201596 VCU Peds Newsletter - Virginia Commonwealth University ...

The
P E D I A T R I C
C O N N E C T I O N
SUMMER, 2004

Cover Story
B
orn more than three months early,
Matthew started out at a frightening 1 pound
7 ounces.
See Page 2 for
Matthew Manco’s story.
The Pediatric Connection is a publication for the
alumni, faculty and friends of the VCU Medical
Center, Department of Pediatrics.
Joseph H. Laver, MD
Jessie Ball duPont Professor & Chair
Barry V. Kirkpatrick, MD
Vice Chair, Academic & Clinical Affairs
Rebecca Bird-Eichelberger
Community Liaison
Shira E. Cantor
Public Relations Coordinator
Comments may be directed to the editors, 1001 E. Marshall
Street, PO Box 980646, Richmond, VA 23298-0646,
Phone: (804) 828-7035, or Fax: (804) 828-2062.
Visit us on the web at
w w w . v c u . e d u / p e d i a t r i c s

The
P E D I A T R I C
C O N N E C T I O N
Table of Contents
A Birthday Wish Comes True for Matthew Manco! 2
VCU Children’s Medical Center Welcomes Pediatric Specialist 4
VCU Pediatric Program Earns Full Accreditation 5
Survivors Celebrate Life and High School Graduation 6
A Day in the Life of Tyquan Gould 8
Fun in the Sun 10
Hot Tips for Staying Safe this Summer 10
FAMIS - Ensuring that all Children are Insured 11
KUDOS and Announcements 12
Where Are They Now 14
1

On his first birthday, Matthew
was 27-3/4” and weighed
19 pounds 3 ounces.
When he was born he
was 12” and weighed
1 pound 7 ounces.
A Birthday Wish
Comes True!
Written by Sandra Bailey
Matthew Manco’s Story
Born more than three months early, Matthew started
out at a frightening 1 pound 7 ounces. And not only
was he not supposed to be born that early, he wasn’t
supposed to be born at the VCU Medical Center
(VCUMC). “One minute, we were at our local hospital,
and the next minute, there they were with a stretcher
and an ambulance, saying that they were going to
take Cindy to VCU Medical Center right away,” said
Matthew’s father, Al. “The local hospital staff said
that VCU was the best place to be in such a high risk
situation.”
A
s he celebrates his first
birthday, Matthew Manco is
every parent’s dream –
affectionate, curious and
absolutely adorable.
High risk was right. VCU Neonatologist, Dr. Henry
Rozycki, met with the Mancos as soon as they arrived.
“We were partners in this from the start,” Dr. Rozycki
said, “and that included making sure that they had the
truth about the medical situation they were facing, with
no false reassurances. We talked together about his
chance for survival and for a normal life. For babies
born so small and premature, the chances were not
very good. In fact, only 25 percent of premature babies
born 16 weeks premature are alive and living a normal
life on their first birthdays A significant number are
handicapped, some profoundly.”
2

From the beginning, Dr. Rozycki and the rest
of the neonatal intensive care team included
the Mancos in all of the medical decisionmaking.
“The Mancos were very involved and
very committed,” Dr. Rozycki said. “Together
we shared the highs and lows -- the moments of
terror and moments of joy. We celebrated too. As
time went on, Matthew gained strength, the highs
and lows diminished, and we got to see what a
survivor he was, what a happy boy.”
“I can’t tell you how wonderful it was to have a
medical team that was truly dedicated to us and
our baby,” Matthew’s mother, Cindy, said. Her
husband agreed. “The doctors and nurses at the
VCU Medical Center were always forthcoming
with information. They helped us feel right away
like they’d known us for years.”
That kind of familial treatment is a hallmark of
the VCU Children’s Medical Center’s neonatal
intensive care unit (NICU). One reason is the way
the NICU is designed and staffed. There are two
levels. The first is for the really critical patients.
“That’s where Matthew was for a month and a
half, and the care was unbelievable,” said Cindy.
We had a team of nurses who were responsible
solely for Matthew and one or two other babies.
Although I was with him every day, I still had to go
home at night, so I would call and check in, and
they’d let me know how he was doing, give me his
vital signs -- his breaths per minute, temperature
and heart rate. Even though I lived more than an
hour away, I felt like I was always connected.”
Matthew’s condition improved enough that, in less
than two months, he was switched to the second
level, the intermediate NICU. “We still had our
own nursing team, but now we were even more
involved with his care,” Cindy explained.
One key goal in the intermediate NICU is to
teach parents how to bathe, feed, diaper and
dress their babies on a daily basis in preparation
for taking them home. That’s hard enough for
any new parent, but when your baby is as tiny
as little Matthew was, it’s truly intimidating. “I
remember the first time the nurses wanted Cindy
to give Matthew a bath; she was so afraid,” said Al
Manco. “You have to try to envision how small he
was. Sure, officially, he was two months old, but
Dr. Rozycki and Matthew in the intermediate NICU.
he still wasn’t even supposed to be born for almost
two more months. And here we were giving him
a bath!”
While he still looked “scrawny,” in Dr. Rozycki’s
words, he was progressing beautifully. “He was
the kind of baby you wanted,” Dr. Rozycki said.
“Everything kept ending up as well as you could
hope for.”
On September 12th, almost three months from the
day he was born, Matthew Manco “graduated.”
He went home weighing a strong five pounds and
looking like a typical healthy newborn. On his
first birthday, he was a virtual heavyweight, more
than 19 pounds strong. Now just over a year
old, his pediatrician says he’s nearly caught up
to where he would have been if he’d been born
full-term. He still returns regularly to the VCU
Children’s Medical Center for check-ups. The
pediatric team at the Center will monitor him for
a few years, but now it’s all pretty much routine.
A nice change from the first year, which was
anything but.
While the Mancos are endlessly thankful to the
care they and Matthew received at VCU, Dr.
Rozycki, places the credit elsewhere. “Really, it
was Matthew. He was a fighter right from the start.
He decided that he was going to do it, and he did.”
3

