Past Department News & Events

Megan Moreno, MD, MSEd, MPH Awarded National Institutes of Health Funding

Posted: August 20, 2009

Megan Moreno, MD, MSEd, MPH, was recently awarded $312,600 over 2 years from the National Institutes of Health – National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism for her project, “Use of Social Networking Web sites for Problem Drinking Screening in Adolescents.” This study will pilot test the use of a social networking Web site to recruit adolescents for problem alcohol use screening. These Web sites are extremely popular among this age group and may be an untapped resource for identifying behaviors as well as providing communication and health information.

Dr. Robert Lemanske Awarded National Institutes of Health Funding

Posted: August 18, 2009

Robert Lemanske, MD and Xin Sun, PhD, from the Department of Genetics, received funding of $350,000/year for 5 years from the National Institutes of Health for their project, “Investigating Effects of Viral Infection of Lung Development.” This project will use animal and human models to investigate interactive effects of respiratory virus infections and host genetic factors on the developing lung, with the goal of increasing our ability to predict, prevent and treat recurrent wheezing and childhood asthma.

Dr. Bikash Pattnaik Awarded UW Eye Research Institute Funding

Posted: August 3, 2009

Bikash Pattnaik, PhD, was recently awarded $150,000 over 3 years from the UW Eye Research Institute’s Rebecca Meyer Brown/Retina Research Foundation Professorship for his project, “Mechanisms Underlying Kir7.1 Mutation Causing Snowflake Vitreoretinal Degeneration.” This study will address some of the pressing problems in Retinopathy of Prematurity. The disease blinding children is often detected late due to inaccessibility of visual testing.

Paul Sondel, MD, PhD, Receives MAACC Award

Posted: August 3, 2009

Paul Sondel, MD, PhD, was recently awarded $50,000 from the Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer for his project, “Development of intratumoral and systemic neuroblastoma therapy using Hu14.18-IL2 plus resveratrol and by controlled release with IPN.” The purpose of this project is to pursue ways that hu14.18-IL2 can be used in strategies that may have potent effects against macroscopic sites of disease while also eradicating microscopic distant metastases.

Dr. Kenneth DeSantes Awarded MAACC Funding

Posted: August 3, 2009

Kenneth DeSantes, MD, was recently awarded $50,000 from the Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer for, “Support for Clinical Research Infrastructure.” This project will support data management and coordination of clinical research for the American Family Children’s Hospital Pediatric Oncology Program and will help to develop and support novel clinical research initiatives.

Kenneth DeSantes, MD, also received $50,000 from the Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer for his project, “Reduced Intensity Haploidential Transplantation with NK Cell Infusions for Pediatric Acute Leukemia and High Risk Solid Tumors.” This study will assess the feasibility of utilizing a reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) regimen, in the setting of haploidentical transplantation, for patients with recurrent leukemia and high risk of refractory solid tumors.

Sinisa Dovat, MD, DSc, Receives MAACC Award

Posted: August 3, 2009

Sinisa Dovat, MD, DSc, was awarded $50,000 from the Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer for his project, “The Role of Ikaros in Malignant Transformation.” The goal of this project is to understand the mechanism by which Ikaros controls cellular proliferation, as Ikaros is essential for normal hematopoiesis and acts as a tumor suppressor.

Dr. Christine Seroogy Receives MAACC Funding

Posted: August 3, 2009

Christine Seroogy, MD, received $50,000 from the Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer for her project, “The Gene Related to Anergy in Lymphocytes, GRAIL, and its implications in tumor anergy.” This project hopes to give a more complete understanding of the context-dependent effects on CD25+ TR cells, which are critical in improving therapeutic strategies for boosting anti-tumor responses.

David Delgado, MD, Awarded MAACC Funding

Posted: August 3, 2009

David Delgado, MD, received $30,000 from the Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer for his project, “KIR-incompatible stem cell transplantation for pediatric osteosarcoma and other pediatric solid tumors: A preclinical model.” This pre-clinical study could provide the necessary information to allow KIR-incompatible stem cell transplantation as a viable treatment option for children with metastatic, recurrent or refractory solid tumors that have been unsuccessful with previous treatment strategies.

