Associate Professor of Pediatrics and of Human Development & Family Studies
School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Pediatrics | School of Human Ecology, Department of Human Development & Family Studies
Hometown: New York City, NY
Dipesh Navsaria, MPH, MSLIS, MD is a pediatrician working in the public interest. He blends the roles of physician, occasional children’s librarian, educator, public health professional and child health advocate. With graduate degrees in public health, children’s librarianship, physician assistant studies, and medicine, he brings a unique combination of interests and experience together.
Dr. Navsaria generally requests a speaker fee of $2500, or $2000 for nonprofits, the proceeds of which go to non-profits that he works closely with. This is very negotiable based on the budget of the requesting group. Please reach out to Badger Talks at badgertalks@uwmad.wisc.edu with questions.
Talks:
Early Experiences Elevate Everything: Early Brain and Child Development and the Future of Society
Dr. Navsaria will discuss the critical importance of the first thousand days of life and the key role human relationships and interactions play in that time period. The concepts of toxic stress and how early adversity leads to lifelong issues will be reviewed, with practical examples and discussion of research which highlights these areas. Broad policy and
programmatic principles that may help address the issue will also be discussed, providing a practical framework for those who work with children and families.
Books Build Better Brains: How Promoting Literacy is Key to Early Brain and Child Development
Dr. Navsaria will discuss the critical importance of the first thousand days of life and the key role human relationships and interactions play in that time period, along with concepts of toxic stress and how early adversity leads to lifelong issues. The importance of early literacy, along with key concepts about literacy development will be reviewed. The structure and concept behind the Reach Out and Read program (which provides early literacy promotion)
will be discussed in this context as a workable approach for busy primary-care medical settings.
Advancing Advocacy Affects All: How Advocacy is an Essential Skill for Healthcare
Dr. Navsaria will discuss the definition of advocacy and place it within both a historical and contemporary context, including that of the clinical interaction central to health care. Discussion of the role of health care providers in advocacy will be a key point, as well as both the responsibility and limitations of health care providers being involved in this arena. Examples of different types of advocacy (including clinical, legislative and media) will be
provided. A discussion of the use of social media in advocacy will also be included.
Screens: Success or Sabotage for Schools?: A Discussion of Children, Screens, & Learning
Dr. Navsaria will review the contemporary state of electronic screen usage by children, including television, computers, and handheld devices, placing it in a historical context. A discussion of developmental principles and research around screen usage will follow, highlighting the basis for recommendations for families as they navigate this topic. A review of marketing to children and how this is also a concern will follow. Digital media and lineblurring topics such as e-books will also be examined.