VCU Children’s Medical
Center Welcomes Pediatric
Specialist
Article provided by VCU Medlines
Mitchell is Central Virginia’s only specialized
pediatric otolaryngologist.
With
the addition of
associate professor Dr. Ron B.
Mitchell to the VCU Medical
Center’s Otolaryngology—Head
and Neck Surgery Department,
Central Virginians now have
access to one of the state’s only
fellowship-trained pediatric
otolaryngologists.
“Children with complicated
airway problems in the
Richmond area have had little
choice but to go out-of-state for
treatment,” said Dr. Aristides
Sismanis, professor and chair
of the Otolaryngology—Head
and Neck Surgery Department.
“Pediatric orolaryngology is a
relatively new specialty, and
we’re pleased that with the
appointment of Dr. Mitchell
to our staff, more complicated
pediatric ear, nose and throat
problems can now can be dealt
with here.”
Dr. Mitchell will be providing
pediatric ear, nose and throat
specialty care, especially
for children with ear, upper
airway, sleep apnea and neck
problems.
“What is important for parents
to know is that my practice is
entirely devoted to children,”
says Dr. Mitchell. “We know
that parents prefer someone
who works exclusively with
children because of their
unique health issues and
special needs.”
Dr. Mitchell explains that
medical advancements
have made it possible for
premature infants to survive
in greater number than ever
before. This means that many
premature infants are born
with underdeveloped airways,
digestive tracts and other
difficulties that will affect them
for the rest of their lives. For
example, many premature
infants must be put on
ventilators for up to six months.
“Ventilators can cause airway
problems and may require
surgical reconstruction and
other treatments,” he explains.
“Twenty years ago, these infants
may not have survived but now
they do and they have unique
medical challenges.”
In addition to his clinical
expertise encompassing the
management of upper airwaydigestive
tract problems and
pediatric otology, Dr. Mitchell
has strong clinical and
research interests, particularly
in pediatric sleep apnea. Dr.
Mitchell is currently studying
the effect of sleep disturbances
on behavior, school
performance, obesity and a
child’s overall quality of life.
In fact, research results
published in the Journal of the
American Medical Association
(Volume 130, February 2004.)
show that there is a direct link
between improved quality of
life for children and resolving
sleep apnea after tonsillectomy.
Dr. Mitchell is in the process of
submitting other research papers
for publication within the year.
For more information on
pediatric otolaryngology
services or to schedule an
appointment please call
(804) 628-4368.
4

