National and District AAP elections
posted: Thursday, July 29, 2010
To All Indiana AAP Chapter Members:
National and District AAP elections will run Aug 1 - Sept 1, 2010. Watch for an email soon with information about how to electronically cast your vote. Please don't forget to vote!!!
This year, there are are two positions open in District V (Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Ontario):
District Vice Chairperson:
1. Christopher Rizzo - Ohio
2. Richard Tuck - Ohio
National Nominating Commitee:
1. Mary Lu Angelilli - Michigan
2. Mary McAteer - Indiana
Christopher Rizzo, MD, FAAP, has been a general pediatrician in Ohio for over 20 years. He is a past president of the Ohio Chapter and currently serves on its Executive Committee. He represents the chapter on vision screening issues in order to keep children in their medical home. As chair of the chapter’s legislative committee, he worked to improve Medicaid reimbursement for pediatricians. Dr. Rizzo served as program director of Maximizing Office Based Immunization (MOBI), a statewide program of the Ohio Chapter aimed at improving immunization delivery to children. As a member of the chapter’s pediatric council, he met with individual private insurance plans in order to improve vaccine payment for pediatricians.
Dr. Rizzo works to make maintenance of certification less burdensome for pediatricians, especially permanent certificate holders. As a member of the AAP National Nominating Committee, he helped improve the transparency of the AAP election process, engage young physicians and change the rules to allow AAP members to openly discuss candidates.
Dr. Rizzo lives in Cleveland, is a graduate of the Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine (NEOUCOM), completed his pediatric training at Akron Children’s Hospital, and works in medical affairs for MedImmune. He is a member of the AAP Council on Community Pediatrics and Section on Infectious Diseases. In 2003, Dr. Rizzo was one of 30 national health care leaders to serve as a US Department of Health and Human Services primary care health policy fellow in Washington DC.
Richard H Tuck, MD, FAAP is proud to be a pediatrician and member of the AAP. He is in full-time private practice.
Dr. Tuck graduated from Franklin and Marshall College and Cornell University Medical College, completing his residency at Strong Memorial Hospital, University of Rochester. After serving in the Navy, he, his wife, Cynthia, and their three daughters settled in Ohio.
Richard is an active member of the Ohio Chapter AAP. During his tenure as an officer, the chapter received the outstanding large chapter award. He has received the state's outstanding pediatrician, Leonard Rome, and outstanding committee chair awards. For many years he served on the State Medical Care Advisory Committee advocating for children on Medicaid and SCHIP.
Nationally, Dr. Tuck serves as the current District V Vice Chairperson. He chaired the National Nominating Committee, and served on the Chapter Forum Committee. He also was on the Committee on Coding and Nomenclature as the AAP representative to the AMA RBRVS RUC advocating for adequate pediatric reimbursement. Dr. Tuck is a member of SOAPM and received the section’s Vanchiere Award in 2002 for his efforts to promote coding, reimbursement, and practice management issues for pediatricians. Additional commitments include medical director for his local PHO, and speaking nationally on coding, reimbursement, and practice management.
Experience in chapter, district, committee, and section activities has given Dr. Tuck a global perspective of AAP operations and issues. Continuing as District V Vice Chairperson, he would aggressively advocate for children’s issues and promote the concerns of all pediatricians.
Dr. Mary Lu Angelilli is a native of Michigan and has always lived in the Metropolitan Detroit area. She graduated from Wayne State University School of Medicine in 1979 and went on to do a pediatric residency at Children's Hospital of MI. After six years of private practice in the suburbs of Detroit, Dr. Angelilli returned to Children’s Hospital of MI, where she has pursued a variety of interests. These include medical student and resident teaching, clinical research in the areas of asthma and iron deficiency and more recently she has developed a clinical focus in the area of child maltreatment. In addition, Dr. Angelilli was appointed as the Chief of Staff of the Children’s Hospital of MI in 2005 and continues to serve in that role.
Dr. Angelilli has been active in the Michigan Chapter of the AAP throughout her career. For 19 years she was the chapter coordinator for the Pediatric Research in the Office Setting (PROS) committee. The participation of various practices increased dramatically as a result of her work on that committee. In 1997, Dr. Angelilli was elected to the president-elect office in the Michigan Chapter and resigned in 2010.
As far as her personal life, Dr. Angelilli has one daughter, age 30, who is a resident in General Surgery at Indiana University and was recently married. Dr. Angelilli resides in Grosse Pointe Farms. She enjoys patronizing the fine arts that the city of Detroit has to offer.
Mary is a private practice pediatrician in Indianapolis and was instrumental in establishing the Medical Home model within her group of six solo practitioners. She is a graduate of Purdue University (B.S. 1980), received her medical training at Indiana University (M.D. 1984) and is American Board of Pediatrics certified (since 1988).
