MDNews - Cleveland-Akron-Canton

COVER FEATURE the county to perform kidney surgery using SILS and helped popularize the use of this technique for appendectomy. Dr. Barksdale explains, "Instead of four or five small incisions, we're now able to do surgery through one single incision in the belly button, so there's less scarring. And we say, 'when there's less scar for a child, there's less scare.'" Dr. Barksdale himself is considered to be one of the country's leading experts in the field of pediatric short bowel syndrome/intestinal failure and is a frequent lecturer on clinical issues in oncology (including neuroblastoma) and intestinal failure. But he is quick to point out that clinical excellence is about more than technical expertise. "Medicine is not only about science and innovation," says Dr. Barksdale. "It is also about service. It's about mak- ing pediatric surgery and making the healthcare of children relevant to the greater community." Excellence in Service It was during Dr. Barksdale's first weekend on call at UH Rainbow that he realized he had a much greater obligation than working in the hospital. "A young teenager who looked like my oldest son was brought in shot to death. That weekend, I also had a child who was the victim of abuse and subsequently died. And we also had a 2-year-old who had been shot," he says. "I started looking into the levels of child violence, and I was shocked." Since then, the father of four has distinguished himself as a passionate advocate for child health and healthcare in Northeast Ohio by taking a leadership role in Project Focus, a youth violence prevention program that has already impacted the region's teenage murder rate. Concerned with rural as well as urban problems, Dr. Barksdale has also worked with Amish elders and other collaborators to establish a culturally appropriate injury prevention program for Amish youth in Geauga County. In addition, he's been instrumental in Cuyahoga County commissioners obtain- ing a $2 million grant — one of only eight in the nation — from the U.S. Attorney General for the Defending Childhood Initiative. This national initiative aims to prevent children's exposure to violence, mitigate the negative impact of such exposure when it does occur, and develop knowledge and spread awareness about children's exposure to violence. A recent national survey found that 60 10 | Cleveland/Akron/Canton MD NEWS s MDNEWS.COM s NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2012 percent of American children have been exposed to violence, crime, or abuse in their homes, schools or communities — and 40 percent were direct victims of two or more violent acts. In recognition of his efforts to stem violence and injury among young people, Dr. Barksdale was recently honored by the Bellflower Institute for his work "to heal and prevent the trauma of child abuse in our community." He was also recognized by the Center for Families and Children during its 22nd Annual Living Legends Benefit Spotlight on Fathers in 2011. Whether he is directing his team of pediatric surgeons at UH Rainbow or lead- ing a child health initiative, Dr. Barksdale remains committed to the idea that excel- lence in medicine has service at its core. "I came to Cleveland because I thought I could add value to Cleveland's health care ... I was hoping that I could. But I realized, more importantly, that Cleveland has added great value to me and my life," says Dr. Barksdale. "This is a great community." For more information about UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital pediatric sur- gery services, visit www.RainbowBabies.org/ surgery. To contact Dr. Edward Barksdale, call 216-844-3015. s PHOTO COURTESY OF UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS

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