Wanjiku F.M. Njoroge, MD

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Wanjiku F.M. Njoroge, MD, is the Medical Director of the Young Child Clinic and Program Director of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship.

Areas of Expertise: Early child development, Media research, Cultural research, Ethnically diverse children
Locations: Main Hospital
Appointments and Referrals: 1-800-TRY-CHOP (1-800-879-2467)

Education and Training

Medical School

MD - Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX

Internship

General Psychiatry - University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine University of Pennsylvania

Residency

General Psychiatry - Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine University of Pennsylvania

Fellowship

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry - Yale Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
Harris Infant Psychiatry - Yale Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
Klingenstein NIMH Research Fellowship - Yale Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
Zigler Policy Fellowship - Yale Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
PMTRP Program for Minority Research Training in Psychiatry - The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA

Board Certification

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
General Psychiatry

Titles and Academic Titles

Medical Director, Young Child Clinic

Program Director, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship

Infant/preschool Psychiatrist, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist

Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Departments and Services

Publications

Papers

2019

Gerstein EG, Njoroge WFM, Paul, R, Smyser, C, Rogers, CL. Maternal Depression and Stress in the NICU: Associations with Mother-Child Interactions at Age 5 Years. Journal of American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. 2019; 58(3): 350-358.e2

2017

Hoffman-Craven, Dunn, D, Njoroge, WFM. Impact of Postpartum Upon Infant Development. Current Psychiatry Reports, 2017; 19:100 DOI 10.1007/s11920-017-0857-8

2016

Njoroge, WFM. Schwartz, B., Hostutler, C., Mautone, J. Integrated Care for Parents and Children in Primary Care. Current Psychiatry Reports, 2016; 18:106 DOI 10.1007/s11920-016-0745-7

Njoroge WFM, Elenbaas L, Myaing M, Garrison M, Christakis D.: What are Children Watching? Disparities in Concordant TV Viewing. Howard Journal of Communications. 2016. 27(3): 203-217.

2013

Njoroge W, Elenbaas L, Myaing M, Garrison M, Christakis D. Parent Cultural Attitudes and Beliefs Regarding Young Children and Television. JAMA Pediatrics. 2013, 167(8): 739-745.

2012

Njoroge WFM., Yang D.: Evidence-based Psychotherapies for Preschool Children with Psychiatric Disorders. Current Psychiatry Reports. Current Psychiatry Reports, 14 (2): 121-128, 2012.

2011

Njoroge WFM, Bernhart K.: Assessment of Behavioral Disorders in Preschool-Aged Children. Current Psychiatry Reports, 13(2): 84-92, 2011.

2009

Njoroge WFM, Benton T, Lewis M, Njoroge N.: What are infants learning about race? A look at a sample of infants from multiple racial groups, Infant Mental Health Journal, Special Issue on Culture, 20(5): 549-567, 2009.

2002

Richardson R., Njoroge WFM, Gutierrez-Wilcox G.: Use of a culturally and age sensitive skit improving knowledge and awareness adolescent females have about papanicolaou (pap) smears. 2002 Journal of Pediatric Adolescent Gynecology

Books

Chapters

2019

Clinical Guide to Psychiatric Assessment of Infants and Young Children Frankel K, Harrison J, & Njoroge, WFM (EDs). Clinical Guide to Psychiatric Assessment of Infants and Young Children. Springer, Inc 2019; Switzerland: Springer.

Stein R, Dunn D, Njoroge, WFM. Introduction to assessment in early childhood. In: Frankel K, Harrison J, & Njoroge, WFM (EDs). Clinical Guide to Psychiatric Assessment of Infants and Young Children. Springer, Inc 2019: (pp. 1-21. Switzerland: Springer.

2017

Njoroge WFM, Williamson AA, Mautone JA, Robins PM, & Benton TD (in press). Competencies and training guidelines for behavioral health providers in pediatric primary care. Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2017 Oct;26(4):717-731. doi: 10.1016/j.chc.2017.06.002.

2012

Benton TD, Njoroge WFM, Kim A.: Pediatric Evaluation and Laboratory Testing. In: Dulcan, M. (Ed). Dulcan's Textbook of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc., Washington, D.C., 2010, pp. 111-122.