Dr. James Conway Awarded AAP Special Achievement Award

Posted: July 27, 2009

Congratulations to Jim Conway, MD, who was recently awarded the American Academy of Pediatrics’ (AAP) Special Achievement Award for distinguished service and dedication to the mission and goals of the Academy. Jim was noted for his leadership and tireless efforts related to immunization projects for the chapter and national AAP, as well as for the United States and around the world.

Dr. Sharon Bartosh Named Recipient of the University of Scranton’s Frank J. O’Hara Award

Posted: June 10, 2009

Dr. Sharon Bartosh received the University of Scranton’s Frank J. O’Hara Award for Medicine during the June 12 alumni reunion weekend on the Pennsylvania campus. The O’Hara Award is the highest award bestowed jointly by the university and the Alumni Society for outstanding achievements in a particular field or endeavor. Dr. Bartosh is medical director of the pediatric renal transplant program and has held leadership positions in the American Society of Transplantation and United Network for Organ Sharing.

Drs. Aaron Carrel and Vanessa Curtis Awarded Genentech Funding

Posted: June 8, 2009

Drs. Aaron Carrel and Vanessa Curtis were recently awarded a Genentech grant for their research project: “Contribution of cardiovascular fitness on adipokines may vary by ethnicity and gender.”

Dr. Navsaria Receives AAP's Special Achievement Award

Posted: June 5, 2009

Dipesh Navsaria, MPH, MSLIS, MD was named a recipient of the AAP's Special Achievement Award at the AAP District VI Meeting held June 4-7 in Chicago. Dr. Navsaria was recognized for his "distinguished service and dedication to the mission and goals of the Academy" for his work as the Wisconsin Chapter's resident liaison and resident CATCH* coordinator, his leading the Reach Out And Read program in his community, and his "ardent advocacy work to improve children's health.

Sunny Dovat, MD, Awarded R01 Grant

Posted: June 4, 2009

Congratulations to Sunny Dovat, MD, for his recently awarded R01 grant, "The Role of Zinc Finger Genes in Leukemogenesis," which has been funded by the National Cancer Insititute, at the maximum allowable modular grant funding level ($250,000 direct costs/year) for the next 5 years.

Steven Koslov, MD, Named Clinical Director of the Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine

Posted: May 14, 2009

The Department of Pediatrics is pleased to announce that Dr. Steve Koslov has been named Clinical Director of the Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (GPAM) in the Department of Pediatrics, effective July 1, 2009.

Steve has been a member of the faculty as a Clinical Assistant Professor since 1998; he was promoted to Clinical Professor in 2005. Prior to this, he was a member of the Physicians Plus Medical Group (PPMG) as well as a member of our department’s volunteer faculty since 1980. He is a graduate of the University of Missouri for his undergraduate as well as MD degrees, and he did his pediatric training here at the University of Wisconsin Children’s Hospital.

Since beginning his primary care pediatric practice in Madison more than 25 years ago, Steve has established a regional reputation as an excellent diagnostician and practitioner. In particular, he provides care to many children with complex and rare disorders while emphasizing early intervention and prevention in his general pediatric practice. He has been actively engaged in teaching of medical students and residents through the Generalist Partners Program and the Patient, Doctor and Society rotations as well as the General Team Attending at Meriter Hospital and UW. In recognition of his provision of excellent patient care, he has been recognized numerous times as “Dane County’s Favorite Pediatrician” and as one of “Madison’s Best Physicians.”

Steve has also assumed a variety of administrative responsibilities. In particular, he contributed to the integration process of PPMG and UWMF by serving on a number of committees, including the Primary Care Compensation Committee, the UWMF Budget Work Group, and the Department of Pediatrics Administrative Committee. In addition, Steve is the editor of “Growing Up Healthy,” a wonderful educational resource for parents that is widely used by pediatricians and family medicine clinics.

