Shriners Hospitals for Children had a Visible Role in the American Burn Association annual meeting

Representatives from Shriners Hospitals for Children had a visible role in the annual meeting of the American Burn Association, held in San Antonio, Texas, March 24-27.

David Greenhalgh, M.D., chief of burns at Shriners Hospitals for Children — Northern California, received the Presidential Leadership Award for his exceptional service in treatment, teaching, research and prevention. And, Robert Sheridan, M.D., assistant chief of staff of Shriners Hospitals for Children — Boston, was elected president of the American Burn Association for the 2009-2010 year.

Tina Palmieri, M.D., FACS, assistant chief of burns at Shriners Hospitals for Children – Northern California and chief of burns at the University of California Davis Medical Center will serve her third and final year as ABA program chair in 2009 and is in line to be incoming president of the ABA in 2012.

Ingrid Parry, PT, MS, a physical therapist specializing in burn rehabilitation, was nominated to the ABA Board of Trustees as one of the four non-physician members. The nomination came from the Membership Advisory Committee on which she has served for three years and will chair in 2012.

Researchers from the Shriners Hospitals for Children — Cincinnati hospital presented findings related to the prevalence of childhood obesity among reconstructive pediatric burn patients, addressing sexuality with adolescent burn survivors, and children’s reaction to stress as a factor in their rehabilitation process.

“The depth of our research shows tremendous progress,” said Richard J. Kagan, M.D., chief of staff. “Our research about the physical ailments of burn care has always been world-class. But as the survival rate has improved for patients with extensive burn injuries, taking a closer look at life quality issues will help us address all of our patients' needs.”

All of the Shriners Hospitals for Children that treat burn and burn-related injuries were active participants in the conference through submitting posters and abstracts, giving presentations and/or serving as symposium moderators.

During the meeting, posters and abstracts are reviewed and judged by panels of experts. Here are just a few highlights from the conference that reflect Shriners Hospitals for Children’s expertise:

• Amy Dugan, Ph.D., from Shriners Hospitals for Children — Cincinnati received the Robert B. Lindberg Award for best scientific paper submitted by a non-physician. Her paper dealt with the effects of a common anti-anxiety medicine on infections.

• The Little Heroes Preschool Burn Camp poster submitted by Shriners Hospitals for Children — Northern California won Best in Category in the Pyscho Social/Comfort Management category.

• Patty Sharp and Mary Dougherty from Shriners Hospitals for Children — Cincinnati won third place for their prevention poster, "Microwave Noodle Soup: Super Easy, Super Fast, Super Hot.

The annual meeting of the American Burn Association is the largest of its kind, bringing together hundreds of medical professionals from the different areas of burn care, including teaching and rehabilitation.