A New Pediatric e-Book Library Finds Its Audience

When NJMS student Olivia noticed there weren’t any books in University Hospital’s pediatric playroom, her first thought was to lead a book drive. But the books were missing to reduce the risk of spreading infectious disease. So she developed a new idea: a pediatric e-book library.

“I’ve always loved to read,” says Scott. “Honestly, I always notice where there aren’t books.”

Scott received help and support Christin Traba, MD, MPH, associate professor of pediatrics and associate dean for education; pediatrics chair Onajovwe Fofah, MD; the Department of Pediatrics; and the hospital’s IT and cybersecurity teams. NJMS IT also helped coordinate logisics with UH IT. The University Hospital Foundation provided funding for three iPads, while the Newark Public School District and Newark Public Library offered recommendations for culturally and age-appropriate books to add to an Amazon wish list. Students, physicians, and staff donated almost 150 books.

Using tablets to house the library provides access to children who can’t come to the playroom. Scott remembers bringing an iPad to a bed-bound girl who lit up when she heard the tablet was filled with books.

“Reading can be an escape for a kid who’s in a scary situation,” says Scott. “Knowing that they can have this option available when they could be in the most stressful part of their life brings me a lot of joy and comfort.”

Scott is now working on implementing a second library at Newark Beth Israel’s Valerie Fund Children’s Center for Cancers and Blood Disorders. “We plan to be finished and operational within the next few months,” she says. She also plans to create a framework that other hospitals and clinics can use to easily set up their own libraries, including instructions, tips, and troubleshooting advice.

“I’m very proud of it, and I feel like it’s a great legacy to leave behind,” she says. “I’m proud that wherever I go next, this will still be there.”

To make a donation to the ebook library, purchase an Amazon gift card and send it to playroom@ uhnj.org

A New Jersey Lifeline Turns 40

February 2023 marked the 40th anniversary of the NJ Poison Control Center, which has directly assisted close to 3 million callers over its four decades. Since starting with four poison specialists, it has grown to more than 20 full-time employees, including 13 poison specialists, plus six toxicology faculty. The center has been located at NJMS since 2009 and has also served as the state’s COVID-19 hotline since 2020.

“We’re one of the only places where you can pick up the phone and get a medical professional giving you advice 24 hours a day for free,” says Diane Calello, MD’99, executive medical director of the center and professor of emergency medicine. “You can’t even get that if you call a hospital, so that’s a big deal. As a 24-hour hotline, we are often here for the residents of New Jersey when no other place can be.”

Noa’a Shimoni Named to Two Wellness Posts

Noa’a Shimoni, MD’04, associate professor of family medicine, has been named associate vice president for student health and wellness at Rutgers University and associate vice chancellor for student affairs, health and wellness at Rutgers–New Brunswick. Shimoni will collaborate with student health leaders and representatives to pursue strategic priorities around health and wellness. Her purview will include heading up population and preventive health initiatives and coordinating the university’s immunization management.

These new roles are a logical progression for a professional who has spent her career focused on wellness, community-building, and integrated health. She got her medical degree from NJMS, joined the NJMS family medicine faculty in 2012, and now directs student health at Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences for Newarkbased students. From July 2021 to July 2022, she served as acting vice president for student health services.

A Rutgers graduate, Shimoni has had an outsized impact on the university handling of immunization. She standardized and improved the immunization verification process across all campuses, and developed other protocols to keep students and the Rutgers community safe as part of the university’s response to COVID-19. She is a recipient of the Rutgers University Beloved Community Award.