VCU Pediatric Physical Medicine &
Rehabilitation Program One of the First of
Its Kind to Earn Full Accreditation
T
he Virginia Commonwealth University
School of Medicine’s Pediatric Rehabilitation
Fellowship Training program has become one of the
first programs of its kind to earn full accreditation in
the United States from the Accreditation Council on
Graduate Medical Education.
The Pediatric Rehabilitation Fellowship, in the
Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation,
is a one or two-year program that includes
clinical care and research responsibilities.
Fellows also gain experience in intensive care
consultation, inpatient rehabilitation, sub-acute
and coma management, the feeding program, day
rehabilitation, interdisciplinary and multi-specialty
clinics and interdisciplinary and multi-specialty
pain management.
Jacob A. Neufeld, M.D., M.S.P.H., associate
professor and chair of the pediatric rehabilitation
division and director of rehabilitation services and
Eugenio Monasterio, M.D., assistant professor and
director of outpatient rehabilitation, supervise the
program.
“Congratulations to Dr. Neufeld and Dr. Monasterio
for their efforts to earn full accreditation for
our Pediatric Rehabilitation Fellowship,” said
David X. Cifu, M.D., professor and chairman,
physical medicine and rehabilitation. “With this
achievement, our pediatric PM&R division is ‘on
the map’! This will gain instant recognition for our
programs. Along with our expanding clinical and
research activities, our division is clearly one to
watch.”
The fellowship is a joint effort between the VCU
School of Medicine and Children’s Hospital
of Richmond. Children’s Hospital, a local
rehabilitation hospital, is the primary clinical
training site for the fellowship program. The facility
provides services for children and adolescents with
disabilities and for those recovering from trauma or
illness.
Ranked in the top 20 by U.S. News & World
Report, VCU’s physical medicine & rehabilitation
program is one of only five combined pediatric-
PM&R residency programs in the country and one
of only two with an ACGME-accredited pediatric
PM&R fellowship program. It is the only PM&R
program in the nation with accredited fellowship
training programs in pediatric spinal cord injury and
pain management.
VCU also has one of the nation’s only brain injury
rehabilitation fellowships. VCU’s program offers
comprehensive residency and fellowship training
for all aspects of PM&R, including traumatic brain
injury, stroke, acute and chronic musculoskeletal
injury, spinal cord injury, chronic pain
management, cardiac disease, pulmonary disease,
cancer, vascular disease, amputations, fractures,
joint replacement, arthritis, burns, pediatric injuries,
polytrauma and neuromuscular disorders.
The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical
Education is responsible for the accreditation
of post-M.D. medical training programs within
the United States. Accreditation is accomplished
through a peer review process and is based upon
established standards and guidelines.
For more information about VCU’s Department
of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, visit
www.pmr.vcu.edu.
5

Bruce Evans, Jr.
Bruton High School
York County
Mongar Freeman
Mills Godwin High School
Henrico County
Joshua Garrett
Greensville County High School
Greensville County
Kristin Hardaway
Nottoway High School
Nottoway County
Patricia Lee
Nottoway High School
Nottoway County
Aimee Kristen Marshall
Lloyd C. Bird High School
Chesterfield County
Ashley Moody
Essex High School
Essex County
Educational consultant Alma Morgan and guest speaker Bill Heyer.
The VCU Children’s
Medical Center Salutes the
2004 Hospital Education
Graduates
Johnathan Parham
Dinwiddie High School
Dinwiddie County
Dana Podgurski
J.R. Tucker High School
Henrico County
Paul Robinson
James River High School
Chesterfield County
Nicholas Suszczewicz
Brooke Point High School
Stafford County
Lakeshia Thomas
Huguenot High School
Richmond City
Brandon Thompson
Thomas Dale High School
Chesterfield County
Benjamin Whanger
Peninsula Catholic High School
Private School
Fourteen high school graduates
from ten Virginia school
divisions were honored at the
annual high school graduation
luncheon celebration sponsored
by the Division of Pediatric
Hematology/Oncology and
the Hospital Education
Program. This ceremony was
a unique one as each graduate
celebrated not only his or her
high school graduation—but
also life.
As children, these graduates
overcame more obstacles than
most people face in a lifetime.
The Hospital Education
Program is one of the many
support services provided to
address these obstacles and
ensure a healthy future both
during and after a child’s battle
with illness.
While one graduate had been
diagnosed with a neuroblastoma
at the early age of 2, another
graduate was diagnosed with
acute lymphoblastic leukemia
at age 3. Several of the
graduates endured numerous
surgeries, chemotherapy and
radiation as treatment, and a
few even received bone marrow
transplants.
The 2004 Hematology/
Oncology class did not only
represent childhood cancer
survivors, but also survivors
of blood-related disorders
such as sickle cell disease and
idiopathic thrombocytopenia
purpura.
While the celebration began
with an informal luncheon,
a more formalized program
6

Kristin and
Jessica Hardaway
will always share
a special bond.
Kristin was
diagnosed with
a neuroblastoma
at the age of 4,
and received
a life-saving
bone marrow
transplant from
Jessica.
Smiling sisters, Kristin (left)
and Jessica (right) celebrate life.
Kristin celebrates determination,
survival and high school graduation.
followed where each graduate
was recognized for his or
her strength, courage and
perseverance in completing
academic studies while going
through such challenging
times. College scholarships
were awarded to many
of the graduates for their
determination. Family, friends,
school staff, and hospital
staff also offered personal
testimonies.
At age 2, Bruce Evans, Jr., was
diagnosed with a Stage IV neuroblastoma.
Bill Heyer, the guest speaker
and a 2004 graduate of
Randolph Macon College,
stood in the same shoes as the
graduates in 2000 when he
conquered childhood cancer
and graduated from L.C. Bird
High School. He gave his own
personal testimony, stating that,
“family and friends get you
Bruce let nothing
get in his way at
Kindergarten Graduation.
Bruce, a grown up, healthy,
college bound high school graduate poses
with confidence.
through the rough times…and you have to have a little humor to deal with it.” He then shared the story of
losing his hair; when his algebra teacher showed up for his homebound instruction, he told her that the stress
of algebra problems was causing the hair loss.
While the day was spent with laughter, as well as tears, one thing was apparent—the 2004 hospital education
graduates are not just patients of the VCU Children’s Medical Center (CMC), but are truly loved by staff and
have become a part of the CMC extended family.
7

