News from Pediatrics

Golisano Children’s Hospital Cuts Ribbon on Pediatric Interventional Radiology Suite

Thursday, December 12, 2024

On December 12, Golisano Children’s Hospital (GCH) unveiled its new pediatric Interventional Radiology (IR) suite, a state-of-the-art facility designed specifically for children in which minimally invasive procedures - like lumbar punctures, feeding tube placements, and biopsies - are performed.  Prior to the suite’s opening, children requiring these procedures were cared for in adult spaces or, in some instances, referred to hospitals hours away. This facility marks a critical step in delivering advanced care to children across the region, ensuring they can remain close to home for treatment.

Interventional radiology leverages imaging technologies such as X-rays, ultrasound, CT scans or MRI to diagnose and treat a variety of conditions —even cardiovascular disease and cancer—less invasively and with unprecedented precision. Some common pediatric IR procedures include liver biopsies, feeding tube and central line placements, and angiograms and angioplasties to monitor and improve blood flow.

“This new suite allows us to perform the full spectrum of IR procedures,” said Jennifer Harvey, MD, chair of the Department of Imaging Sciences at URMC. “By reducing recovery times and minimizing risks compared to surgery, these techniques significantly improve outcomes and experiences for our pediatric patients. Now, more children in our region can receive these critical services without leaving the supportive, family-centered environment of Golisano Children’s Hospital.”

The pediatric IR suite was made possible through the contributions of community donors, including a $500,000 gift from long-time GCH supporters Mark and Maureen Davitt. Additional funding from B&L Wholesale Supply and community organizations such as Fairport Music Fest was instrumental to the project’s completion.  

The new suite addresses a long-standing need in pediatric care at GCH; as other complex pediatric services and programs expanded, the absence of a dedicated pediatric IR space posed challenges for increasing numbers of patients and families.  With the suite’s opening, GCH is realizing its vision of providing the full complement of pediatric healthcare services that are available in the top freestanding children’s hospitals in the nation.

“During the past decade, we’ve continuously expanded our capacity to meet the needs of children and families,” said Jill Halterman, MD, physician-in-chief of GCH. “Interventional radiology was one of the last remaining core services to be added at our hospital. Thanks to our community’s support and generosity, children needing these procedures can now obtain them close to home and in an environment designed for their specific needs.”

Jill Halterman, M.D., M.P.H., Chair of the Department of Pediatrics and Physician-in-Chief of GCH, Honored with National Research Mentorship Award

Friday, May 3, 2024

Jill Halterman, M.D., M.P.H., Chair of the Department of Pediatrics and physician-in-chief of Golisano Children’s Hospital, has led a distinguished research career, including having published more than 150 peer-reviewed articles and secured more than $28 million in extramural research funding to investigate methods to improve the delivery of care for children with asthma.

Throughout all of these accomplishments, however, Halterman describes the mentorship of young researchers as the most rewarding part of her career.

“It’s been a privilege to work with trainees and junior faculty members and to see them move forward with meaningful research,” she said.

Halterman’s mentorship was recognized during the 2024 Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) annual meeting in Toronto, Ontario, as she was honored with the Academic Pediatric Association (APA) Miller Sarkin Mentoring Award for Research on May 4. The APA Miller Sarkin Mentoring Award for Research recognizes the contributions of APA members who have provided outstanding mentorship to learners or colleagues, both locally and nationally, and served as a model to others who aspire to mentor others as they mature.

For Halterman, effectively mentoring trainees includes ensuring they have the support to manage the highs and lows that are part of the research process.

“In our field, there are times when you can be rigorous in your approach and meticulous with your writing, and still not do as well in review as you hoped,” she said, “It is important to stay true to your process, allow yourself to be disappointed, and then move forward. And then there is nothing better than celebrating with a mentee with they ultimately achieve their goal!”

Halterman also believes that young researchers must focus on an area they’re truly passionate about to succeed. “Full commitment to a topic of research ensures investigators will have the motivation to push through the up and down cycles that are part of the process, and ultimately make an impact.”

Halterman found her own passion more than 20 years ago during her fellowship training in clinical care when she noticed gaps in treatment for children from historically marginalized backgrounds.

“I observed children who had Emergency Department visits due to an asthma attack, and medications that could have prevented that visit weren’t accessible. I wondered why they were not receiving the treatments they needed, and spent the early part of my research working with my team to understand those gaps. We then established community partnerships to develop and test new methods to overcome gaps in asthma care,” she said.

This led to a research career that helped produce positive clinical outcomes for children. Halterman worked with a team to develop the Preventive Care Program for Children with Asthma, an initiative that partners with the Rochester City School District and School Health Program to decrease the burden of asthma among children at highest risk for poor outcomes. Over time, more than 1,500 children have received care under this program, leading to improvements in symptoms, reduced absenteeism from school, and decreased asthma attacks.

Throughout her early career, Halterman also relied on her own mentors to help her push forward, including Lissa McAnarney, MD, former chair of Department of Pediatrics at URMC.

“From the start, Jill showed a full commitment to her research and an understanding that patience and rigor would pay off, to ultimately help the children she was trying to serve,” said McAnarney, “it is these attributes that have helped her be an excellent mentor to young trainees both here at the university and across the country.”

