This year's Children’s Respiratory & Critical Care Specialists, P.A. Lecture is presented by Tracy Mehan. 

Tracy Mehan works at the intersection of health communication and emerging technology. She is the Director of Research Translation and Communication at the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, where she translates research into clear, accessible messages for patient, families, and the public. She is also a national educator and speaker on the use of artificial intelligence in public health and clinical communication, helping clinicians and researchers understand how AI is shaping patient behavior, healthcare systems, and the delivery of care. Her work focuses on ensuring that emerging technologies support safe, effective, and patient-centered communication. She is also the co-host of Communications Breakdown, a podcast that explores what works - and doesn’t - in health and science communication. 

Children’s Respiratory & Critical Care Specialists, P.A. Lecture

This lectureship proudly honors the distinguished career of Dr. Stephen C. Kurachek, a retired pediatrician from Children's Minnesota, who dedicated his professional life to the health and well-being of children. A graduate of the University of Michigan and University of Miami Miller School of Medicine (1978), his commitment to specialized pediatric care led to a residency at the esteemed C.S. Mott Children's Hospital and a fellowship at Boston Children's Hospital.

Throughout his impactful tenure at the University of Michigan, Dr. Kurachek achieved board certifications in pediatric critical care and pediatric pulmonology (through Harvard University), demonstrating a profound depth of expertise in managing complex respiratory and critical illnesses in young patients. Recognizing the broader impact of health behaviors, he also became a certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist through the Mayo Clinic.

Driven by a passion for continuous improvement in healthcare delivery, Dr. Kurachek further completed advanced training programs in quality improvement from the Institute of Healthcare Improvement and Intermountain Healthcare. His dedication to evidence-based practice continues to this day through his involvement in reviewing guidelines for pediatric empyema.

This lectureship serves as a testament to Dr. Kurachek's unwavering commitment to pediatric medicine, his pursuit of excellence in clinical care, and his dedication to advancing the field through continuous learning and quality improvement. It aims to inspire future generations of healthcare professionals to emulate his dedication and make meaningful contributions to the lives of children.

This presentation will be held both in-person in the 2nd Floor Education Center on the Minneapolis Campus with lunch provided while quantities last or virtually. We will try our best to provide a meal for you; however, all is dependent on final number of attendees.