Breaking the Script: Guiding Parents Through the No-Antibiotic Talk
At the end of this presentation, participants should be able to:
- Introduce Antimicrobial Stewardship Concept & PCORI Project
- Review research on how parents communicate their expectations for antibiotics during pediatric visits for ARTI and how this can increase unwarranted prescribing
- Gain an understanding of how to best manage parent expectations for antibiotics in order to avoid unwarranted prescribing and maintain satisfaction with care
About the presenters:
Wendy Bernatavicius, MD
Chief of the Division of Primary, Complex Care and Adolescent Medicine
Phoenix Children's
Dr. Wendy Bernatavicius, originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, began her professional journey in the field of advertising, where she worked for six years while earning her Master of Business Administration. Although successful in business, she ultimately discovered her true passion lay in medicine. She went on to earn her medical degree from Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia.
Following medical school, Dr. Bernatavicius relocated to Phoenix, Arizona, to complete her pediatric residency at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, serving as Chief Resident in her third year. In 2008, she joined the Division of Primary, Complex Care & Adolescent Medicine, where she has provided care for children with complex medical needs. Since 2016, she has served in the role of Division Chief.
In addition to her primary care work with children with medical complexity, Dr. Bernatavicius is board certified in Hospice and Palliative Medicine. She provides both inpatient and outpatient palliative care consultations, as well as hospice services in collaboration with Hospice of the Valley.
Brittany Miller
Executive Director, Epilepsy Foundation Arizona
Patient Family Faculty Member, Phoenix Children's
Brittany Miller started her journey with parent and patient advocacy over 15 years ago when her youngest daughter Brooke was diagnosed with Aicardi Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, and severe Epilepsy at Phoenix Children’s. After receiving invaluable support and guidance from Phoenix Children’s, Raising Special Kids, and the Epilepsy Foundation, it inspired her to get involved in the Arizona disability community as a parent advocate. Brittany volunteered as a parent leader, mentoring parents whose children had similar medical issues and applied and was accepted onto the Family Advisory Council at Phoenix Children’s where she has served alongside Phoenix Children's physicians, parents, and staff for over 11 years. Brittany was a parent volunteer for Raising Special Kids for several years before coming on as a staff member in 2018. She worked as a Family Support Specialist and served on the Communications team, helping families, presenting to medical and educational professionals and managing RSK’s social media until early 2024. She currently serves on the Phoenix Children’s Patient Safety Committee and Patient Family Faculty. Brittany has participated in several disability councils locally and nationally and has a passion for providing parent perspective to improve programs and systems of care for children and families. Her most valued role is being a wife and a mother to her three amazing daughters. Brittany is currently the Executive Director at Epilepsy Foundation Arizona and is passionate about advocating for families affected by epilepsy.