Mary I. McAteer is an active member of the Indiana Chapter of the AAP (Vice President 2008-2010, current Co-Chair School Health Committee, member of the newly forming Pediatric Council), Indiana State Medical Association (Alternate Delegate 2003-current, member of Women in Medicine sub-committee), and the Indianapolis Medical Society.
She serves the IU School of Medicine Pediatrics Residency Program as a Clinical Instructor and she is a faculty mentor and frequent lecturer for the IU chapter of AMWA (American Medical Women’s Association). Mary is a member of the Indiana Branch of the International Dyslexia Association (President 2005-2007) and is Consultant to the Dyslexia Institute of Indiana.
Mary hails from Richmond, IN, is the eldest of eight children, happily married to James A. McAteer, PhD, and the proud mother of four. Tennis, eating well, and service to children are her passions.
PRESIDENT-ELECT CANDIDATES 2010
posted: Thursday, July 29, 2010
To view election rules click here
Robert W. Block, MD, FAAP
Tulsa, OK
 Robert W. Block, MD, FAAP is Professor and Daniel Plunket Chair, Department of Pediatrics, University of Oklahoma School of Community Medicine, Tulsa. Dr. Block received his MD from the University of Pennsylvania and completed three years of pediatric residency at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. He became board certified and elected as a Fellow in the AAP in 1974. He served three years in the U.S. Army prior to joining the new faculty of the University of Oklahoma - Tulsa in 1975, where he remains.
During 1990 to 1996 Dr. Block served as Vice-President and President of the AAP Oklahoma chapter. He worked ten years with the AAP COCAN, four as Chair. He represented the AAP on the U.S. Advisory Commission on Childhood Vaccines for three years, two as Chair. He continues as the AAP liaison to the Family Violence Prevention Fund. Dr. Block was the founding Chair, and remains a member of the newest American Board of Pediatrics Subboard, Child Abuse Pediatrics. During his 37 years of practice Dr. Block has followed his interests in adolescent behavioral medicine, especially drug abuse and teen pregnancies; learning disabilities, ADHD, and behavior issues; and for the last 25 years, child maltreatment. He is an award winning teacher in general pediatrics; and manages an active pediatric clinic, serving as a medical home for 12,000 children. Dr. Block has presented over 2,000 community and professional talks, and has served often as a media spokesperson for children’s issues locally and nationally for the AAP.
Wayne A. Yankus, MD, FAAP
Midland Park, NJ
 Dr. Yankus is a New Jersey native and practicing community based pediatrician who did his pediatric training at New York University Hospital-Bellevue Medical Center and internship at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. He attended medical school at the Autonomous University of Guadalajara in Mexico.
He is chair of the New Jersey Chapter's Committee on School Health and founder of its "Critical Issues in School Health" program which is in its 19th year. He is past president of the New Jersey Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and a current member of its government affairs committee. He served as chair of the Academy’s national section on school health and was awarded the Academy’s Milton J. Senn award for contributions to the nation’s school health. He was awarded the American Academy of Pediatrics, New Jersey chapter, recognition award, and is an expert panelist for Education.com, a national education website.
He represented District III on the CATCH committee and was vice president of the Chapter Forum Committee (currently ALF).
Dr. Yankus practices pediatrics in Midland Park, NJ and is the medical liaison to the Ridgewood Board of Education. He is an honorary member of the Board of Children's Aid and Family Services, a former trustee of the Greater Bergen County YWCA, and was honored by the YWCA in 2004 with its Community Role Model Award with his wife Pat.
Dr. Yankus is married and the father of three young men.
Below are the responses from the President-elect candidates, Robert Block, MD, and Wayne Yankus, MD, to the following question:
WHAT IDEAS DO YOU HAVE TO IMPLEMENT/FOSTER MENTORING IN THE AAP?
Robert W. Block, MD
Tulsa, OK
My first mentor was my father, a pediatrician in private practice in Iowa. Other mentors were clinicians and advisors, who encouraged me during my residency. My friend and career mentor, Dan Plunket, MD, FAAP, demonstrated teaching, clinical, and relationship building skills that have guided me for years. I try to emulate those qualities while mentoring students, residents, young faculty, and pediatricians new to our Tulsa, OK community. Mentoring within the AAP should focus on clinical and business needs of private practices, while fostering alignment between members in private practices and in academics, centering on connecting experienced members with newer members looking for ideas and advice.
A mentor supports another individual or group of individuals as they pursue common goals. Mentoring often is simply leading by example. Good mentors engage others through active listening, encouraging ideas, and by offering suggestions that are designed to support and energize another person. The AAP is a great resource for finding mentors among its many members, and can serve as an organizational mentor by listening to many opinions while guiding members’ best ideas into policies and guidelines.
The AAP should continue to engage our trainees and young physicians, facilitating the acquisition of knowledge in medicine, business, policies, and politics. While advocating for children, the AAP supports members in practice settings through email list-servs, task forces, sections and other activities. Providing a way for pediatricians to learn about practice management from experienced and successful practitioners is important. The AAP continues to support senior pediatricians, many of whom can use their practice or academic experiences to mentor a new FAAP entering practice or academics.
