Biography
An Academic Neonatologist at UMMC for over 20 years, I remain enthusiastic for clinical research while maintaining a rigorous clinical commitment.
Clinical responsibilities: NICU care in our Level IV NICU (average daily census is 80) attending high risk deliveries and orchestrating state wide neonatal transports. and consults in the Fetal Center (outpatient) and inpatient. Attend multidisciplinary prenatal conferences and participate in establishing delivery plans for high risk deliveries.Providing an academic environment for the Neonatal-Perinatal fellows, residents, medical students and NNPS.
Member in the Residency Review Sub-Committee and GMEC. I have built a NP fellowship training program initially with 2 with capacity of 6. I am accountable for the operation of the program and responsibilities that encompass every aspect of post graduate training. This includes: curriculum, evaluation, learning environment, faculty as teacher, mentors, coaches, supervision of trainees including duty hours and program management as well as resources. I am on the Core faculty for the Pediatric Surgery Fellowship and mentor surgical residents as well as am active in interview process. A long standing mentor at UMMC to the Pediatric residents (since 2002) as well as the premedical-medical students (since 2009) through Health Careers Development Program,Division of Multicultural Affairs(DMCA). In 2009 I was awarded Mentor of the year. I presently am Chairman of the GWIMS Mentor Committee where I am on the task force at UMMC. Medical School Admissions Committee(MSAC)since July 2012. We instituted the process of multiple mini interviews(MMI)data driven, better predictor of success and more reliable method of interviewing candidates. I participate in the MMI process as well as Scenario Subcommittee. We have selected from over 100 scenarios for the 2014 and again in 2018. interviews. The data from this process of interviewing is reviewed each academic year.
Since 2006, I have participated in the process of interviewing perspective Pediatric faculty candidates and am part of the key faculty.
In February 2011, as part of an Risk Management initiative for patient quality and safety, at Wiser Womens’ Hospital,I have also participated in scholarly activity in the area of health information systems with our recent transition to EMR (EPIC) and received specialized training to support others. We have reviewed NICU specific templates, neonatal doses and abstracted charts before “going live” on June 1st 2012.
In Aug 2012,as part of an initiative and while acting as Physician Champion for UMMC Wiser to promote breast feeding through prestigious "Best fed Beginnings"“ we have now received the prestigious designation as becoming a Baby Friendly Hospital ” 2017
Following many years,as the NICU Education coordinator and orchestrated educational activities involving NP fellows. In the NICU, I have lead the summer medical students in developing and yearly revising a NICU notebook used by the residents for Board Review and is based on AAP Content objectives, inservice training exam topics and PREP questions. I was the Course Coordinator for the PED 653 Neonatal Medicine Course, (an M4 NICU elective) since January 2011 before establishing role an Fellowship PD. As a Regional trainer and course Director since 2002, I have provided initial NRP training of all incoming Pediatric and OB residents as well as 2 year recertification. Since 2007, I am the co-coordinator for the bimonthly NP Clinical Pathology Conference and am a member of the M & M Committee. Morbidity and Mortality Conference.
Since 2007, I have been a research mentor to 1st year medical students in the Summer Research Tech Program. Efforts include collaboration with Dr. Norma Ojeda ,to examine the gestational effects of breast milk proteins and growth in term and preterm infants. Related to these programs, I have initiated QI projects with the medical students and residents and plan to encorporate our physicians in QI innitiatives which will be available through "Bestfed Beginnings".In March 2010, I implemented a new initiative to make donor breast milk available for our babies and now serve as a medical consultant for a breast milk bank developing in Jackson. Active in divisional and fellow QI instruction and projects submitted and part of the Vermont Oxford Data base as well as several NICU initiatives for which I am participating in including: time to Surfactant and temperature after Delivery.
I institute a Neonatal –Perinatal Fellowship program at UMMC,I have taken on the responsibility of Fellowship Program Director and been the PD since 2014. Participated in regular ACGME CLER (clinical learning Environmental Review)Aug 2015, 2017. Our 1st SITE Visit Sept 2015 Nominated to be a reviewer for MedEdPORTAL and educational Journal for the AAMC in July 2015