Dr. Elizabeth Fialkowski’s colon bundle article, that was published in the Journal of Pediatric Surgery January 2023 APSA Issue, was discussed on the Stay Current Pediatric Surgery Podcast alongside editor Dr. Romeo Ignacio.

Thank you to the leadership at Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital for hosting a productive meeting in Utah. The consortium continues to make progress on multiple clinical studies. The interim analysis for the prospective study evaluating transanastomotic tube in TEF has been completed and the study will continue to enroll. The prospective c-spine study is steadily enrolling, and it is projected to reach its goal by late 2024. The chest tube survey study is nearing completion, and plans have been set to begin prospective data collection in 2024.

The consortium would also like to welcome Melissa Nash as the team’s social media manager.

The Western Pediatric Surgery Research Consortium is excited to announce a new research fellowship. This will be a 2-year research commitment to the WPSRC housed at the University of Utah and Primary Children’s Hospital starting July 2024. We expect this person to fulfill a combination of clinical, research, and academic requirements during their tenure. The fellowship will include clinical call and a Master’s Degree. This person should have completed at least 2 years of general surgery training. Feel free to reach out if you have questions about this program.

If interested, please send a CV, cover letter, and a letter of support from your institution to Katie Russell, MD. Applications are due by March 1, 2023.

Director: Katie W. Russell, MD

Director’s Email: katie.russell@hsc.utah.edu

Director’s Phone: (801) 557-6295

Thank you to the team at Lucile Packard’s Children’s Hospital at Stanford University for hosting a constructive conference in Palo Alto. Dr. Benjamin Padilla in his new role as chair, proposed a business plan for the future functioning of the Western Pediatric Surgery Research Consortium. Dr. Katie Russell, in her role as secretary, has played an organizing presence in Consortium voting and tracking of Consortium achievements. Dr. Samir Pandya, the Consortium treasurer, has taken responsibility and established the Consortium’s new nonprofit to raise funds for future research. Additionally, thank you to all who attended for their continued involvement and support.

The Consortium continues to grow in its capability and intellectual contribution. Dr. Elizabeth Fialkowski’s “Colon Bundle” Study has been accepted for publication in the January 2023 edition of JPS. Dr. David Rothstein’s new study proposal to observe the use of chest tubes post lung resection was accepted by the Consortium. The Consortium also plans to pursue [Insert PI] (Russell’s/Ostlie’s) prospective study proposal, put forth to determine the factors influencing bar migration after the Nuss procedure.