We usually reserve our “Day
in the Life of...” article to share the
accomplishments and daily routine
of outstanding VCU Children’s
Medical Center (CMC) staff members;
however, we’ve decided to use this
issue’s space to introduce you to a
special member of the hospital family:
Tyquan Gould, a 4-year-old CMC
patient who has a “hospital routine”
as remarkable as anyone’s.
In many ways Tyquan is just like other
4 year old boys—his favorite food is
pizza, his all time favorite cartoon
character is Tigger and he loves to
paint and play with his older brother
DéShean. Tyquan is also a very
unique child—he has spent over 90
percent of his life at the CMC.
Tyquan was born prematurely on
April 4, 2000 at the VCU Medical
Center. He was then moved to the
VCU Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
(NICU) where doctors discovered that
his bowel and bladder had developed
outside of his body; this would lead
to many complications. Because of
his rare condition, Tyquan spent the
first six months of his life in the NICU
where a team of pediatric nurses,
neonatologists and gastroenterologists
closely monitored his bladder and
bowel abnormalities.
A Day in the Life
of Tyquan Gould
4 year old Children’s
Medical Center Patient
Written by Shira E. Cantor
Child Life Specialists take Tyquan on a wagon ride
— accompanied by his fruits and veggies. A recent
surgery to fix his club foot didn’t slow him down.
As a baby, Tyquan’s condition, as
well as the after-effects of his many
surgeries, prevented him from nursing
a bottle. Feedings began slowly
through a tube, while most of his
calories were given by vein through
a Total Parenteral Nutrition line
(TPN). In addition to special feeding
procedures, an ostomy was created
through his abdominal wall to allow
for the discharge of bodily waste.
Recently, because of problems with
drainage of urine, another stoma was
created for the collection of urine.
This waste is collected through a bag
that covers the ostomy. Tyquan will
most likely have both ostomy bags for
the rest of his life. Both the TPN line
and ostomy bags made him highly
prone to infections, causing extremely
frequent return visits to the hospital.
After Tyquan gained sufficient weight
and strength in the NICU he was
sent home for the first time in his life
— only to return to the CMC the next
day with a serious blood infection.
The CMC shortly became Tyquan’s
second home. “It was hard not being
able to bring Ty home right away,
but the nurses, doctors, child life
specialists and staff have been great.
From explaining his condition to
treating him like their own, they have
become a second family over the past
Tyquan’s Daily Hospital
Schedule
(Tyquan is currently at home! This
schedule represents a typical day
while in the hospital.)
8:00 am: First I get up from
bed. Lights on, shades up!
9:00 am: Then it is time
for morning care. The
nurses take my vital signs
and weight, empty my
bag, provide tube care and
change the bed. Then I
put Vaseline on my lips,
brush my hair, brush my
teeth and get dressed.
9:30 am: Time for
breakfast!
10:00 am - 12:00 pm:
I have school with my
hospital teacher Carol
Snyder on Mondays,
Wednesdays and Fridays.
1:00 pm: Quiet time! Shh!
2:00 pm: I get up from
quiet time, empty my bag
and wash my hands before
leaving the room for free
time. My doctors will also
visit during the day to see
how I am doing.
Afternoon: Free Time! I
can hang out in my room,
go to the playroom with a
buddy from Child Life or
visit with a volunteer.
5:00 pm: Dinner Time!
Sometimes I get to go to
the McDonalds in the
hospital.
6:00 pm: More free time! I
can watch a movie in my
room, visit with friends or
paint and do special art
projects. My doctors and
nurses might stop in to see
how I’m feeling.
8:00 pm: I pick up my
room, wash my hands and
face and brush my teeth.
9:00 pm: Lights off!
10:00 pm: Time to turn
the TV off and go to sleep.
Good night!
8

