Dedicated to the health of children and adolescents.
November 2019
PRESIDENT'S PERSPECTIVE

By Lisa Gilmer, MD, FAAP

"It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood..." You can hear Mr. Rogers in your head, can't you? This song plays often in my head triggered by various beautiful things such as the laughter from the school playground in my neighborhood or the colors of sunrise on a traffic free commute.
ISSUES AND COMMENTARY 

by Dennis Cooley MD, FAAP 

All of us know of colleagues who have suffered the effects of burnout. Many of you are probably experiencing it yourself. We all know the symptoms. The feeling of being overextended, emotionally exhausted, depersonalized and questioning our personal accomplishments. The more lack of control we have in our work the frustrations builds and we ask ourselves:  "Why am I still doing this?" Continue Reading.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR UPDATE                               
by Melissa Hudelson

This is the time of year when we are reminded to count our blessings. I am thankful this year for KAAP members who support the work of the Chapter. I get to see the impact made through advocacy, programs, and partnerships that would not happen without our members. We are becoming the "go-to" organization at the state level when topics related to child health and pediatrics come up. Continue Reading.

PEDIATRIC PAYMENT CORNER 

The KAAP Pediatric Council is here to help you with payment issues that come up. We have been working this year to build relationships with the MCOs and other payers so we can all work together to improve health for children in Kansas. Don't hesitate to reach out to pediatriccouncil@kansasaap.org if you have questions or a problem we can look at for you.

KAAP LEGISLATIVE UPDATE 

by Dena K. Hubbard MD, FAAP

The Kansas AAP chapter was represented at the fourth annual Cancer Policy Forum on October 3rd at the Kansas Health Institute. The event was led by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network in Kansas and focused on tobacco and vaping prevention efforts. KAAP is actively engaged and collaborating with key stakeholders in preparation of proposed Tobacco 21 legislation next session which will includes the following: raising the minimum age to purchase tobacco products to 21 years, increasing the retail license fee which will also fund enforcement, and includes no punishment for youth who purchase or are in possession of tobacco products. Continue Reading

KPF UPDATE

The Kansas Pediatric Foundation has had another big year with the announcement of our first Kansas Kids Fund - Pediatricians in Action grant recipients. The awardees have been using the funds to support a foster care volunteer fair in Wichita, a vaccination program working with local schools and the health department in Winfield, and an obesity program in Overland Park. Continue Reading

PROGRESS IN PEDIATRICS FALL 2019

Thank you to everyone who attended the Fall CME meeting. H ere are a few highlights from this year's event in Wichita. Save the date of April 24th and join us for Progress in Pediatrics Spring 2020 in Overland Park!

FOSTER CARE TOOL KIT

  The KAAP Foster Care Task Force also created a tool kit with information on how to care for children in the foster care system that I hope you will check out. The Task Force will continue to work with DCF and the foster care contractors to improve medical care for children in the foster care system.

KDHE LEAD REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

Attention all practices who use the LeadCare II point of care blood lead testing machine: We are soliciting feedback from your practice in regard to the May 2018 change in Kansas state regulations that directs and requires practices to report all lead testing results and demographic information to the state within 24 hours. Please respond directly to mel.hudelson@kansasaap.org and you will be sent a brief email survey help us understand how these requirements are affecting the lead screening of children around the state. Thank you for your help and participation!

FREE BREASTFEEDING WEBINAR

"Tethered Oral Tissues & Infant Oral Assessment " 
December 3, 2019;  12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Speaker: Marsha Walker, RN, IBCLC. 
 Join HERE

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ABOUT US

Officers
 Staff
Lisa Gilmer, MD, FAAP
President
Mel Hudelson
Executive Director 
Kristie Clark, MD, FAAP
President-Elect

Shanna Peters
Associate Director
Jon Janz, MD, FAAP
Treasurer

Martha Atkinson
Staff Accountant
Jennifer Mellick, MD, FAAP
Past President
Amy Trollinger
Marketing Communications Manager


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