Advocacy Council
We meet 4 times per year to share excitement and updates on advocacy projects. It’s so cool to learn about what co-residents are up to and opportunities to get involved.
Contacts: any of your friendly AAP reps: Rachel LaFontaine (Rachel.lafontaine@seattlechildrens.org), Vaish Sridhar (Vaishvani.Sridhar@seattlechildrens.org), Alexa Mason (alexa.mason@seattlechildrens.org), Ellie Perlman (ellen.pearlman@seattlechildrens.org), Kathleen Goodwin (Kathleen.goodwin@seattlechildrens.org)
Advocacy curriculum during 3rd year pediatrics clerkship
This 90 minute curriculum is focused on the epidemiology of firearm injury in the U.S., as well as individual- and system-level advocacy skills. Med students will learn to apply stories and statistics about firearm injury prevention to advocate for patients, families, and communities. Residents have the opportunity to teach, share their advocacy passions, and connect with med students.
Resident Contact: Rachel LaFontaine Rachel.Lafontaine@seattlechildrens.org
GME Contact: Sara Fear Sara.Fear@seattlechildrens.org
Diversity Committee
The Diversity Committee (DComm) of the University of Washington/Seattle Children’s Pediatric Residency Program is a resident-led and faculty-mentored team that is committed to championing justice, equity, diversity, inclusion (JEDI), and antiracism. We carry out these goals through recruitment activities, community building and mentorship, advocacy, education and outreach. Additionally, we build protected spaces for minoritized residents as they undergo training as physicians. In doing so we hope to build inclusivity while celebrating people’s intersectional identities including racial, ethnic and cultural backgrounds; national origin; language; gender identity; sexuality; socio-economic status; disability; religion; history of immigration; and other identities.
Resident Contacts: Desmond Green (Desmond.Green@seattlechildrens.org) & Co Chair Erin Hall (Erin.Hall@seattlechildrens.org), Vice Chair of Administration Angela Zhang (Angela.Zhang@seattlechildrens.org), and Vice Chair of Finance Emmeline Nix (Emmeline.Nix@seattlechildrens.org)
Health Equity Rounds
Health Equity Rounds (HER) is a series of interdisciplinary, case-based, hospital-wide discussions here at Seattle Children’s Hospital that explores issues of equity, bias, and racism that play out in medical settings today. Through Health Equity Rounds, we hope to open a dialogue across disciplines to talk about how race and equity affect our patients and their care and the way we work with one another.
Contacts: seattleHER@gmail.com, Phanith Touch (Phanith.Touch@seattlechildrens.org); Alexandra Arvanitakis (Aarvan@seattlechildrens.org).
More information: https://linktr.ee/seattleher
Humanism in Pediatrics
Group that organizes events for residents that focus on the humanistic aspects of medicine and the human impact of being a medical provider/trainee
Contacts: Elena Griego (elena.griego@seattlechildrens.org) and Isabella Dahlgren (Isabella.Dahlgren@seattlechildrens.org)
INCLUDE Curriculum Committee
Join the curriculum committee for INCLUDE (Equity, diversity, and inclusion curriculum)! Help plan educational conferences, grand rounds, resident EDI training sessions, case crunches, book discussions, and much more! This committee is a combination of associate program directors, chief residents, faculty, and residents.
Faculty Contacts: Mollie Grow HMollie.Grow@seattlechildrens.org and Tracy Seimears Tracy.Seimears@seattlechildrens.org (associate program directors)
Inpatient Reach Out and Read
This program promotes reading by giving kids aged 6 months to 6 years a book when they are admitted to the hospital. It’s also a great tool to monitor development milestones during outpatient settings. There are opportunities for program advocacy, updating educational materials, or research!
Resident Contacts: Seda Ekici (R2 AY 22-23) : nurselseda.ekici@seattlechildrens.org; Claire Isidro claire.isidro@seattlechildrens.org
Faculty Contacts: Emily Myers: emily.myers@seattlechildrens.org, Mollie Grow: hmollie.grow@seattlechildrens.org
Pediatricians For Climate Action
Washington Pediatricians for Climate Action is dedicated to raising awareness of the impacts of climate change on children’s health. Climate change is the most significant public health threat of the 21st century, and we believe that pediatricians have a crucial part to play in highlighting the health impacts of climate change and advocating for climate solutions. Our work includes: Washington state legislative advocacy, resident and provider education, research, and ecosystem restoration.
Contacts: Mary Beth (MaryBeth.Bennett@seattlechildrens.org) and Mollie Grow (HMollie.Grow@seattlechildrens.org)
Peds Pride
Who are we? LGBTQIA+ identified trainees and faculty from throughout the pediatric program. Allies also welcome!
What are we doing? We have four main objectives:
- Community building (social events, mentorship, networking)
- Advocacy (in our community and beyond)
- Education (expanding and improving LGBTQIA+ inclusive resident and fellow education)
- Recruitment (have a presence in the recruitment process)
Resident Contacts: Baer Karrington (Baer.Karrington@seattlechildrens.org) and Dominic Rago (Dominic.Rago@seattlechildrens.org)
Primary care interest group
This group provides mentoring and support for residents interested in primary care. Events include talks and networking with recent alums and local community pediatricians, information on different jobs within primary care, and workshops such as resume building and contract negotiation. Great for residents of all years!
Resident Contacts: Alex Arvanitakis, aarvan@seattlechildrens.org
Faculty Advisors: Tom Courtney, tcourtmd@uw.edu; Mollie Grow, HMollie.Grow@seattlechildrens.org
RATL (Residents as Teachers and Learners)
Resident led curriculum focused on teaching and leadership skills in medicine.
Contact: Elena Griego (elena.griego@seattlechildrens.org)
RN-Resident Partnership
Collaboration between residents and nurses to build community between the two professional groups, and address challenges that arise in the hospital.
Resident Contact: Dale Batoon (DaleAndrew.Batoon@seattlechildrens.org) and Mary Smithers (Mary.Smithers@seattlechildrens.org)
Wellness Committee
Our goal is to promote resident health, wellness, and resiliency. Each year, we plan Resident Wellness Week, Secret Sunshine, and other wellness events or activities throughout the year. We welcome new members throughout the year and would love to hear your ideas on ways we can make residency better.
Resident Contacts: Mary Smithers (Mary.Smithers@seattlechildrens.org), Seda Ekici (NurselSeda.Ekici@seattlechildrens.org), Natalie Lays (Natalie.Lays@seattlechildrens.org)