Building a Research Career with Dr. Sapna Kudchadkar -- Part 2
Jan 13, 2025
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Dr. Sapna Kudchadkar, Anesthesiologist-in-Chief of Johns Hopkins Children's Center, shares her remarkable journey from general pediatrics to leading groundbreaking research in pediatric critical care. She emphasizes the importance of mentorship and collaboration in building a successful research career. Dr. Kudchadkar discusses her innovative 'PICU Up!' intervention, highlighting how unexpected opportunities can reshape one's path. Her anecdotes reveal a passion for improving outcomes for critically ill children through early mobility strategies and rehabilitation.
Dr. Sapna Kudchadkar's transition from clinical pediatrics to a research-focused career highlights the role of mentorship and adaptability in professional growth.
The development of the PICUUP program underscores the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and effective dissemination of research findings in pediatric healthcare.
Deep dives
Transitioning from Clinical to Research Focus
Dr. Sapna Kuchadkar transitioned from a focus on clinical medicine to becoming a clinician scientist, driven by her experiences in pediatric care. Initially entering pediatrics with no intention of conducting research, she gradually developed an interest after engaging with mentors and recognizing the significance of academic inquiry in her field. Through her residency and fellowship training, Kuchadkar discovered opportunities to explore subjects like sleep in the ICU, which had been largely neglected in pediatric research. This journey illustrates the importance of remaining open to unexpected paths and recognizing mentors who can guide one's career toward research pursuits.
Overcoming Rejection and Building a Research Foundation
Kuchadkar faced multiple rejections when applying for research grants early in her career, which could have discouraged many. Instead, she utilized these setbacks as motivation to strengthen her skills and explore alternative avenues for research, leading her to pursue a K-12 award for her sleep study initiatives. Recognizing the necessity of rigorous training, she decided to obtain her PhD in clinical investigation, which equipped her with essential tools for conducting solid research. These experiences underscore the significance of perseverance in the face of challenges and the value of investing in one's academic and research capabilities.
Innovating Pediatric Rehabilitation with PICUUP
The PICUUP program emerged from a gap in rehabilitation practices for critically ill children, inspired by discussions among interdisciplinary colleagues at Johns Hopkins. Kuchadkar and her team initiated a successful quality improvement project that showcased the feasibility and safety of their early mobility intervention, although it initially yielded limited outcome data. By leveraging social media for broader dissemination of their findings, they garnered interest and support from the medical community which catalyzed the transition to a larger multi-center trial. This initiative's growth exemplifies how innovation in pediatric healthcare can arise from collaborative problem-solving and the importance of effectively sharing research outcomes.
Dr. Sapna Kudchadkar is the Anesthesiologist-in-Chief of the Johns Hopkins Children's Center and Vice Chair for Pediatric Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Dr. Kudchadkar is also the lead PI for the "PICU Up!" study, a 10-site randomized trial of a multifaceted early mobility program for critically ill children.
In this episode, Dr. Kuchadkar shares her path from her general pediatrics residency at Hopkins to running a large multi-center trial as a dual-trained pediatric intensivist and anesthesiologist.
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Thank you for listening to this episode of PedsCrit. Please remember that all content during this episode is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. It should not be used as medical advice. The views expressed during this episode by hosts and our guests are their own and do not reflect the official position of their institutions. If you have any comments, suggestions, or feedback-you can email us at pedscritpodcast@gmail.com. Check out http://www.pedscrit.comfor detailed show notes. And visit @critpeds on twitter and @pedscrit on instagram for real time show updates.
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