Pediatric Residency Scholarly Work and Research Opportunities
- Ample individualized curriculum time to allow residents to take research electives during which they can develop and implement research projects.
- Residents have access to a database of faculty interested in mentoring residents in a wide range of scholarly activities to help identify projects and mentors based on the resident’s individual interests and goals.
- Residents can choose the subspecialty/research track which can be tailored to provide mentorship and elective experiences aimed at research goals and the opportunity to perform research as a scholarly project.
- All physician-scientists of the CRI are available to serve as research mentors for residents.
- Stipends provide funding for residents to travel to and present research at national meetings.
- Annual resident research day is a yearly conference for residents to present any and all research which they have performed.
- Annual Resident Quality Improvement Day is a yearly conference for residents to present their quality improvement projects.
Resident Research/QI Highlights
Placental Pathology Differences in Resuscitated Infants: A Comparative Study of Preterm vs. Late Preterm/Term Gestation
Nicholas Plachinski
A Characterization of Serum Sickness-Like Reaction in the Pediatric Emergency Department
Justin Egge
Impact of a Multidisciplinary Cancer Predisposition Program on Adherence to with Screening Guidelines for patients with Cancer Predisposition Syndromes
Rebecca Volmy
Building Trauma-Informed Pediatricians: Addressing Gaps in Trauma Informed Care Education in Pediatric Residency
KC Gouthro, Kathryn
Pediatric Hospital Medicine Providers' Perspectives on Caring for Patients with Mental and Behavioral Health Support Needs
Marilyn Perez
Seizure Monitoring in Preterm Infants with High Grade Intraventricular Hemorrhage
Lindsey Frisch
Incidence, Timing, and Mechanism of Injury of Tibial Spine Fractures within the Pediatric and Adolescent Populations at Children's Wisconsin
Emily Hendricks
Factors Associated with Poor Patient Outcomes in the First 24 Hours after Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest
Mikal Shankey
Enhancing Community Nutrition Through Healthy Cooking Classes
Macey Johnson
There's No Place Like Home: Optimizing Resident Workflows to Improve Discharge Efficiency for Acute Care Asthma Admissions
Lana Mucalo Katunaric, Maya Giaquinta, Mikal Shankey, Julia Kellis, Aaron Mattix-Wand, Nicholas DiChristofano, Emily Nylen
Improving Adolescent Sensitive Note Documentation
Kenya Donovan, Mikal Shankey, Macey Johnson, Rebecca Volmy, Shannon Cherian, Jacob Morman, Sarah Anderson
Implementing Newborn Nursery Night Rounds
Kathryn Gouthro, Anne Lentino, William Davies, Marilyn Perez, Nicholas Plachinski, Sarah French
Use of caregiver preferred name during admissions
Ari Trautman, Justin Egge
Improving Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) to Pediatric Hospital Medicine (PHM) transfers
Joseph DiGuiseppi
Risk Factors for Diabetic Ketoacidosis at Diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes in Wisconsin Youth
Lauren von Zabern
Provider Attitudes Toward Providing Long-Acting Reversible Contraception in a Pediatric Emergency Department
Lauren Coffey
Racial Disparities in the Diagnosis of Turner Syndrome
Julia Kellis
Assessing Responsiveness to Systemic Corticosteroids in Infants with Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
Alex Kalinowski
Prenatal Risk Factors and Delivery Room Resuscitation and Outcomes in Late Preterm and Term Infants
Nick Plachinski
A Rare Case of BRCA2-Associated High-Grade Pontine Embryonal Tumor and Concern for Fanconi Anemia
Kristine Schmeling
A Rare Paraneoplastic Phenomenon in Juvenile Dermatomyositis
Erika Comdohr
Characterization of Patients Boarding for Mental and Behavioral Health Reasons at Children’s Wisconsin
Katelyn Wray
Exploring Acute Pharmacologic Pain Management
