Congratulations to Diana L. Farmer, M.D., FACS, FRCS, chief of pediatric surgery at Shriners Hospitals for Children — Northern California, the new president-elect of the American Surgical Association, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious surgical organization, for the 2021-22 year. She is the third woman to be named to this position in the association’s 141-year history.
Dr. Farmer is an internationally renowned pediatric surgeon – the world’s first female fetal surgeon – known for her expertise in complex intestinal, rectal, chest and neck disorders. She is a pioneer in the field of finding ways to repair damage to the fetal spinal cord prior to birth.
In 2018, Dr. Farmer was awarded a nearly $6 million grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine and Shriners Hospitals for Children to study surgical and stem cell treatments for spina bifida. The grant allowed her team to justify a combination of fetal surgery and stem cell therapy as a treatment for babies diagnosed with spina bifida. The Food and Drug Administration has given approval for clinical trials to begin this year.
We also congratulate Ingrid Parry, a physical therapist at our Northern California location, who has been named president-elect of the American Burn Association (ABA). She will be the first non-surgeon to lead the organization. Parry has published many scientific articles on burn-rehabilitation- related topics.
Parry has been an active member of the ABA, serving on many committees, including the Verification, Program and Rehabilitation committees, and has received previous awards from the ABA for her work. Parry is also a member of the International Society of Burn Injuries.
Corrina Franklin, M.D., orthopedic surgeon at Shriners Hospitals for Children — Philadelphia, was appointed to the board of directors of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America (POSNA) during the organization’s annual meeting in Dallas, Texas, in May. She will serve as Communications Council Chair.
Dr. Franklin has several areas of special interest, including lower extremity disorders, sports injuries, cerebral palsy, spina bifida and hip problems.
Henry Iwinski, M.D., chief of staff of Shriners Hospitals for Children Medical Center — Lexington, also serves on the POSNA board of directors.
POSNA has the important goal of providing education and fostering research in pediatric orthopedics. Shriners Hospitals for Children is proud to be a platinum-level supporter of POSNA, helping to accomplish this goal.
