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SparkDC: A Platform for Innovation By Annika Anderson, MPH: On September 19th, 2023 I had the honor of attending the Honorable Mayor Muriel Bowser’s 6th Annual Maternal and Infant Health Summit as a SparkDC Speaker. This year’s summit focused on timely topics including working women and best practices for employers of expectant mothers

Care Coordination is Critical for Children in Mental Health Crisis By Steven C. Rogers, MD, MS: By: Allison Matthews-Wilson, LCSW, Susan Roman, RN, MPH, and Steven Rogers, MD Children with complex medical conditions deserve strong care coordination to support their families in promoting optimal healthy development. A recent Wall Street Journal article highlighted the issue

8 Tips for Choosing a Therapist for Your Child By Preeti Sandhu, PsyD: As parents, we want the best for our children, and that includes getting them help when they need it. Finding the right therapist can be a crucial step in supporting your child's mental health and well-being, but it can also feel overwhelming. The good news is it’s never too

Celebrating Pride Month: Activities and Resources for Families and Children Pride Month serves as an excellent opportunity to educate children about the significant contributions and achievements of individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA) both historically and in contemporary

24 Questions for Your Teen to Ask Their Doctor By Lauren K. Ayr-Volta, PhD: By the time your child enters their teenage years, they should be getting ready to take charge of their own health. The more confident they feel speaking up at doctor’s visits, the better. It gives their doctor more information to support them through adolescence – and sets your

Cardiac Arrest and Sports Injuries: What Parents Should Know By Donna M. Pacicca, MD: All parents of aspiring athletes think about their child’s safety—it’s only natural. But when events like what happened to Buffalo Bills’ Damar Hamlin take over the headlines, we can’t help but ask questions. Why did this football player’s heart stop on the field at just 24 years

Maximize Your Impact: Childhood Prosperity Lab By Jacquelyn Rose, MPH: By: Jacquelyn M. Rose, MPH and Paul Dworkin, MD Have you ever wondered what supports childhood prosperity? What is necessary to help children flourish, thrive and succeed? How to identify opportunities to enhance child health, development, and well-being? How to innovate

Medicaid Matters for Kids: Part 1 - What is Medicaid? By Jane Baird: Welcome to the first of a three-part blog series about a critical health care issue for children: Medicaid. As Senior Director of Government Relations and External Affairs, I spend a lot of time thinking about the Medicaid program because it plays a huge role at Connecticut

3 Steps to a Safe School Year for Children with Asthma By Jessica Hollenbach, PhD: As summer winds down and we look forward to a new school year, it's crucial to take steps to ensure your child with asthma is prepared for the return to school. One important task to complete in August is to update your child's Asthma Treatment Plan. Why the Asthma Treatment Plan

Back-to-School Photo Tips for Safer Sharing Back-to-school season is full of excitement, fresh routines, and those adorable first-day photos. Parents love capturing the moment, and it’s a fun way to share milestones with family and friends. In today’s digital world, though, it’s important to think about how to share safely

Racial Trauma, Radical Healing, and Hope By Paul Dworkin, MD: By: Paul Dworkin, MD Each year, Connecticut Children’s Office for Community Child Health (OCCH) has the privilege of inviting a speaker to deliver one of the University of Connecticut Department of Pediatrics’ weekly Grand Rounds lectures. The audience for this event includes

Meet Rachel: Making a Difference in Children’s Lives Through Excellent Care After working alongside Advanced Practice Providers (APP) for several years as a bedside nurse, Rachel Caplan, APRN, was inspired to go back to school. Now a nurse practitioner in Hospital Medicine, Rachel creates a genuine connection with patients and their families by

Signs Your Child Might Be Depressed or Anxious – and What to Do Next By Lauren K. Ayr-Volta, PhD: Over the last few years, some parents and pediatric experts have noticed an increase in youth anxiety and depression. For general advice on how to support your teen, check out Is Your Teen Stressed, Sad or Angry? They May Be Feeling Grief . If you’re wondering how you’ll know

The Pernicious Impact of COVID-19 on Children Demands Immediate Attention By Paul Dworkin, MD: By: Paul Dworkin, MD As a pediatrician working at a children’s hospital, I am profoundly grateful for the relatively modest direct effect of COVID-19 on children as compared to adults. My colleagues are as well. As noted by the CDC, while some children are sick with the disease

Beyond a Heart Transplant: Taylor's Story By Dennis Mello, MD: Every December, a familiar email arrives in the inbox of Taylor’s heart surgeon. It’s from “Aunt Ellen,” featuring the latest Christmas photo of Taylor and her cousins. Through the years, these photos have captured Taylor’s transformation from thoughtful child to determined teen