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Janaury 2018                                                                         Volume 109
Introducing your newest Board of Directors

Thank you for returning your ballots for the elections. Please welcome the following newest Board members:

Russell Gombosi, MD has been a  member of the American College of Pediatricians for nearly 
ten years He is married and has three lovely daughters. He served in the U.S. Air Force, the Native Alaskan Health Service and finally settled near Williamsport, PA (home of the Little League World Series!)

He appreciates the importance of faith, family, and hard work, and recently embarked into a private practice that will be based on sound Christian principles. He plans to continue to provide full-scale medicine in the outpatient and inpatient realm while maintaining a consultative practice in sleep medicine. To serve the College, he plans to offer a strong voice in support of traditional family values and welcome those of all faiths who share this passion for what is truly best for children.

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Mark Grubb, MD is a returning Board member.  He has been with ACPeds for  14 years and he
served  on the Board previously from 2013-2014 . Dr. Grubb completed medical school at LSUMC-Shreveport, and has been in private practice in Washington State since 1985. He has served as Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics at University of Washington and as president of the Pierce County Medical Society. He has also served on the Board of the Pierce County Health Department, and on the Antibiotic Resistance task force of the Pierce County Health Department.

He is married to Nancy; a Family Practice Physician and they have 2 daughters. As a concerned father, he wants what is best for his children. As a concerned pediatrician, he wants what is best for his patients. He looks forward to serving alongside like-minded physicians.

Dr. Gombosi and Dr. Grubb will serve on the new Board of Directors with the following Executive Committee and returning Directors:

Michelle Cretella, Quentin Van Meter, Patricia Lee June, Randolph Matthews, Den Trumbull, Jane Anderson, Michael Artigues, Tom Benton, Scott Field, Michael Garver, Don Hagler, David Olson, and Nick Yates.

Welcome and thank you all for your service to the College!

Dr. Cretella speaks at St Thomas University Conference on Man and Woman

The American College of Pediatricians stands as a beacon of science, sanity and ethics on the treatment of gender dysphoria in children. 

In addition to providing numerous radio and print interviews, Dr. Cretella participated in a panel discussion on this topic along with ACPeds member and pediatric endocrinologist, Dr. Paul Hruz, and Child Psychiatrist, Dr. Allan Josephson at the Heritage Foundation in Washington, DC. Following this, the Daily Signal produced a 5 minute summary of Dr. Cretella's presentation which they posted December 12, 2017; it went viral.



On the same day the video was released, Dr. Cretella presented at a conference at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN with 5 other speakers, including Mr. Walt Heyer, Dr. Ryan Anderson and Dr. Brad Wilcox, regarding the science of sex differences and transgenderism. There were 800 attendees from across the political spectrum who attended and participated in respectful dialogue. At the end of the conference a young man approached Dr. Cretella and said, 

"I am a medical student and want to thank you for coming. I read all the hateful comments about you and the ACPeds on Facebook, but I saw none of that here today. Nothing but compassion and honesty. Thank you for helping me wrap my head around these things."

New Associate Member of the College: Dr. Thomas Lickona

Dr. Thomas Lickona is a developmental psychologist, a professor and an expert in Character Education. He speaks around the world on the topic of fostering character development in schools and families and has a wonderful book for parents coming out this year called How to Raise Kind Kids. Not only does he direct the Center for the Fourth and Fifth Rs (Respect and Responsibility) at the State University of New York, he has also been a guest on radio and TV talk shows, including The Larry King Live Radio Show, Good Morning America, and Focus on the Family.

His books include Raising Good Children, Educating for Character, Character Matters, and a book for teens written with his wife Judith and William Boudreau, M.D., Sex, Love, and You: Making the Right Decision. Dr. Lickona and his wife Judith live in Cortland, New York, and are the parents of two grown sons and 15 grandchildren.