The AAP can facilitate the development of mentors through a task force, section or council on mentoring. A task force could design methods for connecting interested members with a mentor in their area of interest. I suggest inviting a young physician to observe committee or section executive committee meetings to connect with leaders who might become mentors. Using new technologies, we can support mentor/mentee pairs across time and space, generating, developing, and reviewing ideas. AAP resources can support mentoring program evaluation and improvement.
Wayne A. Yankus, MD
Midland Park, NJ
Mentoring is about empowerment. To be a successful mentor, you must have experience in your field and be willing to share your expertise. Training encompasses anything that helps increase the realization of a person’s potential. I believe in mentoring members to enable them in their work, and to assist in developing their careers while still meeting personal and family needs.
The work force has changed in pediatrics and many of our new pediatricians are women working part time. To have a successful mentoring program within the AAP, I would encourage chapters to identify willing members who would be available to new members. It would strengthen chapter value. Nationally, it can be done by using social media. Mentoring can happen anywhere and at any time. One person can mentor many people. Mentoring can be as simple as an email, “tweet,” or linked-in message. I would promote use of existing services first and add to the AAP Website a “just ask” column that would be answered by volunteer pediatricians chosen by their councils or sections.
Listservs can also be tapped for mentoring. The Section on Practice Management listserv is a classic example of an interactive connection that section members use to exchange ideas and support.
Full mentoring contacts could be developed through the office of membership by request of the individual. Those who request mentors should find chapter administrators and officers also helpful in locating a pediatrician who could serve another pediatrician’s need. Participation can be one question or a long term relationship between colleagues, and enrich the lives of both members.
Whether you are in direct patient care or academic medicine, members of the Senior Section locally and nationally hold a treasure of information and are often quite willing to mentor new pediatricians.
We are teachers by virtue of being students first and always. Mentoring colleagues follows our physician oath and should be a natural result of membership in our professional organization. It is with our peers we find our practice voice. The AAP is positioned to be influential in the workplace by developing new ways to mentor members.
Text4Baby
posted: Friday, July 23, 2010
Text4baby is a free mobile information service designed to promote maternal and child health. An educational program of the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition (HMHB), text4baby provides pregnant women and new moms with information they need to take care of their health and give their babies the best possible start in life. Women who sign up for the service by texting BABY (or BEBE for Spanish) to 511411 will receive free SMS text messages each week, timed to their due date or baby’s date of birth.
Text4baby is made possible through a broad, public-private partnership that includes government, corporations, academic institutions, professional associations, tribal agencies and non-profit organizations.
· Women sign up for the service by texting BABY to 511411 (or BEBE for Spanish)and they receive three free SMS text messages each week timed to their due date or baby’s date of birth. Text4baby messages also connect women to local clinics and support services for prenatal and infant care.
· It provides the information moms need to keep themselves and their babies healthy. These are short messages, but incredibly important. The messages focus on topics critical to the health of moms and babies, including immunization, nutrition, seasonal flu, mental health, smoking and alcohol, oral health, and safe sleep.
· It could help save lives and reduce the number of premature births in America. More than 500,000 babies – 1 in every 8 – are born prematurely each year in the US. Premature babies can face lifelong health and intellectual development problems. The risk of premature birth can be reduced if moms take care of themselves and their babies during pregnancy (e.g. don’t smoke!) and seek prenatal care. Text4Baby can help by giving moms information and connecting them to care.
This is an exciting opportunity for moms and babies, and for our nation. For more information on text4baby, please visit text4baby.org.
Catch Grants!
posted: Friday, July 23, 2010
Opportunities
CATCH Planning Grants - Submission Deadline is July 30, 2010
The Community Access to Child Health (CATCH) Planning Funds program provides grants in amounts from $2,500 to $12,000 for pediatricians to develop innovative, community-based initiatives that increase children's access to medical homes or to specific health services not otherwise available. Planning project activities must lead to sustainable, community-based child health initiatives that increase access to care, especially for underserved children, and address health disparities among children.
CATCH Resident Grants - Submission Deadline is July 30, 2010
The CATCH Resident Funds program supports pediatric residents in the planning and/or implementation of community-based child health initiatives. Grants of up to $3,000 are awarded twice each year on a competitive basis for pediatric residents to address the needs of children in their communities
The website for CATCH grants is:
and for the resident CATCH grants it is:
Update from District Chairperson, Marilyn Bull
posted: Friday, July 23, 2010
Summertime
“Summertime and the livin is easy…” wouldn’t it be wonderful to sing along with Gershwin and believe those words? I do hope that some of your summer is easy but I am confident most are working as always caring for patients, managing offices and pursuing the advocacy issues that are our mission in life.
