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| President's Perspective
by Kristie Clark, MD, FAAP
With much gratitude for our chapter's members and staff, I'm proud to announce that the AAP awarded KAAP the 2020 Award of Chapter Excellence, as KAAP was a finalist for the Medium Category Outstanding Chapter Award. I'd like to commend each of you for the work you do to care and advocate for children. There are three Kansas pediatricians: Dr. Stephanie Kuhlmann, Dr. Gretchen Homan and Dr. Pam Shaw, who received AAP Special Achievement Awards and whose work I'd like to highlight.
As soon as schools were shut down, a return to school plan became necessary for when students could return safely to in-person learning. Dr. Stephanie Kuhlmann worked tirelessly with the Kansas COVID Workgroup for Kids, collaborating with the Kansas Department of Health and the Environment (KDHE) as well as the Kansas Department of Education (KSDE) in developing school guidelines at the state level. The collaboration with the KSDE was groundbreaking, and she, along with other pediatricians in the Kansas COVID Workgroup for Kids, provided webinars, educating physicians on how to return students to sports after COVID, communicate with schools, and use the forms developed in collaboration with KAAP.
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| Executive Director Update
by Melissa Hudelson
We are about 14 months in, and I am so very proud of the way KAAP has weathered the pandemic so far, we have learned a lot, and our main focus has been on supporting our members through this challenging time. The KAAP is fortunate to have strong leadership on the Board of Directors, and I am thankful for the innovative and hardworking staff that is never scared of a challenge.
There are a couple of opportunities for KAAP members to earn free CME and MOC credits coming up:
- We are currently enrolling practices in the Chapter Quality Network (CQN) Improving Immunization Rates for Adolescents Phase 2 (IIRA2) Project. Participating physicians will receive two cycles of MOC-4 credits, MOC-2 credits, PI CME credits and a practice stipend.
- KAAP will come to your office or "Zoom" in for a one hour maternal depression screening training that includes one hour of CME credit and we will provide lunch for your office. With the new KanCare payment beginning January 1st for maternal depression screening we can help make sure your staff understands the latest recommendations.
Don't hesitate to reach out if there is something that KAAP can do for you or if you have an idea for a project that we can partner with you on.
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| KAAP Legislative Update
by Dena K. Hubbard MD, FAAP
The Kansas 2021 legislative session concluded May 9th. Next activity will be on Sine Die Session May 26th to override vetoes and elect a new Senate Majority Leader. There was a limited amount of action in the healthcare field at the conclusion of the 2021 session, but it was still scarier than any horror film including attacks on LBGQT youth, protecting rights to gun ownership over rights of victims of domestic violence, and loosening regulations for out of state healthcare professionals beyond time of COVID.
During the next 7 months before the 2022 legislative session is a great time to begin or continue building relationships with your decision makers. There is so much at stake. While Medicaid expansion wasn't strongly debated this year, there were provisions within the federal legislation for COVID that would have made it economically beneficial to expand Medicaid. I would encourage you to engage with KAAP and our partners including local medical societies to make our voices and expertise heard for science, public health, and health and well-being of children.
Click "Continue Reading" for a brief update from the conclusion of the 2021 session.
Please reach out if you have comments, questions, concerns related to specific policy or building your advocacy toolbox. Thanks for all you do!
Continue Reading
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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
by Kelly Kreisler, MD, MPH
and Tyler K. Smith, MD, MPH
Spring greetings from the Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion! Our committee's vision is "for KAAP to lead the way and be a role model for pediatricians, patients and families, and the community in diversity, equity, and inclusion." Many thanks to Barbara Pahud, MD, infectious disease researcher and specialist at Children's Mercy Kansas City and Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Medicine, for presenting an informative webinar about the COVID-19 vaccine and the implications on communities of color on Wednesday, March 10, 2021 entitled COVID-19 Vaccines and People of Color. Dr. Pahud is actively involved and continues her impactful vaccine research in pediatric patients.
