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Register by Sept. 11 for symposium on understanding childhood neglect

Register by Sept. 11 for symposium on understanding childhood neglect
Imagine trying to make baby formula go further by adding water. It fills the baby, but it may not fill the need for growth.

How about trying to reverse the long-term effect traumatic divorce or emotional neglect has on a child who becomes an adult?

Recognizing these struggles and working to combat them can often fall to the child’s care team, so it’s critical to have the resources to support patients with these challenges.

To assist physicians, nurses, dietitians, psychologists or anyone interested in dialogue about improving abuse
evaluations, pediatric experts are coming together on Thursday, Sept. 14 at the Buetow Conference on Child Maltreatment. “Understanding Childhood Neglect: A Multidisciplinary Response” is the title of this year’s event from 7:55 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and held in-person at Carle at The Fields, 3310 Fields South Drive, in Champaign.

“Child maltreatment is preventable but you can only prevent it when you see the red flags,” Brent Reifsteck, MD, medical director, Children’s Services and Physician Lead, Child Abuse Safety Team at Carle Foundation Hospital in Champaign said. “Our job is to catch physical abuse when it is a bruise rather than a fracture.”

Keynote speakers for the day are Jill Glick, MD, professor of Pediatrics and medical director, Child Advocacy and Protective Services at University of Chicago Medicine; Megan Anderson, Illinois Department of Children and Family Services; and Julia Reitz, JD, state’s attorney for Champaign County.

From Carle Health, Dr. Reifsteck will address the topic of complicated cases of child neglect during chronic illness and addiction and Christopher Thomas Veal, MD, CTICP, will talk about reversing adverse childhood experiences that often put adults at risk of health issues such as obesity and liver cancer.

Dr. Veal said, "Far too often, we as a society fail to appreciate the impact and long-term consequences early exposure to trauma and neglect have on the development of children. The trauma and environment where they are created may ultimately lead to long-term adverse physical and mental health outcomes in adulthood.
Trauma Informed Care creates an opportunity for us as health practitioners to interrupt the trauma trajectory and transition from asking our patients "What's Wrong With You?" to asking the more insightful and actionable question of "What Happened To You?”

Understanding behavioral patterns related to exposure to trauma can help deliver better and more effective care, he said.

The Buetow Family Memorial Endowment Fund at Carle Health Center for Philanthropy is generously funding the symposium. Kathleen Buetow, MD, a retired Carle pediatrician, began working for Carle in 1965. She is beloved for pioneering a knowledgebase for better application of abuse evaluations. Carle Health is dedicated to continuing her legacy in the ongoing education and support of clinician expertise to reduce childhood abuse.

Continuing education credits are available and individuals should register no later than Sept. 11 at continuing.education@carle.com. There is a $25 fee for the event, which includes a light lunch.

Categories: Redefining Healthcare, Community

Tags: Giving, Pediatrics, Primary Care