New Medical Staff
Medical Staff
- Anish Abrol, MD, Otolaryngology
- Jeffrey Beck, MD, Palliative Medicine
- Kristin Bernhart, MD, Psychiatry
Spotting Neonatal Cholestasis Early: A Q&A With Dr. Pamela Valentino
Dr. Pamela Valentino
Dr. Valentino is Medical Director of the Liver Transplantation Program, and Liver & Intestinal Failure Clinical Center Director. She joined Seattle Children’s in March 2022.
Q: What is neonatal cholestasis and why is early detection important?
Neonatal cholestasis is a condition that occurs in babies within the first few weeks of life where bile flow from the liver is disrupted. While neonatal jaundice is common, conjugated hyperbilirubinemia is infrequent but can indicate a severe underlying problem such as biliary atresia. A timely diagnosis helps us provide the surgical management that can prevent the need for liver transplantation. Unfortunately, we estimate that half or more of all babies in the PNW with cholestasis aren’t diagnosed in a timely manner.
Upcoming Epilepsy Symposium, and Top Five Reasons to Refer Your Epilepsy Patient to Seattle Children’s
Epilepsy Symposium on September 17
Seattle Children’s will host an Epilepsy Symposium, “Improving Pediatric Epilepsy Outcomes: Advances in Diagnosis, Management and Treatment,” on Saturday, September 17, 2022, at Sand Point Learning Center in Seattle. More than a dozen doctors from our Epilepsy Program will discuss best practices and novel approaches to managing and treating epilepsy in children and teens.
The symposium is open to doctors, advanced practice providers and other medical professionals who care for pediatric patients with epilepsy. If you know parents or caregivers who may be interested, the symposium is open to them also. See the flyer.
Seattle Children’s Expands Pediatric Cancer and Blood Disorders Outpatient Services in a New State-of-the-Art Clinic Space
Beginning in fall 2022, pediatric, adolescent and young adult patients with cancer and blood disorders in the greater Pacific Northwest will be cared for at a new state-of-the-art facility specifically designed for transformative, patient-centered care.
COVID-19 and Capacity Updates
Regional Capacity Situation Update
- Hospitals across the state have been reporting high occupancy for several months. Most major systems are well over 100% inpatient & ICU capacity. The region is also seeing high sustained PICU census.
- Hospitals serving adults are the most impacted and are reporting extreme levels of Emergency Department boarding and use of auxiliary spaces such as conference rooms for patient care.
- Staffing constraints at many hospitals are further impacting bed availability.
- Following sustained high transmission of COVID-19 in our region, we are finally seeing a plateau in transmission.
Meet Dr. Andre Dick, Surgeon-in-Chief and Kidney Surgical Director
Dr. André Dick
Dr. André Dick is Seattle Children’s senior vice president and surgeon-in-chief and serves as surgical director of the pediatric kidney transplant program. Dr. Dick became Seattle Children’s interim senior vice president and surgeon-in-chief in May 2021, then assumed the role permanently in March 2022. He’s a transplant surgeon but also a natural leader with big goals to address social determinants of health and provide equitable access for all our patients. He strives to be a beacon for those who are underrepresented in surgical and leadership roles.
Choosing the Right Transport Team
When a baby or young child needs to be transported to Seattle Children’s from another care facility, their referring provider may choose the closest available transport option without considering if its ambulance is specifically equipped to safely handle the smallest patients. Chris Baker, a site surveyor for the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems, as well as the clinical manager of Seattle Children’s Critical Care Transport, says, “If you’re going to a specialty hospital, it really makes sense to send a specialty team.”
Washington’s Free Mental Health Referral Service for Children and Teens: Update on Wait Times for Families and BIPOC Provider Access
Washington’s free referral service connecting kids with mental health therapists has expanded this year to meet rising demand. With new state funding, Washington’s Mental Health Referral Service for Children and Teens this summer added two referral specialists and an intake coordinator.
Wait times: Currently, the service is able to schedule an intake call for families with Medicaid within a few days to a week of the initial request. Privately insured families typically will have an intake appointment within two weeks. Times are subject to change.
CMEs, Conferences and Education Events
CMEs and Events
- What’s New in Medicine 2022. Friday, September 9 and Saturday, September 10, 2022. This hybrid CME meeting and workshop offers all-day sessions on infectious diseases, internal medicine and pediatrics. See the event brochure.
