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Environmental Hazards, Physician of the Year, Lifetime Achievement Award, Special Podcast Series

Published on April 1, 2022 in Cornerstone Blog · Last updated 2 weeks 6 days ago
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In the News

As the calendar turns to April, we bring you headlines filled with research excitement about new beginnings and celebrations. Learn about a regional research collaboration that will focus on environmental threats to children's health. Join us in congratulating the recipient of the prestigious Pennsylvania Pediatrician of the Year Award from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Keep the accolades coming for the winner of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics' Lifetime Achievement Award in Medical Genetics. And listen to CHOP CEO Madeline Bell's latest podcast series featuring women scientists conducting visionary research that is driving cutting-edge clinical care at CHOP.

Rebecca Simmons, MD

Rebecca Simmons, MD

Philadelphia Regional Center for Children's Environmental Health a First for the Region

The Philadelphia Regional Center for Children's Environmental Health (PRCCEH) is a new children's center committed to programmatic, evidence-based solutions that address environmental health hazards. The PRCCEH will provide the infrastructure to integrate expertise from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Penn Medicine, along with colleagues from Drexel University, Temple University, Thomas Jefferson University, Lehigh University, Franklin & Marshall College, Villanova University and University of Delaware.

This is the first time that the region has been awarded funding for a Center for Children's Environmental Health by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. The Center's mission is threefold: to disseminate children's environmental health knowledge to healthcare providers, community members, and policy makers; to develop, test, and implement new programs; and to engage researchers and community partners to make policy, practice, and behavioral changes to reduce environmental exposures in early life.

Rebecca Simmons, MD, a professor of Pediatrics in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and a neonatologist at CHOP, and Aimin Chen, MD, PhD, a professor of Epidemiology at Penn, along with deputy director Marilyn Howarth, MD, director of the Community Engagement Core at Penn's Center of Excellence in Environmental Toxicology will lead the PRCCEH.

"This Center will build on years of extensive research in environmental toxicology and pediatric health at both Penn and CHOP to make real, positive change in the lives of children throughout the region," Dr. Simmons said. "We already have many established connections within communities throughout Philadelphia, Delaware, and other counties, and this grant will allow us to strengthen and expand on those partnerships."

Read more in the CHOP press release.

Karen M. Puopolo, MD, PhD

Karen M. Puopolo, MD, PhD

Karen M. Puopolo, MD, PhD, Named Pennsylvania Pediatrician of the Year

In recognition of her enormous contributions to perinatal health, the American Academy of Pediatrics named Karen M. Puopolo, MD, PhD, Pennsylvania Pediatrician of the Year. Each year, this prestigious award is granted to a Pennsylvania pediatrician who exemplifies the ideals of the pediatric profession and participates in activities that reflect the foundation of the chapter.

Dr. Puopolo, an attending neonatologist at CHOP and Chief of the Section on Newborn Medicine at Pennsylvania Hospital, developed a clinical tool known as a sepsis calculator to estimate risk at the individual infant level to avoid unnecessary antibiotic use in neonates. This research has drastically changed newborn care in birth hospitals throughout the U.S. and world.

Most recently, Dr. Puopolo conducted important research related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Puopolo led efforts of the national AAP Section on Neonatal Perinatal Medicine to draft clinical guidance on the screening and care of COVID-19-exposed and COVID-19-positive newborns.

"She embodies the AAP's commitment to recognize women leaders who go above and beyond to provide excellent, evidenced-based care of newborns," said Eric Eichenwald, MD, chief of the Division of Neonatology at CHOP. "What's more, Dr. Puopolo's unwavering dedication to advance the care of neonates during the COVID-19 pandemic has been unsurpassed."

Read more in the CHOP press release.

Elaine H. Zackai, MD

Elaine H. Zackai, MD

Elaine H. Zackai, MD, Receives Lifetime Achievement Award in Medical Genetics

The American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics Foundation for Genetic and Genomic Medicine selected Elaine H. Zackai, MD, director of Clinical Genetics and the director of the Clinical Genetics Center at CHOP, as recipient of its David L. Rimoin Lifetime Achievement Award in Medical Genetics.

Dr. Zackai, who also holds the Letitia B. and Alice Scott Endowed Chair in Human Genetics and Molecular Biology, is about to celebrate 50 years as a CHOP faculty member. She was selected for this distinction for "her renowned expertise diagnosing birth defects and genetic disorders; her compassionate and resourceful care for patients and families; her prolific research collaboration with colleagues around the world; and her mentorship and teaching of clinicians, researchers, and genetics counselors who have in turn modeled their work on her standards for excellence."

Learn more about this award.

Madeline Bell, CHOP President and CEO

Madeline Bell, CHOP President and CEO

'Women Leading the Way:' A Five-episode Special Podcast Series

In a special series of the popular podcast Breaking Through with Madeline Bell, CHOP President and CEO Madeline Bell gives listeners a glimpse into the world and minds of leading female pioneers at CHOP. Listen to "Women Leading the Way."

Episode 1 - "Research Is Our North Star:" The Future of Breakthroughs at CHOP

In 2021, Susan Furth, MD, PhD, was named CHOP's Chief Scientific Officer, becoming the first woman in CHOP's 166-year history to hold this prestigious role. She discusses CHOP's trailblazing Frontier Programs, the importance of mentorship, and what the future holds for research at CHOP.

Episode 2 - "We Have So Many Spine-Tingling Moments:" Treating Birth Defects Before Birth

Pediatric and fetal surgeon Holly Hedrick, MD, has made life-changing breakthroughs for children with congenital diaphragmatic hernia and other rare birth defects. She talks about advice her mentors shared with her along the way – and the children who continue to inspire her every day.

Episode 3 - "There Was an Unmet Need:" Breakthroughs in Endocrinology

While growing up in Panama, Diva DeLeón-Crutchlow, MD, MSCE, always wanted to understand how things worked. She shares how her curiosity led her to pursue a career in medicine – and the work she's doing today to develop new treatments for congenital hyperinsulinism and diabetes.

Episode 4 - "I've Always Loved to Ask Why:" The Power of Mitochondrial Medicine

Our mitochondria make the energy that keeps us alive. Geneticist Marni Falk, MD, discusses what happens when our mitochondria don't work properly, the breakthroughs she and her team are making for patients with mitochondrial disease, and the importance of having a strong vision for your career.

Episode 5 - "Do What You Love:" Finding Medicines for Rare Diseases

Hematologist and oncologist Denise Adams, MD, specializes in treating vascular anomalies, which occur when arteries, capillaries, veins, or lymphatic vessels fail to develop correctly. She discusses what the future holds for her field – and the surprising advice that inspired her to move forward in her career.

Read more in a CHOP press release.

ICYMI

Catch up on our headlines from our March 18 In the News:

  • Inaugural 'Personalizing Pediatric Cancer Care' Summit Hosted by CHOP
  • Using Social Cues May be Challenging for Autistic Children and Teens
  • New Study Supports Early Diagnosis of Leigh Syndrome
  • Medical Care and Recovery Differ for Concussions Related to Assault
  • Researchers Suggest New Method for Measuring Quality of Life in Severe Epilepsies

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