Pediatric Surgery

Pictured: Division of Pediatric faculty and advanced practice providers

Faculty Listing:

David Darcy, M.D., Assistant Professor of Surgery and Pediatrics

Walter Pegoli, Jr., M.D., Professor of Surgery and Pediatrics

Nicole Wilson, Ph.D., M.D., Assistant Professor of Surgery, Pediatric and Biomedical Engineering

Marjorie J. Arca, M.D., F.A.C.S., Joseph M. Lobozzo II Professor of Pediatric Surgery and Chief, Division of Pediatric Surgery; Surgeon-in- Chief, Golisano Children’s Hospital

Derek S. Wakeman, M.D., F.A.C.S., Associate Professor of Surgery and Pediatrics; Pediatric Trauma Medical Director

Despite the challenges that the past three years have brought, the Division of Pediatric Surgery is proud to present our recent accomplishments.

Clinical Programs: This year (2022) Golisano Children’s Hospital (GCH) received its designation as a Pediatric Level I Trauma Center from the American College of Surgeons (ACS). This makes our center one of six in the state of New York and implies that our institution has the capability of care for the most severely injured pediatric patients, undergoes rigorous self-examination to ensure the highest levels of quality and safety for trauma patients, and has robust community engagement to lead programs that would promote local and regional safety programs.

Dr. Nicole Wilson and Dr. David Darcy launched a Comprehensive Pediatric Chest Wall Anomalies Program this summer. Patients are availed of both surgical and non-surgical options for pectus repairs. A multidisciplinary team including anesthesia, physical therapy, surgery, and nursing is involved in the care of these children.

Building on the work done by Dr. Walter Pegoli, the Division continues to find ways to leverage expertise within our institution to improve the quality and quantity of pediatric surgical procedures. Examples of this include regular involvement in Prenatal Diagnostic Conference where representatives from Neonatology, Anesthesia, Maternal Fetal Health and other pediatric surgical specialties are present; a multidisciplinary team to care for mothers whose fetuses have been identified as high risk and require coordinated and complex perinatal care was established. Our team belongs to a multidisciplinary tumor board where experts in surgery, pediatric oncology, radiation oncology, pathology, pediatric radiology meet twice monthly to determine the best, safest, and most contemporary options for our patients with cancer. We’ve joined a newly formed pediatric vascular anomalies committee as well as the aerodigestive program; we are in the process of creating a comprehensive Digestive Health Center, in partnership with the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, to provide a unified approach to patients with complex gastrointestinal problems.

Since quality and safety remain paramount, Dr. Derek Wakeman has continued to lead in many initiatives to deliver the best and safest surgical care for our children. In the last two years, GCH’s overall morbidity decreased from 8.2% to 3.6% of cases, as followed by the Pediatric ACS National Safety and Quality Improvement Program, garnering an “Exemplary” assessment.

Research: Dr. Wakeman continues to make his mark on the quality and safety research in pediatric surgery and trauma. Dr. Wilson, who joined our Division on 2020, is ushering scientific pursuit within our Division. Dr. Wilson’s research involves the use of non-invasive imaging to determine intestinal function in disorders such as short bowel syndrome as well as modeling of chest wall anomalies. She is also utilizing artificial intelligence and machine learning methodology to aid in risk stratification of trauma patients. Along with Dr. Wakeman, she is exploring the impact of social determinants on outcomes of pediatric surgical patients.

Dr. Darcy, joined our Division in 2021. He trained in general surgery, pediatric surgery, minimally invasive surgery and surgical critical care. His research focuses on patient related outcomes. As the Surgical Director of the Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care Units, his research will also center on improving outcomes for our most acutely ill patients.

Education: Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we continued our outreach and education efforts. Our surgeons and nurse practitioners have reached out to community institutions and pediatric practices in our area to improve the care of children with gastrostomy tubes, as well as diagnostic modalities for patients with possible appendicitis. To help enhance and advance our efforts, we brought three new nurse practitioners to our Division.

Marjorie J. Arca, M.D., F.A.C.S., Joseph Lobozzo II Professor of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery; Surgeon-in-Chief, Golisano Children’s Hospital