May 17, 1969 - September 22, 2025
It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Dr. Silvia Fajardo-Hiriart on September 22, after a courageous battle with glioblastoma. A proud University of Miami alumna, Dr. Fajardo-Hiriart served as the Medical Director for the Early Steps Program for more than 17 years, dedicating her career to supporting children and families in need. After retiring from academic medicine in 2017, she continued her lifelong commitment to public health and advocacy for disadvantaged populations.
If you would like to read more about Dr. Fajardo-Hiriart, click here
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Mailman Center New Member Spotlight
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Clinical Professor of Pediatrics & Physician-in-Chief, Holtz Children's Hospital
Dr. Pankaj Agrawal is a physician-scientist, director of the Division of Neonatology, and Physician-in-Chief for Holtz Children’s Hospital. His research focuses on applying genomics and multi-omics in neonatal care and uncovering the genetic and molecular bases of rare diseases, particularly congenital myopathies.
Click here to read more
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Professor & Chair of Human Genetics
Dr. Mustafa Tekin is chair of the Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation Department of Human Genetics and chief of the Division of Clinical and Translational Medicine. He earned his medical degree from Ankara University and completed pediatrics and clinical genetics training in Turkey and the U.S., including a fellowship in molecular genetics/cytogenetics at the University of Miami.
Click here to read more
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Roger Harrison IDEAS (Inclusion, Diversity, and Excellence in Advocacy and Social Justice) National Award 2025
The Roger Harrison IDEAS Award honors healthcare professionals who advance equity and justice through integrated primary care. As a pediatric psychologist who has work in school-based primary care settings for nearly 10 years, Dr. Elizabeth Pulgaron embodies these principals. Through clinical innovation, mentorship, research, and advocacy, Dr. Pulgaron has worked to transform access to mental health care for disenfranchised youth while building sustainable systems of integrated care.
Click here to read more on Dr. Pulgaron's award
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National Institute of Health Grant
Congratulations to Drs. Michelle Schladant and Ruby Natale for receiving an R21 award from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders for their study, Jump Start to Talk. This study examines how Spanish- and Haitian Creole-speaking caregivers and educators identify late talking in dual language learners and access early intervention services. Using cultural brokers from Le Jardin Community Center and Sant La Neighborhood Center, researchers will conduct interviews to understand barriers and facilitators to care. Findings will inform improved assessment tools and service pathways, especially for Hispanic and Haitian families.
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National Medical Association
Jennifer Walton, MD, MPH, FAAP, was elected Vice Speaker of the National Medical Association (NMA) House of Delegates. The NMA is the largest and oldest organization representing African-American physicians and their patients in the United States. It represents more than 50,000 African-American physicians and the patients they serve.
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LEND Trainee
Sadrynie Myrtil, MSW, has joined the School Health Initiative as a Therapist. She earned both her MSW and BA in Psychology from FIU and brings over a decade of experience working with children in roles such as coach, teacher, and mentor. Trained in evidence-based approaches like CBT and solution-focused CBT, Sadrynie is also interested in music therapy. A UM LEND alumna, she’s passionate about community service and mental health. Outside of work, she enjoys singing, playing percussion, and roller skating.
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Association of University Centers on Disabilities
The Mailman Center participated in AUCD’s Virtual Network Connection Session, an event that highlights the inspiring work of UCEDDs, LENDs, and IDDRCs while fostering collaboration across the network. Michelle Schladant presented during the Lightning Talks segment, where centers shared one slide and a two-minute presentation to spotlight projects that spark pride and energy. Michelle’s talk, “A Decade of Innovation through Interprofessional Collaboration,” offered a brief overview of IPC integration within the Mailman Center and its impact in advancing our key priorities: health impact, technology innovation, and community participatory principles.
The next AUCD Virtual Network Session will take place on Thursday, October 30th, from 4:00pm - 6:00pm. Click here for more information.
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Mailman Center Member
Medical co-director of the Progression Across Transition in Healthcare (PATH) Clinic, Dr. Anjali Saxena is helping children build resilience in the face of severe weather. After witnessing the mental health impacts of Hurricane Dorian in 2019, Dr. Saxena co-developed a literacy-based mental health program for children in the Bahamas through the Global Institute for Community Health and Development alongside Dr. Kendra Van Kirk. More recently, she collaborated with Dr. Annette La Greca to create a program that helps South Florida children with complex medical needs and their families prepare emotionally for storms.
Click here to read more
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Speaker: Dr. Daniel Armstrong, Director of the Mailman Center
The State of the Mailman Center highlighted the dedication and hard work of the past year across all areas of our mission. From advancing Education & Training and delivering innovative Clinical Services to driving impactful Research and strengthening Community Engagement, this presentation reflected the many ways the Mailman Center continues to grow and serve.
Click here to watch
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Publication
Smith, N., Perry, D., & Pulgaron, E.R. (2025). New Frontiers in Pediatric Psychology: Dismantling Barriers through Integrated School Health Care. Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology.
DOI: 10.1177/21694826251383506. In press.
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Publication
Davis, C., Schmidt, R. D., Pan, Y., Conroy, K., De La Rua, W., Torres, E., Gwynn, L., & Cuadra, A. (2025). Assessing trauma and development among primarily Latino immigrant children at a Pediatric Mobile Clinic: A cross-sectional study. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy. Advance online publication.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0002034
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Publication
Velez, C., Campez-Pardo, M., Canovas, J., Pedronzo, P., Ahn, Y., Dale, C., Dale, S., Gwynn, L., Jensen-Doss, A., Pulgaron, E. R., St. George, S., Ehrenreich-May, J. (2025). An Iteratively Adapted Transdiagnosed Prevention Program for Diverse High School Settings (U-PEACE): Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Research Protocols. In press.
DOI: 10.2196/74080
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Calendar of Upcoming Events
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Contact
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