MADERA, Calif. – More than 150 providers, researchers and staff gathered at Valley Children’s Hospital to share ideas, showcase innovations and celebrate advances in patient care during the organization’s sixth annual Interprofessional Research Conference.
The two-day event highlighted the depth and breadth of scholarly work across Valley Children’s, with presentations spanning original research, case reports, quality improvement initiatives, advocacy efforts and new approaches to clinical care. The conference serves as a yearly hub for collaboration, bringing together teams from across disciplines to learn from one another and explore ways to improve outcomes for patients and families.
“Interprofessional Research Day is an opportunity to recognize the passion and expertise our teams bring to improving the care we offer to our patients each and every day,” said Valley Children’s Research Manager Padma Desai. “The work presented throughout the event demonstrates how curiosity, collaboration and innovation can lead to meaningful progress for our patients, families and community.”
In addition to educational sessions and abstract presentations, the event underscored Valley Children’s commitment to academic inquiry and evidence-based practice – core elements in advancing pediatric care.
Top honors were awarded to several presenters whose work stood out among this year’s submissions:
- Advocacy: Dr. Hailey Nelson
- Case Report: Dr. Enjuli Chhaniara
- Educational Innovation: Dr. Haley Nelson
- Original Research: Dr. Tara Rikabi
- Quality Improvement: Dr. Helen Kim
This year’s conference built on growing momentum, attracting more than 40 abstract submissions from Valley Children’s staff as well as external collaborators, including Fresno State, UC Merced and other community partners.
The strong participation reflects increasing engagement in research and scholarly activity – and a shared commitment to advancing care across the region.
