Listen to episode 2 of Cook Children's podcast - Pediatric Leadership: The New Medicine.

Questions addressed:

1. Have you noticed differences in leading in or advancing pediatric issues?
2. What are some particular challenges in pediatric leadership?
3. Moving forward, what are some particular issues in pediatrics where we need strong leaders to step in and lead?

Important links:

Texas Pediatric Society

Texas Medical Association

“Future pediatric leaders are waiting to step forward and it’s a matter of responding to the tap on the shoulder, the encouragement of a colleague to get involved.” – Jason Terk, M.D.

Jason Terk, MD-Cook Children’s Keller

Read Dr. Terk’s article about low HPV vaccination rates-Epic fail

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Listen to episode 1 here. 

According to researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, HPV raises the chances someone will get head and neck cancer by at least sevenfold.

For their study, 96,000 people took a mouthwash test for oral HPV infection. Four years later, 132 of them developed some form of head and neck cancer. People infected with a strain called HPV-16 were between two and 22 times as likely to be in the cancer group.

"This study backs up knowledge we already have about how common HPV is and how significant its association with cancer is," said Jason Terk, M.D., a pediatrician at Cook Children's primary care location on Keller Parkway. "HPV is an infectious disease and we all need to be concerned."

By the year 2020, experts believe head and neck cancer will surpass cervical cancer as the most common cancer caused by HPV.

But there is good news. HPV can be prevented.

The FDA has approved vaccines that prevent the HPV strains that are associated with cancers of the cervix and head and neck. Boys and girls can begin the vaccination process as early as age 9. And a new version of HPV vaccine, approved earlier this year, has even more cancer protection.

"Only 39 percent of adolescents in the U.S. have received the HPV vaccine. Here in Texas, that number drops to 33 percent," said Dr. Terk. "This is a relevant issue for all parents. We have a vaccine that can prevent cancer. Parents should start the vaccination process as soon as their pediatrician recommends. "

Some parents may feel uncomfortable talking to their children about the HPV vaccine. For those parents, here's Dr. Terk's advice:

• Explain that the vaccine protects against a very common infection that causes cancer

• · Most people (80%) will get infected with the types of HPV that can cause cancer

• · HPV vaccination equals cancer protection

• · It is best to get the vaccine at 11-12 years of age with the other adolescent vaccine; it works best at this age.

Also good to remember, research shows that youth who receive the HPV vaccine are not more likely to have sex. 

About the Source 

Jason Terk, M.D., earned his medical degree from University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas. He completed his residency in pediatrics at Mayo Graduate School of Medicine (Mayo Clinic) in Rochester, Minnesota. His interests include public policy advocacy for children's health issues, focusing primarily on vaccines. Dr. Terk is board-certified in pediatrics.

"My mom used to say, 'When God closes a door, He always opens a window.' I have found that to be true many times in my life. My life as a pediatrician is a result of crawling through an open window when the door I thought I was supposed to walk through was closed to me."

Jason Terk, M.D., Keller, Keller Parkway

"Florinda Peak, the most amazing Mommy in the world, to 5 year old Dr Sandra Peak who did not want to practice reading… 'You have to learn how to read…because when you do the whole world opens up to you!'”

Sandra Peak, M.D., Lewisville

"The best advice my mother ever gave me was to give to others without expecting anything in return. (She also told me to never go outside with wet hair because I’d catch a cold, but medical school later disproved that. Sorry mom.)"

Diane Arnaout, M.D., Willow Park

"The best advice my mother ever gave me was, “never miss the chance to use a perfectly good bathroom” when you are out of the house."

Audrey Rogers, M.D., Fort Worth, Forest Park

Nicole Wineriter, M.D., Keller, HeritageTrace

"My mom told me to respect (be nice) to the nurses because they can either make or break your day."

Samuel Sheng, M.D., Arlington Neighborhood Clinic

"Encourage others. She always wrote notes to people for accomplishments, during sad times and just because."

Justin Smith, M.D., Lewisville

And finally, our favorite advice ...

"Marry Joan."

Tom Rogers, M.D., Forest Park. Dr. Rogers and his wife Joan have been married 59 years and today, she is a proud mother. "Joan worked to pay my way through medical school, gave me two great kids who are both pediatricians, and has allowed me to work without having to pay attention to small things like finances, maintenance of our house and yardwork. I couldn't be where I am today without her," Dr. Rogers said.

Happy Mother's Day from all of us at Cook Children's ...