of Shoemaker Homes.
The home is located in the Enclave subdivision in Ridgeland. Only 6,000 tickets are being sold at $100 each for the Dec. 6 giveaway date. For more information or to purchase a ticket, call 1-877-AHOME-2U.
Partnership transforms Children’s behavioral and mental health
The Children’s Collaborative, a partnership between UMMC and Mississippi Children’s Home Services, envisions a statewide, integrated behavioral and mental health care system that will reduce costs and improve quality of care.
Supported by a $5 million grant from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Mississippi Division of Medicaid, this public-private partnership is the first of its kind in the nation.
According to Dr. Susan Buttross, one in five children suffers from a mental or behavioral health problem, and fewer than 20 percent receive treatment.
Over the next 18 months, the Children’s Collaborative will work to ease the burden on caregivers by partnering with pediatricians, often the first point of contact for families seeking behavioral health services.
UMMC’s Center for the Advancement of Youth will serve as the gateway for families to enter the system of coordinated care.
Following a comprehensive assessment, children will be directed to UMMC pediatric specialists or to community-based behavioral health services provided by MCHS.
MCHS will deliver care in the home and community through 11 outpatient offices across the state.
The initiative also plans to develop a telehealth network to expand access to pediatric subspecialty services such as endocrinology and pulmonology.