E. Albert Reece, MD, PhD, MBA Vice President for Medical Affairs, University of Maryland John Z. and Akiko K. Bowers Distinguished Professor and Dean, School of Medicine

As I followed the health care debate taking place on Capitol Hill this summer, I paused to think about how pleased I am about the leadership role the school of medicine has taken in biomedical research and health care. I also found myself confounded, however, by some of the contentious discussions surrounding preventive care, a practice that we have long identified as a first line of defense in confronting the rising costs of medical care.

Preventive medical care and community outreach have been enduring pursuits for our school, and a clear commitment to this investment in our future is evident in our department of pediatrics. It was formally founded in 1948 by the late Edmund Bradley, MD, who disagreed with the prevailing medical practice at the time of treating children as “little adults.” Today, the department remains progressive and forward-thinking in its approach to pediatric care.

Under the leadership of Steven Czinn, MD, the department with its 16 sub-specialty divisions is committed to a robust community service mission, emphasizing preventive care, especially among at-risk populations. Together, with our partners, the University of Maryland Medical Center and Mercy Medical Center, we are confronting some of the most critical challenges facing young people today.

Childhood obesity is one area of preventive care on which our pediatricians focus. The issue generated rather heated discussions among members of Congress this summer, despite the fact that the CDC has identified childhood obesity as a leading health concern and one that disproportionately affects low-income, minority youth. The department’s division of growth and nutrition is conducting a school-based obesity prevention and intervention program known as Challenge! In Schools. The program targets urban, African-American girls in Baltimore City middle schools and works in conjunction with the YMCA to help participants set behavior modification goals for healthy eating and exercise. The TOPS (Tips on Parenting Study) is also conducted within the division of growth and nutrition and is a collaborative effort with the Anne Arundel County WIC Program. It is designed to implement strategies to prevent overweight among toddlers, promote life-long healthy eating and exercise regimens, and provide maternal assistance in developing healthy diet and fitness patterns for both mothers and their children.

Diabetes is one of the more serious health risks associated with obesity. One study reported that Americans spend one-tenth of total health-care dollars on diabetes-related medical conditions. Our division of adolescent medicine provides educational and school- and hospital-based clinical services related to diabetes management, nutrition and obesity, and other subspecialty care. Its YUHIP (Youth Urban Health Information Project) is a health education program linking teens to youth-friendly resources in Baltimore.

Other divisions within pediatrics are also confronting these issues. The internationally recognized division of endocrinology’s pediatric diabetes program has joined forces with our world-renowned Joslin Diabetes Center to provide care to our youngest patients. In July, the center for advanced fetal care began testing a new fetal monitor for high risk pregnancies. The iPod-sized device allows nearly 24-hours of monitoring of an unborn infant’s heartbeat and movement, and hopes are high for women with medical conditions that put their babies at risk for such problems as diabetes-induced birth defects.
For over six decades, our department of pediatrics has been driven by the ideals of community outreach and cutting edge medical services envisioned by its founder. Whether providing educational resources or preventive and clinical care, the department is on the frontlines in addressing the needs of our young citizens.