November 2021
Global Pediatrics Program Newsletter
Risha Moskalewicz, MD
Director, Global Pediatrics Track
In the past month, as we see summer starting to turn into early fall, we've also been inundated with news of ongoing and new humanitarian and environmental crises: a new more virulent strain of COVID, a devastating earthquake in Haiti, wildfires across North America, numerous civil wars, persecuted people fleeing... or at least desperately trying to. Global health physicians process these things in a way I've known to be truly inspiring and unique, looking for opportunities to be in solidarity, to support, to reach out, and to do something. Despite what could be depressing and devastating situations, without disregarding the grief and gravity of those situations, I truly look forward to continuing to work with all of the Global Pediatrics Program to find and expand our role in contributing positively to our world, right here in the Twin Cities and beyond in the face of all that is going on. I invite anyone reading this newsletter, who may have ideas, to contact me personally to discuss them and help us maintain momentum. Our academic year is off to a good start, interns are transitioning and we enjoyed meeting many GH residents at our welcome picnic last month. We are now ready to hunker in for both the literal and metaphorical "winter" ahead of us, together, and I believe our collective energy will provide much "warmth".
Upcoming Events
Rosebud Morning Report
Date & Time: Monday, November 8, 2021 — 7:30 a.m.—8:30 a.m.
Topic: Rosebud morning report by Matt Seitzer, MD
Global Child Health Research Series (formally Global Health Research Series)
Date & Time: Thursday, November 11, 2021 — 12:00 p.m.—1:00 p.m.
Topic: Partnerships in Global Health with Jean-Baptiste Le Pichon, MD, PhD, FAAP
Global Medicine Lecture Series
Date & Time: Wednesday, November 17, 2021 — 6:00 p.m. — 7:30 p.m.
Location: Via Zoom
Topic: The Healthcare Response to Human Trafficking and Exploitation: A US and Global View with Dr. Jordan Greenbaum
Transdisciplinary Journal Club
Date & Time: Thursday, November 18, 2021 — 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Topic: Short-Term Global Health Engagements
Chief's Corner
Kendra Martinez, MD, IBCLC
This month I write to you having recently returned from teaching at northern Tanzania's first-ever neonatology conference. The 3-day event hosted by our partner institution Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre, with support from the Pediatric Association of Tanzania (PAT), consisted of over 160 physicians and nurses representing 55 hospitals from 5 African countries (Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Malawi, and Ethiopia). I was honored to teach alongside other UMN providers including Dr. Stephen Swanson, Erin Keane (NICU nurse), and Amanda King (NNP) as well as international teachers from Canada, Germany, and Tanzania. What amazed me most was the palpable enthusiasm which persisted from the opening lecture to the concluding group photo obtained as participants chanted in unison, “breathe ba-by, breathe ba-by, breathe ba-by” to mark the cadence of neonatal resuscitation.
Excitedly, the conference also coincided with the publication of the first comprehensive neonatology handbook written specifically in an East African hospital, for an East African context. “Every Breathe Counts: Manual of Neonatal Care & Drug Doses” co-authored by Dr. Stephen Swanson, myself, and two NICU nurses with contributions from other former UMN pediatric residents was sold at printing cost during the conference following an official book launch by the North-Central Diocese Tanzanian Lutheran Bishop. I deeply hope that this 358-page book will serve as a teaching tool for those caring for neonates across East Africa by promoting essential topics such as thermoregulation, feed and fluid management, use of bubble CPAP, and a NICU drug manual.
Lastly, it was incredibly rewarding to reconnect with my Tanzanian colleagues after 2 years and a very long pandemic. I continue to be amazed by the knowledge, skill, and kindness displayed by the registrars at ALMC who graciously welcomed me to learn alongside them. I look forward to returning to Tanzania in January along with residents from the pediatric global health track.
Asante sana na karibu (thank you very much and welcome in Swahili)
Electives 2022-2023
It's time to start thinking about your 2022-2023 Global Pediatrics Elective! Start looking at elective options and connecting with a Global Pediatrics Program faculty member to help you decide. Global Pediatrics Elective applications are due December 2021, look for a link soon. To submit an application, you must be on the Global Pediatrics Track, and have met with one of our faculty members. Contact Emily Danich at edanich@umn.edu if you are unsure if you are on the Track.
Resident Spotlight
Ejiroghene Orubu - Medicine Pediatrics PL2
Ejiroghene Orubu is a second year pediatrics resident at the University of Minnesota and is part of the UMN Pediatric Global Health Track. A native of Nigeria, Ejiro obtained her medical degree from the University of Lagos, Nigeria. She earned a Masters in Public Health (MPH) from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine where she focused on health economics. During this time, she contributed to several research projects including programs aimed at reducing the burden of HIV/AIDS among children under 5 years of age and increasing vaccination coverage rates for five vaccines - DPT, measles, yellow fever, polio and Hep B. To add to her public health training and knowledge, she completed a post-graduate program at Harvard Medical School in Safety, Quality, Informatics and Leadership where she received training from experts in this field; including the skills involved in performing quality improvement projects. In this program, her research was focused on patient safety using a micro-needle patch for the vaccination of children to increase vaccination coverage rates and reduce needle stick injuries. In addition to these public health and research accomplishments, her diverse clinical training has informed her ability to lead clinical research studies and quality improvement initiatives. Since joining the University of Minnesota Pediatrics Residency Program, Ejiro has provided clinical care to children from birth to young adult age in both inpatient and outpatient settings. As part of the Pediatric Global Health coursework, she has had the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of Global Health from experts in the field. Ejiro is experienced working in resource limited settings through her medical training in Nigeria where she provided care to patients with various acute and chronic illnesses. She is married with two lovely children.
Favorite travel destination: Maldives
What the world needs more of: compassionate people who will be empathic towards the less privilege
If you weren't a physician you would be: Chef because she believes in building community through exquisite cuisine from different nationalities
Catch up on Past Events
Global Child Health Research Series - October 19, 2021 "Overcoming Logistic Challenges in Global Health Research" Professor Stephen Oguche, BM BCH, FMCPaed, Cert in Integrated Malaria Control
After you've watched the presentation, please fill out our evaluation.
Global Child Health Literature and Media Highlights
Oberg, C. The Emergence of Planetary Pediatrics. Children 2021, 8, 939. https://doi.org/10.3390/children8100939
Faculty Awards
Dr. Tina Slusher, UMN Faculty received the AAP Hillman-Olness Award, which recognizes an individual who has worked tirelessly to promote the health and well being of children around the world.
Dr. Philippa Musoke, Makerere Faculty received the AAP Global Partnership Award for her exemplary leadership in an ethical and sustainable global partnership, the Makerere University-Johns Hopkins University partnership to prevent the transmission of maternal to child HIV.
Dr. Ben Trappey, UMN Faculty received an award from the Saint Damien's Children's Hospital (Port au Prince, Haiti) Collaborative for his ten years of leadership and dedication to improving the lives of children in Haiti through education and research.
Please consider a tax-deductible donation, if possible. We use these funds to bring trainees and faculty here from our international and domestic partner sites. The trainees do four to six week electives during the summer to in our hospitals and clinics during non-pandemic times. We are grateful that we have been able to bring faculty here as well to present their research and collaborate with colleagues here in Minneapolis.
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