Posters and Presentations

Invited Lectures

2020

“Disparities During COVID-19”, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (DCAPBS), The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA June 11, 2020

“Moving forward with Difficult Conversations.” PolicyLab, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA June 17, 2020

“Diversity & Inclusion: Where are we now?” Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (DCAPBS), The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA July 30, 2020

“The Effects of Discrimination on Children’s Health and Well- Being.” Pediatric Grand Rounds, Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine (WUSM), St. Louis, MO August 26, 2020

“Structural Racism & COVID-19: What Happens to Children When Two Pandemics Collide.” Pediatric Grand Rounds. Department of Pediatrics, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA September 3, 2020

“Protect or Prepare: Community Trauma and Resilience for Children and Adolescents in Pandemic Times.” Tri-County Mental Health Services, Inc. Kansas City MO September 24, 2020

“What do we tell the children? Parenting and Social Justice.” Multicultural Professionals Network (MPN)-Growth Lab Panel. The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA October 10, 2020

“Addressing Racism and Bias in Pediatric Care.” Society for Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics (SDBP) 2020 Virtual Annual Meeting. October 14, 2020

“Reach out and Read: Using books to Better Understand Differences.” Reach out and Read: Pennsylvania Region Annual Meeting. The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA October 19, 2020

“Psychiatric Assessment of the Very Young Child in the Clinic,” American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), 67th Annual Meeting, Virtual October 20, 2020

“Treating Infants, Toddlers, & Preschoolers-Challenges/Innovative Strategies/Creative Solutions.” American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), 67th Annual Meeting, Virtual October 23, 2020

“Diversity and Culture Roundtable: Between 2 Pandemics where are we now? Looking back and looking forward.” Member Forum. American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), 67th Annual Meeting, Virtual October 23, 2020

“Reimagining Excellence: Achieving Equity as the Outcome.” American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), 67th Annual Meeting, Virtual October 24, 2020

“What’s Going On? Increased Suicidality in Young African American Children.” American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), 67th Annual Meeting, Virtual October 24, 2020

“Before I Let Go: Call to Action for the Black Youth Suicide Crisis.” American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), 67th Annual Meeting, Virtual November 9, 2020

“Minds Behind the Headlines”. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. November 13, 2020

“Fostering Discussions Regarding Culture, Diversity, and Racism in the context of Clinical Supervision.” Yale Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut. November 17, 2020

“The Importance of the Earliest Years: Understanding Race/Racism on Early Child Development.” Department of Psychiatry Grand Rounds University of Texas San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas.

Njoroge WFM. Drexel School of Public Health. Webinar on COVID and Mental Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA. May 14, 2020.

Njoroge WFM. “Understanding Distress: Impact of Stressors on Mothers”. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Grand Rounds, Department of Psychiatry, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital (MGUH), Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. April 7, 2020.

Njoroge WFM. "The Earliest Years Matter: NICU Hospitalization and the Impact on Mothers and Infants- Profiles of Distress." Pediatric Grand Rounds, Department of Pediatrics, Cooper University Hospital-UMDNJ, Camden, NJ. February 26, 2020.

2019

Njoroge WFM. “Psychiatric Assessment of the Very Young Child in the Clinic,” American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), 66th Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL. October 18, 2019.

Njoroge WFM. “Diversity-Informed Tenets for Work with Infants, Children, and Families: A Tool for Promoting Diversity-Informed Clinical Practice.” American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), 66th Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL. October 18, 2019.

Njoroge WFM. “Diversity and Culture Roundtable: Gun Violence and Its Impact on Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Well-Being”, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), 66th Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL. October 15, 2019.

Njoroge WFM. “A career in Medicine.” Netter Center of Public Health, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. August 6, 2019.

Njoroge WFM. “I’ve Got the Blues: Mental Health in the Black Community.'" Annual Medical Education Conference (AMEC) for the Student National Medical Association (SNMA). Philadelphia, PA. April 20, 2019.

Njoroge WFM. “NICU Hospitalization: Profiles of Distress in Mothers of Preterm Infants.” Lifespan Brain Institute (LiBI) Research Symposium. Early Contributors and Modulators of Brain Development. University of Pennsylvania and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, Philadelphia, PA. April 8, 2019.

2018

Njoroge WFM. “Burnout, Depression, Suicide, & Mental Health. Student National Medical Association-Region VIII Annual Conference.” Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Philadelphia, PA. December 12, 2018.

Njoroge WFM. “Framing a Persuasive Social Justice Discourse: Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists Speaking Truth to Power in a Polarized Era”, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), 65th Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA. October 25, 2018.

Njoroge WFM. “Violent Video Exposure and Its Impact on Youth of Color.” American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), 65th Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA. October 24, 2018.

