Ready. Prep. Go!

This episode features Dr. Jonathan Kohler, MD, MA, chief of pediatric surgery at UC Davis Health and co-founder of the PATH (Promoting Accessibility to Healthcare) program, which focuses on improving care for neurodiverse patients. Inspired by his clinical work and personal experience as a parent of an autistic child, Dr. Kohler shares how PATH uses tools like social stories, pre-registration, and personalized care environments to reduce anxiety and improve medical outcomes. He emphasizes the value of patient and family input, showing how even small adjustments can ease challenging procedures like vaccinations and blood draws. The episode also explores the guiding principle of the program - “nothing about us without us” - and the overwhelmingly positive feedback from both patients and staff.

Christina Hernon, MD, FAAEM, an emergency medicine physician and medical toxicologist, shares her experience as a spontaneous responder during the Boston Marathon bombing. The story highlights the often overlooked role of spontaneous responders and emphasizes the need for better preparation, debriefing, and support for those who find themselves thrust into such situations.For more resources about emergency responders, terrorism, mass casualty incidents, and bombs, check out PPN Resource Central, an expertly curated database of thousands of resources related to giving care to children — every day and in crises.Resources:The Immediate Responder & The Disaster GapThe Impromptu Immediate Responder- Christina HernonThe Initial Response to the Boston Marathon Bombing - National Library of MedicineEmergency Communications Case Study: Emergency Communications August 2013 During the Response to the Boston Marathon Bombing - U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Dr. Magaña is a pediatric emergency medicine physician who cares for acute ill and injured children. She has special clinical interest in the the evaluation of children of acutely injured children. Her research and clinical expertise is evaluating and indentifying inflicted trauma. She has a passion for empowering other emergency medicien providers to care for children well. She is a frequent podcast host and expert on podcasts such as EM Pulse podcast, HIPPO Peds, EM RAP, and Kid's Considered. https://mchb.hrsa.gov/programs-impact/focus-areas/children-youth-special-health-care-needs-cyshcnhttps://www.acep.org/by-medical-focus/pediatrics/medical-forms/emergency-information-form-for-children-with-special-health-care-needshttps://www.aap.org/en/community/aap-committees/committee-on-pediatric-emergency-medicine/emergency-preparedness-for-children-with-special-health-care-needs/

Derrick Tin, MD, describes a political rally interrupted by a suicide bombing in Pakistan, resulting in numerous casualties. The episode includes insights from Tin's expertise in disaster and counterterrorism medicine and the challenges of triage systems in disaster situations, emphasizing the need for evidence-based approaches and mental health support for responders.For more resources about terrorism, emergency responders, mass casualty incidents, and triage, check out PPN Resource Central, an expertly curated database of thousands of resources related to giving care to children — every day and in crises.Counter Terrorism Medicine – World Association for Disaster and Emergency MedicineRethinking Mass-Casualty Triage – National Center for Biotechnology InformationHybrid warfare and counter-terrorism medicine – National Center for Biotechnology InformationCounter-Terrorism Medicine – ScienceDirect

In the podcast episode “We're Not in Kansas Anymore,' guest Kylie McElroy, a patient and family engagement specialist at Children's Mercy in Kansas City, shares her personal experiences as a mother of a child with complex medical needs. The episode highlights how families like hers are often unprepared for emergency situations, such as evacuations, and the vital role of community support, family preparedness, and creative problem-solving in overcoming these challenges.Kylie McElroy is a Patient and Family Engagement Specialist at Children's Mercy in Kansas City and a dedicated advocate for families of children with special healthcare needs. She is also a member of the Family Advisory Council at Children's Mercy, where she uses her personal experiences to help improve patient care and support other families navigating complex medical journeys. Through her work, Kylie empowers families to advocate for their children, share their stories, and engage meaningfully in the healthcare process.ReferencesHope OutdoorsThe Prehospital Care of Children With Special HealthCare Needs [PDF]; PA EMSC Program

Ally Liller and Jordyn Rayner, members of Kids Rainbow, share their experiences as part of a youth advisory council at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children's in Cleveland, Ohio. They discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic affected their lives, from isolation and boredom to the impact on their school and sports activities. The conversation also highlights their efforts in advocating for community needs, including mental health, food insecurity, and financial literacy, and emphasizes the importance of youth voices in shaping future policies and rebuilding communities.Ally Liller and Jordyn Rainer are active members of Kids Rainbow, a youth advisory council at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children's in Cleveland, Ohio. Both high school seniors, Ally and Jordyn have been involved in Kids Rainbow after being encouraged by friends who recognized their passion for community engagement and making a positive impact.Ally Liller is a senior at Magnificat High School in Rocky River, Ohio. She became involved with Kids Rainbow after a friend recommended the program, recognizing her enthusiasm for advocacy and service. Through her work with the council, Ally has gained valuable experience in connecting with her community and using her voice to make a difference.Jordyn Rainer is a senior at Trinity High School in Garfield Heights, Ohio. Similar to Ally, Jordyn was introduced to Kids Rainbow through a friend who suggested the program after hearing her interest in hands-on community involvement. Jordyn has used her time with the youth advisory council to explore how young people can influence change in their communities, especially through creative projects like PhotoVoice, a project that allowed her and fellow council members to document and reflect on the changes they've seen in their communities since the pandemic.Together, Ally and Jordyn are helping shape the future of healthcare and youth advocacy through their work with Kids Rainbow, using their voices to inspire positive change in the Cleveland area.

