Texas Children's Hospital co-sponsors pediatric conference in Cartagena with Colombian Pediatric Society

HOUSTON (June 19, 2012) - Texas Children's Hospital, in partnership with the Colombian Pediatric Society, held the Third International Conference on Pediatric Actualization, a three-day conference in Cartagena, Colombia, June 14-16, 2012. This conference was created for pediatricians seeking to learn more about research and medical advances that are significant to improving the health of children in Latin America.


The conference's educational curriculum addressed a number of issues concerning pediatric healthcare. Presentations included topics related to proper nutrition guidelines for newborns, children and adolescents, neglected tropical diseases, infectious diseases and vaccines, ethics, neonatal transport, obesity and eating disorders.


"Our goal for this conference was to facilitate diverse, quality educational programs that will help doctors develop creative solutions to current medical challenges affecting Latin American children," said Dr. Jesus G. Vallejo, medical director of International Services at Texas Children's Hospital. "Through the expertise of the participating Texas Children's physicians, we have provided information on research and best practices to the Latin American pediatricians who share our commitment to create and maintain a global community of healthy children."


In addition to Dr. Vallejo, six physicians from Texas Children's Hospital presented at the conference, attended by more than 1,500 pediatricians from throughout Latin America, including neglected tropical disease expert, Dr. Peter Hotez; infectious disease expert Dr. Sheldon L. Kaplan; neonatology experts Dr. Michael Speer and Dr. Steven A. Abrams; vaccine expert Dr. Amy B. Middleman; and nutrition expert Dr. Julieana Nichols.


This conference is one of the many projects undertaken by the hospital as part of Texas Children's Global Health Initiative. The hospital strives to serve the international community as a leading partner in the advancement of pediatric healthcare priorities. To find out about other initiatives and programs from Texas Children's Hospital, visit www.texaschildrens.org.

About Texas Children’s Hospital

Texas Children’s Hospital, a not-for-profit health care organization, is committed to creating a healthier future for children and women throughout the global community by leading in patient care, education and research. Consistently ranked as the best children’s hospital in Texas, and among the top in the nation, Texas Children’s has garnered widespread recognition for its expertise and breakthroughs in pediatric and women’s health. The hospital includes the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute; the Feigin Center for pediatric research; Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women, a comprehensive obstetrics/gynecology facility focusing on high-risk births; Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus, a community hospital in suburban West Houston; and Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands, a second community hospital planned to open in 2017. The organization also created the nation’s first HMO for children, has the largest pediatric primary care network in the country and a global health program that’s channeling care to children and women all over the world. Texas Children’s Hospital is affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine. For more information, go to www.texaschildrens.org. Get the latest news by visiting the online newsroom and Twitter at twitter.com/texaschildrens.