DAY 1
Roundtable discussion between Doctors from Harvard, Pittsburgh, Boston Clinic, and Rett Foundation Representatives with 30 Doctors specialized in treatment of patients with metabolic genetic disorders conditions from all Ecuadorian Public Health Zone only Coordinations in collaboration with the Ministry of Health.
DAY 2
Conference Schedule: What Is It That’s
Not Letting Our Children Thrive?
08:30 – 09:15 Registration and Welcome
•09:15-09:55: Session 1: “Enhancing Child Health Through Comprehensive Public Health Interventions and Strategies”
Speaker: Conference Co-Chairs, Dr. Juan Carlos Zevallos, former Minister of Health of Ecuador, Dean of Health Sciences of UEES, Dr. Xavier Solórzano, former Vice Minister of Health of Ecuador, and Legal Representative of Alianza para la Investigaci n de Enfermedades Emergentes (AIE).
Discussion: Dr. Juan Carlos Zevallos and Dr. Xavier Solórzano will discuss public health strategies by the Harriet Joyce Foundation and AIE to improve child health outcomes in Ecuador. They will cover early detection and prevention of childhood diseases, community engagement, education for healthy lifestyles, integrating mental health into primary care, and promoting health literacy among parents. Emphasizing multi-sectoral collaboration and data-driven approaches, they will advocate for comprehensive and sustainable solutions to enhance child health outcomes in Ecuador.
• 9:55-10:35: Session 2: “The State of Undernutrition in Children: Causes and Solutions”
Speaker: Dr. Natalia Cristina Romero Sandoval, Director of Research at the School of Medicine, The International University of Ecuador (UIDE), National Undersecretary of Public Health Surveillance at the Ministry of Public Health of Ecuador (MSP).
Speaker: Andrea Stefania Prado Cabrera, Vice Minister of Comprehensive Healthcare, Ecuador.
Speaker: Nancy Flores Lastra, Professional in Chemical Sciences, Analytic Chemistry, and Master of Science in Nutrition and Food. Professor at Universidad Espíritu Santo.
Discussion: Dr. Natalia Cristina Romero Sandoval will present on undernutrition among children in Ecuador, highlighting key statistics, causes, and policy gaps, public health policies for disease prevention and health promotion.
• 10:30-10:45: Break
• 10:45-11:25: Session 3: “Innovative Nutritional Strategies and Practical Healthcare Interventions to Combat Child
Malnutrition in Ecuador”
Speaker: Wahida Karmally, Dr. PH, MS, RDN, CLS, FNLA , Special Research Scientist, Columbia University, Associate Editor Journal of Clinical Lipidology.
Discussion: Dr. Wahida Karmally will discuss global trends in combating undernutrition, focusing on low-resource settings. They will highlight successful community-based programs, the integration of nutritional research into public health policies, and the importance of early interventions and tailored dietary guidelines for Ecuadorian children.
• 11:25-12:05: Session 4: I“Transforming Public Health and Reducing Stunting: Innovative Strategies for Early Childhood Development in Peru”
Speaker: Dr. Angela Patricia Garcia Sanchez, Ministry of Health of Ecuador, Coordination of Zone 8.
Speaker: Dr. Ariela María de los Milagros Luna Florez, Peruvian physician and anthropologist. Minister of Development and Social Inclusion of Peru from October 29, 2019, to July 15, 2020.
Speaker: Delegate from Ministry of Health
Discussion Summary: Dr. Ariela Luna will share strategies to improve child health and reduce stunting in Peru, including successful public health policies, food fortification, and the role of community health workers. She will also discuss telemedicine, results-based budgeting, and the importance of continuous monitoring and evaluation. Dr. Patricia Garcia will highlight initiatives aimed at improving health outcomes in Zone 8, strategies to improve the quality of care.
• 12:05-12:45: Session 5: “Assessing the Impact of Environmental Exposures and Toxic Metals on Child Health in
Ecuador”
Speaker: Dr. Nesta Bortey-Sam, Assistant Professor, Faculty in Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health.
Speaker: Dr. Hugo Guillermo Navarrete Zambrano, CESAQ-PUCE (Centro de Estudios y Servicios Ambientales y Químicos at Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador) PhD, Director, Center for Applied Studies in Chemistry, Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, Center for Applied Studies in Chemistry, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, PUCE.
Speaker: Gabriela Salome Yánez Jácome, M Sc, Advanced Fine Chemistry, CESAQ (Center for Applied Studies and Analytic Chemistry Quimica Fina Avanaza), Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador (PUCE).
Discussion: Impact of environmental exposures and toxic metals (lead, cadmium, arsenic, etc.) on child health in Ecuador. Focus on sources, health implications, and heightened vulnerability of malnourished children who absorb more toxic metals due to nutrient deficiencies. Presenting case studies and research findings, they will emphasize the importance of monitoring and mitigating these exposures to protect children’s health, the importance of sustainable agricultural practices and community education, and provide actionable insights into protecting children’s health through environmental stewardship and innovative solutions.
• 12:45-12:55: Q&A
• 12:55-13:25: Lunch
• 13:25-14:05: Session 6: “The Impact of Environmental Exposures on Child Health: A Focus on Aflatoxins”
Speaker: Dr. Jia-Sheng Wang, Professor, University of Georgia College of Public Health.
Discussion: Dr. Jia-Sheng Wang on the impact of aflatoxins on child health. Sources, pathways, and toxicological effects of aflatoxin contamination. Strategies for mitigation, including agricultural practices, food safety regulations, as they apply to food supplies, and community education. Dr. Wang will present research findings on the association between aflatoxin exposure and health outcomes such as stunted growth, liver damage, and increased susceptibility to infectious diseases. His talk will provide actionable insights into protecting children’s health from environmental toxins.
• 14:05-14:45: Session 7: “Addressing Social Determinants of Health to Enhance Child Well-being”
Speaker: Dr. Dorit Nitzan, MD, MPH, RD, Director, Master’s Program in Emergency Medicine-Preparedness & Response to Emergencies & Disasters, School of Public Health & Chair, Food Systems, One Health and Resilience (BGU-FOR) Center, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Israel.
Discussion: Dr. Dorit Nitzan will share international experiences and the impacts of not addressing malnutrition and environmental health issues. Drawing from her extensive experience with the World Health Organization, she will highlight successful interventions and policies that have improved health outcomes in vulnerable populations. Emphasis on holistic approaches integrating healthcare, nutrition, and social support, to create a nurturing environment for children to thrive.
• 14:45-15:25: Session 8: “Innovative Nature-Based Solutions for Enhancing Child Health in Ecuador”
Speaker: Bianca Dager Jervis, Bianca Dager Jervis, Former Vice-minister and Deputy Minister of the Environment of Ecuador. Former Environment Director of the Municipality of Guayaquil.
Discussion: Bianca Dager Jervis on nature-based solutions for child health in Ecuador. Focus on sustainable practices, environmental stewardship, and successful green initiatives.
• 15:25-15:35: Break
• 15:35-16:15: Session 9: “Innovative Approaches to Improving Child Health in Underserved Communities of Ecuador”
Speaker: ‘CJ’ Jones. Thirty years living and working across Africa has led CJ Jones to become a passionate food systems disrupter. Driven by the need to create food justice through greater access equity and better use of available resources, CJ had built several inclusive ‘for profit’ businesses that drive to this vision.
Discussion: CJ Jones will explore the unique challenges faced by children in Ecuador’s remote and resource-limited areas, innovative strategies to improve healthcare access and outcomes, highlight successful initiatives that have leveraged local resources, community involvement, and partnerships to deliver essential health services and sustainable, culturally sensitive approaches to ensure that all children receive the care and support they need to thrive. Her talk will inspire healthcare professionals and policymakers to adopt innovative solutions and collaborate to enhance child health in Ecuador’s underserved regions.
• 16:15-16:55: Session 10: “Building Brighter Futures: Innovative Educational Strategies for Ecuador’s Children”, Unidos Por la Educación.
Speaker: Juan Pablo Guerrero Huerta, Executive Director of Unidos por la Educación, a foundation dedicated to enhancing the quality of education in Ecuador.
Discussion: Juan Pablo Guerrero Huerta on improving children’s lives in Ecuador through education, community involvement, and public-private partnerships. Emphasis on innovative teaching, technology integration, and early childhood education.
• 16:55-17:05: Q&A Session
• 17:05-17:35: Day’s Wrap-Up, Closing Remarks
• 17:35-18:35: Networking and Welcoming Reception
DAY 3
Conference Schedule: What Is It That’s
Not Letting Our Children Thrive?
08:30 – 09:15 Registration and Welcome
Early Diagnosis of Rare Diseases in Children:
Breakthroughs in Identifying and Treating Genetic Illnesses
• 09:35 – 10:15: Session 1: Revolutionizing Newborn Screening in Ecuador: Unlocking the Future of Our Children’s
Health
Speaker: Dr. Richard Parad, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Discussion: Revolutionary newborn screening in Ecuador to diagnose over 2,000 pediatric disorders using modern genetics, moving from 4 to 2,000 detectable conditions, more than 500 of which are treatable or manageable.