The issues currently in front of the AAP are ever more challenging and your state chapter leadership will be increasingly involved in ensuring that the best of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is implemented to benefit our patients and practices. Under development are the regulations for Meaningful Use of Health Information Technology under the guidance of the AAP leadership and Dr. Chris Lehmann who accepted the challenge of directorship of the Child Health Information Center funded by the AAP. Watch for an announcement soon with regard to new guidelines and payment to practitioners that will begin in May 2011.
Hopefully you have seen the most recent blog “Helping Pediatricians Breathe” by AAP President Judith Palfrey that comprehensively outlines the AAP involvement and concerns regarding immunization reimbursement. Several successes have been realized and challenges remain but the AAP is at the forefront of the battle. Without ensuring the support of the immunizations in primary care, the days of bacterial meningitis and death from pertussis that many remember and others can only imagine, will return. Do read Dr. Palfrey’s blog on the AAP web site for a full perspective.
Although the news about the disaster in Haiti has mostly left the airwaves and even print, we know that suffering is far from over. The AAP response has been ongoing and pediatrician representatives have made several trips to assess how best our resources can be used. The Friends of Children response was most heartwarming and one of the major uses of our targeted funds has been to support the Haitian medical students and residents to help ensure a continuing source of health care for the children that survive and need ongoing health care more than ever.
The issues of health care finance reform often may feel like a tidal wave but we all realize it is important to remain in the boat and stay the course. Truly I am confident that “One of these mornings you’re goin’ to rise up singing.”
Thank you for all you do for children and our world.
Marilyn J. Bull, MD FAAP
Chairperson, District V
Pediatrician appointed to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
posted: Friday, July 16, 2010
Pediatrician appointed to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Congratulations, Dr. Escobar!
posted: Friday, July 16, 2010
Luis Fernando Escobar, Medical Director of the Medical Genetics & Newborn Follow up Clinic and Staff neonatologist at St. Vincent Children's Hospital has been selected to serve as a consultant on the Molecular and Clinical Genetics Panel of the Medical Devices Advisory Committee, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Food and Drug Administration.
Congratulations, Dr. Escobar!
AAA Hoosier Motor Club Child Passenger Safety kits
posted: Friday, July 16, 2010
AAA Hoosier Motor Club has a limited supply of Child Passenger Safety related materials, targeted for pediatrician offices, available free of charge on a first come first serve basis. Once these materials are gone, we will soon be able to order the newly revised kits at $20 per kit. Anyone interested in receiving the free materials or going in on a bulk order for the kits should contact Sherry Deane at sdeane@aaahoosier.com. The kits contain a poster, DVD for the waiting room, prescription pads in English and Spanish, 100 pk of brochures in English and Spanish, tip cards for the doctors and a roll of stickers. The items I currently have for free are these individual pieces that are not boxed up as a kit. AAA will mail these materials to the first 50 physicians that submit an email request.
HealthCare.gov, a new website to help families and employers take control of their health care
posted: Friday, July 09, 2010
Today the Obama Administration launched HealthCare.gov, a new website to help families and employers take control of their health care.
The website will allow you to take health care into your own hands, with information about insurance choices and your new rights under the new Affordable Care Act.
The new website also has tools to help you explore your coverage options, with additional information if you are a parent, a senior on Medicare, a young adult, a person with a disability, or an employer.
By answering a few easy questions, the website will present you with all the coverage options available to you. You can then learn more about each option, including comparing the health insurance plans and benefits available in your community.
To visit the website, go to HealthCare.gov. As always, please continue to keep me informed about issues of concern to you and your family.
Grant Oppurtunity with The Center for Health & Health Care in Schools
posted: Friday, July 09, 2010
Health Resources & Services Administration – Affordable Care Act School-Based Health Centers Capital Program:
The purpose of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) School-Based Health Centers Capital Program is to award funds that will support school-based health center efforts to expand capacity to provide primary healthcare services to school-aged children.
The Center for Health and Health Care in Schools
202-466-3396
www.healthinschools.org
Parenting Practices in the Latino Community
posted: Thursday, July 01, 2010
Laurel Couts, third year pediatrics resident, was granted funds from our INAAP mini-grant program and results from the focus groups on Parenting Practices in the Latino Community are now posted in a short powerpoint.
Click here to review the powerpoint
Indiana Perintal Network
posted: Friday, June 25, 2010
Please click the link to review the information and maps of the Levels of Hospital Perinatal Care in Indiana
AAP Policy Statement
posted: Friday, June 25, 2010
Policy statement recommendations for the Prevention of Streptococcus pnemoniae Infections in Infants and children by the Committee on Infectious Diseases
Asthma Program
posted: Friday, June 11, 2010
The Indiana State Department of Health Asthma Program is funding a grant, with awards ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 for the period from September 1, 2010 through August 31, 2011. Attached is the Request for Proposal (RFP) and application information. The application for this grant is due by 4pm on Friday June 25, 2010.
Plese click here to review the information.
PREP*EM - An Intensive Review and Update of Pediatric Emergency Medicine
posted: Friday, June 04, 2010
Register now for PREP®:EM!
