Our thanks to all who attended

Pediatrics By the Sea 2008!

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News from the Georgia Chapter

 July 1, 2008

• New Officers Take Reins at Chapter:  Today marks the beginning of a Chapter year and new officers take over for the FY 2009. New President, Avril Beckford, MD, Smyrna; vice president is Kathryn Cheek, MD Columbus; secretary Terri McFadden-Garden, MD, Atlanta and treasurer, Ken Dooley, MD, Atlanta. Congratulations all; and especially to outgoing president Martin Michaels, MD, Dalton for 2 years of outstanding service; along with retiring secretary Lynne Feldman, MD, Valdosta.

• Pediatric Foundation Golf Tournament Sets Down at Settindown Creek: The Foundation's annual golf tournament will be held Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008 at Settindown Creek Golf Course in northwest Atlanta. The Settindown has the reputation as one of the city's top courses so golfers are in for a real treat that day.  Mark your calendar now for this annual fund raiser for the Chapter's foundation. More information to follow.

• Call for Nominations for Chapter Awards Coming Soon:  Nomination forms for the annual Chapter awards will soon be available to members via the website and blastfax.  The awards will be made at the Chapter annual meeting on Friday, November 14, at the Fall Meeting. Award categories are: Denmark Lifetime Achievement Award, Outstanding Achievement Award, Friend of Children, Young Physician Award, and Legislator(s) of the Year. 

• Chapter Plans Open Forum on Children's Mental Health:  The Georgia Chapter will sponsor an "Open Forum" on this critical and emergent topic on Saturday, September 26th, at the Chapter office in the Arthritis Foundation bldg. in midtown Atlanta.  Watch the webpage and your Blast faxes for more details to come.

• Fall Meeting, Pediatrics on the Parkway,  Set for November 13-15 at Cobb Galleria, Atlanta:  Pediatrics on the Parkway 2008, the Chapter's Fall CME Conference,  is set for November 13-15 at the Cobb Galleria Centre in NW Atlanta. Hotel rooms will be available at the adjoining Renaissance Waverly Hotel. Mark your calendar now for this event.

• Pediatric Nurses & Practice Managers to convene Sept. 19:  The Ga. Pediatric Nurses Association and the  Georgia Pediatric Practice Managers  will meet on Friday Sept. 19, at the Cobb Galleria Centre in NW Atlanta for their fall education meeting..  Mark your calendars and plan to attend this informative conference and networking opportunity.

• AAP Announces Free Act Early Developmental Concerns: Partnering with Early Intervention Teleconference: The call will take place on Monday, July 14, 2008 from Noon until 1:30 EST. The presentation will offer tips for practical application, lessons learned, and resources and tools for working with Early Intervention. Speakers will include: Georgina Peacock, MD, MPH, FAAP of the CDC; general pediatrician, Layla Mohammed, MD, FAAP; and Director of First Steps, Diane Sedan. Click here to view the event flyer or contact Ginny Chanda at gchanda@aap.org or 847-434-7081 for registration details.

• Pediatrics by the Sea:  Thanks to all of you who attended Pediatrics By the Sea at The Ritz-Carlton on Amelia Island.  We look forward to seeing you all at the Fall Meeting and, of course, back on Amelia Island in 2009. Pediatrics by the Sea 2009 will be held June 17-20.

• Important Information Regarding VFC Program Policies:  Storm related power outages in April called our attention to risks of compromise to large inventories of vaccines that many offices now carry. Vaccines can be compromised due to mechanical failure of a refrigerator, or due to power outages.  The Chapter would like to remind our members of their responsibilities and correct procedures to follow when a power outage or mechanical failure occurs.  Georgia’s Vaccines for Children (VFC) Provider Agreement Policy establishes requirements for enrolled providers. There are 13 specific requirements with examples of Program violations and actions that could potentially be taken.  Georgia’s Vaccines for Children (VFC) Vaccine Loss Policy establishes the policy for management of incidents that result in loss of state supplied vaccine. There are 3 categories of defined vaccine loss with potential actions to be taken depending on the type of loss incurred.

• AAP Issues Call for Proposals for CATCH Planning Funds Program: On line submission for Community Access to Child Health (CATCH) grants are due by 4 pm CDT July 31, 2008. Grants are available to members for either community based initiatives that increase a child’s access to a medical home or health services that are unavailable. Funding ranges from $2,500 to $12,000. Resident CATCH grants are also available for up to $3000. The AAP will provide assistance to applicants in applying for the grants. For details contact catch@aap.org or call 847/434-7632. To go directly to the on line application visit http://www.aap.org/catch/funds/

• State to Change Billing for Newborn Screening Specimens: The Georgia Public Health Laboratory (GPHL) will begin billing physicians for newborn screening specimens under certain circumstances beginning July 1, 2008.  However, the new policy will not impact most routinely perform screens. A Blastfax was sent out on April 17 to our members.  Please click here to review.

     To reach us....

Georgia Chapter
American Academy of Pediatrics

 1330 West Peachtree Street NW, Suite 500, Atlanta, Georgia 30309-2904
    Office hrs. 8:30am - 5:00pm EST   Phone: 404-881-5020     Fax: (404) 249-9503

See Staff Directory for direct phone lines & email addresses for staff members.

Direct questions & comments on the medical content of this website to Website Editor, at drmacleod@att.net. 

All other questions can be emailed to rbosic@gaaap.org.