In this podcast episode, Dr. In Kim shares his experience during a cyber attack on his hospital in May 2023, which crippled key systems like electronic medical records, radiology, and lab access. He discusses the chaos and inefficiencies that arose as staff had to revert to manual, paper-based processes, highlighting the critical challenges faced by healthcare providers during such events. Dr. Kim stresses the need for hospitals to incorporate cyber attack response into disaster preparedness plans and offers insights on how to mitigate the impact of future attacks. In K. Kim, MD is a tenured professor with extensive research and management background in medical services and education leading a highly rated training program. Elected Chair of a national American Academy of Pediatrics Committee. Internationally known as a leader in helium-oxygen (heliox) research for respiratory diseases. Built nationally recognized brand of teaching excellence in medical education as well as merged business and medicine curricula. Co-founder and co-director of the Center for Health Process Innovation. Co-director of highly ranked Distinction Track in Business and Leadership.For more resources about computer security, risk assessment, risk management, and health information management, check out PPN Resource Central, an expertly curated database of thousands of resources related to giving care to children — every day and in crises.ReferencesStop Ransomware – CISAThe importance of cybersecurity in protecting patient safety – American Hospital AssociationPreventing the Next Big Cyberattack on U.S. Health Care – Harvard Business Review

Mikey Latner, the founder of Project Camp, which combines summer camp with disaster response to support children and families affected by crises, shares the inspiration behind Project Camp, emphasizing the importance of providing safe, engaging spaces for kids during disasters, and discusses the trauma-informed approach used in their programs. The conversation highlights the significance of addressing childcare needs during emergencies and the ongoing efforts to build community connections for long-term support.A former camp director with two decades of camp experience under his belt, Mikey founded Project: Camp with the idea that camp and childcare professionals have critical skills to offer in times of emergency. In developing our pop-up camp model, Mikey strives to use the structure of camp as a vehicle to bring joy, safety, and peace of mind to children and parents impacted by natural disasters. He hopes this work leads to a seismic shift in the disaster response ecosystem, creating a more holistic, trauma-informed, and community-driven model that prioritizes the needs of families during emergencies.For more resources about psychological trauma, adverse childhood experiences, community support, and mental health, check out PPN Resource Central, an expertly curated database of thousands of resources related to giving care to children — every day and in crises.ReferencesProject: CampTrauma-Informed Care – American Academy of Pediatrics

Irene Navis, AICP, former Assistant Emergency Manager for Clark County, discusses the tragic events of the October 1, 2017 mass shooting at the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas, which resulted in 58 deaths and over 750 injuries. She shares her firsthand experience of responding to the crisis and the long-term impacts on both victims and first responders. The conversation highlights the community's resilience, the importance of mental health support for responders, and the collaborative efforts to aid those affected by such tragedies, emphasizing the vital role of shared stories in promoting healing and understanding.Irene Navis, AICP, is Managing Partner of Navis Strategic Services. Navis comes from a 30-year career in local government. She serves as the Nevada Coordinator for the Western Regional Alliance for Pediatric Emergency Management (WRAP-EM), and is the CBRN Domain Manager for the Pediatric Pandemic Network (PPN). Navis is widely published in several professional journals and conference papers, and has presented at a number of state, national, and international conferences.For more resources about firearms, violence, mass casualty incidents, and mental health, check out PPN Resource Central, an expertly curated database of thousands of resources related to giving care to children — every day and in crises. ReferencesClark County Resiliency and Recovery Framework – October 2017What Happened In Vegas – Rolling StoneFirearm Violence Prevention – AAP988 Suicide & Crisis Hotline – SAMHSA1 October After-Action Report [Las Vegas Shooting] – Homeland Security Digital Library