PREP®:EM - An Intensive Review and Update of Pediatric Emergency Medicine
Chicago, Illinois
August 7-11, 2010
http://www.pedialink.org/cmefinder/search-detail.cfm?key=6BF5900C-75AE-4F61-8198-6337C5D293C7&type=event&grp=1&task=details#description
Earn a Maximum of 32.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™
Sponsored by the AAP Section on Emergency Medicine and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
You should attend PREP®:EM if you are:
- Seeking a comprehensive review of pediatric emergency medicine
- Interested in updating your clinical skills in acute-care pediatrics
- Preparing for board certification or Maintenance of Certification™
- A general pediatrician, family physician, or hospitalist
- An emergency medicine physician who cares for children
- A physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or other allied health professional
When you attend PREP®:EM, you will:
- Learn state-of-the-art pediatric emergency medicine
- Hear what’s new from nationally recognized experts in the field of pediatric emergency medicine
- Explore alternative management strategies
- Discuss controversial issues you encounter in daily practice
This CME activity is designed to:
- Disseminate information on recent developments in theory, diagnosis, and management of pediatric medical and surgical emergencies
- Offer opportunities for participants to maintain or improve current abilities by reviewing and reinforcing their cognitive base for medical practice
- Provide an intensive review of topics in pediatric emergency medicine that are identified by major headings on the American Board of Pediatrics Subspecialty Certifying Examination Content Outline developed by the Sub-Board of Pediatric Emergency Medicine
Register online at www.pedialink.org/cmefinder or call 866/THE-AAP1 (866/843-2271)
The American Academy of Pediatrics is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The AAP designates this educational activity for a maximum of 32.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Federal Legistlative Update
posted: Friday, June 04, 2010
Federal Legislative Update
In this update:
• FMAP Extension and SGR Fix Legislation
• Health Reform Implementation: Medicaid Expansion
• Health Reform Implementation: Benefits for Young Adults
Please click here to read the full article
Update from the Indiana State Department of Health
posted: Thursday, May 27, 2010
School Immunization Requirement Change: In the 2010-2011 school year, all 6 through 12th grade students will be required to have 1 Meningococcal, 1 Tdap booster vaccine and a 2nd dose of varicella vaccine. All three vaccines are available at no cost through the Vaccines for Children program, with additional doses available for underinsured children through state funds from tobacco tax and ARRA funding. ISDH Immunization Program is offering resources to assist local health departments in conducting school based immunization clinics. For more information, contact the Immunization program at (800) 701-0704.
Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity (DNPA): In July 2010, the Indiana Healthy Weight Initiative Task Force, with support from the DNPA, will launch Indiana’s ten-year state plan for obesity prevention. In an effort to make the healthy choice the easy choice, the plan will focus on policy and environmental changes that increase physical activity, increase fruit and vegetable consumption, increase breastfeeding initiation and duration, decrease television screen time, decrease the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, and decrease the consumption of high-energy dense foods. The plan includes objectives that set the benchmarks for Indiana’s progress in supporting a healthy weight, as well as strategies for achieving each objective. Three of the settings covered in the plan—Early Childhood/Child Care, Schools, and Breastfeeding—address issues specific to children. The Health Care section includes objectives and strategies that apply to the role of health care providers in obesity prevention among both children and adults. Dr. Sandeep Gupta (Associate Professor, Indiana University/Riley Hospital) chairs the Initiative’s Health Care workgroup. For more information on the Indiana Healthy Weight Initiative or Indiana’s state plan for obesity prevention, please visit www.inhealthyweight.org or contact Marcie Memmer at mmemmer@isdh.in.gov.
Division of HIV/STD/Viral Hepatitis:
In response to the increased numbers of HIV infected babies in the last few years, the One Test Two Lives Campaign began on December 1, 2009. The campaign is supported by the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indiana Perinatal Network, Midwest AIDS Training & Education Center (MATEC), Ryan White Center for Pediatric Infectious Disease, and IU National Center of Excellence in Women’s Health. This campaign emphasizes opt‐out prenatal testing of pregnant women in accordance with Indiana Law. Identifying infected mothers allows for interventions to change the course of the lives of women and their children. Since perinatal acquisition accounts for more than 90% of all U.S. pediatric HIV cases, prevention of mother‐to‐baby transmission remains the most important weapon against pediatric HIV. Early identification of maternal disease allows for early intervention, decreased transmission, and better prospects for long‐term health. For more information please go to: www.1test2lives.in.gov
Helping HANDS
posted: Thursday, May 27, 2010
Opportunity to work at a state level with the HANDS in Autism Resource Center to ensure that information, support, and services for children with autism are present and appropriate across each region. This coalition has strong representation from parents, medical staff and schools are Terre Haute, Lafayette, Bloomington, Wayne/North montgomery areas, Muncie/Anderson and are looking for support in these and other areas of the state.
