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April/May 2007
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In this issue
Texas Children's continues its pioneering ways
Grand Rounds
Advisors
Ralph D. Feigin, M.D.
Physician-in-Chief
Texas Children's Hospital
Professor and Chairman
Department of Pediatrics
Baylor College of Medicine
Arnold G. Kagan, M.D.
Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics
ZoAnn E. Dreyer, M.D.
Medical Director,
Long-term Survivor Program
Texas Children's Hospital
Associate Professor
Baylor College of Medicine
Editor
Cindy Shanley
Marketing and Public Relations
Texas Children's Hospital
832-824-2180
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For members of the Texas Children's Hospital medical staff
From the medical staff president
Texas Children's continues its pioneering ways
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Dr. Arnold G. Kagan |
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By Arnold G. Kagan, M.D.
As we look outside the window, or stroll through our neighborhoods, we see new plant growth and the beautiful colors of blooming plants as we enter the spring season — independent of the effect of the time change.
Looking back on winter, it appears as though we had a reasonably "mild" flu season, and I wonder how much this reflects the increased recommendation for and use of the flu vaccine. But we must still remain aware of the fact that influenza may be a fatal illness and not be complacent in planning for next winter.
As evidenced by the recurrent yellow "tint" on my car, the pollen count is up and allergies become an increasing problem – as the saying goes, "to every season there is a condition."
The Ides of Match Day
With the arrival of spring came the very important date of March 15 – "The Ides of March" – the day on which Julius Caesar was stabbed by the Roman politician Casca and others in the play Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare. To put this in Latin historical context, "March, July, October, May, the nones (the day of the half moon) are on the seventh day" versus the fifth day for the other months, and the ides (the day of the full moon) are on the 15th instead of the13th day of any other month. The current importance of this day is that this is the day of residency match results. And once again, as per Dr. Feigin's article, Baylor/Texas Children's Hospital will have an accomplished group of first-year residents. We look forward to their arrival in June 2007 and to doing whatever it takes to enhance their professional lives and careers.
Ferritin's role in HLH
This issue's bench-to-bedside article by Drs. Kenneth McClain, Carl Allen, Xiaoying Yu and Claudia Kozinetz on the use of Ferritin levels in the diagnosis of Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis is wonderful and indicative of how much we know, yet how much more we need to know, and the role that Texas Children's and Baylor play in this ongoing pursuit of knowledge and its use in clinical medicine.
Transforming health care
Texas Children's reputation for being on the leading edge also can be seen in its current implementation of a fully integrated electronic medical record (EMR). When complete in 2010, this multi-year project we've named IRIS will impact medical staff, patients, referring providers and nurses in nearly every interaction they have with us. Dr. Robert Warren's article looks at the work that's being done on IRIS and what lies ahead for this important initiative.
Arnold G. Kagan is the 2007 president of the medical staff and a clinical associate professor of Pediatrics with his own private practice.
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Grand Rounds calendar
8:30 a.m., Fridays,
Texas Children's Hospital,
lower-level Auditorium
unless otherwise listed.
April 6
Good Friday
April 13
Physicians and the pharmaceutical industry
Jeffrey Starke, M.D., Professor and Vice Chairman of Pediatrics
(1 credit medical ethics)
April 20
Baylor Pediatric post-graduate course
April 27
Infant formula safety and the safety and efficacy of banked human milk
Steven A. Abrams, M.D., Professor of Pediatrics
May 4
Salmonella infections in infants and children
Morven S. Edwards, M.D., Professor of Pediatrics
May 11
Gastroesophageal reflux disease
Mark A. Gilger, M.D., Associate Professor of Pediatrics
May 18
Thomas A. Vargo, M.D., visiting professor lecture
TBA - Larry Jefferson, M.D.
May 25
Clinical Pathological Conference
Milton J. Finegold, M.D., Professor of Pathology
June 8
G tubes, buttons and other feeding devices
David E. Wesson, M.D., Professor of Surgery
June 15
State newborn screening program expansion raises questions
Michael E. Speer, M.D.; Professor of Pediatrics; Charleta Guillory, M.D., Associate Professor of Pediatrics
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