- December 11, 2020 from 12:00-1:00pm
- Virtual Presentation through BlueJeans at https://bluejeans.com/361095905
- Please RSVP by emailing Lisa Maturo at Lisa.M.Maturo@christianacare.org.
- Please include your full name, email address, and institution/organization.
- We will provide instructions on obtaining CME credit for attendance.
Meet the Speakers
Dr. Kazak is an internationally recognized expert in pediatric health, known as a thought leader and accomplished investigator in the application of a social ecological approach to children’s health to expand service delivery and improve overall outcomes. A graduate of Smith College, Dr. Kazak earned her PhD in clinical-community psychology from the University of Virginia and completed her internship training at Yale University School of Medicine, Dept. of Psychiatry. She is a licensed Psychologist in Pennsylvania and Delaware and a Diplomat of the American Board of Professional Psychology.
Dr. Kazak’s research has shaped a systems-oriented competence-based understanding of the distress of children and their family members over the course of pediatric illness and treatment. She has had consistent federal (USA) (National Cancer Institute, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Bureau of Maternal and Child Health) and foundation (American Cancer Society, St Baldrick’s Foundation, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, CURESearch, Toy Foundation, Caplan Foundation) support for her research programs. Dr. Kazak has extensive mentoring experience, including a Senior Mentoring Award from the NCI, and has mentored many national and international early career investigators. She received the 2019 Seema S. Sonnad Mentor of the Year Award from IDEA Delaware. She is also an experienced editor and is active in leadership roles in the American Psychological Association. Dr. Kazak has 250+ peer reviewed papers and chapters and three books.
Carissa M. Baker-Smith, MD MPH. I am an early stage investigator, board certified and nationally recognized pediatric cardiologist (preventive cardiology) who specializes in the management of youth with risk factors for premature cardiovascular disease (CVD), including obesity, systemic hypertension, and dyslipidemia. I currently serve as Director of Pediatric Preventive Cardiology at Nemours/Alfred I duPont Hospital for Children (AIDHC), a top 50 US News and World Report Pediatric Cardiology and Heart Surgery program. I am a funded researcher and recipient of a Delaware ACCEL Rapid Science COVID-19 grant entitled: “Barriers to Utilization and Impact on Patient Experience and Outcomes: Early Experience of Telehealth in Pediatric Cardiology During the COVID-19 Pandemic.“ I am currently a site investigator for a multi-center study (Pediatric Heart Network Dyslipidemia of Obesity in Teens study). I am also site investigator and primary investigator for a novel investigational drug therapy for children with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (Evinacumab Regeneron Study); enrolling the first pediatric patient (<12 years of age) ever to receive this therapy in the United States.
Dr. Rochman earned her PhD in Nursing Business and Health Systems from the University of Michigan. Her post-doctoral research at the University of Pennsylvania focused on nurse staffing and work environment factors that impacted in-hospital cardiac arrest survival. Dr. Rochman’s research interests include how organizational features of nursing affect patient outcomes in the hospital. Additionally, she has held positions in policy development, clinical research, and emergency nursing. Dr. Rochman will provide leadership and strategic direction for nursing research and evidence-based practice through the development, implementation, and evaluation of the nursing research program at ChristianaCare.
APHN-BC, CCRE
Dr. McCulloh Nair earned her PhD in nursing and bioethics certification at the Medical University of South Carolina. She is a nurse scientist at ChristianaCare and Associate Professor of Nursing at West Chester University. Her professional background includes cardiac critical care, home care, case management, and baccalaureate nursing education. Dr. McCulloh Nair’s professional goal is to improve the health statuses of vulnerable populations through research and public health initiatives. She is particularly interested in addressing the social ecological factors associated with health promotion and disease prevention. Her research experience includes qualitative and mixed method approaches with a focus on participatory action research and policy review.
Dr. Birkhoff’s program of research is centered around patient-facing digital health technology. She is currently engaged in virtual reality and telehealth research. Her clinical background includes pediatric oncology and critical care. Dr. Birkhoff is passionate about studying how various forms of digital health technology aids patients in managing their health, wellness, and chronic conditions.
This activity has been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit