Medical students earn travel scholarships for state pediatrics conference
Posted on May 4, 2026 by Casandra Andrews
A group of seven medical students from the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine received travel scholarships to attend the Alabama Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics annual meeting, held in April in Gulf Shores.
The students were awarded the scholarships in recognition of their demonstrated interest in pediatrics, said Benjamin Estrada, M.D., a professor of pediatrics at the Whiddon College of Medicine.
The scholarship recipients were Ashley Bates, Ahzam Budhwani, Taryn Hartley, Emi Ferderber Musaalo, Destyni Newson, Allison Omohundro and Elisha Rambin. The students attended the meeting alongside faculty mentors and participated in educational sessions focused on advances in pediatric care, advocacy, and professional development.
Opportunities such as the Alabama Chapter meeting play a key role in shaping the professional growth of future pediatricians.
“These experiences allow students to see how education, advocacy and patient care come together in pediatrics,” Estrada said. “They also help reinforce the lifelong learning that is essential to the practice of medicine.”
The annual meeting brings together pediatricians, trainees, and other health care professionals from across the state to discuss emerging research, clinical best practices, and innovations in child health. Attendance at the conference gave the medical students early exposure to the professional pediatric community and opportunities to engage with practicing physicians and academic leaders.
In addition to student participation, faculty from the Whiddon College of Medicine played a prominent role in the program. Gangajal Kasniya, M.D., a neonatologist and assistant professor of pediatrics at USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital, was a featured speaker at the meeting.
Kasniya’s presentation focused on Point of Care Ultrasound in Pediatrics, commonly known as POCUS. His session covered practical applications of POCUS across a range of pediatric age groups, highlighting its growing relevance in both inpatient and outpatient settings. He also discussed key considerations in the development of POCUS curricula in undergraduate medical education and graduate medical education programs.
Point-of-care ultrasound is increasingly used by pediatricians to enhance bedside assessment and guide clinical decision-making. Kasniya emphasized the importance of structured training to ensure effective and safe use of the technology by trainees and practicing physicians.