Pediatrics and Women’s Health Newsletter 2023 Issue 1

March 9, 2023 • Newsletter

From the desk of the Chair- Priya Bui, DO

The last edition of this newsletter found us hoping for colder weather. We’ll chalk the beginning of February up to “be careful what you wish for.” Now that the ice has passed, we are impatiently awaiting the beautiful spring weather that is to come.

I’m excited to share that we have expanded our services to include psychiatry, and we’ve been given the opportunity to pilot the collaborative care model to integrate behavioral health. This would not be possible without Dr. Shalice McKnight, our newest child adolescent psychiatrist. Mental health is an undeniable aspect of caring for the whole patient and we are excited to be able to integrate this care into how we treat our patients.

The pediatric clinic remains busy thanks to our dedicated physicians, physician’s assistants, and nurse practitioners. The leadership of Dr. Matches, our medical director, and Allision Holt, our supervisor, have helped us make it through our staff rebuild. It is no secret that the challenges in medicine are undeniable right now, but we are so thankful for our clinical staff who have stopped at nothing to keep caring for our patients. We are excited to welcome our new NP, Mandy Mendez. She has brought innovative ideas and renewed energy to our office and has been a great asset to the Pediatric Mobile Clinic.

It is an exciting time for us educationally as well. Our students are completing interviews and patiently waiting for Match Day. We have a record number of students choosing pediatrics and obstetrics and gynecology this year. Seeing them choose to serve women and children makes us incredibly proud to have been a small part of their training.

We have completed the cycle for the Pediatric Research Program, with many students going on to apply for Research Appreciation Day and presenting their work locally and nationally.

As a team, we are so thankful to be busy serving the women and children in our community. Thank you for trusting us with this care!

Non-faculty spotlight

Linda Rider, assistant to the chair

What is your job at HSC?

My job consists of scheduling electives at Cook Children’s and U.S. Oncology in Dallas, coordinating Dr. Bui’s calendar, providing all credentialing for faculty as well as completing their yearly contracts, and maintaining and updating adjunct faculty appointments.

What aspect of your job do you enjoy the most?

I love working with the students to schedule their electives.

How has HSC helped in your career development?

HSC has helped my career development throughout the years by taking a personal interest in my job, offering training both inside and outside the institution, and enhancing collaboration between various departments.

What piece of advice would you give to a new employee?

This is a great place to work and the department has wonderful people working here. Our department is very close and we love to give hugs.

Why did you first choose to work for HSC and why do you stay?

I worked at Cook Children’s for nearly eight years and came to HSC with Dr. Paul Bowman. I was his secretary at Cook Children’s, so I love that I got to come with him. Prior to HSC, I had never worked in higher education and have absolutely loved the faculty, staff, and students here.

What is one accomplishment at work that you are most proud of?

I am most proud of the specialty electives now offered to our students through Cook Children’s. When I arrived in 2008 cardiology and hematology/oncology were the only specialty clinics that offered electives. I worked with my former colleagues to get additional clinics on board with offering electives. Cook Children’s now has their own education department that I get to work with to place our students in electives.

Faculty Spotlight

Umesh Sankpal, Ph.D., assistant professor

What is your job in 25 words or less?

I am primarily a translational cancer researcher, engaged in targeted therapies and cancer disparity research. I also get to mentor and teach graduate and medical students.

What is your favorite aspect of your job?

Teaching is my favorite aspect of my job. It’s gratifying to know that I can provide my students with the knowledge they need to carry them through their careers – while also providing me with an outlet to be a lifelong learner.

What is on your wish list for the next five years with UNTHSC?

In the next five years, I hope to be able to publish my work, have grant funding, and establish my research in the field of cancer therapeutics and health disparity.

What is something that makes you unique, that only a few people know about you?

I consider myself an amateur numismatist. I inherited the hobby from my father and now enjoy sharing it with my own kids.

If you could take a vacation anywhere, where would you go?

I was born and raised in Mumbai, India, but never had the opportunity to travel. I would love to explore India’s rich cultural heritage and stunning landscapes.

Welcome!

Mandy Mendez, NP assistant professor

Education: The University of Alabama, bachelor’s degree in Nursing; the University of Texas Arlington Master of Nursing

Hobbies: fly fishing, fly tying, anything involving nature and movement

Family life: Married for over 20 years

What is something that only a few people know about you? I am left-handed

Shalice McKnight, DO assistant professor

Education: Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine; Hampton University – grad school, University of Virginia – undergrad; University of Pittsburgh – Semester at Sea

Hobbies: I started playing the piano at two years old, I love to travel, I sing, I am a birthday party decorator extraordinaire Family life: Mother of six children, married for 16 years

What is something that only a few people know about you? I met my husband while studying on Semester at Sea.

Congratulations!

Fort Worth Magazine Top Docs

Priya Bui, DO

Toyya Goodrich, DO

Nusrath Habiba, MD

Raheela Hafeez, MD

Sarah Matches, MD

Rebecca Farquhar for passing her clinical management social worker exam!

Leslie Allsopp, PhD, MSN, MPH

A pilot research project submitted by Leslie Allsopp, PhD, MSN, MPH, has been accepted for funding by The Texas Center for Health Disparities. This project, entitled, “Investigating child-caregiver dyad risk and use of unassigned albuterol at school” will seek to improve early identification of children at risk for adverse asthma outcomes in the K-12 school setting, especially those who experience school day symptoms and do not have their own medication available. The project is embedded within services provided through Asthma 411, a school-based asthma program supported by SaferCare Texas and provided through an established Consortium in Tarrant County.