If you are interested in a more collaborative means of bringing information and training to your area and have a willingness to collaborate with parents and school personnel to do so as well as a willingness to actively inform the effort in their area, please contact Naomi Swiezy at nswiezy@iupui.edu. Also plan to attend the initial summit in September for brainstorming and initial efforts to individualize training and outreach in their region on.
The HANDs center will help Local Coalition Cadres in:
- Providing support and coordinated efforts across systems in the care of individuals with an ASD
· Sharing of consistent information and resources between systems
· Sharing of information and resources with others in the communities as a means of building local capacity
· Helping to inform HANDS about the needs and issues of local communities as well as the particular needs of school personnel with regards to autism and developmental disabilities so that we can best position ourselves and the program to assist.
For more information, go to www.handsinautism.org .
An update from our district chair, Maryiln Bull
posted: Thursday, May 27, 2010
A crystal ball for the practice of pediatrics for the future would be a wonderful thing assuming that we could intervene and tweak our desired changes in advance. Dr. John Duby and the Vision of Pediatrics 2020 task force have worked diligently to develop a prospective view and we will use that to define many aspects of our work ahead. Right now there are many challenges as we build on the major success of the Health Care Reform Act signed into law this spring. Clearly the work has only begun and at both the National and State level we will continue to shape the programs that are now possible to meet the needs of pediatricians and our patients.
The AAP had a lead role in ensuring several components of the heath care package were included and will continue to communicate and direct us as we ensure that the issues related to pediatrics remain viable. One particular aspect of interest to all pediatricians is the requirement that E&M codes are paid by Medicaid at rates in parity with Medicare. This is of particular interest to subspecialists and as implementation guidelines are developed, it will be important that the definitions are as broad as possible to ensure that subspecialists remain included in the payment increase. The AAP will continue, along with the subspecialty societies, to help shape the interpretation of the regulations as they develop to ensure the best outcomes for access and payment.
Another piece of good news for subspecialists is the 35 million dollar loan repayment provision for them in the health care package. While the details are not yet clarified, the subspecialists should gain significantly. The AAP was responsible for ensuring that this component was included in the bill.
Your chapter and district are continuing to work in concert to increase the transparency of information and ensure involvement of as many pediatricians as possible in the activities important to our patients. Please follow the Health Care Reform process on the Member’s Only Channel Federal Affairs Page as well as your regular emails as the process moves forward in the weeks ahead. Please contact me at any time if there are issues of concern as I am most eager to facilitate the communication as well.
Thank you for all you do for children!!
Marilyn Bull, MD
FDA Revises Recommendations for Rotavirus Vaccines
posted: Tuesday, May 25, 2010
FDA Revises Recommendations for Rotavirus Vaccines
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration this week revised its recommendations for rotavirus vaccines for the prevention of the disease in infants and has determined that it is appropriate for clinicians and health care professionals to resume the use of Rotarix and to continue the use of RotaTeq.
The agency reached its decision based on a careful evaluation of information from laboratory results from the manufacturers and the FDA’s own laboratories, a thorough review of the scientific literature, and input from scientific and public health experts, including members of the FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee that convened on May 7, 2010 to discuss these vaccines.
The FDA also considered the following in its decision:
· Both vaccines have strong safety records, including clinical trials involving tens of thousands of patients as well as clinical experience with millions of vaccine recipients.
· The FDA has no evidence that PCV1 or PCV2 pose a safety risk in humans, and neither is known to cause infection or illness in humans.
· The benefits of the vaccines are substantial, and include prevention of death in some parts of the world and hospitalization for severe rotavirus disease in the United States. These benefits outweigh the risk, which is theoretical.
Information for parents and caregivers is available on the web at:
http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/Vaccines/ApprovedProducts/ucm205547.htm
Information for health care providers is available on the web at:
http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/Vaccines/ApprovedProducts/ucm205548.htm
INAAP member, Dr. Maggie Blythe, quoted in Wall Street Journal
posted: Friday, May 21, 2010
INAAP member, Dr. Maggie Blythe, quoted in Wall Street Journal article on sexual orientation
please click here to read the article
Best Bone Forever
posted: Tuesday, May 11, 2010
HHS LAUNCHES BEST BONES FOREVER!
Campaign Targets Girls as Bone Health Risks Rise
(North Las Vegas, NV)—The U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced a new campaign, called Best Bones Forever!, designed to improve bone health and decrease the risk of osteoporosis. Research shows that bone fracture rates are increasing, and few adolescent girls get the recommended amounts of calcium and vitamin D—the building blocks for strong bones.
Osteoporosis is often called a “pediatric disease with geriatric consequences.” Childhood and adolescence are the key windows of opportunity for building strong bones and warding off the disease. In girls, close to 90 percent of bone mass is built by age 18. Girls, in particular, are at greatest risk for bone problems. Osteoporosis is four times more common in women than men, and adolescent girls consume calcium and participate in physical activity at lower rates than boys. The new campaign empowers girls ages 9 to 14 to build the best bones forever!