Faculty Promotions & Appointments

Posted: May 4, 2009

We are pleased to announce that the UW School of Medicine and Public Health CHS Appointment and Promotion Committee, and Dean Robert Golden, have approved the promotion to Associate Professor (CHS) for Kathleen Maginot, MD, and the promotion to Professor (CHS) for Greg Hollman, MD. Both promotions become effective July 1, 2009.

Appointments to Professor (CHS) were also approved for Lawrence Kaplan, MD, ScM, effective May 1, 2009, and Philip Giampietro, MD, PhD, effective July 1, 2009.

The Clinician-Teacher Track Faculty Appointment and Promotion Committee, and Dean Robert Golden have approved the promotion to Clinical Professor for Wendy Coleman, MD, effective July 1, 2009.

The Executive Committee of the Biological Sciences Committee approved the Appointment to Professor with Tenure for De-Ann Pillers, MD, PhD, effective April 1, 2009.

Wendy S. Coleman, MD	Philip F. Giampietro, MD, PhD	Gregory A. Hollman, MD	Lawrence C. Kaplan, MD, ScM	Kathleen R. Maginot, MD
De-Ann M. Pillers, MD, PhD

Dr. Lindsey Nicol Selected for European Society for Pediatric Endocrinology Summer Course

Posted: April 22, 2009

Lindsey Nicol, MD, was recently selected to participate in 23rd Summer School of the European Society for Pediatric Endocrinology. She was one of 36 highly merited fellows to be selected out of 160 applicants. The course aims to provide up to date basic and clinical teaching in selected areas of Pediatric Endocrinology, promote discussion and interactions between junior-senior pediatric endocrinologists and the pursuance of an academic track.

Doctors Go Bald to Benefit Childhood Cancer Research

Posted: March 30, 2009

It was a little after 5pm Thursday March 12 when John Hipps (left), David Delgado (center) and Ilia Buhtoiarov (right) bid farewell to their full heads of hair.

And they couldn't be happier with their decisions.

The three pediatric oncologists from American Family Children's Hospital donned green aprons, sat in the brightly lit studio of Ch. 15 in Madison during the evening news, and with cameras rolling, had their hair mowed down until they were completely bald.

The head shavings were done to benefit the St. Baldrick's Foundation, which raises money to support childhood cancer programs and research. The trio raised money through pledges from family, friends and organizations. This year, the organization hopes to raise $20 million and encourage 35,000 men and women to participate as "shavees."

Buhtoiarov, who came to Wisconsin after working as an oncologist in Kurdistan, was more than happy to lose his dark, curly locks for a good cause.

"As an oncologist, I know what it's like to battle cancer from a patient's standpoint," he said. "It is very difficult to explain to children why they have to lose their hair through chemotherapy. By doing this, we are trying to bring ourselves closer to the patients by showing them it isn't scary. It's just an event in their lives they can go through and successfully."

"I get to work with these families and help take care of their kids throughout the whole process," said Hipps, a native of North Carolina. "But doing something like this actually says you support these kids not just in terms of being a medical doctor, but also in terms of being another human being."

Delgado, who was born in Chillicothe, Illinois, also said losing his hair was his way of showing support for kids who lose theirs through cancer treatment.

"We are showing that we are willing to unite with them to help improve their health and raise money and awareness for pediatric cancer," he said.

While none of the volunteers considered going bald to be a "hair-raising" experience, a few had some concerns.

"I'm not really nervous about losing my hair, because it will grow back, I think," said Hipps. "However, I will be concerned if the weather gets colder in the next couple of weeks."

