Pediatric Update Newsletter - Spring 2023 - University of Mississippi Medical Center

A Message from the Chair

Most of our patients at Children’s of Mississippi receive care at one of our outpatient specialty clinics at the Kathy and Joe Sanderson Tower or around the state. The care provided through the state’s only children’s hospital and the Children’s of Mississippi network of specialty clinics is truly world-class.

Dr. Natalie Bhesania gets a surprise: artwork by patient Stella Bowman of Mendenhall. Looking on is mom Hilary Bowman.

Tummy troubles and more are focus of Children’s of Mississippi gastroenterology clinic

Gastrointestinal problems can affect children’s growth, academics and activity levels. Children’s of Mississippi gastroenterologists are bringing care closer to home by treating patients at six outpatient specialty clinics around the state.

Kingston Murriel is the 2023 Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Champion for Mississippi.

2023 Champion Kingston Murriel’s care began before birth at Children’s of Mississippi

Monday, February 13, 2023

The fourth-grader started life as a patient of UMMC’s Center for Maternal Fetal Care, undergoing his first surgery for hypoplastic left heart syndrome at Children’s of Mississippi five days after he was born. Now thriving, Kingston and his family are active supporters of the state’s only children’s hospital.

Dr. LouAnn Woodward, vice chancellor for health affairs and dean of the School of Medicine, congratulates Dr. Roberto Santos on winning the Beacon Award.

Santos honored in The Pillars Awards

A Department of Pediatrics team member garnered honors in The 2023 Pillars Awards, which recognize service and inclusion at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

Children's of Mississippi patient Dallas Tucker of Jackson listens to his pediatrician, Dr. Kaisha Griffin, during a visit to the Batson Kids Clinic

Children’s developmental screenings rise at end of five-year UMMC-MSU collaboration

Monday, March 13, 2023

Funded with $17.4 million in HRSA grants, Mississippi Thrive! promotes increased early childhood development screenings to ensure children have the resources needed to be ready to learn by kindergarten.

Children's of Mississippi nurse practitioner Hannah Jordan checks patient Kenson Young of Quitman, the first patient to be treated in the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders' temporary location in Wiser Hospital for Women and Infants.

Pediatric cancer, blood treatments move temporarily to Wiser to make room for renovations

Monday, April 3, 2023

The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders will treat patients in Wiser Hospital for Women and Infants for the next year while renovations to the center are underway. The $5 million renovation project will add more space and privacy for patients and will nearly double the number of exam rooms to the center, which opened in 1991.

IDSP and IDOG Spring 2023 awardees

Lir-Wan Fan, PhD, professor in the Division of Neonatology and Newborn Medicine, was awarded the Intradepartmental Discovery Support Program (IDSP) award, and Mary Ball Markow, MD, pediatric emergency medicine fellow, was awarded the Intradepartmental Discovery Opportunity Grant.

Dr. Abhay Bhatt, principal investigator of the Neonatal Research Network, visits Marian Johnson, a patient in the Kathy and Joe Sanderson Tower at Children's of Mississippi.

UMMC awarded NIH funding to help improve newborn health outcomes

Monday, May 8, 2023

Being selected to join the Neonatal Research Network is a “monumental achievement” that will benefit Mississippi’s infants, who have the highest preterm birth rate in the country.

Nikita Roberts of Jackson, mom to Lundyn, talks with on-air personalities during the 22nd annual Mississippi Miracles Radiothon.

Mississippi Miracles Radiothon inspires over $400,000 in donations

Monday, March 6, 2023

The 22nd annual fundraiser brought patients, families, health care providers, sponsors, broadcasters and listeners together for two days to share stories of the importance of the state’s only children’s hospital. Since 2001, Mississippi Miracles Radiothon listeners and sponsors have contributed nearly $8 million to the care and comfort of Children’s of Mississippi patients and families.

Pediatric Awards Day honors faculty, residents, fellows and staff

The Department of Pediatrics held its annual awards day on May 11 to honor faculty, residents, fellows and staff.

Dankhara accepted into the Society for Pediatric Research, Neurological Development and Disease Research Cohort

Assistant Professor of Neonatology Nilesh Dankhara, MBBS, was accepted into the Society for Pediatric Research, Neurological Development and Disease Research Cohort.

Spring 2023