“We want girls to know that if you’re older than nine, now’s your time!” said Secretary Sebelius. “Building strong bones now will help you stand tall for a lifetime.”
HHS recommends girls look for foods with calcium and vitamin D, which is necessary to help bones absorb calcium. One recent study found 70 percent of kids in the U.S. had below-normal levels of vitamin D, with deficiencies increasing as kids age from childhood to adolescence. The federal government recommendation for daily calcium consumption increases from 1,000 milligrams (mg) to 1,300 mg at age nine. The guidelines for physical activity for kids are 60 minutes daily, including three days of bone-strengthening activity.
The new campaign embraces an issue close to every girl’s heart: friendship. Best Bones Forever!, developed by the HHS’ Office on Women’s Health (OWH), urges girls and their BFFs (best friends forever) to ‘grow strong together, and stay strong forever.’ Research shows that girls whose friends like milk are more likely to have higher calcium intake. Similarly, physical activity also gets a boost among girls whose friends have positive attitudes toward sports.
The message for parents is one of urgency. Girls between the ages of 9 to 18 are in their critical bone-building years. Campaign materials and a Web site for parents empower them to “Act now to help her build her best bones forever!” When asked about who has the biggest influence on what they eat, girls ages 8 to 15 first cite parents (83 percent), followed by “themselves” (60 percent), and friends (19 percent).
“Parents can make a big difference in helping their kids build strong, healthy bones, and the things that improve bone health are also good for overall health,” said Dr. Wanda Jones, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health (Women’s Health), HHS. “So go ahead and stock the fridge with foods rich in calcium and vitamin D, like yogurt, milk, cheese, tofu with added calcium, and leafy greens. Encourage her to be active, and do things as a family such as taking walks after dinner.”
Best Bones Forever! updates and revamps an earlier national bone health campaign for girls called Powerful Bones. Powerful Girls, which was first launched in 2001. In order to appeal to girls as they mature, the new campaign has adopted an edgy vibe, trading the earlier campaign’s cartoon spokescharacter for the ‘exskullmation’ point. This new iconic symbol is designed to get girls excited about building the best bones forever.
The Best Bones Forever! community pilot program also launched today in three sites: North Las Vegas, NV; Ulster County, NY; and Pinal County, AZ. Coalitions in each site will bring the campaign to their communities through a range of activities. They will also be executing and evaluating a bone health behavior change program for parents and girls called BodyWorks. Adapted from OWH’s existing family health and fitness program for parents, BodyWorks will feature a new complementary physical activity program just for girls in these communities. Results from the community pilot program will demonstrate which activities can be replicated in towns across the country.
Best Bones Forever! is a public-private partnership that brings together organizations from across the country. Founding partner, National Osteoporosis Foundation, tops a partner roster that also includes Girl Scouts, Girls Inc., Action for Healthy Kids, the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, National Association of School Nurses, the National Institutes of Health, Women's Sports Foundation, and more. For more information on campaign partners and activities, go to the campaign Web site for girls at www.bestbonesforever.gov or for parents at www.bestbonesforever.gov/parents.
Office on Women’s Health
The Office on Women’s Health (OWH) was established in 1991. OWH coordinates the efforts of all the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ agencies and offices involved in women’s health. The office works to improve the health and well-being of women and girls in the United States through its programs, by educating health professionals and motivating behavior change in consumers through the dissemination of health information.
H1N1 Survey Results!
posted: Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Thanks to all of you who participated in the recent H1N1 survey! We shared these results with our health department, infectious disease and emergency preparedness colleagues, so we may all learn from these experiences. Please click here to review the results.
2010 Annual Leadership Forum Follow-up
posted: Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Nearly 500 chapter officers, committee, council and section chairpersons, guests, and staff attended this year’s Forum, March 12 - 14, 2010, at the Renaissance Hotel in Schaumburg, Illinois. The voting members discussed 98 resolutions covering a wide range of topics.
The reference committee hearings offered members an opportunity to voice their opinion and/or contribute valuable information. Those who attended the reference committee hearings on Saturday went into the General Session that evening well informed and ready to vote. In the end, 75 resolutions were adopted and will be sent to the appropriate AAP committees, councils, sections, divisions or departments. Staff will ensure that these resolutions are discussed and responses are received by Friday, November 12, 2010. All resolutions are currently posted with their disposition on the Member Center.
To view the resolutions, please log onto the Member Center of the AAP Web site (http://www.aap.org/moc). On the left hand side there is a box that says Chapters, Committees, Councils and Sections. Click on the link 2010 Resolutions. Once you are on that page you will have access to the Top Ten Prioritization List and all of the Adopted Resolutions. There are two ways that you can view the resolutions: 1) click on the title of the resolution; or 2) click on the words (Advocacy, Finance, Practice, Education or AAP Operations) within the grid, and you will be able to view them in a continuous document.
