Inside Pediatrics Spring 2023

A t Children’s of Alabama, we take pride in treating our patients with exceptional care no matter the circumstances. In many cases, we use innovative strategies to help children and solve problems. In this issue of Inside Pediatrics, you’ll read about some of the ways we’re achieving those goals. Our method for treating snakebites provides a great example. Snakebites present unique challenges for patients and doctors. That’s why Children’s and the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) worked together to create our Comprehensive Snakebite Program. A first-of-its-kind concept, it offers a multidisciplinary approach to snakebite care, including one of the nation’s first dedicated snakebite follow-up clinics, where patients have access to wound care experts, toxicologists, pharmacists and physical therapists. Our nephrology team is attacking another challenge— building the proper diet for children with kidney failure. It’s a tricky diet to manage, but our Food is Medicine program introduces parents to the safest foods, teaches them how to cook with them and even provides the ingredients for families in need. Our researchers are always working to discover more effective ways to treat patients. Neurologist Michael Lopez, M.D., Ph.D., is studying a novel pathway involved in the development and progression of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. He recently received a Career Development Award worth nearly $1 million from the National Institute of Neurologic Disorders and Stroke to fund his research.

Meanwhile, the research done by neonatologists Charitharth Vivek Lal, M.D., and Vivek Shukla, M.D., is providing a better

perspective on how to care for extremely premature infants.

We’re also providing better care through technology, including our urology team’s da Vinci

surgical robot, which arrived in December.

With the robot, our surgeons can offer minimally invasive surgery that results in a quicker recovery time. Its arrival makes the entire hospital better—other surgery teams in addition to urology are already using it.

In everything we do, our team is committed to excellence. It’s one of the defining characteristics of the great people who work here. You’ll see it highlighted throughout this issue of Inside Pediatrics.

Children’s of Alabama 1600 7th Avenue South Birmingham, Alabama 35233

(205) 638-9100 childrensal.org

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