The Lead in Peds

Care Champions: The science, leadership and compassion behind pediatric nursing

Pediatric nursing is at the heart of how care is delivered, shaping every moment a child and family spends in the hospital. In this episode of The Lead in Peds, Nathan Kuppermann, MD, MPH [https://appointments.childrensnational.org/provider/Nathan-Kuppermann/4223642] sits down with Cicely "CC" Brooks, DNP-ENL, MSN, RN, NE-BC, FAB, and Christine Riley, NP, CPNP-AC, to explore how nurses lead at the bedside, drive research and push innovation forward. From supporting families in their most vulnerable moments to rethinking the future of care, this conversation reveals how pediatric nursing is transforming medicine.

Seconds Count: How Pediatric Emergency Medicine Is Evolving

Shows like The Pitt have brought attention to emergency medicine, but pediatric emergency care is even more challenging. In this episode of The Lead in Peds [https://innovationdistrict.childrensnational.org/the-lead-in-peds/], Nathan Kuppermann, MD, MPH [https://www.childrensnational.org/about-us/leadership/nathan-kuppermann], interviews Joelle Simpson, MD, MPH [https://appointments.childrensnational.org/provider/joelle-nicha-simpson/2359082], and Kenneth McKinley, MD [https://appointments.childrensnational.org/provider/kenneth-walter-mc-kinley/2359614], about the realities of pediatric emergency medicine, nationwide pressures and how research and technology – especially AI –are enhancing care.

Beyond Survival: Redefining cardiac rehab to improve quality of life

Survival is only the beginning. In this episode of The Lead in Peds, Nathan Kuppermann, MD, MPH, talks with pediatric cardiologist and researcher Pascal Amedro, MD, PhD, about redefining cardiac rehabilitation to help children move beyond survival toward better function, confidence and quality of life. They discuss how CPET and VO2 max can uncover early deconditioning, and why a three-pillar model of exercise training, patient education and mental health support can transform recovery.

Whole Picture: Integrating Mental Health into Pediatric Care

What does whole-child care really look like for children with brain tumors? In this episode of The Lead in Peds, host Dr. Nathan Kuppermann is joined by Dr. Jennifer Dorr, a child and adolescent psychiatrist embedded directly in pediatric neuro-oncology at Children's National. They explore how integrating mental health into cancer care is transforming treatment, improving outcomes, and reshaping what comprehensive pediatric care can be. The conversation also dives into advocacy, access to behavioral health, and why treating the mind and body together is essential for the future of pediatrics.

Moving parts: Collaboration and engineering in pediatric orthopaedics

Matthew Oetgen, MD, MPH, and Kevin Cleary, PhD, share how robotics, imaging and motion capture are transforming pediatric orthopaedics at Children's National. Between stories of coaching their kids' sports teams and leading breakthrough research, they reveal how innovation is helping kids move, heal and thrive.