| | Welcome to the Team! Brittany Allendorf begins as an Administrative Services Coordinator in the division of Critical Care on April 8. (formerly in General Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine)
Reminder: Complete Your 2024 Conflict of Interest Disclsoure
As part of an annual process, you're required to complete an online "Annual Disclosure of Outside Professional Activities and Interests" through the eCOI electronic disclosure system.
eCOI is an electronic disclosure system intended to fulfill the University reporting obligations of faculty, staff, and student employees who engage in outside activities, have financial interests, or other personal considerations that could create a real or perceived conflict of interest and/or conflict of commitment.
Please complete this requirement by April 30, 2024. For additional questions, please contact Sarah Younker in the UI Health Care Conflict of Interest Office at (319) 384-5252 or coi@healthcare.uiowa.edu | | | Epic Secure Chat Launches on April 2 Starting on April 2, Epic Secure Chat will be available for patient-specific and other health care-related communication between employees within UI Health Care. Epic Secure chat is part of Epic's Unified Communication platform.
Secure Chat includes both text and voice communication on mobile devices (Rover, Haiku, or Canto) and text communication with Hyperspace. This new platform will be implemented in phases. (Please note: Downtown campus and former Mercy Iowa City clinics will starting using Secure Chat with their Epic implementation on May 4.)
| | | | 2024 Culturally Responsible Health Care Award - Call for Nominations The Culturally Responsive Health Care Award recognizes health care professionals or teams who have demonstrated exceptional dedication and innovation in addressing health disparities among patients or populations through culturally responsive care. This award acknowledges the importance of recognizing and addressing the unique cultural, linguistic, and socio-economic factors that influence health care access, delivery, and outcomes.
Nominations are due today, April 1, 2024. This award will be presented during the Annual Culturally Responsive Health Care Conference on Thursday, June 6, 2024.
Visit the Office of Health Parity's website to view the selection criteria and application requirements. If you know someone who deserves this award, complete the nomination form.
April DEI Calendar
April is Arab American History Month. To learn more, visit the following resources:
Earth Day is April 22, 2024
| | | Save the Date - Cultural Awareness Appreciation Day The 3rd annual Cultural Awareness Appreciation Day (CAAD) event is teaming up with the Culturally Responsive Healthcare in Iowa Conference! Together, they celebrate the vibrant and diverse cultures that enhance the University of Iowa and the positive impact of the families they serve.
When: Thursday, June 6, 2024 | 3 - 6 p.m.
Where: MERF Greenspace
New Group Therapy Program for LGBTQ+ Youth and their Caregivers
Promoting Resilience and Inclusion through Support and Mindfulness (PRISM) Program is a 6-week group therapy program for LGBTQ+ youth and families. To learn more about this new program, read through their brochure or email PRISM-group@uiowa.edu.
Join the DEI Committee
The DEI Committee meets on the third Thursday of the month from 12 - 1 p.m. The DEI Committee is open to all Pediatric faculty, staff, and student learners. If you are interested in joining the DEI Committee, please email Dr. Jenna Paternostro.
| | | | April is Child Abuse Prevention Month This April, communities across Iowa are celebrating Child Abuse Prevention Month. This month recognizes the role we all play in supporting Iowa's families. By helping caregivers manage stress, strengthen connections, and gain positive parenting skills, we can ensure that more children grow up safe, nurtured, and able to reach their full potential.
Throughout April, watch for the blue pinwheel as a symbol of hope. It represents a happy, carefree childhood and the bright future we want for all children. Join the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital on Monday, April 15, 2024, and wear BLUE to help raise awareness about the importance of Child Abuse Prevention. Visit the Peds SharePoint site for more details and a full list of resources. | | | Nominate Now for the Excellence in Clinical Teaching Awards The Excellence in Clinical Teaching Awards honor Graduate Medical Education learners (resident and fellow physicians) for their outstanding clinical teaching. Most members of the pediatrics department are eligible to nominate, and we hope you do! Find more information and the awards nomination link on The Loop.
Hurry, nominations are accepted until Friday, April 13, 2024.
Give Back Day with Make-A-Wish Iowa City
The Make-A-Wish Foundation is dedicated to creating and granting life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Make-A-Wish Iowa City is hosting an event on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, from 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. at Sidekick Coffee & Books. Ten percent of coffee and book sales will go towards Make-A-Wish Iowa City. | | | | Colorful Choices Colorful Choices is a simple nutrition program that is open to all faculty and staff and runs from March 18 - April 7, 2024. Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables of all different colors is important for physical health, immunity, stress management, and boosting energy.
This program does not include measuring or calorie counting, just tracking your fruit and vegetable intake through a quick glance at your plate. When you make a plate, try to fill half the plate with fruits and vegetables. If interested in increasing your fruit and veggie intake, participate in the last week!
Visit the liveWELL website for all the details. | | | Sleep is one of the three pillars of health - eating a healthy diet, exercising, and getting enough sleep. Follow these tips to get a full night's sleep:
Maintain a regular bedtime and wake-up schedule - a regular schedule, even on the weekends, will help you get better sleep.
Create a sleep environment that is relaxing, dark, and cool - your bedroom should be your sleep oasis and be free from distractions.
Avoid caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol close to bedtime - all of these substances will disturb your schedule.
Establish a relaxing bedtime routine - a routine that slowly lulls you into sleep will help you feel more well-rested and less fatigued. | | | | OPE Recognizes Multiple Groups for 'Best Teamwork' Each year, the Office of the Patient Experience (OPE) recognizes our employees who are considered top performers based on patient feedback collected through a nationwide survey. The OPE recognizes teams across three categories: Outstanding Patient Experience Team Award, Exceptional Patient Experience Team Award, and Journey to Success Team Award. Three Pediatric teams were recognized across these categories.
Exceptional Patient Experience Team Award
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit - 70th percentile rank.
- Pediatric Medical Surgical Care Unit - 66th percentile rank
Journey to Success Team Award.
- Child Health Specialty Clinics - this team went from the 47th percentile rank in fiscal year 2022 to the 88th percentile rank in fiscal year 2023
Visit The Loop to read more about the award and to view the full list of award winners! | | | Patient Comments from the Pediatric Specialty Clinics "Courtney is wonderful, kind and compassionate" -patient of Courtney Kremer, ARNP
"Dr. Curtis is the best... we drive from Des Moines for these appointments because of the excellent care we receive from her!" -patient of Vanessa Curtis, MD
"Dr. Rahhal is one of the few providers who really listened to me about my son's condition. He made such a big difference for our family by listening and helping us get the care he really needs. Thank you Dr. Rahhal!" -patient of Riad Rahhal, MD, MS
"Would recommend this provider. Knowledgeable, compassionate, genuinely cared, listened to concerns, and overall excellent!" -patient of David Claassen, MD, PhD
"Cheryl Conrad is a phenomenal Dr. She absolutely is the best and I know I can always address anything to her when it comes to my son's well-being. She has helped control his asthma. She cares about her patients." -patient of Cheryl Conrad, ARNP | | | The Records Management Team Has Moved! | 
The Pediatric Records Management team has moved to a new space! Their team has moved into BT-1115, which is in the same area as the Dunphy Conference Room. When picking up your mail, check out their new space and say hello! This team was formerly located in the Centers for Disabilities and Development (CDD).
As a reminder, when using the Dunphy Conference Room or getting your mail, please be mindful of conversations and noises as this is a common work area. | | | |