Dionne Holmes, PCT has watched Tyquan
grow up. “He is always smiling and is so
considerate of others,” Dionne said.
(Photo taken at age 2)
four years,” said Jannette Gould,
Tyquan’s mother.
Over the course of four years
Tyquan was in and out of the
hospital suffering repeated
infections from the intravenous
line, often with a 105-degree
fever, requiring intravenous
antibiotics.
“Over the past four years,
Tyquan’s longest consecutive
stay at home has been one
month,” said Julie Shotwell,
RN. Shotwell has been Tyquan’s
nurse since his birth and has
had the opportunity to watch
him grow physically, mentally
and emotionally. “Tyquan is
an articulate, considerate and
sweet child. All of the nurses
enjoy working with him. He is
always brightening someone’s
day.” Shotwell remembers when
Tyquan was able to take his
first bite of food, “I remember
watching pediatric dietician,
Karen Schmidt, RD, CSP, teach
him how to eat. She showed
him how to peel a banana, told
him to place it in his mouth and
bite down. After taking the first
bite he mumbled, ‘I think I did
it,’” Shotwell said with a smile.
Shotwell has also worked closely
with Tyquan’s mother, hospital
teacher Carol Snyder, the child
life specialists, and the nurses of
the inpatient unit to coordinate
his long stays in the hospital. “We
handle things from procedures to
temper-tantrums. It is important
to structure Tyquan’s time so that
he develops both physically and
mentally,” Shotwell said.
Shotwell and other members of
the GI division think that this
structure and environment have
been truly beneficial. “Tyquan
is an exceptional child, both
as a patient, and just as a kid.
Despite living in the hospital for
most of his life and all that he has
gone through — his development
has been astonishing. He has
continued to have an extremely
close bond with his family. Also,
his speech, reasoning skills,
developmental abilities and sense
of humor have certainly not been
affected,” Dr. Martin Graham,
Chair of the Division of Pediatric
Gastroenterology said.
“We have learned a lot from
this patient,” Dr. Graham added.
Tyquan has taught us that even
though a child spends the
majority of his early years in the
hospital, a loving and structured
environment provided in the
Children’s Medical Center can
allow him to grow into a loving,
caring and healthy child.
A major breakthrough in Tyquan’s
treatment came recently in July
when his TPN line was removed.
This should significantly cut
down on the number of return
visits to the hospital. After a
recent 2-day hospital stay, Tyquan
returned home with his family
to enjoy the summer at the pool.
He will begin preschool in the
fall and his pediatric team has
started to coordinate with the
teachers to ensure a healthy start.
The next time Tyquan is admitted,
he will move to a new area for
his age group—the M7Central
unit. Tyquan has spent the past
four years flirting with the nurses
of M7East, but will surely make
new friends and touch many
more lives on M7Central.
June, 2004 — Tyquan(right) and his older brother DéShean (left) take a minute to pose
while playing in the waiting room before an outpatient checkup. DéShean is a helpful
big brother when Tyquan goes home. DéShean helps change his brother’s bags, fills his
pump and makes sure he has lots of water and Diet Pepsi (with lots of ice)!
9

Fun in the Sun
Pediatric Residents Host 5th
Annual Safety Fair
With summer fun and safety in
mind—children, volunteers and docs
gathered for the 5th annual Summer Safety
Fair at Maymont Park on June 17th.
Nearly 200 children were fitted for free bike helmets at this year’s Safety Fair.
The event educated parents and children
about safety issues such as accidental poisonings, fire safety, prevention of child abuse and gun safety. Children
visited different game stations and received prizes after mastering each safety topic. Booths were staffed by
VCU pediatric residents, members of the U.S. Coast Guard, Richmond Police Department, VA Fire Safety and
Prevention, Lifeline Ambulance and more. Radio Disney provided entertainment while participants received
free bike helmets, pizza, and educational material.
Hot Tips for Staying Safe this Summer
As you make summer vacation
plans, the VCU Pediatric Trauma
Program and SAFE KIDS of
Virginia Coalition of VCU Medical
Center urge you to keep summer
safety in mind. Make summer an
even more enjoyable season by
protecting your family from the
sun and water. Use the following
guidelines to help protect you and
your family from serious injury.
Sun exposure is the main cause
of skin cancer, the most common
form of cancer in the United
States. A million new cases of
skin cancer are reported every
year. Not only are sunburns
painful, but they can also lead
to dehydration and fever. Sun
exposure in early childhood and
adolescence contributes to skin
cancer, premature wrinkling and
cataracts of the eye. Because
children spend more time
outdoors than most adults, 60%
to 80% of sun exposure, occurs
before the age of 18. Your child’s
skin is very delicate and it’s up to
you to protect it.
Sun Safety Tips:
Avoid peak sun intensity hours
by scheduling outdoor activities
before 11 a.m. and after 4 p.m.
Keep infants and small children in
the shade when outdoors.
Plan trips to parks and places
where adequate shade is available.
Sunscreens should be applied to
dry skin 15-30 minutes BEFORE
going outdoors. When applying
sunscreen, pay particular attention
to the face, ears, hands and
arms, and coat the skin liberally.
Sunscreens should be re-applied
every 2 hours or after swimming
or perspiring heavily.
Drowning is one of the largest
causes of accidental death for
American infants and children
under the age of five. It is therefore
important to consider all safety
guidelines for swimming and
diving, and know when it is
appropriate to use a life jacket/
personal flotation device.
Water Safety Tips:
Always swim with a buddy. Never
leave small children unattended
around any body of water.
Be sure everyone in your family
can swim confidently by taking
swimming lessons.
Always wear a U.S. Coast Guard
approved life jacket when you are
in or near an open body of water,
boat or participating in water
sports.
Swim only within designated safe
areas of rivers, lakes and oceans.
For more information please
contact Karen Stewart, Pediatric
Trauma Coordinator at (804) 628-
0948 or Corri Miller-Hobbs, SAFE
KIDS of VA Coordinator at (804)
628-2077.
10