Njoroge WFM. “Diversity and Culture Roundtable: Overrepresentation of Native Youth in the Juvenile Justice System.” American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), 65th Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA. October 23, 2018.

Njoroge WFM. “Maternal Depression and Stress in the NICU: Adverse Impact on Parenting at 5 years”. World Association of Infant Mental Health (WAIMH), 16th World Congress Rome, Italy. May 30, 2018.

Njoroge WFM. “Mental Health Screening for Mothers and Fathers of Medically Complex Infants in the United States”. World Association of Infant Mental Health (WAIMH), 16th World Congress Rome, Italy. May 29, 2018.

Njoroge WFM. “Addressing the Social Determinants of Mental Health and Health Disparities”, American Psychiatric Association, Annual Meeting, New York, NY. May 5, 2018.

Njoroge WFM. “Identifying NICU Parental Stress through Screening”. NAPSOG Annual meeting, Philadelphia, PA. April 21, 2018.

Njoroge WFM. “Addressing NICU Parental Distress: A Screening Initiative”. Drexel Sex and Gender Research Forum. Philadelphia, PA. March 8, 2018.

Awards and Honors

2019, Distinguished Fellow, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

2019, Physician Leadership Program, CHOP

2017, The Penn Faculty Pathways Program, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine

2017, Dr. Edward S. Cooper Leadership Training Program at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania

2017, Dean's Award for Excellence in Clinical Teaching at an Affiliated Hospital, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine

2016, Families as Allies- Rusty Turner Memorial Award for Excellence Award

2016, University of Pennsylvania Provost Award University of Pennsylvania

2013, ZERO TO THREE Academy Fellows Research Action Workgroup

2012, Campaign for America's Kids (CAFK) Annual Meeting Junior Scholar Award

2012, American Psychological Association (APA) Advanced Training Institute on Research Methods with Diverse Racial & Ethnic Groups Trainee

2011, UW Committee of Minority Faculty Affairs Scholarship Award to attend the AAMC Minority Faculty Development Seminar

2007, Solnit Fellow in ZERO TO THREE, Leader Development Initiative; Washington, DC

2006, Yale Medical Student Psychiatry Clerkship Tutor, Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry

2004, Yale Child Study Center Fellow Representative, Yale Diversity Committee

1998, Nominated for Rock Sleyster Memorial Scholarship

1994, National Merit Scholar Columbia University

1994, 1993, 1992, J. Gary Burkhead Scholarship Recipient, Columbia University

1992, Dean's List, Columbia University

1992, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Scholarship Recipient, Columbia University

1991, 1990, J. Gary Burkhead Scholarship Recipient, Columbia University

1991, 1990, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Scholarship Recipient, Columbia University

1990, Dean's List, Columbia University

Editorial and Academic Positions

Editorial Positions

2019-present, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), News Editorial Board, Section Editor
2020-present, Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (JAACAP), Deputy Editor

Academic and Institutional Committees

2019, Review Committee for Department of Pediatrics, Education Sub- Committee
2018-present, Educational Council
2018-2020, CHOP International COR
2018-present, Office of Faculty Development (OFD), Advisory Committee
2018-present, Chair, Educational Training Leadership Committee, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (DCAPBS)
2018-present, Research Search Committee, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (DCAPBS)
2018-2020, Curriculum Committee
2017-present, Executive Committee, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (DCAPBS)
2016-present, Chair, Grand Rounds Committee, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (DCAPBS)
2016-2020, Continuing Medical Education Committee (CME)
2014-present, PEC Committee, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (DCAPBS)
2014-present, CCC Committee, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (DCAPBS)
2014-present, Core Member, Graduate Medical Education Committee (GMEC)
2020-present, Member, Steering Committee, Behavioral Health RAG, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
2020-present, Member, Advisory Board, Department of Pediatrics Diversity Endowment Award (DEA), The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA

Leadership and Memberships

Memberships in Professional Organizations
International

2011-present, World Association of Infant Mental Health Congress

National

2016-present, American Association of Directors of Psychiatric Residency Training
2012-present, Society for Research in Child Development, Black Caucus
2007-present, Zero to Three, Academy of Graduate Fellows
2007-present, Society for Research in Child Development
2003, Black Psychiatrists of America, Inc.
2002-present, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
2018-present, Health Promotions and Prevention Committee
2016-present, Program Committee
2014-2020, Diversity and Culture Committee
2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, Diversity and Culture Committee, Roundtable Chair

Local

2020, COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force, Pregnant Women/Parents of Young/Multiple Children Sub-Committee, PA Department of Health (Member)