Kenneth DeSantes, MD, Awarded Project Funding from Solving Kids Cancer Organization

Posted: March 26, 2009

Kenneth DeSantes, MD, was recently awarded $80,000 from Solving Kids Cancer for his project, “Reduced Intensity Haploidentical Transplantation with NK Cell Infusion for Pediatric Acute Leukemia and High Risk Solid Tumors.” This one-year project is a pilot study to test the safety and anti-tumor efficacy of a reduced intensity haploidentical (parental donors) stem cell transplant regimen with natural killer (NK) cell infusions to treat children with high-risk and recurrent tumors.

Dr. Daniel Jackson Receives AAAAI GSK Fellows Career Development Award

Posted: March 26, 2009

Daniel Jackson, MD, recently received $50,000 from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) as a recipient for the 2009 AAAAI GSK Fellows Career Development Award. This project will study the clinical severity and manifestations of Rhinovirus infections throughout childhood and early adolescents.

Pamela Kling, MD, Receives Thrasher Research Funding

Posted: March 26, 2009

Pamela Kling, MD, was recently awarded $150,000 over 3 years from Thrasher Research fund for her project, “Early Screening and Interventions for Infants At-Risk for Iron Deficiency.” This project will study iron deficiency in infancy and the effect that delayed umbilical cord clamping at birth has on long-term infant iron status.

Susan Heighway, MS, PNP-BC, APNP and Susan Webster, MSSW, LCSW Publish Social Skills Training Guide

Posted: February 6, 2009

In December 2008, the S.T.A.R.S. guidebook, written by Susan Heighway, MS, PNP-BC, APNP and Susan Webster, MSSW, LCSW at the Waisman Center, was published by Future Horizons, Inc. This guidebook focuses on comprehensive sexuality education for individuals with developmental disabilities and is to be used by support providers to design and provide a sexuality education program based on the individual's learning needs and style.

For more information, please visit the Future Horizons website.

Dr. Peter Ferrazzano Named 2009 UW Institute for Clinical and Translational Research (ICTR) KL2 Scholar

Posted: January 7, 2009

Peter Ferrazzano, MD, has been named as one of the 2009 UW Institute for Clinical and Translational Research (ICTR) KL2 scholars. This award provides funding for 75% protected time for a minimum of two years.

Dr. Megan Moreno Published in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine

Posted: January 7, 2009

Megan Moreno, MD, was first author of an article published in the January 2009 issue of Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, "Display of Health Risk Behaviors on MySpace by Adolescents," that has generated spin-off recognition by local television, and national exposure in several places, including cnnhealth.com and the New York Times.

Dr. Sinisa Dovat Receives University of Wisconsin-Graduate School Fall Research Competition Award

Posted: January 7, 2009

Sinisa Dovat, MD, was recently awarded $39,113 from the University of Wisconsin-Graduate School Fall Research Competition for his project, “Molecular Pathogenesis of T Cell Leukemia.” The objective of this study is to understand the molecular pathogenesis of T cell leukemia by identifying the biological functions of the Ikaros tumor suppressor protein.

Dr. Sinisa Dovat Awarded University of Wisconsin-Medical School Research Committee Funding

Posted: January 7, 2009

Sinisa Dovat, MD, was recently awarded $15,000 from the University of Wisconsin-Medical School Research Committee for his project, “Regulation of Ikaros Tumor Suppressor Activity.” This project will assist in the understanding of normal hematopoiesis and the malignant transformation of hematopoietic cells by identifying the biological functions of Ikaros protein.

Dr. Christine Sorenson Receives American Heart Association Midwest Grant-in-Aid Award

Posted: January 7, 2009

Christine Sorenson, PhD, was recently awarded $143,000 over 2 years for her project, “Thrombospondin1 and Diabetic Nephropathy” through the American Heart Association Midwest Grant-in-Aid program. The goal of this project is to understand the role of Thomrobospondin1 in renal vascular homeostasis and its contribution to complications of diabetes, which will lead to the development of advanced treatments.

Dr. De-Ann Pillers Receives Meriter Foundation Award

Posted: January 7, 2009

De-Ann Pillers, MD, PhD, was recently awarded $65,743 from the Meriter Foundation to support core equipment for a Neonatal Simulation Laboratory. The Neonatal Simulation Laboratory will provide training on common resuscitation scenarios as well as nearly any critical infant scenario that occurs in the Neonatal ICU.