Beyond the academic realm, mentees share that Halterman’s genuine concern for the holistic well-being of coworkers sets her apart, highlighting her kindness and commitment that transcend scientific pursuits. Halterman noted, “It is important to sincerely care for each individual’s personal growth, because that is how research mentees will be set up for the greatest success.”

The Zoo Comes to Life at Golisano Children’s Hospital!

Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Collaboration between the Seneca Park Zoo, Ricoh USA, and Golisano Children’s Hospital brings exciting new virtual book for kids being treated at GCH

This new year, children staying at UR Medicine Golisano Children’s Hospital (GCH) will have the opportunity to interact with some new friends.

Thanks to a collaboration between Ricoh USA – a provider of integrated digital services and print and imaging solutions – GCH, and the Seneca Park Zoo in Rochester, patient families receiving care at the hospital have access to new “augmented reality” zoo books that produce life-like virtual images and sounds of animals from their phone or table screen through the usage of QR code technology. These animals include several species that live in the Seneca Park Zoo in Rochester, allowing children to take a remote trip from their own hospital room and learn more about each animal in a unique and engaging way.

The book, titled “Sandy and Friends' Virtual Zoo Adventure," is first of its kind to be produced, with a wider rollout of books tailored to other children’s hospitals expected in the near future.

“Staying at the hospital is never an easy time for families, so we’re excited that Ricoh USA and the Seneca Park Zoo have worked together to provide GCH early access to this fun, interactive reading experience that provides extra joy and education to our children while they are receiving long-term treatment,” said Wendy Lane, director of child life at GCH.

“This project epitomizes the spirit of co-innovation as well as Ricoh’s ongoing commitment to accessibility and making an impact in our local communities,” said Joe Ferrara, Director of Customer Implementation and Service Delivery at Ricoh. “It has been a delight working hand-in-hand with GCH, as well as local printer ImageNow, to expand access for children and their families to experience the sights and sounds of the Seneca Park Zoo from the hospital.”

Each page from the book includes illustrations of animals such as elephants, penguins, and red pandas alongside a short description, and includes activity pages like animal crosswords and mazes. QR codes throughout the book produce virtual interactive animals which include expanded descriptions and information provided by staff at the Seneca Park Zoo. Children and parents staying at GCH helped contribute to the production of the book by working with Child Life to select the cover.

 "We are thrilled to partner with Ricoh, Golisano Children's Hospital, and the Fairport Music Festival to bring the Zoo's animals to children who may not be able to visit. We believe we are the first Zoo to provide this kind of augmented reality experience, and we hope our virtual animals provide as much joy to children who may be in the hospital as their counterparts at the Zoo do for all guests," said Pamela Reed Sanchez, President and CEO of the Seneca Park Zoo Society.

The creation of “Sandy and Friends' Virtual Zoo Adventure” was partially funded by the Fairport Music Festival (FMF) – a two-day event held annually in the village of Fairport, NY, featuring a lineup of local, regional and national bands. Since 2005, the Fairport Music Festival has raised more than $2.6 million in support of GCH, with $291,824 donated in 2023.

“It’s been an honor to support children in our region through the Fairport Music Festival for almost two decades,” said Andy McDermott, FMF co-founder, “to be able to collaborate with Ricoh and the Seneca Park Zoo to create these books is a fantastic way to utilize a portion of the proceeds from the festival in a unique and innovative way.”

Of the books produced for the hospital, more than 250 books were delivered on December 22 in time for the holiday season. Each pediatric unit was given copies available for every child staying at the inpatient units at the hospital.

“The books are a hit with our patients,” said Lane, “they provide a perfect opportunity to transport them to another world which helps take their minds off of the challenges associated with receiving care.”

About Ricoh

Ricoh is a leading provider of integrated digital services and print and imaging solutions designed to support digital transformation of workplaces, workspaces and optimize business performance. Headquartered in Tokyo, Ricoh’s global operation reaches customers in approximately 200 countries and regions, supported by cultivated knowledge, technologies, and organizational capabilities nurtured over its 85-year history. In the financial year ended March 2023, Ricoh Group had worldwide sales of 2,134 billion yen (approx. 16.0 billion USD). It is Ricoh’s mission and vision to empower individuals to find Fulfillment through Work by understanding and transforming how people work so we can unleash their potential and creativity to realize a sustainable future.

For further information, please visit www.ricoh.com.

About Golisano Children’s Hospital

Golisano Children’s Hospital employs more than 200 pediatric specialists and provides a spectrum of care that spans more than 40 specialty areas, serving the more than 85,000 children and their families each year. It serves as the referral center for all seriously ill or injured children from the 17-county Finger Lakes region and beyond. Our missions are to provide comprehensive care for children and their families, educate future pediatricians and pediatric specialists, and perform progressive research that will lead to the medical breakthroughs of tomorrow.

About Seneca Park Zoo

Internationally, and in our own backyard, Seneca Park Zoo plays a key role in species survival. Chartered as an educational institution in 1957 by New York State, the Seneca Park Zoo Society plays an integral role in supporting Monroe County, the owners and operators of the Zoo. Together, we are working to bring animals back from the brink of extinction.