Medical college students earn journey scholarships for state pediatrics convention

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Posted on May 4, 2026 by Casandra Andrews

Casandra Andrews

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A gaggle of seven medical college students from the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine
obtained journey scholarships to attend the Alabama Chapter of the American Academy
of Pediatrics annual assembly, held in April in Gulf Shores.

The college students had been awarded the scholarships in recognition of their demonstrated curiosity
in pediatrics, mentioned Benjamin Estrada, M.D., a professor of pediatrics on the Whiddon
College of Medicine.

The scholarship recipients had been Ashley Bates, Ahzam Budhwani, Taryn Hartley, Emi Ferderber
Musaalo, Destyni Newson, Allison Omohundro and Elisha Rambin. The college students attended
the assembly alongside college mentors and took part in instructional classes targeted
on advances in pediatric care, advocacy, {and professional} improvement.

Opportunities such because the Alabama Chapter assembly play a key position in shaping the skilled
development of future pediatricians.

“These experiences permit college students to see how training, advocacy and affected person care
come collectively in pediatrics,” Estrada mentioned. “They additionally assist reinforce the lifelong
studying that’s important to the apply of drugs.”

The annual assembly brings collectively pediatricians, trainees, and different well being care
professionals from throughout the state to debate rising analysis, scientific greatest practices,
and improvements in little one well being. Attendance on the convention gave the medical college students
early publicity to the skilled pediatric neighborhood and alternatives to have interaction
with working towards physicians and educational leaders.

In addition to scholar participation, college from the Whiddon College of Medicine
performed a outstanding position in this system. Gangajal Kasniya, M.D., a neonatologist and
assistant professor of pediatrics at USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital, was
a featured speaker on the assembly.

Kasniya’s presentation targeted on Point of Care Ultrasound in Pediatrics, generally
often known as POCUS. His session coated sensible functions of POCUS throughout a variety
of pediatric age teams, highlighting its rising relevance in each inpatient and
outpatient settings. He additionally mentioned key concerns within the improvement of POCUS
curricula in undergraduate medical training and graduate medical education schemes.

Point-of-care ultrasound is more and more utilized by pediatricians to reinforce bedside
evaluation and information scientific decision-making. Kasniya emphasised the significance of
structured coaching to make sure efficient and protected use of the expertise by trainees
and working towards physicians.

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