March 2026 Pediatric Partner Update
Greetings from Dr. DiFazio
This month I’m pleased to share updates, insights and resources from Children’s National Hospital about our Emergency Department, an endoscopy with a shorter recovery, upcoming CMEs and more. This series is part of our renewed focus on improving access – for you and your patients. We are proud to work alongside you as an extension of your team. Kids Are Our Everything.
Marc DiFazio, MD, MBA
Vice President of Access | Neurologist | Associate Professor of Neurology and Pediatrics
What You Need to Know
Emergency Care
When your patients need emergency care, refer them to the Children’s National Emergency Department. Every patient is evaluated by a pediatric emergency medicine specialist, and our Fast Track Unit within the ED is open 24/7 for urgent conditions.
Trusted Pediatric Pharmacy
Children’s National Specialty Pharmacy supports specialty and everyday medications, offers onsite compounding and helps with prior authorizations and financial assistance. They are ACHC- and URAC-accredited and offer free delivery or Silver Spring, MD, pickup.
Unsedated Transnasal Endoscopy
Children’s National is the only hospital in the region offering an unsedated transnasal endoscopy to pediatric patients. Providers insert an endoscope through the patient’s nose to examine their mouth, esophagus or stomach. The procedure requires local anesthesia instead of sedatives, helping the child recover faster.
Survey for Referring Providers
Please look for an upcoming survey to help us better understand your experience referring patients to Children’s National so we can better partner with you for your patients’ care.
Cardiologists to Join Children’s National from CHI
Keyur Mehta, MD, and Kalpana Thammineni, MD, will join Children’s National on March 30. They bring extensive experience in congenital and acquired heart disease. For appointments with these providers or other cardiologists, please complete the cardiology referral form or call 202-476-2020.
Richmond Adds Endocrinology
We're excited to expand our care for pediatric endocrinology patients into Richmond, where we also offer cardiology care. Mareen Thomas, MD, has expertise in a wide range of endocrinological conditions and can currently see new patients within one week of a referral.
Meet Our New Providers
Tammy McLoughlin Brady, MD, PhD
Tammy McLoughlin Brady, MD, PhD | Nephrologist | Dr. Brady sees patients at several clinics in Washington, D.C., and Maryland.
Mareen Thomas, MD
Mareen Thomas, MD | Endocrinologist | Dr. Thomas sees patients at the main hospital, in Fredericksburg, Richmond and via telehealth.
Continuing Medical 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.
Presented by addiction and adolescent medicine specialist Aishwarya Thakur, MD, and adolescent medicine specialist Ana Patricia Torga, MD.
Learning objectives include:
- Apply evidence-based screening tools for substance use assessment
- Implement brief interventions, including medications that can be used in the pediatric primary care setting to address cravings/withdrawal
- Use motivational interviewing to facilitate follow ups and referrals
Register now and join us today, Wednesday, March 18, at noon.
Join Us
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