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KAAP can provide CME at your next activity!
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KAAP has been approved by KMS to jointly provide AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s) for your live conference or webinar!
Contact
for more information!
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| About Us Officers Jennifer Mellick, MD, FAAP President Lisa Gilmer, MD, FAAP President-Elect Dennis Cooley, MD, FAAP Treasurer Robert Wittler, MD, FAAP Past President Staff Chris Steege Executive Director [email protected] Mel Hudelson Associate Director [email protected] Heather Williams Staff Accountant [email protected] Shanna Peters Project Coordinator [email protected] Board of Directors KAAP Committees Coordinators |
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President's Perspective
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By Jennifer Mellick, MD, FAAP
Most of us, as children, had a favored toy - a "lovey" or whatever it was we called it. Mine was Winnie the Pooh. I loved that bear. I don't know that I always realized why - it was given to me by my parents, he was always there, or maybe it was reading about his adventures, but nonetheless, he was my absolute favorite. Even as an adult I find Pooh to be inspirational (makes sense - I am a pediatrician). Winnie the Pooh is not the brightest bear. He was often described as a bear of very little brain. Yet, despite his lack of prowess in the intellect department, his wisdom shone through in how he lived his life. Winnie the Pooh was a great friend. He loved Christopher Robin, his Hundred Acre Woods neighbors and honey. He lived an exemplary life and I see so much of him in my "neighbors" at the Kansas AAP, especially Chris Steege.
The KAAP just celebrated its 40th Anniversary. I was blessed to attend the 40th Anniversary banquet and was awestruck by the way pediatricians and our friends (KAAP staff) have dedicated themselves to the betterment of children in Kansas. As we prepare to say goodbye to one of our most important friends and leaders, Chris Steege, I wanted to thank Chris sincerely for all she has done for KAAP and how she has mentored so many of us that have been involved in the Kansas Chapter. I really had no idea how much Chris has done for KAAP until I attended the anniversary dinner. Chris took a fairly newly formed organization with great ideas and made it into one of action that has impacted the lives of so many Kansas kids and pediatricians. She believed so much in it, she gave freely (sometimes literally) of herself for years. Chris really shaped the KAAP into the great organization it is today. Chris, unlike Pooh, is smart and like Pooh, she is pure of heart. She is also wise like Owl, sweet like Piglet, and hard-working like Rabbit. Chris is an example for all of us to take things one day at a time and leave somewhere better than how you found it. To you, Chris Steege, I will say -
Of course, like all great leaders, Chris will remain involved, though in a different capacity, for years (hopefully) to come. She has also secured a new leader that will keep KAAP on track. I am excited to continue working with Melissa Hudelson as she becomes the KAAP's new executive director. I know you will do great things!
This newsletter is full of ways we can each get involved. KAAP is always looking for new ideas and new people to continue our work for Kansas Kids. If there is a topic you are interested in, let us know. We are hoping to find new ways to make a difference and get involved. We hope you will join us.
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| Issues & Commentary |
Advocating Gun Safety for our Patients
By Lisa Gilmer, MD, FAAP, KU Pediatric Residency Program Coordinator, KAAP President-Elect
On October 16th, I was asked to consider contributing an article to this newsletter. One suggestion for an Issues and Commentary piece was Gun Safety.
Our discussion about guns was one of the most animated moments of our board of directors meeting at the recent KAAP PIP- Fall Meeting and the issue is certainly worthy of further dialog. But who am I to do the speaking? I'm not an expert in guns or gun safety and the idea of writing about one of the most polarizing and political issues of our times is intimidating. However, advocating for children isn't always comfortable.
The AAP's 2012 Policy Statement on Firearm-Related Injuries Affecting the Pediatric Population affirms that "pediatricians as a group have long been concerned about the psychological effects of exposure to violence and the culture of gun violence." I share this concern because unfortunately children are not immune to today's daily barrage of stories and images of tragedy and violence.
In the last two months alone, a one-year old girl was 'accidentally' shot in her home in Lawrence. Fifty-six concert goers including a number of young adults were gunned down at a concert in Las Vegas. Twenty-six men, women and children including an unborn child were shot while worshiping in Sutherland Springs. Each tragedy a senseless loss of human lives due to gun violence. Children and adolescents should be safe at a concert, in church, and in their homes but they aren't.
But it was one local event, a single adult life lost, that made this issue personal.
On October 25th, gun violence forever altered the life of one of my colleagues, a KU trained Medicine-Pediatrics palliative care physician, when her husband was shot and killed on their front porch shortly after returning home from walking their two young children to school.