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| Talking with LGBTQIA+ Adolescents About Sexual Activity
Wednesday, June 16, 2021 12-1 p.m. CT
Timothy A Roberts, MD, MPH
Free CME included with this webinar
Dr. Roberts will present practical advice for pediatricians caring for LGBTQIA+ patients. The Kansas Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics is accredited by the Kansas Medical Society to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The Kansas Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits TM . Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. |
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| KPF Update
We are very excited to announce the two grantees for the third round of our Kansas Kids Fund - Pediatricians in Action grant! Dr. Jessica Howlett and Dr. Tom Lancaster will be using grant funds to offer maternal depression screenings for parents of NICU patients through the Overland Park Regional Medical Center. Dr. Stephanie Kuhlmann along with the Kansas COVID Workgroup for Kids will be putting together a summer event to bring superintendents from the Wichita area together to discuss lessons learned in 2020-2021 and plan for the new school year. We can't wait to hear more about these projects over the next year.
The Kansas Kids Fund has also been able to support the cost of CME credit so KAAP can provide important and timely Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion virtual presentations free of charge to members. Registration for our next presentation on providing practical advice to LGBTQIA+ patients is open now on the KAAP website.
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| Schedule Maternal Depression Screening Trainings
with Free CME
On January 1, 2021, KanCare began paying for maternal depression screening. KAAP is offering Maternal Depression Screening trainings for practices that include free CME and a lunch stipend for your office. Contact Mel at mel.hudelson@kansasaap.org for more information or to schedule your training.
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ProjectFirstline Infection Control Tips
Hand hygiene in Ambulatory Settings
As we reenter the brave new post-COVID pandemic world with increased vaccination and decreased masks, now is a good reminder about the importance of hand hygiene by health care professionals (HCP). Hand hygiene is not only a simple and effective way to prevent the spread of pathogens and infections in the healthcare settings, but also the single most important method of preventing the transmission of infectious disease. Continue Reading |
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| Save the Date
We are grateful to everyone who participated and contributed to our virtual Spring Progress in Pediatrics CME meeting. We are looking forward seeing you all in person at our Fall Progress in Pediatrics meeting on Friday, September 24 at the Hyatt Regency in Wichita! Look for details and registration soon. |
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Flu and HPV Training Modules
The IKC Training Modules Preventing Flu and Shutting the Door on HPV Cancers were developed for health provider audiences with the goal of increasing HPV and Influenza immunization rates. Learn why HPV and Flu vaccines are important, how to give effective vaccination recommendations, and practice answering patient questions accurately and succinctly. Free CME is available.
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2021 Maternal Depression Screening Policy Update
Submitted by Kansas Connecting Communities
Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) are the most common complication of the perinatal period, impacting an estimated 1 in 5 individuals during pregnancy and the year following pregnancy. Mathematica Policy Research estimates the societal costs of untreated PMADs is approximately $32,000 per mother-child pair from pregnancy through five years postpartum [1]. More than half of these costs and adverse outcomes occur during the first year postpartum. Children of mothers experiencing PMADs are at increased risk for delayed developmental milestones, behavior problems, and difficulties with literacy and learning [2].
In Kansas, data released through the Pregnancy Risk Assessment and Monitoring System (PRAMS) from 2019 indicate that 13.8% of mothers report not accessing treatment for depression after birth, despite a perceived need [3]. Reasons for not accessing treatment include it seeming too difficult or overwhelming (82.5%), lack of time due to work, lack of childcare, or other commitments (57%), and worries about the cost (54.1%). The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented stress and isolation for perinatal individuals leading to elevated rates of depression and anxiety compared to previously reported population rates [4]. Increasing prevalence rates highlight the urgency for timely and effective identification and intervention processes to prevent long term impacts on family wellbeing and child development. Continue Reading |
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ABOUT US
Officers
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Kristie Clark, MD, FAAP
President
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Mel Hudelson
Executive Director
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Gretchen Homan, MD, FAAP
President-Elect
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Shanna Peters
Associate Director
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Grace Brouillette, DO, FAAP
Treasurer
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Martha Atkinson
Staff Accountant
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Lisa Gilmer, MD, FAAP
Past President
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Amy Trollinger
Marketing Communications Manager
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