News & Notes is a new email communication to keep the members of the NYS AAP (District II) informed about our work on key issue for children and for pediatricians.
As the legislative session develops, you will be able to find our detailed positions on legislation and budget proposals that impact on the health and well-being of children.
We will also be offering you ways to raise your voice for children in the public policy arena. Stay tuned!
The New York State Department of Health is proud to announce that Colleen Mattimore, M.D., of Western New York Pediatric Associates in Orchard Park, New York, has been selected as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Childhood Immunization Champion for New York. CDC and the CDC Foundation hold this annual awards program to honor immunization champions across the 50 U.S. states, 8 U.S. Territories and Freely Associated States, and the District of Columbia during National Infant Immunization Week (April 16-23, 2016).
Dr. Mattimore was nominated and selected from a pool of health professionals, community advocates, and other immunization leaders for making a significant contribution to public health in New York State through her work in childhood immunization.
A pediatrician for 25 years, Dr. Mattimore has played an active role in vaccine advocacy in Western New York for many years. She has trained physicians, nurses and medical students on communicating with vaccine hesitant parents, and has spoken with parents and schools about the importance of childhood vaccines. Dr. Mattimore has previously been recognized by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) New York Chapter 1, by the Western New York Pediatric, Adolescent and Adult Immunization Coalition, and by the Erie County Department of Health for her work to protect the children of Western New York. Eight years ago she established the Vaccine Safety Coalition and successfully launched a vaccine safety public health multi-media campaign.
Young children rely on the champions in their lives to keep them safe and healthy. Champions may be doctors and nurses who share scientifically accurate, up-to-date information about vaccines with parents. They may be advocates who go the extra mile to ensure that all children in their communities have access to vaccines. They may be public health professionals who work behind the scenes tracking immunization data, coordinating vaccine logistics, or developing public awareness campaigns. They may be parents who share their personal stories about vaccination with their communities.
When families, healthcare professionals, and public health officials work together, all children can be protected from serious and deadly vaccine-preventable diseases. Dr. Mattimore is an inspiration to all of us who care about children’s health in New York. We are pleased and honored to congratulate her on this well-deserved award.
To read Dr. Mattimore’s profile on the CDC’s website, and to learn more about CDC’s Childhood Immunization Champion Award program, please visit http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/champions.
NEWS & NOTES – December 2015
For Members of the NYS AAP
A Coalition of AAP NY Chapters 1, 2 & 3
New Meningococcal School Vaccine Requirement Starting Sept. 1, 2016:
The state is implementing new requirements for meningococcal immunization for school entry. Requirements will be enforced for the September 2016 school year. All teens will need to be caught up by September 2016. Start immunizing your patients now to avoid the rush in late summer of 2016.
Click Here for the full document from the NYSDOH.
PCMH Incentive Change:
As most of you know, New York State will stop paying PCMH incentive payments for Level 1 NCQA starting on January 1, 2016. Practices at NCQA Levels 2 & 3 will continue to receive incentive payments. Click Here for the NYSDOH’s letter describing the upcoming PCMH incentive changes.
We encourage Level 1 practices to explore the feasibility of moving up a Level to not only improve their care of patients, but also to be able to continue to receive incentive payments. The AAP has multiple resources and supports available to pediatric practices who want to enhance the quality of their PCMH.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Elie Ward, NYS AAP Director of Policy & Advocacy, at eward@aap.net.
Now Accepting Applications: Tobacco Control Clinical Practice Trainings:
The American Academy of Pediatrics is seeking applicants for a training that will educate clinicians about messages, tools, and counseling protocols to screen and counsel patients and families about tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure during clinical encounters.
Clinicians will be taught how to effectively integrate these practices into their existing practice systems. Topics covered include coding for these encounters, tackling e-cigarette use, and gaining buy-in for systems change from colleagues. Applicants are encouraged to attend the training in pairs of a pediatrician and another member of the practice team. There will be two separate trainings and applicants will attend one of the two. Coach airfare, transportation between airport and hotel, hotel accommodations, and meals included during the trainings will all be covered.
To be considered, applications must be received by 5:00 pm ET on January 8, 2016. Please email questions to richmondcenter@aap.org.
For more information, Read the Application Here.