Dawn Bailey, a family engagement specialist and advocate for children with complex medical needs, discusses the challenges of disaster preparedness for families like hers. Dawn shares her personal journey caring for her daughter who has significant medical requirements, emphasizing the inadequacy of standard disaster preparedness checklists for families with unique needs. Dawn highlights the need for policy changes and encourages families to continually voice their challenges to improve support systems.Dawn is a mom of a daughter born with complex medical, cognitive, and physical conditions due to a rare genetic chromosomal abnormality, who had to navigate complicated and fragmented systems of care for over 19 years. As a result, Dawn has been committed to helping to improve the landscape of health systems and how they serve families and the community by sharing her lived expertise to improve care, programs, processes, data analysis, funding, and reimbursement models.ResourcesDisaster and Families of Children with Disabilities: What Every Health Care Provider Needs to KnowFile of LifeDisaster Preparedness for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs – American Academy of PediatricsPolicy statement–emergency information forms and emergency preparedness for children with special health care needs — PubmedDisaster Safety for People with Disabilities – American Red CrossEmergency Kit Checklist for Families with Children and Youth with Special Healthcare Needs (CYSHCN) — CDCPeople with Disabilities — Ready.gov

Dr. Natasha Gill, MD, MPH, FAAP discusses disaster preparedness for families. Dr. Gill, a pediatric emergency physician, shares her experiences with various disasters and emphasizes the importance of preparing a disaster kit. Key tips include knowing local risks, creating a go-bag with essentials (water, food, first aid, and cash), and involving children in preparedness plans. For families with special needs, she advises keeping essential medications and documents, and using accessible strategies to build and maintain disaster supplies over time.Natasha Gill, MD, MPH, FAAP, is Pediatric Emergency Medicine (PEM) faculty and the Emergency Department (ED) Co-Director of Disaster Management at the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles (CHLA). She is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics (“Traditional Research Track”) for the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine.ResourcesDisaster Preparedness for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs - American Academy of PediatricsPolicy statement--emergency information forms and emergency preparedness for children with special health care needs - National Library of MedicineDisaster Safety for People with Disabilities - America Red CrossEmergency Kit Checklist for Kids and Families - CDCEmergency Kit Checklist for Families with Children and Youth with Special Healthcare Needs (CYSHCN) - CDCBuild a Kit - Ready.govPeople with Disabilities

Dr. Dennis Ren, along with Season 2 co-host Rachel Sarafin, PPN's Director of Communications, discuss the standout moments from the previous season. These include compelling narratives of pediatric disaster readiness and response during significant incidents such as Hurricane Katrina and the Boston Marathon bombing. The season also underscored the crucial roles played by everyday individuals and young people during emergencies, highlighting the significance of fostering connections and community strength. Looking ahead, Ren and Sarafin plan to expand the podcast's focus in upcoming seasons by featuring insights from a wider range of voices, beyond healthcare professionals, to encompass diverse global perspectives on disaster response.

Disaster medicine requires a multidisciplinary approach, similar to a team sport where diverse skills and backgrounds are essential. Ashley E. D. Cain, MD, MScR, a MedPeds-trained physician and a core faculty member of the Harvard Beth Israel Deaconess Disaster Medicine Fellowship, emphasizes the importance of infrastructure in disaster response and recovery, learned from her experiences in Guatemala and Malawi.Resources:Pediatric Disaster Medicine - World Association for Disaster and Emergency MedicineBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Fellowship in Disaster Medicine - Harvard Medical SchoolParticipation of Children and Adolescents in Live Crisis Drills and Exercises - National Library of Medicine

Last year, the healthcare system faced a surge of COVID, influenza, and RSV cases, filling hospitals with children in critical condition. Despite the introduction of a promising new RSV treatment, nirsevimab, its rollout was hampered by supply shortages and logistical challenges. Daniel Dodson, MD, MS, a pediatric infectious disease specialist, explained that the limited supply required careful allocation to high-risk infants, leading to difficult decisions and impassioned pleas from caregivers.Resources:Nirsevimab (Beyfortus) – FAQs for Healthcare Professionals - Pediatric Pandemic NetworkNirsevimab Frequently Asked Questions - American Academy of PediatricsNirsevimab for Prevention of RSV in Healthy Late -Preterm and Term Infants - The New England Journal of MedicineImmunizations to Protect Infants - CDC

Nikki Shimko, nurse manager of the Golisano Transport Team and president of the Florida Neonatal Pediatric Transport Network Association, recounts the harrowing experience of evacuating Golisano Children's Hospital during Hurricane Ian. Despite the lack of preparedness leading up to the hurricane, Nikki's team successfully evacuated 81 patients, including 62 neonates, over 160 miles to 15 facilities. The collaborative effort and preexisting networks proved invaluable in ensuring the safety and well-being of the patients, highlighting the importance of planning and relationships in disaster preparedness.RESOURCES:https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/data/tcr/AL092022_Ian.pdfhttps://www.goodmorningamerica.com/wellness/story/inside-harrowing-48-hour-rush-evacuate-nicu-babies-90995512https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRpFrX3P8hM

