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In this episode, I'm with Dr. Dharshana Krishna-Prasahd, a Pediatric Emergency Medicine physician at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, about this year's flu season and recommended best practices for managing flu in kids. Below are links to the AAP technical report, the policy statement summary, and the CDC's shorter resource with antiviral dosing and administration recommendations. The WHO Summary provides information on global trends this season.

AAP Recommendations for Prevention and Control of Influenza in Children, 2025–2026: Technical Report

AAP Recommendations for Prevention and Control of Influenza in Children, 2025–2026: Policy Statement

CDC Summary on Influenza Antivirals

WHO Disease Outbreak News: Seasonal Influenza - Global Situation

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In this episode, I speak with Shannon Taylor, a certified Child Life Specialist, about creating child-friendly healthcare experiences. We discuss physical space and tools, verbiage to use when preparing kids and families for procedures, and broader applications of Child Life principles for families and even our adult patients.

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In this episode, I'm speaking with Dr. Monica Federico, Professor of Pediatrics and Pulmonary Medicine and Medical Director of Population Health at the University of Colorado. We review the anticipated effects on pediatric and general health care from the recently passed federal budget reconciliation bill. She breaks down the finances and the anticipated timeline for the rollout of budget cuts, and we discuss various strategies for advocating for patients who will be affected. Below are some resources for those who would like to read more about the bill and its effects, and links to ACEP and AAP resources for advocacy at the local, state, and federal levels.

Kaiser Family Foundation - provides information about healthcare policy and funding. This link is to rural health fund-specific information: https://www.kff.org/medicaid/issue-brief/a-closer-look-at-the-50-billion-rural-health-fund-in-the-new-reconciliation-law/

ACEP 911 Grassroots Network for weekly policy and advocacy updates: https://www.acep.org/federal-advocacy/federal-advocacy-overview/advocacy-action-center/acc-article-pages/911-grassroots-network

AAP Advocacy Guides (choose from a variety of issues affecting U.S. children for which the AAP offers advocacy advice and opportunities): https://www.aap.org/en/advocacy/?srsltid=AfmBOopJKq3IEqS8-MmgWi4c0MKidQP-ksWx02uwZ_6ISHwTba_e2nl_

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In this episode, I speak again with Dr. Jay Pershad, a PEM physician with a career's experience in pediatric sedation and analgesia as well as hospital sedation services. We discuss several current and seminal articles - the reference list was too long to include in this episode description, but feel free to message me for the list in order of appearance. Dr. Pershad was willing to share his contact information here for anyone who has further questions about sedation/analgesia and sedation programs: jpershad@cnmc.org

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In this episode, I meet with Dr. Mike Falk, a Pediatric Emergency Medicine physician with extensive experience providing medical care in combat zones. We discuss the scope and realities of children affected by war, readiness in conflict situations, maintaining safety as a healthcare provider in conflict and disaster situations, and how to support children affected by conflict. Below are medical literature and policy statements referenced by Dr. Falk during this episode.

Note: Dr. Falk mentions "RAF" when talking about Sudan, but is referring to RSF (Rapid Support Forces), a Sudanese paramilitary group, not to be confused with Britain's Royal Air Force.

1. Ayesha Kadir, Sherry Shenoda, Jeffrey Goldhagen, Shelly Pitterman, SECTION ON INTERNATIONAL CHILD HEALTH, Parminder S. Suchdev, Kevin J. Chan, Cynthia R. Howard, Patrick McGann, Nicole E. St Clair, Katherine Yun, Linda D. Arnold; The Effects of Armed Conflict on Children. Pediatrics December 2018; 142 (6): e20182586. 10.1542/peds.2018-2586

2. Molloy, E.J., Bearer, C.F. Advocacy for children in global conflicts: the value of children in our world. Pediatr Res 95, 1386–1387 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-024-03044-3

3. Shenoda S, Kadir A, Pitterman S, Goldhagen J; SECTION ON INTERNATIONAL CHILD HEALTH. The Effects of Armed Conflict on Children. Pediatrics. 2018 Dec;142(6):e20182585. doi: 10.1542/peds.2018-2585. Epub 2018 Nov 5. PMID: 30397166.

4. Ferrara P, Cammisa I, Zona M, Corsello G, Giardino I, Vural M, Pastore M, Bali D, Pettoello-Mantovani M. The Global Issue of Violence Toward Children in the Context of War. J Pediatr. 2024 Jun;269:114007. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2024.114007. Epub 2024 Mar 7. PMID: 38458606.

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In this episode, I speak with Dr. Steve Eppes, a Pediatric Infectious Disease specialist, about the rising rates and re-emergence of various vaccine-preventable diseases. We discuss who is at risk, how and when to test for and diagnose these illnesses, and challenges and creative solutions to infection control in our hospitals and clinics.

Below is a link to the Texas Department of State Health and Human Services page, which has compiled CDC recommendations for vaccination, testing and PEP, ongoing tracking of cases, infographics that can be printed into posters or handouts, and parent, school, and clinic resources regarding measles (I have no financial interest or association with the Texas DHHS, just found this to be a thorough, consolidated resource).

https://www.dshs.texas.gov/measles

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This is the second of a two-part series on medical ethics with Dr. Kristina Brumme. In this episode, we discuss ethics in prehospital decision-making, resuscitation and termination protocols, debriefing and conversations around death and poor outcomes, the ethics of trainees in medicine, and navigating rapidly shifting laws and policies about medical care. Below are some of the studies Dr. Brumme referenced in the podcast:

CARES study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39299508/

Yale qualitative study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28376068/

Parental consent for emergency medical services: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21788221/

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In this episode, the first of a two-part series, I speak with Dr. Kristina Brumme, who is a Pediatric Emergency Medicine physician with expertise in medical ethics. This episode focuses on the frameworks of ethical principles, coercion vs. persuasion in health decisions, end-of-life decisions, the ethics of pediatric readiness, and our duty as subspecialists to partner with and provide support to hospitals and health systems that do not have high levels of resources. Below is one of the AAP Policy Statements relevant to our discussions:

Weise KL, Okun AL, Carter BS, Christian CW; COMMITTEE ON BIOETHICS; SECTION ON HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE MEDICINE; COMMITTEE ON CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT. Guidance on Forgoing Life-Sustaining Medical Treatment. Pediatrics. 2017 Sep;140(3):e20171905. doi: 10.1542/peds.2017-1905. PMID: 28847979.