Kosair for Kids Division of Pediatric Forensic Medicine


The University of Louisville Department of Pediatrics serves with Norton Children's Hospital as the only statewide medical referral resource for child maltreatment assessments.  Consultations are available for real time and retrospective case review.

kosair charities logoKosair for Kids Division of Pediatric Forensic Medicine provides a standardized approach to the assessment of child maltreatment issues. Our formal consultation service provides medical expertise on the diagnosis, documentation, and follow-up of suspected cases of child physical abuse and neglect. The pediatric forensic medicine team serves as liaison between the admitting hospital team and community partners such as law enforcement, Child Protective Services (CPS), and the Department of Justice.  We provide court testimony as needed.  The Kosair for Kids Division of Pediatric Forensic Medicine evaluates approximately 1,300 consultations each year.


Our Commitment to Community Engagement 

The faculty, staff, and fellows of the Kosair for Kids Division of Pediatric Forensic Medicine are actively involved in a number of local and statewide coalitions formed to address child mistreatment.  Some of them include:

  • Face It Movement
  • State Child Fatality Near Fatality External Review Panel
  • Jefferson County Physical Abuse Multidisciplinary Team
  • Jefferson County Sexual Abuse Multidisciplinary Team
  • Norton Children’s Hospital Child Abuse Task Force
  • Norton Children’s Hospital Injury Prevention Coalition
  • Statewide Workgroup to Create Pediatric SANE Program in Kentucky
  • State Public Health Child Fatality and SUID Review Committee
  • Jefferson County Child Fatality Review Team
  • National Helfer Society Diversity & Inclusion Committee
  • Department of Pediatrics Committee on Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Kosair for Kids Division of Pediatric Forensic Medicine remains grateful for the steadfast support of Kosair for Kids.


Kentucky Unbridled Spirit

- Funding for Kosair for Kids Division of Pediatric Forensic Medicine is in part from federal and state CHFS funds

Kosair for Kids Division of Pediatric Forensic Medicine

Academic Office

P: (502) 629-3099
F: (502) 629-3096

Administrative Assistants:

Email Us  with Pediatric Forensic Medicine Fellowship Program questions.




Faculty

Melissa Currie, M.D., F.A.A.P.
Medical Director and Chief
Kosair for Kids Division of Pediatric Forensic Medicine
Program Director, Child Abuse Pediatrics Fellowship
Professor of Pediatrics

 

Child Abuse Fellowship

(Click the above link for more information)

The Child Abuse Fellowship Program of the Kosair for Kids Division of Pediatric Forensic Medicine utilizes the six core competencies of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education as the foundation for a curriculum which provides clinical training in the discipline of Child Abuse Pediatrics. We strive to provide a comprehensive fellowship program in Child Abuse Pediatrics that will assimilate a specially trained diagnostician, motivated researcher,  inspired instructor, expert physician witness, tireless child advocate and lifelong physician learner: Additionally, the fellow gains a background in academic research, which provides skills required for competition in the academic setting. Ample opportunity is provided for development of teaching skills, both in informal and formal education settings.

Goals and Objectives

  • To become proficient in evaluating and managing pediatric injury cases concerning for non-accidental trauma and to be familiar with the possible differential diagnoses related to these cases. (Patient care, medical knowledge, interpersonal and communication skills, professionalism)
  • To participate in clinical experiences involving all facets of the child abuse field including neglect, physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. (Patient care, medical knowledge, interpersonal and communication skills, professionalism, systems based practice)
  • To perform a research project in the field of child abuse pediatrics. (Medical knowledge, professionalism, systems based practice)
  • To attain effective communication and interactions with medical team members as well as with members of the multidisciplinary team including law enforcement, prosecuting and county attorneys, child protection workers and therapists. (Interpersonal and communication skills, professionalism, systems based practice)
  • To learn to provide court testimony in criminal and family court situations both as an examining physician and expert witness in the field of child abuse pediatrics. (Medical knowledge, interpersonal and communications skills, professionalism,  systems based practice)
  • To understand the process of effective instruction, self- reflection and the analysis of clinical and system processes to allow for ongoing improvements of clinical practice. (Medical knowledge, interpersonal and communication skills, practice based learning and improvement, professionalism, systems based practice)