Department of Pediatrics

(SEPTEMBER 14, 2023) Richard Wasserman, M.D., professor emeritus of pediatrics, is a co-author of a study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health that found that training primary care physicians to talk to young adults about safe social media use helped make a difference in those youths' online behavior six months later, according to UIC Today.

(SEPTEMBER 14, 2023) Pediatricians in the UVM Health Network spoke with the News & Citizen about telemedicine equipment that allows doctors at rural critical access hospitals to consult in real time with specialists at the UVM Medical Center about newborns with life-threatening conditions.

Each summer, many rising second-year medical students engage in clinical, basic science or health policy-related research projects under the guidance of expert faculty. The students choose their topics based on personal passions and immerse themselves in projects tackling medical puzzles and unmet health needs. Engaging in research can be among the most valuable experiences during a medical education.

(SEPTEMBER 11, 2023) Benjamin Lee, M.D., associate professor of pediatrics, was interviewed by WVNY-TV about the UVM Medical Center and the Larner College of Medicine’s Vaccine Testing Center being chosen to advance research on a new Lyme Disease vaccine by operating a worldwide study on the vaccine candidate.

(SEPTEMBER 9, 2023) Lewis First, M.D., M.S., professor and chair of pediatrics at the Larner College of Medicine and division chief of pediatrics at the UVM Children’s Hospital, wrote about ADHD facts and myths in the Adirondack Daily Enterprise.

(SEPTEMBER 1, 2023) Alexandra Potter, Ph.D., professor of psychiatry, spoke to WCAX about UVM neuroscientists’ efforts to recruit expecting families who want to help with a major childhood development research project called the HEALthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) Study.

(AUGUST 30, 2023) Lewis First, M.D., M.S., professor and chair of pediatrics, spoke to NBC5 about gearing up for a potential rise in COVID-19 cases as the school year begins.

Heather Herrington, M.D., associate professor of surgery and pediatrics, has been selected as one of 45 women to participate as a member of the 2023-24 class of fellows in the Executive Leadership in Health Care program at the Hedwig van Ameringen Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine® (ELAM®) program at Drexel University College of Medicine.

A study by UVM researchers and colleagues finds mental health care lagging after firearm injury, which increases risk for serious mental health conditions.

(JUNE 7, 2023) Greater efforts are needed to connect children with mental health services after a firearm injury, according to a study by a research consortium of Children’s Hospital Association professionals that included Christian D. Pulcini, M.D., M.Ed., M.P.H., assistant professor of emergency medicine, Healio reported.

The Larner College of Medicine medical Class of 2023 Honors Night on May 15 featured recognition and awards for graduating medical students, faculty, and staff.

(MAY 16, 2023) Neonatologist Leslie Young, M.D., associate professor of pediatrics, was interviewed by Fox5 TV about her research on more effective ways to care for newborns exposed to opioids in the womb. In short, these littlest patients have shorter hospital stays when treated with the “Eat, Sleep, Console” (ESC) care approach.

(MAY 5, 2023) Whether or not the COVID-19 pandemic is over, the mental health crisis for young people that spiked over the past two years continues, child psychiatrist Andrew Rosenfeld, M.D., associate professor of psychiatry and pediatrics, told WCAX-TV.

(MAY 3, 2023) Judith Shaw, Ed.D., M.P.H., RN, FAAP, professor emerita of pediatrics, told Healio that the annual Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting, held April 28–May 1 in Washington, D.C., “highlights a broad issue of interest across the full spectrum of pediatric research, science, and education.” Shaw served as program chair for the 2023 conference.

Research led by Leslie Young, M.D., demonstrates that the "Eat, Sleep, Console” care approach (ESC) for newborns exposed to opioids in the womb results in shorter hospital stays and decreased need for medication. National Institutes of Health funded the study. The findings are published in New England Journal of Medicine.

(APRIL 30, 2023) New research led by neonatologist Leslie Young, M.D., associate professor of pediatrics, shows that babies exposed to opioids in the womb have shorter hospital stays when care includes more parent involvement and a quieter environment, the Associated Press reported.

An expanded partnership between University of Vermont physician-founded THINKMD and global children’s health leader Save the Children aims to have a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of children in vulnerable communities across the globe.

(APRIL 26, 2023) Health care professionals play a critical role in promoting safe firearm storage, Associate Professor of Pediatrics Thomas Delaney, Ph.D., — who does suicide prevention work at the Larner College of Medicine — told Vox.

Undergraduate students from groups under-represented in medicine often overlook pediatric medicine as a career choice. Larner medical students hosted an event to increase pediatrician diversity and support undergrads who feel apprehensive about medical school.

(APRIL 3, 2023) Judith Shaw, Ed.D., M.P.H., RN, FAAP, professor emeritus of pediatrics and PAS program chair, spoke to Yahoo Finance about the upcoming Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) 2023 Meeting in Washington, D.C., April 27 – May 1, the largest and most prestigious pediatric research meeting in the world.