In this issue:

Vision 2010:Texas Children's announces expansion plans

Texas Children’s Hospital, one of the top pediatric organizations in the world, recently announced that it will invest $1.5 billion over a four-year period in initiatives to secure its role as a pre-eminent pediatric institution and to anticipate the future of children’s health regionally, nationally and internationally. This is the largest expansion program ever by a single children's hospital.

The planned initiatives, all of which are targeted for completion by 2010, focus largely on research and accessibility, two areas which the Texas Children's board and its leadership believe are the keys to rapidly translating science into quality clinical care for children, as well as making that quality care accessible to all patients. Major capital projects include the creation of a comprehensive neurological research institute, the formation of a maternity center, expansion of existing research facilities and the development of one of the largest pediatric hospitals in a suburban setting. Other dollars are earmarked for new equipment and information systems to support quality improvement.

“This investment is not about buildings; it is about the responsibility we as a leader in pediatrics have to accelerate the translation of research from bench to beside,” said Mark Wallace, chief executive officer of Texas Children’s. “It is very obvious to our board, our medical staff and our employees that there is a significant need in our backyard, in our country and across the world for research and development in key areas. Access to the highest quality pediatric care will suffer without an ongoing commitment to cutting-edge research; at Texas Children’s Hospital, we will not allow that to happen.”

Visit Texas Children's Vision 2010 Web site to learn more

Back to top

In 2005, Moise and Johnson decided "we were ready for prime time," said Moise. They completed 40 laser procedures at North Carolina on women from 17 different states.

Currently, they tell patients that only a third will have two surviving twins, another third will have one surviving twin and a third will lose both twins.

They treat many other fetal anomalies and problems in addition to TTTS. Moise has performed more than 350 intrauterine transfusions for Rh disease (an incompatibility between the mother and the baby's blood types), which is required when a mother's proteins attack her baby's blood cells.

Both have "firsts" in their profession in the United States. Moise was the first to perform temporary fetal paralysis during an intrauterine transfusion, and Johnson was the first to perform a specific technique called bipolar coagulation.

"Drs. Moise and Johnson are world-class maternal fetal medicine specialists with considerable expertise
and skill in the arena of fetal diagnosis and intervention," said Dr. Darell Cass, co-director of the Texas Children's Fetal Center. "Their presence gives us the opportunity to build one of the premier fetal surgery centers in the world."

Learn more about Texas Children's Fetal Center and twin-twin transfusion syndrome

Back to top

Dr. Fernando Stein, director of progressive care and deputy director of critical care at Texas Children's Hospital, received the Clifford E. Grulee Award at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) national conference in October.

This prestigious academy award recognizes outstanding physicians who go above and beyond required elected leadership, as well as their long-term accomplishments and efforts. Stein, who also serves as medical director of Texas Children's International and associate professor of Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine, received the award for his contributions to the academy in intensive care and his membership strategy. Stein was one of the founders of the Section of Critical Care of the AAP and previously served as chair. This section represents the constituency of approximately 1,400 pediatric critical care practitioners in the country.

When Stein initiated the new section with two other physicians, they were instrumental in the development of critical care boards, and with them, the recognition of the body of knowledge in critical care. The field of Critical Care is now a board-certified specialty.

Currently chairman of the committee on membership of the AAP, Stein has worked extensively on promoting diversity in AAP leadership, including a wider representation of young members and minorities in the organization.

"I believe seniors tend to be the dominant voice, but would like to see young members share opinions and have a voice in the organization," said Stein. "The majority of AAP members now are under the age of 45 years."

Born in Guatemala and graduating from Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala with a medical degree in 1975, Stein began training as a resident in Pediatrics at Baylor and its affiliated hospitals, including Texas Children's, in 1976. He became a fellow in Pediatrics and Intensive Care at Baylor and has remained at Texas
Children's for 30 years.

Organizing and directing more than 53 national and international medical conferences, Stein has directed the International Colloquium of Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine for the past 16 years, drawing more than 1,500 pediatricians from around Latin America.

Back to top

Texas Children's serves Hispanic community with health resource center

Texas Children's Hospital, in collaboration with St. Luke's Episcopal Health System and philanthropic support from Bank of America, has partnered with the Consulate General of Mexico ­ Houston to create Houston's first bilingual health care information resource center.

Located within the Mexican Consulate, the center is expected to assist more than 5,000 people each year.

"This collaboration is a great example of how several organizations can work together to harness the power of information," says Mark A. Wallace, Texas Children's president and CEO. "By establishing a center where people can easily access health care resources in their own language, we are providing these members of our community as well as visitors with the necessary tools to live a healthy life."

Learn more by visiting Texas Children's Web site
 

Back to top

Education for health care professionals

Ongoing, free online continuing medical education
Presented by Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine
Topic: The Obesity Crisis: The Epidemic, The Consequences and The Solution by William J. Klish, M.D.
Topics: The Approach to the Child with Fever of Unknown Origin by Ralph D. Feigin, M.D., and Recent Guidelines for Antimicrobial Usage by Sheldon L. Kaplan, M.D.
To register, visit http://www.texaschildrens.org/Professionals/ProfessionalEducation/CME.aspx.

Presented by Baylor College of Medicine
Topic: Prevention of Diabetes: Why, How and When by Christie M. Ballantyne, M.D.
To register visit: http://www.lipidsonline.org/meetings/prev_diabetes/

Topic: Evaluation of the Child with the First Seizure by Marvin Fishman, M.D.
To register, visit: http://www.baylorcme.org/seizure/
 

April 16-21, 2007, Texas Children's International Colloquium
Physicians from Latin America are invited to join Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine pediatric specialists and subspecialists to celebrate the 16th annual International Colloquium. Participants will discuss the latest developments in pediatric medicine and research at the even.

The Colloquium will be held in conjunction with the Baylor Pediatric Postgraduate Symposium. Participants will tour Texas Children's and Baylor and have opportunities to spend dedicated time with a Texas Children's physician in medical specialty areas of their choice.

Cost is $100 per person to attend. Deadline to register is March 1, 2007.

Visit www.texaschildrens.org/international for more information and to register online.

Bookmark our professional education page to get regular updates to the Texas Children's professional education calendar.

Back to top

Subscriber information

View past issues of International News

Learn more about International Services at Texas Children's Hospital.

Share your comments, questions or suggestions by e-mail to Internationalnews@texaschildrenshospital.org.

The largest pediatric hospital in the United States, Texas Children's is ranked among the top five children's hospitals by U.S. News & World Report and Child magazine. Texas Children's is affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine. To learn more about Texas Children's, visit www.texaschildrens.org.

This email was sent by: %%Member_Busname%% %%Member_Addr%% %%Member_City%%, %%Member_State%%, %%Member_PostalCode%%, %%Member_Country%%

Texas Children's International News e-newsletter provides educational information for those interested in children's health topics and news about Texas Children's Hospital. It is not the intention of this e-newsletter to provide specific professional medical advice. If a user is experiencing any symptoms of ill health, he or she should contact a licensed medical doctor to diagnose, treat and professionally address his or her medical needs.

© 2006Texas Children's Hospital | Terms of Use

Unsubscribe  |  Update Profile  |  Manage Subscriptions