Erin Whiteford
The Importance of Early Initiation of Enteral Nutrition in Critically Ill Children
Sonia Parikh
Improving Lactation Care through Implementation of a Breastfeeding Curriculum
Megan LaCroix
Institutional Variability of Discharge Instructions in the Pediatric Emergency Department
Abigail Georgescu
Preparing for Success: A Quality Improvement Initiative for Visiting Residents' Epic, Voalte, and Badge Readiness
Evan Cross, Austin Cummings, Sarah Huisenga, Alex Kalinowski, Anna Mesec, Erin Whiteford
Dysmenorrhea Screening in IBD Patients
Katsiaryna Dubrouskaya
When Free Food Isn't Enough: A Quality Improvement Initiative to Increase Resident Noon Conference Attendance
Sarah Wagner; Erika Comdohr; Katelyn Wray; Lauren Von Zabern; Nidhi Suthar; Katherine Phalen
Transfer Troubles: Evaluation of Note Templates for a Smoother Transition of Care
Jason Cocjin, Lauren Coffey, Joshua Fields, Abigail Georgescu, Camila Pareja
Debriefs throughout the residency program and increase resident awareness of mental health resources
Kristine Schmeling; Shannon Allphin; Michaela Simpson; Sonia Parikh
Improving Resident Education & Comfort of Key Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant Topics
Emmanuel Aryee; Joana Oduro; Megan LaCroix
Quality Improvement to Improve Inpatient Rotavirus Vaccination Rates; Bradley Julga, Isaac Marshall, Sarah Mooney, Matthew Munschauer, Julianna Patel
Decreasing Discrepancies in Qualitative and Quantitative Echocardiogram Assessments; Meaghan Boeker, Nam Jan, Kerri Golinghorst, Ana Menendez, Ian Wong, Sarah Dittmer, Andy Kim, Caitlin Pook
Increasing the Use of Oral Penicillin Challenges on Penicillin Allergy-Labeled Children at Children’s Wisconsin; Katie Haakana, Siri McCord, Cameron Hays, Alyssa Josephson, Christine Fernandez, Donald Allen
Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee WI Inclusive Identity; Alex Bryant, Caitlin Pook, Viane Faily, Nam Jan, Jennifer Weber
Safe sedation in the Echo lab
Meaghan Boeker
Identification of genes associated with acute pain in individuals with Sickle Cell Disease
Lana Mucalo
The use of CPG to improve antimicrobial management of orbital cellulitis
Viane Faily
Meta-analysis and literature review of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation outcomes in neonates
Sarah Dittmer
The relationship between skin tone and NIRS using a melanin index
Nam Jan and Alex Bryant
Immunomodulatory therapy to improve mortality in infants with neonatal Marfan syndrome
Andy Kim
Neighborhood Social Vulnerability and Health Outcomes after Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation: A State-Based Sub-Analysis
Manny Ayree
Holistic Approach to NICU Discharge Services (HANDS)
William Scott, Chondraah Holmes, Rafael Gutierrez
It’s Getting HOT in Here: Improving Resident Education & Comfort of Key Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant Topics, Part II
Hanna Heintz, Kathryn Mulligan, Andrew Velic, Nicole Welke
Improving the Adherence to the ADA Treatment Guidelines for New Onset Type 2 Diabetes
Jeries Said
Standardizing Neonatal Hypoglycemia Monitoring in the Newborn Nursery
Charlotte Formeller, Laura Stoddard, Emily Tomlinson, Shannon Vondra, Jesse White
“Checking In” to Prevent Intern Wellness from “Checking Out”
Joseph Bartoletti, Victoria DeVere, Charlotte Formeller, Forum Patel
The Burden of Sepsis: Improving Documentation
Sabrina Carro, Francesca Devine, Eli Harman
Utilization of a Resident Resource Guide for Social Determinants of Health Screening
Kelsey Wilson, Marisa Roman, Sabrina Carro, Kaitlyn Miller, Allison Jhin
Post-NICU Healthcare Utilization among Infants with Congenital Anomalies
Welke, Nicole
Chasing Equity in Toxicology Testing in the Newborn Nursery
Velic, Andrew
Pediatric Asthma Outcomes after COVID-associated Modifications to Prehospital Protocols
Heinz, Hanna
Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) Monitoring in Patients with Pediatric Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (PARDS)