• 10:15-10:55: Session 2: Advances and Challenges in Genetic Research in Ecuador
Speaker: Dr. Cesar Paz-Y-Miño, Doctor of Medicine, Master in Biology Infectious Disease, with a specialty in Clinical Genetics and Human Molecular Genetics
Discussion: Dr. Cesar Paz-Y-Miño, a renowned geneticist in Ecuador, will delve into the significant strides and ongoing challenges in the field of genetics in Ecuador.
• 10:55-11:05: Break
• 11:05-11:45: Session 3: How Can We Expand Newborn Screening: From Four Conditions to Many More?
Speaker: Dr. Arindam (Andy) Bhattacharjee, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
Discussion: How Can we Expand Newborn Screening: From four conditions to many more? The Role of Genomic Medicine in Ecuador
Newborn Screening. Challenges and Opportunities in implementing Genomics in Ecuador. Approaches to rolling out Genomic Medicine in the short-term.
• 11:45-12:25: Session 4: Introduction to Various Genetic Metabolic Disorders, Their Causes, and Prevalence
Speaker: Dr. Holmes Morton, Central Pennsylvania Clinic.
Discussion: Overview of genetic metabolic disorders, the importance of early identification, care management, nutrition management, dietary interventions in treatment. Valuable insights and practical tools to manage and treat hereditary metabolic disorders. Dr. Morton on using genomic medicine with the Amish to diagnose and treat rare disorders, and their parallels to Ecuador.
• 12:25-13:05: Session 5: Early Identification and Care Management: Introduction to Various Genetic Metabolic Disorders, Their Causes, and Prevalence. The Role of Nutrition in Managing Genetic Metabolic Disorders
Speaker: Dr. Lina Gonzalez, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Children’s Hospital.
Speaker: Aly Smith, MS, RD, LD, CNSC, metabolic nutritionist, licensed dietitian, pediatric nutrition, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Children’s Hospital.
Discussion: Introduction to various genetic metabolic disorders, their causes, and prevalence, early Identification and Care Management, valuable insights and practical tools to manage and treat hereditary metabolic disorders, the role of nutrition in managing genetic metabolic disorders, including dietary interventions and nutritional support, and nutrition management strategies, innovative approaches to managing developmental delays and seizures in children, with a focus on genetic examples. The critical impact of early treatment in metabolic disorders and its role in transforming children’s lives.
• 13:05-13:15: Q&A
• 13:15-13:45: Lunch
• 13:45-14:25: Session 6: Leveraging Genomic Medicine for Rare Genetic Disorders: Lessons from the Amish Community and Applications for Ecuador
Speaker: Dr. Holmes Morton, Central Pennsylvania Clinic.
Discussion: Dr. Holmes Morton will share his experience with the Amish community at the Clinic for Special Children, where he has used genomic medicine to diagnose and treat the unique genetic challenges faced by the Amish and how community-based healthcare models and advanced genomic tools have addressed these issues. Key strategies include early diagnosis, community engagement, and cost-effective solutions. Dr. Morton will then draw parallels to Ecuador, highlighting how these strategies can be adapted to improve child health outcomes. He will emphasize the vital importance of the continuum of care, from early diagnosis and treatment to care management, education, and nutrition, as well as access to medical formulas and supplements. By sharing case studies from his work with the Amish, Dr. Morton aims to provide actionable insights and inspire healthcare professionals in Ecuador to adopt innovative approaches to genetic care management.
• 14:25 – 15:05: Session 7: Innovative Approaches to Managing Developmental Delays and Seizures in Children
Speaker: Dr. Alejandro de la Torre, pediatric neurologist at the Hospital de los Valles and Hospital Metropolitano, Quito, Ecuador.
Discussion: Dr. Alejandro De la Torre will delve into developmental delays and seizures in children, highlighting groundbreaking approaches and real-life genetic examples. He will emphasize the importance of early and precise interventions to unlock a child’s potential. This talk promises to be a thought-provoking exploration of the future of pediatric care.
• 15:05-15:15: Break
• 15:15 – 15:55: Session 8: The Critical Impact of Early Treatment in Metabolic Disorders
Speaker: Dr. Alcy Torres, FAAP, Director of the Pediatric Brain Injury Program at Boston Medical Center and Professor of Pediatrics and Neurology at Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine.
Discussion: Dr. Alcy Torres will discuss the critical importance of early treatment in metabolic disorders. He will present powerful case studies and the latest research, demonstrating how timely intervention can drastically alter a child’s life trajectory. Dr. Torres will emphasize the need for early diagnosis and treatment to prevent severe complications and improve quality of life. He will provoke attendees to consider whether enough is being done to ensure early detection and intervention, and how resources and knowledge can be mobilized to make a tangible difference in the lives of children with metabolic disorders.
Strategic
Collaborators