Ensuring that All
Children are Insured
The VCU Children’s Medical Center Supports FAMIS
(Family Access to Medical Insurance) Initiatives
S
ince Governor
Mark Warner took office there
have been 94,000 additional
children enrolled in FAMIS
and FAMIS Plus. That is more
people than it would take to fill
the Redskin’s Fed Ex Field! At
a May 10th press conference,
Governor Warner set a new
enrollment goal that will take
the commitment of every
community partner to reach.
He challenged Virginia to enroll
6,000 additional children by
September of this year. Once
this challenge is met FAMIS and
FAMIS Plus will have enrolled a
total of 100,000 children under
the Warner administration.
Even with the enormous
success of the programs, help
from all community partners is
needed – including the provider
community – to ensure that
every eligible child has access
to affordable health care.
A good example of a successful
outreach partnership is
the Central Virginia Care
Connection for Children,
located at the VCU Children’s
Medical Center’s in the
Children’s Pavilion. Staff from
Care Connection work with
challenges everyday and
try to make a difference for
families who have children
with special health care
Governor Warner at
May 10th’s Press Conference.
needs. Through a cooperative
agreement with the Virginia
Department of Health (VDH),
Care Connection links families
to information and community
resources – like FAMIS and
FAMIS Plus - while assisting
families in coordinating
their child’s health care. In
addition, Care Connection and
the Department of Medical
Assistance Services (DMAS)
have developed a rapid review
procedure at the FAMIS Central
Processing Unit for children
with special health care needs,
expediting their applications
through the system.
Answering telephone calls
about access to health care
coverage happens on a daily
basis.
“We’ve heard a lot of sad
stories from families who are
trying to meet their child’s
medical needs when they
don’t have health insurance.
We try to help families find
answers,” said Tamara Quarles,
Insurance Benefits Specialist.
Tamara and all of the staff at
Care Connection are part of
the extensive outreach effort
in Virginia to assist families
in accessing health care
coverage for their children.
Care Connection helps families
complete the FAMIS and FAMIS
Plus application and ensures
that the application moves
through the eligibility process
smoothly.
That’s the way that it happened
when a call was received from
a local pediatrician’s office
asking Care Connection to
assist a family in obtaining
insurance for their child who
had rheumatoid arthritis. Five
years ago, the family had been
told they were ineligible for any
assistance programs and had
not bothered to try again. They
were having trouble purchasing
the medications, and seeing the
child’s primary and specialty
care providers. The family was
nearly at a crisis point and the
child needed medication when
they called Care Connection.
With the staff assisting the
family in the application
process, the child’s eligibility
was reviewed at the FAMIS
CPU. Following the review, the
child was found to be eligible
for FAMIS Plus and was able
to receive the needed medical
care she required. The family
was happy knowing that their
child had access to necessary
medical services. “Helping
families, that’s what it’s all
about!” said Tamara.
While Care Connection for
Children assists in getting
Continued on Page 14
11