Miller, Kaitlyn
Investigating differences between non-Hispanic Black and White mothers to assess equity gaps
Holmes, Chondraah
Acceptability of Qualitative Text-Based Assessment of Parent Coping in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
Mulligan, Kathryn
20-year Follow-up of Infants post Norwood Managed with an Interstage Home Monitoring Program
Devine, Francesca
Hypokalemic Thyrotoxic Periodic Paralysis in an Adolescent Female
Bartoletti, Joseph
Respiratory Parent-Proxy Patient-Reported Outcomes Correlate with 1-Year Healthcare Utilization for Infants with Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
Scott,William
Hospitalized Adolescents’ Perspectives of MyChart Bedside
Roman, Marisa
Improving Nighttime Education in Pediatric Residency. John Kelly, MD, Sarah Milota, MD, Matt Molenaar, MD
Addressing Decreased Wellness Amongst Pediatric Residents During COVID-19 Pandemic Kendall Snellgrove, MD; Christopher Scott, MD; Aidan Reid, DO; Mansa Monga, MD; Kelsey Kenaan,
Implementation of “The Pause” after Challenging Patient Care Events to Improve Resident Wellness, Anisha Arora, Annie Gladding, Cassie Mejia, Clarise Valencia, Danielle Owerko, Joana Dimo, and Matthew Roenius
Let’s Talk Smack: Social History Confidentiality is Key
Carro, Sabrina
The Empty SmartLink Solution: A QI Initiative to Improve H&P Documentation Using Clinical Decision Support
Dimo, Joan
Microbiology of Pediatric Neck Infections Based on Age and Anatomic Location
Owerko, Danielle
Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia: Variation in Knowledge and Practice Habits
Increasing the Administration of Nirsevimab on the Pediatric Inpatient Acute Care Floors. Risi Eddy, APA 15th Annual Quality Improvement Research Conference, Boston, MA, 2026
There's No Place Like Home: Optimizing Resident Workflows to Improve Discharge Efficiency for Acute Care Asthma Admissions, Aaron Mattix-Wand, Nick DiChristofano, Maya Giaquinta, Emily Hendricks, Julia Kellis, Lana Mucalo, Mikal Shankey, APPD, Denver CO, 2026
A Spore-adic Case of Botulism, Mary Claire Potter, Lubna Hashim, Society of Hospital Medicine Convergence, Nashville, TN, 2026
When Free Food Isn't Enough: A Quality Improvement Initiative to Increase Resident Noon Conference Attendance, Sarah Wagner, Erika Comdohr, Kate Wray, Lauren Von Zabern, Nidi Suthar, Katie Phalen, APPD, Atlanta, GA, 2025
Integrating Social Determinants of Health Screening into Resident Workflow in a Level IV NICU, Bethany Korom, Midwest Society for Pediatric Research Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL, 2025
Placental Pathology Differences in Resuscitated Infants: A Comparative Study of Preterm vs. Late Preterm/Term Gestation, Nick Plachinski, Pediatric Academic Society, Honolulu, HI, 2025
Prenatal Risk Factors and Delivery Room Resuscitation and Outcomes in Late Preterm and Term Infants, Nick Plachinski, Pediatric Academic Society, Honolulu, HI, 2025
The Use of GLP-1's for Pediatric Obesity: A Double-Edged Sword, Japman Monga, Shelby Terrell, NASPGHAN Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL, 2025
As easy as XYZ: Increasing wellness and reducing fatigue with a modified X + Y schedule, Aaron Mattix-Wand A, Nam Jan, Anna Menendez Bermudez, Sydney Miles, Charlotte Formeller, APPD, Atlanta, GA, 2025
Improving Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) to Pediatric Hospital Medicine (PHM) transfers, Joe DiGuiseppi, AAP National Conference, Denver, CO, 2025
Finding the Balance: Use practices and complications of umbilical lines in extremely premature infants, Anne Lentino, Wisconsin Neonatology Days, Madison, WI, 2025
Gender- Equity In Number of Publications for Promotion, APPD, Chicago, IL, 2024
Really...this again? Can lightning really strike twice?: A salmonella enterica infection complicated by bacteremia and meningitis with empyema clinical conundrum, Kate Wray, Pediatric Hospital Medicine, Minneapolis, MN, 2024
