February 2026 Pediatric Partner Update
Greetings from Dr. DiFazio
Caring for children is a team effort, and Children’s National Hospital is proud to work alongside you as an extension of your team. To enhance your care delivery, we’ve compiled our latest updates, clinical insights and resources in this Pediatric Partner Update. This is part of our renewed focus on improving access – a tenant of our strategic plan. Thank you for the important work you do and for partnering with us. Kids Are Our Everything.
Marc DiFazio, MD, MBA
Vice President of Access | Neurologist | Associate Professor of Neurology and Pediatrics
Caring for Hearts Across the DMV
Each year we recognize February as Heart Month. Our cardiology team is proud to care for patients across the DMV with multiple locations designed to make expert pediatric heart care more accessible to the families you serve.
What You Need to Know
Vaccine Recommendations
Children’s National is committed to delivering high-quality, evidence-based care for all children and adolescents. We continue to follow the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) immunization schedule and advocate for childhood immunizations as a cornerstone of preventative services.
Measles Resources
Measles cases continue to rise nationally and in our region. With several confirmed cases in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, we’re sharing the latest guidance and resources to support your practice and help you keep patients protected.
Meet Our New Providers
Carmelo Cuffari, MD
Director, Inflammatory Bowel Disease Program | Gastroenterologist | Dr. Cuffari sees patients at the main hospital, several clinics in Maryland and via telehealth.
James A. Leonard, MD
Otolaryngologist | Dr. Leonard sees patients at the main hospital; several clinics throughout D.C., Maryland and Virginia; and via telehealth.
Vibha Sood, MD
Director of Motility, Division of Pediatric Colorectal & Pelvic Reconstruction | Gastroenterologist | Dr. Sood sees patients at the main hospital and via telehealth.
Gazelle Zerafati-Jahromi, MD
Neurologist | Dr. Zerafati-Jahromi sees patients at the main hospital, in Annapolis and via telehealth.
Trusted Pediatric Pharmacy
Children’s National Specialty Pharmacy exclusively serves pediatric patients, a novel offering in our region. It supports specialty and everyday medications, offers onsite compounding and helps with prior authorizations and financial assistance. It is ACHC- and URAC-accredited and offers free delivery or Silver Spring, MD pickup.
Continuing Education
Stay updated on pediatric care and enhance your practice through our Virtual Lunch and Learn webinars. All sessions, unless otherwise noted, are eligible for continuing medical education (CME) credit within 60 days of their presentation date.
Pediatric cardiologist Alana Boone, MD, recently hosted a Virtual Lunch and Learn on syncope in children. Watch the full presentation by April 5 to claim CME credit.
Here are Dr. Boone’s top four things to know about the condition:
- Syncope, commonly known as fainting, is common with up to 25% of pediatric patients experiencing an episode by age 18.
- Syncope can be due to non-cardiac causes. Detailed history and targeted risk assessment helps determine level of care and recommendations needed.
- Although not a major symptom, syncope has been shown to occur in approximately 30% of those patients with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS).
- The treatment of POTS and orthostatic intolerance includes intentional lifestyle changes, integrative therapies and consistency with exercise before initiating medical therapy.
Join Us
Our upcoming events are great opportunities to connect with our specialists at Children's National and other pediatric partners throughout the region.
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