Pediatric faculty and residents present at state conference

By Casandra Andrews 

Pediatric faculty members from the Whiddon College of Medicine and resident physicians at USA Health recently delivered several presentations and served on panels at the fall meeting of the Alabama Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AL-AAP) in Birmingham.  

Laxman Aryal, M.D.; Katie Williams, D.O.; and Kamal

Sharma, M.D. 

Kamal P. Sharma, M.D., FAAP, a pediatric critical care physician and associate professor of pediatrics, and Kari A. Bradham, D.O., a pediatrician at USA Health and an assistant professor of pediatrics, shared information with other pediatricians from around the state during the meeting. 

Sharma presented details about the overall management of a pediatric tracheostomy tube patient. “With tracheostomy tube placement and chronic ventilation becoming increasingly common in pediatric practice, it is essential for general pediatricians to be well-versed in the fundamentals of tracheostomy care,” Sharma said. “This includes understanding the indications, timing, and procedures for tracheostomy placement, expected duration of PICU stay, and post-discharge management considerations.”  

Beyond the technical aspects, tracheostomy care involves significant psychosocial challenges, he said, noting that families often face emotional and social stigma and may struggle with acceptance and readiness. In those circumstances, pediatricians who have built long relationships and trust with families can help in facilitating shared decision-making, providing emotional support, and coordinating multidisciplinary care. 

Bradham took part in an expert panel discussion on how to integrate early hearing detection into a pediatric practice that also included details on intervention for hearing issues as it relates to the primary care pediatrician in practice. 

Saswat Jha, M.D.; Benjamin Estrada, M.D.; and

LaDonna Crews, M.D.

The Alabama Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics leadership decided to include a forum at the fall meeting for medical students and residents to present their research, according to LaDonna Crews, M.D., associate professor of family medicine and adjunct associate professor of pediatrics. “This initiative provides trainees with professional development opportunities, including learning how to present at a medical meeting, networking, and collaborating with colleagues.” She noted that early involvement in a professional organization can offer lifelong resources throughout someone’s career. These meetings help providers expand knowledge in pediatrics, exchange ideas, and understand the importance of advocacy for the patients they serve, Crews said. 

Katie Williams, D.O., FAAP, a pediatric gastroenterologist at USA Health and assistant professor of pediatrics at the Whiddon College of Medicine, and several pediatric residents, presented a clinical poster at the conference. Williams served as mentor and senior author on a poster presentation titled “Mononucleosis Masquerade: A Cautionary Tale in The Diagnosis of Pediatric Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis." “Immunosuppressing while a patient is acutely ill with a virus causing liver failure may seem counter-intuitive, but this is the lifesaving treatment for HLH required for survival,” Williams said. “It was an interesting case, and the patient is doing very well and thriving.” 

Kamal Sharma, M.D.; Laxman Aryal, M.D.; Bijay

Shrestha, M.D.; Saswat Jha, M.D.

Pediatric residents who also presented at the meeting included Saswat Jha M.D., Bijay Shrestha M.D., and Laxman Aryal, M.D.  

The AL-AAP is a professional organization representing more than 1,000 pediatricians across the state. The group advocates for the health and well-being of Alabama’s infants, children, adolescents, and young adults through education, policy development, and community partnerships. In addition to supporting physicians through continuing medical education and clinical resources, the chapter works to influence public policy on issues such as immunizations, child safety, nutrition, and access to healthcare.