In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian's unexpected Category 5 landfall in Florida, the evacuation of Golisano Children's Hospital became a critical operation, highlighting the challenges and heroism of transport medicine teams. Phyllis Hendry, MD, FAAP, FACEP, a key figure in pediatric emergency care and transport services, sheds light on the complexities of pediatric transport, the necessity of community-based response, and the lessons learned from this harrowing event. REASOURCES:https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/data/tcr/AL092022_Ian.pdfhttps://www.goodmorningamerica.com/wellness/story/inside-harrowing-48-hour-rush-evacuate-nicu-babies-90995512https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRpFrX3P8hM

Stephanie Chan, MPH, a research associate, discusses the vital role of youth as community health workers (CHWs) in bridging gaps in public health. By training and empowering youth aged 16 to 19, they become relatable ambassadors within their communities, tackling issues like vaccine hesitancy and misinformation surrounding COVID-19. Resources:COVID-19–Associated Orphanhood and Caregiver Death in the United States - American Academy of PediatricsCommunity Health Workers - American Public Health AssociationCommunicating Science Effectively: A Research Agenda - National Library of Medicine

Becky Platt, ACP and volunteer with UK Med, shares her experiences providing medical aid to children in various parts of the world, notably focusing on her time in the Kutupalong refugee camp in Bangladesh during a diphtheria outbreak.Resources:Refugee CampReal-time analysis of the diphtheria outbreak in forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals in Bangladesh - National Library of MedicineDiphtheria - Centers for Disease Control and PreventionEthical Obligations Regarding Short-Term Global Health Clinical Experiences: An American College of Physicians Position Paper - Annals of Internal MedicineEthical Conduct of Humanitarian Medical Missions

Derrick Tin, MD, describes a political rally interrupted by a suicide bombing in Pakistan, resulting in numerous casualties. The episodes includes insights from Tin's expertise in disaster and counterterrorism medicine and the challenges of triage systems in disaster situations, emphasizing the need for evidence-based approaches and mental health support for responders.ResourcesCounter Terrorism Medicine - World Association for Disaster and Emergency MedicineRethinking Mass-Casualty Triage - National Center for Biotechnology InformationHybrid warfare and counter-terrorism medicine - National Center for Biotechnology InformationCounter-Terrorism Medicine - ScienceDirect

Christina Hernon, MD, FAAEM, an emergency medicine physician and medical toxicologist, shares her experience as a spontaneous responder during the Boston Marathon bombing. The story highlights the often overlooked role of spontaneous responders and emphasizes the need for better preparation, debriefing, and support for those who find themselves thrust into such situations.Resources:The Immediate Responder & The Disaster GapThe Impromptu Immediate Responder- Christina HernonThe Initial Response to the Boston Marathon Bombing - National Library of MedicineEmergency Communications Case Study: Emergency Communications August 2013 During the Response to the Boston Marathon Bombing - U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Brigitte French, CA-PEM, IAEM-CEM, DVM, a Pediatric Pandemic Network program manager, discusses her transition from veterinary medicine to emergency management and her experience in the Air Force. She shares stories of dealing with a norovirus outbreak, setting up decontamination tents, and responding to a bomb cyclone.ResourcesRole of Local Emergency ManagerEmergency Management in the United StatesDecontamination: Disaster Management ResourcesDecontamination for Yourself and Others

Dennis Ren, MD talks with Brent Kaziny, MD, MA about the chaos and uncertainty medical staff faced during Hurricane Katrina. Kaziny also shares the improvised methods used to ensure children could be reunited with their families and provided care despite limited resources.Resources:Ready.gov - Hurricane ResourcesReady.gov - Build a KitNational Weather Service - Hurricane KatrinaFive Days at Memorial: Life and Death in a Storm-Ravaged HospitalHurrican Katrina: Challenges for the Community

Ready. Prep. Go! host Dennis Ren, MD has a conversation with Joelle Simpson, MD, MPH about her experience as a medical student at the George Washington University during 9/11 and how she contributed to public health efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.Resources:Honoring First Responders on the 20th Anniversary of 9/11On 9/11, a Flotilla of Ferries, Yachts and Tugboats Evacuated 500,000 People Away From Ground ZeroHomeland Security - HistoryChildren's National Creates First Pediatric Medical Reserve Corps in the United StatesASPR - The Medical Reserve Corps

Ready. Prep. Go!, a podcast from the Pediatric Pandemic Network, features compellingconversations with emergency, disaster, and preparedness subject matter experts and those on the frontlines. Guests share their transformational stories and invaluable lessons learned from their experiences. Children have unique physiological and developmental characteristics, making them particularly vulnerable in emergencies, disasters, and global health threats. Too often, though, disaster preparedness and response efforts overlook children's needs. These discussions about key concepts in disaster preparedness and everyday readiness are aimed at inspiring collaboration between emergency professionals and communities, informing best practices, and supporting caregivers who want to be ready to protect their families.