Dr. Julie Kessel Promotion Approved

Posted: December 15, 2008

We are pleased to announce that the UW School of Medicine and Public Health CHS Appointment and Promotion Committee, and Dean Robert Golden, have approved the promotion to Associate Professor (CHS) for Julie Kessel, MD, effective July 1, 2009.

Dr. Paul Sondel Awarded “Abbie’s Fund” Foundation Funding

Posted: December 4, 2008

Paul Sondel, MD, PhD, was recently awarded $29,523 for his project, “Destruction of Neuroblastoma via Synapse Formation with the Novel Therapeutic Immunocytokine: hu14.18-IL2” through “Abbie’s Fund” Foundation. This research will assist in the development of clinically relevant strategies to improve the anti-tumor efforts of hu14.18-IL2 (an anti-neuroblastoma antibody).

Dr. Paul Sondel Awarded American Family Children’s Hospital-Cure Kids Cancer Patient and Family Support Award

Posted: December 4, 2008

Paul Sondel, MD, PhD, was recently awarded $20,000 from the American Family Children’s Hospital-Cure Kids Cancer Patient and Family Support Fund for his project, “Combining hu14.18-IL2 Immunotherapy and Resveratrol for Neuroblastoma Treatment.” This project will evaluate the effects of Resveratrol on the immune system and its ability to work with hu14.18-IL2 (an anti-neuroblastoma antibody) in promoting tumor regression.

Kristin Casey Receives American Family Children’s Hospital-Cure Kids Cancer Patient and Family Support Award

Posted: December 4, 2008

Kristin Casey, NP, was recently awarded $6,000 from the American Family Children’s Hospital-Cure Kids Cancer Patient and Family Support Fund for the acquisition of educational materials for families. These funds will provide each newly diagnosed patient and family, as well as the patient’s school, an educational binder and supplemental materials on cancer.

Dr. Judy Smith Elected to the Society for Pediatric Research (SPR)

Posted: December 4, 2008

Congratulations to Judy Smith, MD, PhD, on her recent election to the Society for Pediatric Research (SPR). Dr. Smith is a recent ICTR Dean’s Scholar recipient.

SPR actively supports the development of future pediatric scientists by our sponsorship of a student research-training program and recognizes outstanding research achievements in pediatrics through SPR sponsored awards.

Dr. David Bernhardt Receives American Academy of Pediatrics’ Education Award

Posted: October 23, 2008

David Bernhardt, MD, was a recent recipient of the 2008 American Academy of Pediatrics’ Education Award. The award recognizes a member of the Academy whose career reflects educational contributions that have a broad and positive impact on the health and well-being of children and adolescents. Dr. Bernhardt was recognized for his award at the Academy’s national conference in Boston, MA.

Dr. Peter Ferrazzano Receives UW’s Institute for Clinical and Translational (ICTR) Pilot Grant

Posted: October 15, 2008

Peter Ferrazzano, MD, was a recent recipient of UW’s Institute for Clinical and Translational (ICTR) pilot grant. His award, which provides $50,000 for one year, was given for his submitted project, “Real-time MRI in Pediatric Ischemic Brain Injury.” This collaborative project will examine the role of cellular ion transport proteins in cytotoxic edema formation after reperfusion of neuronal tissue following ischemia.

Dr. Sinisa Dovat Receives UW’s Institute for Clinical and Translational (ICTR) Pilot Grant

Posted: October 15, 2008

Sinisa (Sunny) Dovat, MD, was also a recent recipient of a UW Institute for Clinical and Translational (ICTR) pilot grant. His type 1 pilot project is titled, “Pathogenesis of Childhood Leukemia” and proposes to understand the molecular mechanisms that lead to T cell leukemia, specifically by investigating the tumor-suppressing activity of the DNA binding protein, lkaros.