April’s episode is a very special one for both Jason and Scott, and hopefully for all of you was the hosts sit down with a listener who contacted them to share his story. Dr. Gary Kirkilas is a unique pediatrician in Phoenix, AZ who works primarily with Phoenix’s unhoused population through the robust mobile medicine program at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. In this free-flowing conversation, Dr. Kirkilas shares his story and what drove him to this career including meeting his future employer, and a role model for many on Pediatric Advocacy, Dr. Randy Christensen, author of the book Ask Me Why I Hurt: The kids nobody wants – and the doctor who heals them. Gary talks about the unique joys and challenges that comes with running a mobile medicine unit and caring for the unhoused pediatric population, as well as advocacy efforts he has undertaken to take healthcare to the children in the schools in the area.

He also discusses his additional advocacy efforts in protecting Pheonix’s children from the dangerous advertising and labelling practicing utilized by many manufacturers of THC-infused drinks and snacks, an effort that has led him to the Arizona Capitol to provide expert testimony on the impact these foods and drinks have on the pediatric population.

We also dive into Gary’s life outside of medicine and his own quest for health as an Ironman Triathlete!! This is an extremely inspiring and educational podcast that you are sure to enjoy as much as we enjoyed recording it.

If you’d like to learn more about Dr. Kirkilas, you can find his story at Dr. Gary Kirkilas – Pediatrician ∙ Speaker ∙ Writer ∙ Advocate. And you can find the book Ask Me Why I Hurt at major retail booksellers, or you can always support small businesses by asking your local bookstore to order it for you!

On a side note, if you think we are sounding better lately that is do to the amazing editing and sound mixing of Allison Cyrus, who just happens to also be Scott’s daughter-in-law. Welcome to the ACOPedscast family Allison!!

Happy Listening!

Have you ever stopped and just thought about how much time you spend on your smart phone? (If not you should… after the podcast, of course.) Or have you thought about what it would be like to go a week without your phone… or a day… how about just 30 minutes? It is no secret that we have become more and more dependent on these small rectangles in our pockets, and that dependence is most prominent in our teens.

Our guest, Aileen Behringer, is a librarian at a high school in Orange County, NY where she had a front row seat to the growing screen dependence in the teens she cared for, and she decided that she wanted to take a closer look at the effects of this phenomenon. What she found out is nothing short of eye opening for all of us.

Jason and Scott sit down with Ms. Behringer to discuss her study, her findings, and the implications in physical and mental health that these findings may have for not only our teens but also many of us, and yes the hosts take a deep dive into their phone usage too!

Thank you to Aileen for reaching out to join us on the Pedscast and for sharing your work, This is a great example of how education is a vital component to the overall health of our pediatric population, and how we need to continue to celebrate our public school teachers and librarians for the work that they do!

It’s that time of year again; days are starting to get longer, we catch a few passing glimpses of Spring, and 3rd year medical students start preparing for 4th year Audition Rotations. Annually this is one of the most requested and downloaded episodes, when we sit down with our student trustees to discuss all things VSLO, Auditions, and preparing for 4th year. Unfortunately, respiratory viral season claimed 3rd year trustee Lindsay Abel’s voice on the night of recording, but current 4th year trustee Madison Craft was ready to take al of our questions and share his story about juggling auditions, interviews, on top of every other expectation of graduating medical school. He also provides a new perspective not had on this show before in that he is going through Couple’s Match and is applying Med-Peds.

This episode is always filled with excellent pointers and advice for our students as you prepare for the upcoming months. Be sure to also listen to the end to hear about some excellent opportunities to get involved in the student leadership in the ACOP!

As always Jason and Scott welcome all requests or comments. We can be reached at acopeds@acopeds.org.