CONSORTIUM NEWS
Spring 2024 Meeting
Big thank you to the team at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals for hosting the WPSRC spring 2024 meeting in Oakland, CA! The group had very productive sessions regarding ongoing projects and reviewed the string of accomplishments since the Fall meeting in San Diego, with several new publications and upcoming podium presentations. We are very excited that the Western Pediatric Cervical Spine Study continues to enroll patients at an accelerating pace, with over 50 participating centers across the United States. Finally, WPSRC held elections for the new leadership term and is also working to select the host site of the next Research Fellow (2026-2028).
Pacific Coast Surgical Association: New Member Prize Award
Dr. Olivia Keane and Dr. Lorraine Kelley-Quon (CHLA) were awarded the New Member Prize at PCSA for their work showing an increase in cholecystectomy during the Covid pandemic.
Research Featured on Stay Current Podcast
Dr. Elizabeth Fialkowski’s colon bundle article, that was published in the Journal of Pediatric Surgery January 2023 APSA Issue, was discussed on the Stay Current Pediatric Surgery Podcast alongside editor Dr. Romeo Ignacio
Spring 2023 Meeting
Thank you to the leadership at Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital for hosting a productive meeting in Utah. The consortium continues to make progress on multiple clinical studies. The interim analysis for the prospective study evaluating transanastomotic tube in TEF has been completed and the study will continue to enroll. The prospective c-spine study is steadily enrolling, and it is projected to reach its goal by late 2024. The chest tube survey study is nearing completion, and plans have been set to begin prospective data collection in 2024.
The consortium would also like to welcome Melissa Nash as the team’s social media manager.
Research Fellowship Opportunity
The Western Pediatric Surgery Research Consortium is excited to announce a new research fellowship. This will be a 2-year research commitment to the WPSRC housed at the University of Utah and Primary Children’s Hospital starting July 2024. We expect this person to fulfill a combination of clinical, research, and academic requirements during their tenure. The fellowship will include clinical call and a Master’s Degree. This person should have completed at least 2 years of general surgery training. Feel free to reach out if you have questions about this program.
If interested, please send a CV, cover letter, and a letter of support from your institution to Katie Russell, MD. Applications are due by March 1, 2023.
Western Pediatric Surgery Research Consortium Scholar
100N. Mario Capecchi Dr.
Salt Lake City, UT 84113
Director: Katie W. Russell, MD
Director’s Email: katie.russell@hsc.utah.edu
Director’s Phone: (801) 557-6295
Additional Contact: Kezlyn Larsen
Additional Contact Email: kezlyn.larsen@hsc.utah.edu
Additional Contact Phone: (801) 662-2989
Available Positions Beginning Academic Year 2024: 1
Click here to view listing: Western Pediatric Surgery Research Consortium Scholar
Fall 2022 Meeting
Thank you to the team at Lucile Packard’s Children’s Hospital at Stanford University for hosting a constructive conference in Palo Alto. Dr. Benjamin Padilla in his new role as chair, proposed a business plan for the future functioning of the Western Pediatric Surgery Research Consortium. Dr. Katie Russell, in her role as secretary, has played an organizing presence in Consortium voting and tracking of Consortium achievements. Dr. Samir Pandya, the Consortium treasurer, has taken responsibility and established the Consortium’s new nonprofit to raise funds for future research. Additionally, thank you to all who attended for their continued involvement and support.
The Consortium continues to grow in its capability and intellectual contribution. Dr. Elizabeth Fialkowski’s “Colon Bundle” Study has been accepted for publication in the January 2023 edition of JPS. Dr. David Rothstein’s new study proposal to observe the use of chest tubes post lung resection was accepted by the Consortium. The Consortium also plans to pursue Dr. Russell’s and Dr. Ostlie’s prospective study proposal, put forth to determine the factors influencing bar migration after the Nuss procedure.
University of Colorado News Coverage
The University of Colorado wrote a brief story about The Consortium’s recent publication on the Vape study.
Spring 2022 Meeting
The Consortium resumes semi-annual meetings! Thank you to the leadership at Children’s Medical Center for hosting a productive meeting in Dallas. The Consortium would like to acknowledge Dr. Kasper Wang for his leadership as chair. His tenure was marked by continued growth and productivity despite the many challenges posed by the COVID pandemic. The Consortium elected new leadership: Dr. Benjamin Padilla, chair, Dr. Katie Russell, secretary, and Dr. Samir Pandya, treasurer.
The Consortium continues meeting important milestones. Dr. Elizabeth Fialkowski will present the Consortium’s work on “Colon Bundle” at APSA 2022 plenary session. Dr. Katie Russell formed a collaboration between WPSRC and Western Trauma Association for the prospective study of C-spine clearance in children. Dr. Aaron Jensen leads the Consortium’s study of C-spine clearnce in obtunded children and the utility of limited sequence MRI.
American College of Surgeons Press Release and Media Coverage
American College of Surgeons posted a press release to highlight the WPSRC opioid quality improvement project, which was also covered by Yahoo! and Medscape.
Fall 2021 Virtual Meeting
The consortium continues to meet virtually given the ongoing COVID pandemic. The consortium continues to make progress on multiple clinical projects. The prospective study evaluating transanastomotic tube in TEF has nearly reached 50% enrollment. In addition, the consortium is evaluating its collective experience of pediatric ECMO for COVID-19 respiratory failure. The consortium is also taking on important studies regarding the evaluation of cervical spine injuries in children.
WPSRC to Present at 2021 Pacific Coast Surgical
"A Multi-Institutional Quality Improvement Project to Minimize Opioid Prescribing in Children after Appendectomy Using NSQIP-Pediatric" was chosen as one of the 10 best abstracts for PCS. Dr. Kelley-Quon to present at the plenary session.
Welcomes UT Southwestern Children’s Medical Center
UTSW Children’s Medical Center joins WPSRC, further expanding the Consortium’s clinical and research expertise and clinical volume.
Fall 2020 Virtual Meeting
Despite the challenges presented by COVID-19, the Consortium continues to move forward with its important work, making progress with two prospective RCTs and numerous quality improvement projects and retrospective studies.
Spring 2020 Virtual Meeting Hosted by Primary Children’s and University of Utah
In light of the COVID-19 crisis, the WPSRC Spring 2020 was held as a virtual meeting. Volume-Outcome Relationships in Kasai and NSQIP-Opioid Reduction projects wrapping up. WPSRC prepares to launch new study evaluating diagnostic and treatment algorithms for pediatric choledocholithiasis.
Spring 2019 Meeting Set for Los Angeles, CA
Our Spring 2019 meeting is coming up! It will be in Los Angeles, CA.
Fall 2018 Meeting Success!
WPSRC Fall 2018 meeting in Portland, OR was a success. Data collection for the Volume-Outcome Relationships in Kasai project is well underway. In addition, the first prospective RCT the consortium has tackled will use a centralized SMART-IRB, setting a precedent that will facilitate future trials.