CONTENTS
It starts with a
A letter from a fellow questioner at Children ’ s Hospital Colorado
Dear colleagues ,
Certain social determinants of health , such as where a child lives or what education they receive , will forever remain beyond our control . And yet , pediatric care providers are pivotal players in the circumstances that can improve children ’ s lives forever . How do we ensure equity for all patients , even as they face inequity beyond our walls ?
In my role as Vice Chair of Diversity , Equity and Inclusion at Children ’ s Hospital Colorado , I believe our efforts in advancing justice begin with our team members . For example , we train providers on identifying and navigating racism in clinical interactions through the Black Health Initiative , which is now federally funded . We continue to iterate our research methods , ensuring better representation and more fair recruitment . We also educate trainees on the medical community ’ s wrongdoings throughout history , taking an essential step toward reversing longstanding health inequities across race , class and culture .
In equal measure , I know that we must build a healthier future alongside the people we serve . That ’ s why , at our Child Health Clinic , we ’ re engaged in an initiative that gives parents and caregivers a say in improving patient experiences . Similarly , our family navigators connect patients to crucial resources — such as our food pharmacy and interpretation services — that can help entire communities thrive .
The road to a more equitable world is neither easy nor brief , but I find confidence in the fact that small improvements can have tremendous impact . All providers and specialties , through each patient interaction , have an opportunity to identify barriers to justice and open new doors to change . Our greatest duty now is to be a safe harbor for all children , regardless of the storms they ’ ve weathered .
Best regards ,
Contents
ON THE COVER
04
IMMUNOLOGY
The Root of the Problem
FEATURES
08
COLORADO FETAL CARE CENTER
Written in Their Genes
10
CARDIOLOGY
Data-Driven Discovery
12
PEDIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH INSTITUTE
The Power of a Collective Voice
16
NEURO-ONCOLOGY
Breaking Ground
SHORT ANSWER
03
COLORECTAL AND UROGENITAL CARE
Learning from the Best
07
GASTROENTEROLOGY
Expanding Care Connections
15
NEUROLOGY
Promise of Precision
18
UROLOGY
Refining the Process
ACCOLADES
19
A (:) List
BRANDI FREEMAN , MD
Vice Chair , Diversity , Equity and Inclusion , Children ’ s Hospital Colorado
Associate professor , Pediatrics-General Pediatrics , University of Colorado School of Medicine
For a digital version of this publication visit : childrenscolorado . org / Qmagazine
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