We would also like to call your attention to the PowerPoint presentations that took place at the ALF. Many of you requested that we post them on the AAP Web site. They are located on the Annual Leadership Forum site of the Member Center (http://www.aap.org/moc/alf/). The Advisory Committee to the Board on Community, Chapter and State Affairs (ACBOCCSA), with guidance from the ALF Executive Committee are in the process of assigning each 2010 resolution to the appropriate entity for response. The 2010 ACBOCCSA Referral List will be made available in the coming weeks.
Thank you for your participation in this year’s meeting.
Healthy Foster Care America
posted: Wednesday, January 27, 2010
In 2007, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) created the Task Force on Foster Care (TFOFC) with the charge to increase the awareness, knowledge, and skills of pediatricians regarding the needs of children and teens in foster care. The ultimate goal is to improve the health and well-being of children and teens in foster care.
Recently, the TFOFC launched the Healthy Foster Care America Web site to engage communities and their leaders in supporting children, teens, and their families with an effective, multidisciplinary, integrated, and comprehensive continuum of care. The Web site is now live and can be accessed at www.aap.org/fostercare/. It was developed as a place where professionals and partner organizations can find the latest tools, resources, facts, and figures on the health and well-being of children and teens in foster care. We ask that you share our Web site with others, and link to our Web site from yours when possible.
The Web site has the following features:
- Expert information on the health issues and needs of children and teens in foster care
- Downloadable chapters from Fostering Health: Health Care for Children and Adolescents in Foster Care, 2nd Ed
- Easy-to-use search capabilities by keyword
- Subscription to the Healthy Foster Care America listserv to receive the latest information about the health issues and needs of children and teens in foster care
- Customizable forms for health care professionals
- Direct links to www.HealthyChildren.org
- A Special Place for Children and Families portal of resources for children and teens in care, parents (foster and birth) and kin
We look forward to providing you with the latest news, tools, and resources on the health and well-being of children and teens in foster care. Feel free to contact Aldina M Hovde, MSW, at 847/434-7119 or ahovde@aap.org if you have any questions
About Special Kids (ASK)
posted: Tuesday, October 20, 2009
About Special Kids (ASK) is the place to go to find resources for children with special needs in Indiana. ASK can help families who have children with needs ranging from learning and behavioral health issues to significant disabilities and life threatening illnesses. Families can be directed to health insurance options, state and federal programs, school-based programs, community programs, support groups, respite and much more! ASK also has a comprehensive resource directory that is available on its website for parents and professionals alike. Contact ASK by visiting their website www.aboutspecialkids.org or by calling 1-800-964-4746.
2009 Red Book®—Make your format choice today!
posted: Thursday, October 01, 2009
As you may have heard, one of the most valuable benefits of American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) membership-the new 28th edition of Red Book®: 2009 Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases—will be provided to you in your choice of format (print, online, or mobile/PDA).
To make your format choice, log into the AAP Member Center, click on the link in the right column, and then follow the online instructions. You may also make your format choice by sending an e-mail to membership@aap.org. We encourage you to make your choice soon.
Also, because many of you have told us that you use the print Red Book and either Red Book Online or Red Book Mobile, we are pleased to announce special Member Choice offers with deep discounts on other Red Book formats. These special offers are only available when you make your member benefit choice, so take advantage of these one-time-only discounts today!
We greatly value your membership in the AAP and hope the new Red Book Member Choice program will meet your changing needs and preferences.
Indiana Success—Promoting Workplace Lactation
posted: Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Breastfeeding is making big news in Indiana in 2008. At the same time the Governor was signing Workplace Lactation legislation into law (which became effective July 1, 2008), Indiana was selected to be one of ten pilot states to participate in the Business Case for Breastfeeding in Your Community.
Currently nearly 60% of new mothers with children under age three are in the workforce (U.S. Department of Labor) and several studies show that the decision to resume employment impacts both how long mothers breastfeed (Arlotti 1998) and how long they will exclusively breastfeed (McLeod 2002). Full-time employment decreases breastfeeding duration by an average of 8.6 weeks (Taveras 2003) and during the first month back at work (Cardenas 2005).
The demographics of Indiana’s workforce make it ripe for workplace training efforts and legislation to be particularly effective. Indiana leads the nation in number of manufacturing jobs per capita and this job setting has many inherent barriers to breastfeeding longevity. Indiana’s workplace lactation efforts have placed particular attention on lower wage positions in the manufacturing and service industry sectors, where continued breastfeeding is especially difficult (Cricco-Lizza 2002).
In these troubled economic times, Indiana’s business lactation initiative can be a big cost saver to both employees and employers. The longer an employee can provide free breast milk to her baby, the better it is for her family’s budget. It has been proven that workplace lactation programs provide businesses with a very high rate of return as a result of lower employee absenteeism, higher employee retention, reduced company health care costs and improved employee satisfaction and loyalty.
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