Since then, not a clinic has gone by without at least one child expressing a genuine fear about being shot or their parent being shot. As I tried to imagine the nightmare conversation my colleague was forced to have with her boys about their father's death, my previous reassurance to children that their parents will keep them safe became woefully inadequate. I needed to become a more informed advocate for parents so that conversations with their kids about guns could be proactive and safety focused as opposed to grief counseling after a shooting in their home or community. I would be ready to help the next family.
Fortunately there is a significant body of literature on the topic to learn from. Both the American Academy of Pediatrics and, in particular, HealthyChildren.org, as well as the American Psychological Association offer a number of important tips for parents on how to guide conversations on guns, gun safety and gun violence in a developmentally appropriate and supportive manner.
So how has my practice changed? I continue to assure and reassure children that their parents are doing their best to keep them safe. I encourage parents to turn off or at least limit media coverage of acts of violence. I ask families about guns in their homes. I counsel on the safe storage of guns as part of routine anticipatory guidance. I educate parents about the signs of stress, anxiety and fear in their child and I encourage them to seek additional help if they are concerned.
I'd like to report that the need to do these things has diminished as the coverage of this recent KC murder has quieted but another news story is there to take its place.
Epilogue: November 14th- Shooting at multiple sites in Northern California, including an elementary school, kills five and wounds at least ten including a student.
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| KAAP Celebrates 40 Years |
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Past Chapter Presidents from left: Jennifer Mellick, MD, FAAP, Pam Shaw, MD, FAAP, Kathryn Ellerbeck, MD, FAAP, Edgar Rosales, MD, FAAP, Dennis Cooley, MD, FAAP, Robert Wittler, MD, FAAP, Greta McFarland, MD, FAAP, Jon Jantz, MD, FAAP, Paul Nelson, MD, FAAP
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KAAP members came together on October 5th to celebrate 40 years of the Kansas Chapter. It was a fun evening of looking back on the many accomplishments that would not be possible without the many dedicated pediatricians who have been active in the Chapter. Past Chapter Presidents narrated highlights from the last four decades and Executive Director Chris Steege shared her memories of the last 28 years.
Thank you to everyone who helped us celebrate and to all of the KAAP members who have been a part of our success.
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| KAAP Grant Update |
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KAAP uses grant funding to work on important child health initiatives with members and other pediatric care providers in the state. Currently, KAAP has several active grants:
- KDHE Immunization Grant - KAAP is collaborating with Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) to provide Immunization Champions who will provide peer-to-peer education in during AFIX trainings about the HPV and Meningococcal vaccines.
- Baby Buffer - KAAP developed the www.babybuffer.org as a resource for families with children 0-2 years old focused on early brain development. Caregivers can sign up to receive weekly, age specific emails with information on positive parenting.
- Capacity Building - This grant provides funding for the KAAP Board of Directors to have a strategic planning and leadership training retreat in the spring.
- Smoke Free for Kansas Kids - This Healthy Living Grant from the Kansas Health Foundation is a systems change at the KU Wichita Pediatrics to address smoke exposure and offer cessation assistance to caregivers who smoke.
- Kansas Breastfeeding Friendly Practice Designation - KAAP collaborated with the Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition to create education and a tool kit to help practices become more breastfeeding friendly.
- Kansas Maternal and Child Health Council (KMCHC) - This Council advises KDHE on Pregnant Women, infant, children and adolescent maternal child health issues for children in Kansas. The Council focus is advising KDHE on the goals and objectives for the Title V program. KAAP provides administrative support for KMCHC.
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Pediatric Payment Corner
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New Regional Members Needed & KanCare Renewal
By Jonathan Jantz, MD, FAAP
KAAP Pediatric Council
The Kansas Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics is looking to reorganize our Pediatric Council. The goal is to have Chapter pediatrician members from across Kansas that can help identify issues, concerns and solutions with the Medicaid MCO organizations to provide better care for the children of Kansas.
Here are some specifics about being a Pediatric Council Member:
Member: Pediatric Council members would need to be KAAP members.
Meetings: The Pediatric Council will meet quarterly via a noon conference call.
Duties: Pediatric Council members would be key contacts for the MCO representatives in their area.
Please help KAAP build a strong Pediatric Council. If interested, please email Melissa Hudelson at the KAAP Office,
[email protected]
KanCare Renewal - Make Your Voice Heard!
The KanCare program is up for renewal and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) announced that a Formal Public Comment Period will be open until November 26, 2017 to make public comments on the KanCare program or any issues with the MCOs managing KanCare. I hope KAAP members take this opportunity to provide KDHE with constructive feedback for the KanCare Renewal.
Email your comments to:
Mail your comments to:
KanCare Renewal
c/o Becky Ross
KDHE Division of Health Care Finance
900 SW Jackson, LSOB 9thFloor
Topeka, KS 66612
If you would like to see the comments the KAAP office received on the KanCare Renewal, to date, please email Melissa with a request.
