Investigating the link between secondhand smoke and inflammation in children
Karen M. Wilson, MD, MPH
University of Rochester

Karen M. Wilson, MD, MPH, a pediatrician at the University of Rochester, received funding for her proposal “Investigating the link between second hand tobacco smoke and inflammation in children”. The study aims to determine the association between SHS exposure and serum markers of inflammation in hospitalized children.

Prevention of Postpartum Smoking Relapse in Mothers of Preterm Infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Raylene M. Phillips
Loma Linda University

Raylene M. Phillips, MD from Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, who received a grant for her pilot study “Prevention of Postpartum Smoking Relapse in Mothers of Preterm Infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.”  The goal of this study is to prevent postpartum smoking relapse during the first 8 weeks after the birth of a preterm infant in mothers who quit smoking just prior to or during their pregnancy.  They will also evaluate level of maternal knowledge about preterm infants’ behavioral cues, levels of maternal stress and depression, and duration of breastfeeding. 

Two Community Access to Child Health (CATCH) Implementation grants were awarded in July 2008

Bitterroot Brakes on Secondhand Smoking
Blaise E. Favara, MD
Ravalli County, MT

Blaise E. Favara, MD a pediatrician in Ravalli County, MT, received funding for a project entitled Bitterroot Brakes on Secondhand Smoking.  This is a comprehensive county-wide public awareness project to reduce children’s exposure to SHS.

Kentucky Asthma and Smoking Cessation Program (KASCP)
Hubert O. Ballard, MD
Lexington, KY

Hubert O. Ballard, MD, an adult and pediatric pulmonologist from Lexington, KY, received funding for his Kentucky Asthma and Smoking Cessation Program (KASCP).  The programs seek to optimize asthma care for children through an educational program targeting smoking cessation in hopes of decreasing SHS exposure. 

Calls for 2009 Visiting Lectureship awards were announced on June 22nd 2008. Four grants awards were announced in October. Successful applicants identified opportunities to reach academic and community and/or state AAP audiences.  2008-2009 awardees are:
• Nicole Cameron, MD from Orlando, Health Pediatric Residency Program, Orlando, FL (2009);
• J. Gary Wheeler, MD from Arkansas Children’s Hospital, Little Rock, AR (Fall 2009);
• Trisha Jenkinson Dane, MPH, CHES from Indiana State Department of Health Asthma Program, Indianapolis, IN (May 20- 21, 2009) and;
• Russell J. Schiff, MD, President of the Suffolk Pediatric Society and Director of Ambulatory Pediatric Cardiology, Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola, NY (May 11 – 13, 2009).