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Social Innovation Spotlight: Lactation Innovations Social innovators, also known as changemakers, seek to address social needs by developing new and improved practices compared to existing solutions. Changemakers have made significant contributions in areas such as working conditions, education, community development, health, and

We Must Address Basic Needs During and After COVID-19 By Erin Pastor, MD: By: Erin Pastor, MD I am a pediatric resident physician on the brink of graduation. The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly altered everything I learned during my medical training. In particular, my outlook on how best to support patients has forever changed and I have increased

Breast Milk for NICU Babies: A Guide for New Parents By Annmarie Golioto, MD, IBCLC, FAAP: Breastfeeding your baby in the NICU can be a wonderful way to bond with your child and provide them with the best possible nutrition. But it can also be challenging because so many medically complex babies have trouble feeding at the beginning of their life. Here is a guide from

Bridging Healthcare and Food Insecurity: A Unified Approach By Nancy Trout, MD: With food insecurity on the rise in Connecticut, the Start Childhood Off Right program, part of Connecticut Children's Office for Community Child Health, is dedicated to providing essential support to families in need. Food insecurity—defined as the economic and social condition

SparkDC: A Platform for Innovation By Annika Anderson: 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

Center for Global Health Supports Children in Africa By Adam Silverman, MD: By: Adam Silverman, MD Children living in resource-limited countries have the same hopes and dreams as children in Connecticut, but they often lack the same opportunities due to where they were born. As the Director of Connecticut Children’s Center for Global Health, I enjoy

Does My Child Need a COVID-19 Booster Shot? By Juan C. Salazar, MD, MPH, FAAP: This post was last updated May 17, 2022. You ask, we answer. In each edition of “ Ask a Pediatrician ,” Connecticut Children’s pediatric experts respond to a question from our community. The CDC and FDA authorized the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine primary series and booster for anyone

Keeping Kids Safe from Ticks in Connecticut: A Step-by-Step Guide for Parents By Andrew Carlson, MD: This article was last updated in April 2025 for accuracy. Getting kids outdoors is one of the best things you can do for their health. But time outside comes with risks—including ticks, which are more active than ever and spreading across Connecticut in new ways. Ticks can carry

An Integrative Outlook on STEAM Education By Annika Anderson: By: Annika Anderson, MPH As summer winds down, you are likely preparing the children in your lives for the 2022-2023 academic school year. Experts at Connecticut Children’s are thinking about what back to school looks like, too. Professionals recommend fixing healthy snacks

Omicron FAQs: Is the New Variant More of a Risk to Infants and Toddlers? What About Vaccinated Kids? By John R. Schreiber, MD, MPH: This post was last updated January 19, 2022. Right around the time your family was celebrating Thanksgiving, you probably heard news about a new variant in the COVID-19 pandemic. The Omicron variant is now surging around the world, including in the U.S. Scientists are racing to

Meet James: Finding Inspiration in Little Miracles For James Gerace, PA-C, providing the best care and emotional support to the parents and family members of babies boils down to doing what’s right as a professional. As a physician assistant in the NICU, James enjoys the variety it provides. His favorite part is seeing the

Why Your Child Might Need a Pediatric Hematologist-Oncologist: 10 Expert Reasons By Emily Vistica Sampino, MD: When your child is referred to a specialist, naturally you have questions. This is especially true if the specialist has a title you may not hear every day, like a “pediatric hematologist/oncologist.” But a referral doesn’t necessarily mean something serious. In many cases, it’s

Walk to Work Program Connects Hartford Residents to Jobs By Luis Rivera: By: Luis Rivera, MSW How did you learn about the SINA Walk to Work program? Jessica Rios : I learned about the SINA Walk to Work Program through friends on social media who connected me with Elsa Huertas, the Career Navigator who manages the program. Esther Figueroa : Luis, I’m

Supporting Agencies Responding to COVID-19 By Jacquelyn Rose, MPH: By: Jacquelyn M. Rose, MPH We find ourselves in unprecedented times due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Understandably, you and your organization are working furiously to pivot existing strategies and develop new ones to support the evolving needs of children and families in responding

Level Up Your Video Game Knowledge: An Interview with a Child Life Gaming & Technology Specialist By Annie Goldsnider: The world of video gaming offers so much! Did you know Connecticut Children’s Child Life team works with families during hospital stays to encourage therapeutic video game play? That’s because, with the support of Child’s Play Charity, we have a Gaming & Technology Specialist