Annual Report

July 2006
I am pleased to introduce the 2005-2006 (Fiscal Year 2006) Annual Report for the Department of Pediatrics at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. By any standard, the 2006 fiscal year was a terrific one for the Department of Pediatrics and for The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital. Highlights included the recruitment of 17 new members of the faculty, the dedication of The Bristol-Myers Squibb Pediatric Metabolism Center and the associated “New Weigh Program,” the continued growth of our research program, and the establishment of a pediatric dermatology practice at our ambulatory site in the CHINJ. Faculty of the Department were delighted to participate in the dedication of the Child Health Institute on September 30, 2005.
There were some specific accomplishments that are worth noting:

• Patient care continued to experience double digit growth: ambulatory visits were 28% higher than the previous year while inpatient visits were 21% higher than the previous year.

• The Pediatric Heart Program is growing. There were 24 surgical cases and 31 interventional catheterization cases.

• Our research funding remained exceptionally robust. With close to $12 million in grant funding, the Department has the largest extra-mural research portfolio at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School! Research funding accounts for 34% of the Department’s income.

• Dalya Chefitz, MD stepped down as Pediatric Program Director after eight years of exceptional service to the Department and her residents. Michael Kelly, MD was selected to replace her.

• The Department’s newest fellowship training program, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine welcomed the first trainee, Carla Cangemi, MD.

We continue to provide a thorough education to our residents. Two of our graduates became chief residents, three are pursuing fellowships, four entered general pediatric practice, and two became hospitalists. For the first time, our American Board of Pediatrics pass rate was 100%! The Department experienced another excellent residency match in FY06. There was great enthusiasm for pediatrics among our medical students. Thirteen chose to enter pediatrics and those that did matched to some of the best programs in the United States.

For the sixth year in a row, the medical students chose two of our pediatric residents, Drs. Brodsky and Vyas, as recipients of the Arnold P. Gold Humanitarian award.
The year also provided some challenges. For the first time in several years, expenses exceeded revenue, and the Department noted a small loss from operations. In this challenge lies the opportunity to streamline and make more efficient our ambulatory practice operations. In spite of the difficult financial environment, I am convinced with the support of our colleagues, faculty, and staff, our Department will continue to thrive in the service of New Jersey’s children and their families. Thank you for your dedication to this mission.

Click Here to view the Department of Pediatrics Annual Report.