Digest — U.Va. News Daily

University hosts statewide ESL conference
Virginia’s public school systems are experiencing a population explosion of children who do not speak English as their first language. More than 130 educators throughout the state were expected to attend the annual Virginia Association of Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages conference at U.Va. Oct. 11 to discuss the increasing challenges that today’s teachers face. (Oct. 10-12)

U.Va. starts state’s first Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program
How should a child born with a heart defect be cared for as an adult? What happens when adults with heart defects give birth to children of their own?

To answer these questions and continue the specialized care that these adults need, the Health System has started the state’s first Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program, a collaboration between U.Va.’s Children’s Heart Center and its Heart and Vascular Center.

The majority of adult heart clinics focus on heart attacks, rhythm disorders, heart failure and heart disease prevention. U.Va.’s new program will focus on congenital heart defects and the complications that can follow.

“We’re finding that once children with congenital heart defects grow up, they often stop getting the follow-up care they need,” said Dr. Amy Tucker, associate professor of medicine in the cardiovascular division. “These adults need a place to go and be seen by physicians with experience in congenital heart defects.” And now they have one. (Oct. 17-19)

New treatment for pituitary tumors uses implanted wafers
Neurosurgeons at U.Va.’s Health System are studying a new way to treat tumors in the pituitary gland. While most pituitary tumors are benign, some people experience aggressive recurrence after surgical removal. To help reduce the chances of the tumors returning, chemotherapy wafers are being implanted in the area that houses the pituitary. (Oct. 15)