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Pediatrics Safe & Healthy Families Current Fellows

Current Fellow

Melissa Vitale, MD - portrait

Melissa Vitale, MD, MPH, Masters of biomedical science

Academic Office Information

Melissa.Vitale@hsc.utah.edu

New Yorker who joined the military and continues her medical training to become a child abuse pediatrician in the Air Force and take care of military children around the world.

Why Utah? Utah for me is a place that is able to offer me so much both professionally and personally. I am fortunate to train with a top- notch team who I am confident will prepare me for my post fellowship career.

Margaret Russell, MD

Margaret Russell, MD

 

I grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and completed all of my education (undergrad, medical school, and residency) at the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.  I became interested in Child Abuse Pediatrics during my fourth year of medical school, having been drawn to the unique melding of my favorite aspects of medicine—developmental pediatrics, adolescent medicine and gynecology, and behavioral health were fields that I enjoyed and key elements of this subspecialty.  I had the benefit of learning from an incredible group of Child Abuse Pediatricians while I was in residency, deepening my understanding of this field and getting more exposure to injury mechanics and infectious diseases as they pertain to child maltreatment.   It’s a privilege to work with families during a vulnerable time, to advocate for a child’s safety, and to work with a multidisciplinary group from whom I learn new and valuable lessons every day.

Medical Areas of Interest

Confessions of child physical abuse, Medical education related to child abuse pediatrics.

Interests and Hobbies

Fiber arts (knit and crochet), cooking and baking (croissants are my specialty), hiking, traveling

Why Utah

Mentors are everything.  It’s a huge plus that Salt Lake City is beautiful and has unparalleled access to all sorts of outdoor activities, but the real draw for me are the people I’m learning from and who are preparing me for my future career.  My attendings are recognized as leading educators in their field, and I immediately clicked with them on my interview day (even over Zoom).  I feel supported both professionally and personally, which has been huge for me, as I’m living across the country from my family for the first time.


 

Prior Fellows

Alex Hatch

Alex Hatch, MD, FAAP

MD: Ohio State University  College of Medicine
Residency: Brooke Army Medical Center

Tagrid Ruiz Maldonado

Tagrid Ruiz, MD, FAAP

MD: University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine
Residency: University of Puerto Rico Pediatric Hospital

Raquel Vargas-Whale

Raquel Vargas-Whale, MD, MS, MSc, FAAP

Medical Director CARE Team at Driscoll Children's Hospital
Dates of Fellowship: 7/2012 - 6/2015

Dr. Raquel Vargas-Whale serves as the Medical Director of the C.A.R.E. (Child Abuse Resource & Evaluation) Team at Driscoll Children’s Hospital in Corpus Christi, Texas. The CARE Team primarily provides medical care and forensic services to children who present with concerns for any type of child maltreatment including neglect, physical/sexual abuse. The team consists a Board-Certified Child Abuse Pediatrician, a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), forensic nurse examiners, social workers, and support staff .  The team works closely with numerous medical subspecialists and community partners.  Dr Vargas-Whale is also responsible for resident and medical student education related to advocacy and child maltreatment and provides community education and outreach. 

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Larissa Hines, MD, FAAP

MD: University of Oklahoma College of Medicine
Residency: University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center Pediatrics