2025 Texas Pediatric Society Annual Meeting Recap
The 2025 Texas Pediatric Society (TPS) Annual Meeting was held Oct. 16 to 19 at the Kalahari Resort and Convention Center in Round Rock, TX. The largest gathering of pediatricians in Texas, the event was an opportunity to connect with colleagues and engage in thought-provoking education sessions, and the McGovern Medical School Department of Pediatrics made the most of it.
The Community and General Pediatrics Division had six presentations and several award-winning posters. Members of this division also served on committees and represented our residency program at the Roundup.
L-R: Associate Professor Sarah Cavenaugh, MD; Trainees Nam Nguyen, MD, and Alayna Garcia, MD; Assistant Professor Rupa Mahadevan, MD, (far right) and dietician Melissa Danho, MPH, RD, LD
Presentations
- Sarah J. Cavenaugh, MD: “Smart Care for Kids: Exploring AI’s Promise and Pitfalls in Pediatric Medicine”
- Kim K. Cheung, MD, PhD: “Reading Between the Lines: Nurturing Early Relational Health Through Reach Out and Read”
- Rupa Mahadevan, MD: “Culinary Medicine: A rising Trend in Pediatrics Using Shared Medical Visits”
- Sandy McKay, MD, FAAP: “Stealth Advocacy or Rally the Troops? Choosing the Right Advocacy at the Right Time”
- Dr. McKay: “Protecting Kids in Schools: An Overview of School Shootings and Policy Proposals”
- Dr. McKay also gave the Legislative Update
- Asha Davidson, MD, MPH; Stephanie Nguyen, DO (PGY-6): “Eating Disorder Management for the PCP: Updates and Practical Recommendations”
- Dr. S. Nguyen also presented with a colleague: “You Don’t Need a License to Drive a Stolen Car: Recognizing Health Challenges for Justice-Involved Youth”
- Madeleine Bricker, DO, with a colleague: “Protecting Vulnerable Lives: Addressing Drowning Risks in Autism”
- Hunaid Gurji, DO, PhD, FAAP: “How to Handle a Bad Outcome in the Best Possible Way”
- Dr. Gurji: “Johnny Five is Alive: Use of Chatbots to Facilitate Medical Education/Help Me, AI, You’re My Only Hope”
- Melissa Kwan, MD: “Screening for Suicide Risk and Firearm Access in the Clinical Encounter”
- Dr. Kwan and Susan Pacheco, MD (Allergy & Immunology Division): “Anaphylaxis: Updated Guidelines for Treatment”
- Nam Nguyen, MD (PGY-5), and Alayna Garcia, MD (PGY-3): “CAPtivating Care: Uncovering the Trends on Pneumonia”
L-R: Dr. N. Nguyen and Dr. Garcia with Dr. McKay; Dr. Beaudoin, Dr. McKay, Dr. Gibson, and Dr. Boren; Dr. Boren, Dr. Cavenaugh, and Dr. McKay
Additional Attendees
Assistant Professor Charles Boren, DO, CAQSM, attended the Adolescent and Sports Medicine Committee meeting and Associate Professor Ebony Beaudoin, MD, attended the Special Health Care Committee meeting. Michelle Barratt, MD, MPH, represented McGovern at the Pediatrics Residency Roundup, and a group of residents competed in the Jacobi Jug. Assistant Professor Ashley Gibson, MD, from Child Safety and Integrated Care, also attended for the first time and plans to return.