[email protected]
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| KPF Update |
The Kansas Pediatric Foundation has had another big year with the Turn a Page. Touch a Mind.® (TAP-TAM) program growing to over 100 sites and more than 500 participating pediatric primary care providers. TAP-TAM has put more than 830,000 books into the hands of Kansas kids since 2004!
The KPF Literacy Endowment is a consistent source of funding for TAP-TAM that will last far into the future. We are proud of the success of TAP-TAM and all of the important partnerships that have made this sustainable program possible.
Looking to build on that success, KPF created the Kansas Kids Fund so that we can expand our reach to even more children's health initiatives. Contributions to the Kansas Kids Fund will be used by the KPF Board of Directors to fund projects in the areas of obesity, mental health, immunizations, early brain development, oral health and more.
Please consider
a tax-deductible gift to the Kansas Pediatric Foundation before the end of the year to help us grow!
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| Kansas Breastfeeding Friendly Practice Designation |
The Kansas Breastfeeding Friendly Practice Designation is in the third and final year, and we have space for a few more practices to participate! Created by KAAP in collaboration with the Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition, the Kansas Breastfeeding Friendly Practice Designation provides education and tools to support breastfeeding to practices. Participating practices receive a free one-hour training that includes CME and lunch, a tool kit, and recognition for earning the designation. Contact Mel at
[email protected] for more information.
Congratulations to the following practices who have earned the Kansas Breastfeeding Friendly Practice Designation:
Five Star Practices
- Children's Mercy West - Kansas City
- Children's Mercy Pediatric Care Specialists
- HMG Pediatric Clinic - Hays
Four Star Practices
- Ashley Clinic - Chanute
- Heartland Primary Care - Lenexa
- KU Wichita Pediatrics - Wichita
- Drs. Morris and Hill Medical Clinic - Fredonia
- Pediatric Partners, PA - Overland Park
- KU Department of Family Medicine
- Prairie Star Health Center - Hutchinson
Designation in Progress:
- GraceMed - Wichita
- Hays Family Medicine - Hays
- Sunflower OBGYN - Winfield
- Hutchinson Clinic - Hutchinson
- Prairie Band Potawatomie Health Center
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| CATCH Resident Grant Opportunity for Kansas Pediatric Residents |
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The Kansas Chapter (KAAP) is partnering with the national AAP Community Access to Child Health (CATCH) program to sponsor a Kansas Resident project. Candidates from each of the Kansas residency programs are encouraged to apply for a $2,000 grant to
plan and/or implement community-based child health initiatives. Projects must include planning activities or demonstrate completed planning activities, and may include implementation activities.
The
grant will be awarded on a competitive basis for a Kansas pediatric resident. Application guidelines will be posted by December 1, 2017 on the
CATCH website
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Questions: on the CATCH application, please contact Jeffrey Colvin, MD, FAAP, at
[email protected]
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| Kansas KidLink Children's Mental Health Website |
The Kansas Chapter is highlighting its Kansas KidLink website
www.kansaskidlink.org that provides information on Children's Mental Health issues and provider information and location that can be determined using an interactive map of Kansas.
For providers, this website is a good resource to provide information to parents on children's mental health issues. There are Fact Sheets that can be downloaded and printed for distribution to concerned parents or they can direct parents to the Kansas KidLink website to get information on specific mental health issues. The website also includes a list of Continuing Education Programs available for offices and clinics.
For parents, this website is a good resource for locating a children's mental health provider in their community or region of the state. Parents can use the interactive map on the home page to search for a specific provider or by county. There are also resources on the Insurance and Payment Information under the Resource tab.
The Kansas KidLink website is a great resource for children's mental health.
Click here if you would like to donate to the endowment that keeps the Kansas KidLink website running in perpetuity.
Please email any questions about the website to Melissa Hudelson at
[email protected]
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| Immunization Corner |
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Why Only Half of Healthcare Workers Have the Flu Vaccine
Medical Xpress (September 12, 2017)
Provided by the KDHE Immunization Program
The low uptake of flu vaccination among medical students and doctors is influenced by social attitudes say researchers. Despite a recommendation from the Chief Medical Officer for England that all healthcare workers are vaccinated annually, only 55 percent are protected against the spread of influenza, this could contribute to staff sickness and mortality among elderly patients. Rhiannon Edge, Dawn Goodwin, Rachel Isba, Thomas Keegan from Lancaster Medical School interviewed junior doctors and medical students to find out about their opinions of the flu vaccination and why they might not be vaccinated. They said: 'We found the themes of socialization, understanding of the vaccine, and convenience to be important in whether or not the individual vaccinated.' Senior staff are crucial in shaping the medical culture which influences the attitudes of junior doctors and medical students. One vaccinated junior doctor said: 'I copy what my consultants do - so if they don't do it then I don't do it.'
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