Comprehensive assessment of adequate nutrition in children and adults with sickle cell disease as determined by Dietary Guidelines for Americans, Lana Mucalo Katunaric, American Society of Hematology, San Diego, CA, 2024
A female that's psychotic or a brain that's chaotic?: Acute psychosis in a 16 year-old female, Bethany Korom, PHM, Anaheim, CA, 2025
Optimizing Toxicology Testing in the Newborn Nursery, Sarah Wagner, AAP, Orlando, FL, 2024
Implementation of 2022 AAP Guideline Optimizes Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia Healthcare Utilization, Michaela Simpson, PAS, Toronto, CA, 2024
Occam's Razor meets Hickam's Dictum: A Case of Two Diagnoses Mimicking One; Joseph Diguiseppi, Megan LaCroix, Erin Whiteford, PHM Conference, Minneapolis MN, 2024
To Game or Not to Game? Gamification in Medical Education, CGEA, Milwaukee WI, 2024
Implementation of 2022 AAP Guideline Optimizes Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia Healthcare Utilization, Michaela Simpson, PAS, Toronto, ON, 2024
Is Dietician Consultation Important in Early Initiation of Enteral Nutrition in Critically Ill Children? Sonia Parikh, PAS, Toronto, ON, 2024
Assessment of Follow-Up After Discharge of Low-Risk Febrile Neonates, Jennifer Weber, PAS, Toronto, ON, 2024
Exclusive Enteral Nutrition as an Effective Method of Treatment for Orofacial Granulomatosis, Katsiaryna Dubrouskaya, NASPGHAN Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA 2023
Safe Sedation in the Echo Lab Using Intranasal Dexmedetomidine Does Not Require Fasting; Meagan Boeker, World Congress of Pediatric Cardiology, Washington DC, 2023
Via Zoom or in the room? Comparing Efficacy of a Pediatric Intern Communication Workshop in Virtual vs In-Person Formats, Ian Wong and Lauren Coffey, AAP Conference, Washington DC, 2023
Gene Transcription Data Are Correlated with Pain-Related Phenotypic Traits in Individuals with Sickle Cell Disease, Lana Mucalo, American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, 2023
Observed Variability in Gene Expression in Individuals with Sickle Cell Disease during Baseline Health and Acute Pain, Lana Mucalo, American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, 2023
Abdominal Exam Ambiguous: Right Ventricular Diverticulum In The Abdomen In A Patient With Heterotaxy Syndrome, Maria Pareja Zabala, 8th World Congress of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery, Washington DC, 2023
Mucalo Katunaric L, Jia S, Singh A, et al. Molecular inflammatory expression profiles associated with the frequency of pain in individuals with sickle cell disease. Blood Advances. 2025;9(15):3790-3800. doi:10.1182/bloodadvances.2024015085
Hoffman C, Harris M, Acharya K, Malnory M, Cohen S, Lagatta J. Impact of systematic screening for social determinants of health in a level IV neonatal intensive care unit. J Perinatol. 2025 Mar;45(3):365-371. doi: 10.1038/s41372-024-02096-x. Epub 2024 Sep 7. PMID: 39244612.
Vaithilingam SL, Garrison SR, Mahajan A, Kranz JF, Diener JT. A Rare Presentation of Hyperphagia and Parasomnias Associated With Chromosome 4q Deletion: A Case Report. Case Rep Psychiatry. 2025;2025:5061704. Published 2025 Apr 1. doi:10.1155/crps/5061704
Braun M, Frieden IJ, Siegel DH, etal. Multicenter Study of Long-Term Outcomes and Quality of Life in PHACE Syndrome after Age 10. J Pediatr. 2024;267:113907.doi:10.1016/j.jpeds.2024.113907
Kuhn JE, Pareja Zabala MC, Chavez MM, et al. Utility of Brain Injury Biomarkers in Children With Congenital Heart Disease Undergoing Cardiac Surgery. Pediatr Neurol. 2023;148:44-53. doi:10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2023.06.024
Pareja-Zabala MJ, Aguirre C, Alí-MuniveA, et al. Association between erectile dysfunction and the severity of obstruction to airflow in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. RUC.2023;32(4):12340. doi:10.24875/RUC.23000041