K
U
D
O
S
Bob A. Archuleta, M.D., Bundy Professor,
Department of Pediatrics, recently received
certification in hospice and palliative
medicine. Dr. Archuleta is one of only
18 pediatricians in the United States to
complete this certification.
Walter Chun,
M.D., Community
pediatrician of the
Pediatric Center was
recently awarded
the Mickael
Kannan Community
Preceptor Award for
his contributions to
pediatric medical
education.
Walter Chun, M.D.
and family.
Gary R. Gutcher, M.D., Professor and
Chair, Division of Neonatal Medicine,
has been appointed to the Governor’s
Working Group on Rural Obstetrics and
Gynecology.
Barbara Harding, RN, BAN, CCM,
PAHM, Program Director, Care
Connection for Children has been
recognized as a Certified Case Manager
by the Commission for Case Management
Certification.
Anne-Marie A. Irani, M.D., Professor
and Chair, Division of Allergy and
Immunology, was recently appointed
associate editor for Annals of Allergy,
Asthma and Immunology.
Sean McKenna, M.D., Assistant
Professor, Division of General Pediatrics,
was recently honored with the pediatric
Housestaff Teaching Award.
Linda Meloy, M.D., Assistant Professor
and Interim Chair, Division of General
Pediatrics, recently published a chapter on
Pediatric Dermatology in the Field Guide
to the Normal Newborn.
Petra Menzel, M.P.H., Virginia EMS
for Children program Director, recently
received a grant from the Maternal and
Child Health Bureau in the amount
of $345,000 for the EMS for Children
program. The VA EMSC partnership grant
will address Federal priority areas including
the integration of EMSC into State Public
Health Programs; and presence in State
Disaster Preparedness Activities.
Wei Zhao, M.D., Assistant Professor,
Division of Allergy and Immunology,
recently received a five year KO8 grant
from NIH. The research project is titled
“Regulation of Human Mast Cell Function”
and will be funded from July 2004-July
2009.
2004 Nursing and Professional Advancement Awards. On May 6, during the Week of
the Nurse, special recognition was given to those nurses who have demonstrated the highest
level of care to our patients, staff and community this past year. The Children’s Medical
Center congratulates the following health care providers:
Reba Allen
Donna Allen, RN
Wendy Anthony, RN
Amy Antonik, RN
Patty Atkins, BCA
Tiffany Bachman, RN
Catherine Booker, RN
Vicky Bryant, RN
Ester Chambliss, LPN
Katie Cleveland, LPN
Sharon Cone, RN, MS,
NNP
Sharon Coover, RN
Nancy Doyle, RN, MS
Sandra Edmonds, LPN
Melissa Fortin, RN
Connie George, RN
Lynne Guise, RN
Mary Harris, CP
Adrienne Harris, RN
Crystal Holbrook
Garzoni, RN
Dionne Holmes, CP
Sadie Johnson, RN
Jaime Jones, RN
Cyndi Kemp, RN
Teri Kuttenkuler, RN,
MPH
Carline Lenhart, RN
Shelly Lichvar, CP
Kristy Lynn, RN
Sherri Matters, RN
Zachary McChluskey, RN
Kara McDonald, RN
Marcia McGee, RN
Jennifer Middleton, RN
Katherine Nicol, RN
Christina O’Donoghue-
Foster, RN
Rachael Osborne
Sheila Pedigo, PharmD
Keatrina Reynolds, RN
Susan Richards, RN
Valerie Ritchie, RN
Jennifer Schrecentgost,
RN
Tess Searls, RN, MS
Margaret Sharp, RN
Tammie Shatzer, RN
Suzanne Short, RN
Rebecca Sluys, CP
Jeniece Smith, RN, BSN
Lynne Stockner, RN
Susan Sundem
Karen Swarts, MD
Robin Terry, LPN
Nicole Thomas, RN
Allison Thompson, RN
Kathy Tofferi, RN
Dorothy Walker, CA
Ira Walker, RN
Sarah Wegner, RN
Joyce Williams
Chris Woleben, MD
12

Congratulations to
our “Top Docs”
Physicians from the VCU Children’s Medical Center
received high marks from their peers in the latest “Top
Docs” survey conducted by Richmond Magazine. The
regional survey asked licensed medical doctors and
osteopaths which specialists they would chose if they
or their family needed medical treatment.
Allergy-Immunology
Anne-Marie Irani, M.D.
Cardiology
Bill Moskowitz, M.D.
General Pediatrics
Linda Meloy, M.D.
Genetics
Joann Bodurtha, M.D.
Infectious Disease
Bill Koch, M.D. and Suzanne Lavoie, M.D.
Neonatal/Perinatal Medicine
Gary Gutcher, M.D. and Henry Rozycki, M.D.
Neurosurgery
John Ward, M.D.
General Surgery
Jeffrey Haynes, M.D. and Charles Bagwell, M.D.
Surgical Specialists
John Ward, M.D. and Charles Bagwell, M.D.
Psychiatry
Bela Sood, M.D. and Neil Sonenklar, M.D.
Rheumatology
Harry L. Gewanter, M.D. and Lenore Buckley, M.D.
Best Doctors in America
In addition to the regional survey, the magazine also
included an excerpted list from the 2004 Best Doctors
in America database including:
Adolescent Medicine
Richard R. Brookman, M.D.
Child Neurology
Edwin C. Meyer, M.D.
Child Neurology
John M. Pellock, M.D.
General Pediatrics
David Draper, M.D. and Bob A. Archuleta, M.D.
Hematology/Oncology
E. Clifton Russell, M.D.
Neurological Surgery
John D. Ward, M.D.
Neurology
Robert T. Leshner, M.D.
Psychiatry
Bella Sood, M.D.
Welcome to Our New
Faculty
Melissa Evans, M.D.
Division of Critical Care, PICU Faculty with a
Laboratory Commitment
Sharon Fitzsimmons, M.D.
Division of General Pediatrics, Director of the
Pediatric Resident Continuity Clinic
David Friedel, M.D.
Pediatric Chief Resident
Guari Gulatti, M.D.
Division of General Pediatrics
Anatole Karpovs, M.D.
Division of General Pediatrics
Carolyn Port, M.D.
Pediatric Chief Resident
Cynthia L. Wright, M.Ed.
Pediatric Residency Program Administrator
Pediatric Residents,
Welcome Aboard!
Rita Al Boustani, M.D.
American University of Beirut F.M. - Lebanon
Danny Avula, M.D.
Virginia Commonwealth University S.M.
Ryan Ballum, M.D.
Virginia Commonwealth University S.M.
Mary Callahan, M.D.
George Washington University S.M.
Christina Castleberry, M.D.
Baylor College of Medicine
Patricia Faria Nunes Eller, M.D.
Federal University of Espirito Santo - Brazil
Lynne C. Gehr, M.D.
West Virginia University S.M.
Elizabeth Iselin, M.D.
Virginia Commonwealth University S.M.
Mayuri Lakdawala, M.D.
University of Virginia S.M.
Molly McGinnis, M.D.
Virginia Commonwealth University S.M.
Alifiya Poonawala, M.D.
Virginia Commonwealth University S.M.
Sylvia Rozanski, M.D.
Virginia Commonwealth University S.M.
Whitney Short, M.D.
Virginia Commonwealth University S.M.
Niran Wijesooriya, M.D.
University of Virginia S.M.
13

