Richard R. Ricketts, professor of surgery and pediatrics at Emory University School of Medicine and Public Health, chief of the Division of Pediatric Surgery, Emory Children's Center, Atlanta, will present "Management of Childhood Tumors: A Model for Success" at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center's annual Ballantine Lecture from 4 to 5 p.m. Thursday, April 21, in the hospital auditorium.
Ricketts has served with distinction on the executive committee of the American Academy of Pediatrics Surgical Section and on the Children's Oncology Group. His academic interests have centered on neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis and pediatric oncology.
Ricketts earned his medical degree at Northwestern University Medical School. He completed his surgical training at Los Angeles County-University of Southern California Medical Center in Los Angeles. Ricketts completed his fellowship training in pediatric surgery at Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago.
Each year the Division of Pediatric Surgery of Penn State Children's Hospital plays host to a leader in pediatric surgery at the annual Ballantine Lecture. "The Ballantine Lecture remains the highlight event of the year for the division," stated Robert Cilley, chief of pediatric surgery. "We are delighted to have Dr. Ricketts join us for our 15th annual Ballantine Lecture."
The Ballantine Lecture was established in 1991 in memory of Thomas Van Ness Ballantine, a nationally known pediatric surgeon who joined Penn State Hershey Medical Center in 1979. He was professor of surgery and pediatrics, and chief of the Division of Pediatric Surgery and The Doctors Kienle Chair for Humane Medicine at the medical center. Ballantine is remembered as a tireless worker, a consummate clinician, an eloquent advocate for children's health-care needs, a superb teacher and a good friend.
The Division of Pediatric Surgery at Penn State Children's Hospital is nearly 30 years old and has grown steadily to become the primary provider of pediatric surgical services to infants, children and adolescents and their families in central Pennsylvania.
"Although our practice has grown and changed over the years," stated Cilley, "our goal has not. We want to provide the highest level of pediatric surgical care to our patients and their families compassionately, conveniently and in as timely a fashion as possible."