*Congratulations on joining the College and thank you for your contributions to the field of child health and development*

For a full bio and more information on Dr. Lickona's new book, How to Raise Kind Kids: And Get Respect, Gratitude, and a Happier Family, please click here or visit ThomasLickona.com
Special Interest News, Articles and Studies
ACPeds Members vote yes on Child Trafficking statement

In December, the final version of the Child Trafficking Statement was approved and is now available on the ACPeds website.



In the United States, it is estimated that up to 300,000 children are victims of sex trafficking, also known as Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking (DMST). Countless others are victims of additional forms of exploitation, especially forced labor. Some of these children have been brought to the United States illegally, while thousands are US citizens as young as 12, who have been recruited, abducted, abused, or exploited into the sex trade or forced servitude.



As Child trafficking clearly undermines the future of children, families, and societies,
ACPeds recognizes the tragic reality of this multi-billion dollar child trafficking industry in the United States and has proposed four responses to prevent, i dentify, and bring healing and justice to its victims



Postings on the College Job Board

Pediatric nurse practitioner seeks work in primary care office 

Agnes E. Bayer, CPNP, CFCP, is an experienced pediatric nurse practitioner who seeks to work in a family medicine or pediatric primary care office providing urotherapy and urodynamics. This testing yields good reimbursement for the office. She is also willing to teach adolescents about their cycles to facilitate a restorative reproductive medicine approach for treating gynecological issues in young patients. Part time up to 30 hours a week with benefits preferred and willing to commute up to 30 miles from Old Town Portsmouth, VA.
 

Pediatric provider opportunity in beautiful coastal/wine country

A small, private pediatric group in Templeton, CA is looking for a pediatrician or nurse practitioner to help with the growing practice. The group is looking to hire permanent part or full-time providers, and will also consider locums tenens.

Pediatric Cardiologist

The Section of Pediatric Cardiology at the Children's Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock (CHaD) and Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth seeks a full-time board certified or board eligible Pediatric Cardiologist to join its faculty. Active participation in Pediatric undergraduate, graduate, and continuing medical education is required, with eligibility for appointment at Geisel expected, along with excellent interpersonal, clinical, and teaching skills.

Medical Officer - Pediatrics Hospitalist
 
A high performing, professional service and technology focused organization is looking to hire a Medical Officer - Pediatrics Hospitalist. This position is full-time and it is onsite at the National Institute of Health in Bethesda, MD

For contact information and full job descriptions, click here or visit https://www.acpeds.org/health-professionals/job-board for more information.
Little by little, bit by bit, family by family, so much good can be done on so many levels.

 - Elinor Ostrom
Hormonal contraception linked to suicide risk

A recent study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry found that women and teen girls who use hormonal contraceptives are at increased risk for suicide attempt and suicide.

According to researchers, "Women should be aware of this potential adverse effect of hormonal contraception so that they might consider alternatives if they develop depression after starting use of hormonal contraception." The study also found that teen girls were more sensitive than older women to the influence of hormonal contraception on risk for first suicide attempt: the risk for suicide attempts nearly doubled and more than tripled for successful suicide.

This comes after news of a dangerous new mobile phone app called Nurx. Dubbed the "Uber for birth control," Nurx enables teens as young as age 12 to obtain contraceptive and abortive medications including the pill, vaginal ring, Plan B and Ella without parental knowledge or local physician oversight. Easy access to contraceptives that bypasses parents and a physician visit, as Nurx does, increases the likelihood of teens experiencing these bad outcomes.



Not only is risk of suicide increased by teen use of hormonal contraception but teen sexual activity is also linked to increase suicide risk in addition to other harmful emotional and physical consequences including depression, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and sexual exploitation at the hands of abusive boyfriends or sex traffickers.

Dr. Patricia Lee June of the ACPeds Board of Directors warns,

" Nurx wrongly excludes those who know the child and her health history best - her parents and her physician, and places the full responsibility for a life-changing healthcare decision on a girl's shoulders. When it comes to achieving optimal teen health, connected parents - not Smartphones - are paramount."

For more information
January at a glance...  