FAMIS
Continued from Page 11
access to affordable health care, there are many
opportunities for pediatric providers to assist in
the FAMIS outreach effort. Providers, often the
first in line to interface with an uninsured child,
have a unique opportunity to assist in community
outreach, help FAMIS meet Warner’s challenge,
and help a child get a healthy start in life. It is
easy to do. Actions a provider may choose to
take are:
Include FAMIS information in self-pay
patients bills,
Display FAMIS brochures in patient
waiting areas,
Set up a referral system with an
organization like Central Virginia Care
Connection for Children,
Send office staff to a FAMIS training,
Talk to colleagues about the program,
Talk to families already enrolled in FAMIS
about the importance of well-child and
sick-child visits.
For further information about Central Virginia
Care Connection for Children, call 804-827-1795
or Toll Free 1-866-737-5965. Or take a look at
their website: www.careconnections.vcu.edu.
For further information about FAMIS or FAMIS
Plus or to order materials call outreach staff
at 804-786-3359 or 804-786-0166. Log onto
www.FAMIS.org.
Families: to start a FAMIS application, call
toll-free 1-866-87FAMIS or visit your local
Department of Social Services.
Where Are They Now
Graduates on the Move...
Shannon Beausoleil,
M.D.
Private practice in Connecticut
Tamara Charity-Brown,
M.D.
Infant Jesus Pediatric Center,
Hopewell, VA
Geetu Deogun, M.D.
Allergy/Immunology fellowship
at Rush University, Chicago, IL
Fanny Espinal, MD
General Pediatrics position at
Blue Ridge Pediatrics, Raleigh,
NC
Daniel Fitzsimmons,
M.D.
General Pediatrics position
at Goldsboro Pediatrics,
Goldsboro, NC
David Friedel, M.D.
Pediatric Chief Resident at VCU
Medical Center
Nicole Irwin, M.D.
Pediatric Rehabilitation position
at the Medical College of
Wisconsin
Anatole Karpovs, M.D.
General Pediatrics position at
VCU Medical Center
Mun Ting Liu, M.D.
General Pediatric position at
Takai Pediatrics and Adolescent
Medicine, Germantown, MD
Peggy Loda, M.D.
undecided
Jamie Ngo, M.D.
General Pediatrics position in
Houston, TX
Kimberly Northrip, M.D.
General Pediatrics fellowship at
the Children’s National Medical
Center, Washington, DC
LaGora Oliver, M.D.
General Pediatrics position at
Eastern Shore Physicians and
Surgeons Inc., Nassawodox, VA
Carolyn Port, M.D.
Pediatric Chief Resident at VCU
Medical Center
Donna Sassaman, M.D
Medicine-Pediatrics at Seisinger
Wyoming Valley Hospital,
Wilkes-Barre, PA
Chu Ri Shin, M.D.
Biochemistry research at VCU
Medical Center
Isca Wilms, M.D.
Infectious Disease fellowship at
VCU Medical Center
Yvonne Bremer, M.D.
Cardiology Practice, Knoxville,
TN
Mercedes Cruz, M.D.
NICU position, Las Vegas, NV
Melissa Evans, M.D.
Pediatric Critical Care position
at VCU Medical Center
Maria Reyes, M.D.
Allergy Practice, Richmond, VA
1001 E. Marshall Street
PO Box 980646
Richmond, VA 23298-0646
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