The month of January commemorates the following:
Parents beginning to realize the dangers of YouTube Kids

In a recent news, parents have been complaining of videos on YouTube Kids with well-known children's characters "in violent or lewd situations". In response, YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki apologized saying "we can, and we will, do better."

According to Cathy Gilmore , Founder and Executive Director of Virtue Works Media, the non-profit ministry helping families grow character in children by consuming virtue-rich reading and entertainment :

"Wise parents need to be mindful that establishing technology habits in younger and younger children ONLY benefits the media delivery source. YouTube Kids parental controls and filters require a lot of engagement by parents to customize the controls for their children. Parents need to consider carefully not only the time children spend consuming the content, but also the time they will spend themselves to protect their kids on the site. Even with vigilance, it seems clear that there is still no guarantee kids will be protected on YouTube Kids from exposure  to toxic content."

For more information, click to view the recent Parent Talk article: Inappropriate videos on YouTube Kids app (viewer discretion advised). Click here for a list of YouTube Kids alternatives
 The first duty of love is to listen. 

- Paul Tillich
Family meals beneficial to child health, family breakdown causes mental anguish

A new study published in the Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics shows what ACPeds has been saying all along, that "children who routinely eat their meals together with their family are more likely to experience long-term physical and mental health benefits."

According to lead researcher,

"The presence of parents during mealtimes likely provides young children with firsthand social interaction, discussions of social issues and day-to-day concerns, and vicarious learning of prosocial interactions in a familiar and emotionally secure setting."

By the same token, another recent study found that, "not having a father in the house remains the number one predictor of teenage mental health problems in the UK." According to the study, Britain has one of the world's highest levels of family breakdown as nearly half of all teenagers are not living with both natural parents. When parents split up, girls are more likely to exhibit emotional problems, whereas boys are more likely to exhibit behavioral problems.



As the people who made the children, who act as primary role models for the children, and who children want most to love them, it only makes sense that parents are the most important people in their children's lives.

Given the protective factors that are conveyed to children and adolescents, pediatricians should encourage parents to take care of the marriage and to make every effort to regularly gather around the "Family Table" for meals.

For more information
Ohio Senate passes law banning abortion over Down syndrome diagnosis

Under a bill that passed the state senate last month, women in Ohio would be prohibited from receiving abortions because of a fetal Down syndrome diagnosis

While doctors would lose their medical licenses in the state and face a fourth-degree felony charge under the law if they were to perform an abortion with that knowledge, mothers would not face criminal charges.

At the end of October of last year, actor and Special Olympian Frank Stephens testified on the topic of living with Down syndrome, and encouraged Congress to continue to support research on Down syndrome. The video of his powerful speech has since gone viral and may have influenced the decision of the Ohio Senate. Click below to watch the video.


Thank you to members Dr. Jane Hamner for help editing Parent Talk,
and Dr. Leah Willson for her help in editing the Newsletter.
FABMs professional opportunities for physicians, med students

Fertility Appreciation Collaborative to Teach the Science (FACTS) is a group of physicians, healthcare professionals and educators working together to  provide information about natural or fertility awareness based methods (FABMs) of family planning with the medical community. Charting is an FABM that enables a woman to know her body by tracking the physical signs of her menstrual cycle, in which there are a number of signs women and observe and track, including their basal body temperature and the number of days in their menstrual cycles each month.

Some professional opportunities for physicians, health professionals, educators and med students interested in spreading awareness about FABMS are listed below.
  • Become a FACTS Preceptor - health professionals trained in FABMs interested in sharing their knowledge and experience with future health professionals?
  • Become a Student Ambassador - health professional students interested in networking with FABM knowledgeable physicians, participating in research, presenting at medical conferences, and educating peers about fertility awareness on campus and in the community.
Patient Handout Reminder

Patient handouts are available for download free of charge  on the Handouts page of the Health Professionals  (and Parents ) section of the ACPeds website. Available In t he members' section of the website are  patient handouts shared by other ACPeds practitioners , some of which may be helpful to your own patients and practice. Contact the office to get the username and password for access to the  Member Hub
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