Congratulations to Dr. Cretella and Dr. Van Meter!
The Board of Directors is pleased to announce that as of July 1st, Dr. Michelle Cretella will end her presidential term early to serve as our first Executive Director.
The Executive Director serves as an
Ex Officio member
of the Executive Committee, which is responsible for policy decisions required by the day-to-day functions of the College between regularly scheduled meetings of the Board of Directors.
In addition, the Executive Director represents the College to a variety of outside audiences — both national and international — in the attainment of the Mission to “enable all children to reach their optimal physical and emotional health and well-being.”
The Executive Director devotes considerable attention to liaison activities with like-minded organizations that share the ACPeds Vision and Mission
. Dr. Cretella said,
"I thank the Board for this honor and their confidence. Together we will continue to grow the American College of Pediatricians and shape our Culture according to what truly is Best for Children."
The Board also extends its gratitude and congratulations to
Dr. Quentin Van Meter who generously agreed to begin his
presidential
term today.
His hard work and dedication in this capacity will facilitate a smooth transition and allow us to increasingly pursue our mission.
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**ACPeds 3rd annual joint conference with AAPLOG - April 5-9**
The
conference
, co-hosted by the
American Association of Pro-Life OBGYNs
and sponsored by Alliance Defending Freedom and the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, will take place next year from
Friday, April 5th to Sunday, April 9th, 2019 at Marian University Medical School in Indianapolis, IN
.
This conference brings together prolife researchers, physicians, medical students, medical residents and policy makers for an educational seminar. Covering the most important topics of the year in life issues--
from maternal mortality to sex ed, from adolescent decision-making to reversing RU-486--
this conference will equip you to tackle the difficult questions facing your practice, patients and loved ones.
As usual, the ACPeds annual board meeting with take place the same weekend of the conference on Thursday, April 4th (and part of the 5th) just prior to the start of the conference.
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“First, Do No Harm” journal article by ACPeds member Dr. Joseph Zanga
“Four simple words taught early and often in Medical School. Words to live by, and practice by, we’re taught. But can we? Is it possible?”
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ACPeds community benefit event in Orlando, FL
On Saturday, July 21st from 12pm to 2pm, the American College of Pediatricians is co-hosting a community benefit event for children and families called “It Takes a Village” at the Orlando Public Library
. The event is sponsored by the Orange County Public Library, Publix Supermarkets, Abraham Legacy Realty, and several other local organizations interested in giving back to the community and bringing families together.
Brittney, our communications administrator, will be tabling at the event on behalf of the American College of Pediatricians and all local ACPeds members are encouraged to attend and participate
. For more information, please contact Brittney at
Brittney.acop@gmail.com
I
f you’re interested in hosting a similar event in your area on behalf of the American College of Pediatricians, let us know
. These types of grass roots efforts to reach parents and families on the local level generate community buzz and will help us better connect and share our message, missions and values with
parents, educators and other child health professionals.
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We regret to inform you that two ACPeds members have passed away
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Dr. Edward "Bud" Royston Westmark
Our condolences to the family of Dr. Westmark, a long time ACPeds member, whom we have recently learned passed away at the age of 87 on Sunday, March 5, 2017. After being honorably discharged from the Air Force as a First Lieutenant in 1956 with 7,424 flight hours, Bud went on to graduate from the University of Florida Medical School's first graduating class in 1960, started general practice in 1962, and then eventually began Pediatrics practice in 1966.
“Dr. Westmark was one of the first faculty members I met in Pensacola starting my second year of residency. He was a fine man with extraordinary patience and a self-taught neonatologist from when neonatology was an emerging specialty. He was a contemporary of Dr. Reed Bell, who was a founding member of ACPeds.“
- Scott Field, MD, Board Member, ACPeds
In 1969, Bud teamed with Dr. Reed Bell, Dr. John Whitcomb and the Daughters of Charity to open the children's hospital at Sacred Heart Hospital in 1969. He helped found the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in 1970, and was its director for over a decade.
In 1975, Bud became one of the first Neonatologists in the country when he earned Board Certification in Neonatology after passing the first board exam ever offered
, testing alongside the renowned researchers and academics who wrote the journals and textbooks he had studied.
Bud's passions were outside activities, especially canoeing, backpacking, snow skiing and river rafting. He loved traveling, gardening, reading, playing his trumpet and eating dessert. He was a long-time member of East Hill Baptist Church and he is survived by his wife of 63 years, Claire Mayo Westmark; his 2 sons; his 4 grandchildren; 2 of his brothers; and his many nieces and nephews.
“Ed was a very special individual who was kind, courteous, professional, intelligent, and a Southern Christian gentleman who you capitalized on every opportunity to be in his presence.”
- Robert K. Wilson, Jr. M.D. (Dr. Bob)
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Dr. Angel Garcia Del Villar
Dr. Garcia was a faithful ACPeds member for 12 years and it is with great sadness that we learned of his homegoing, last year on September 23 at age 77. From 1970 to 1976, Dr. Garcia had a private practice in Mexico City.
Aside from his private practice, he volunteered part of his time assisting the poor providing health care services through the state hospital in Nezhualcoyotl, Mexico
. He moved his family to San Antonio, Texas in 1976 and later became a Fellow of the American College of Pediatricians and the American Academy of Pediatrics, and was Board Certified with the American Board of Pediatrics.
Throughout his life, the highlight of every week was the opportunity to spend quality time with his family.
In spite of his busy schedule, he made it a point to always be involved in each individual's life, playing, counseling, teaching and coaching
.
He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Rosario Del Rio de Garcia; his brother, also a doctor; his son (and his wife); his 3 daughters (and their husbands); and eleven grandchildren.
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New job opportunity geared toward Catholic pediatricians
MyCatholicDoctor
is a new
telehealth/virtual care organization opening September 1st, 2018
that will bring a team of faithful medical professionals to patients through video-based health consultation on almost any smart phone, computer or tablet.
They are currently recruiting pediatricians
and other pediatric health care professionals that desire to integrate the Catholic faith into their practice.
Click here
or visit the
ACPeds Job Board
for contact information.
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In the fall, ACPeds will hold elections for the 2-year term beginning in 2019 so the ACPeds nominations committee is seeking candidates
.
Serving as a board member does not require special qualifications. All Member Fellows, Specialty Fellows, Retired Fellows, and Emeritus Fellows are eligible.
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Board members are
- expected to attend two annual board meetings,
- called upon to comment or vote on ACPeds activities, and
- are encouraged to serve on one or more ACPeds committees.
Board members may also participate in the monthly teleconferenced executive committee meetings. The total time commitment involved in addition to the two weekends is about 5 or 6 hours per month.
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Board members generally pay their own expenses to attend the meetings; however, financial assistance is available.
If you or someone you know is interested in serving on the ACPeds Board or you have questions about serving, please contact the office by August 15th
. Send an email to
admin@acpeds.org
or call the office at 352-376-1877 and Ronni Ann can have a board member get back to you.
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New position statements added to the website
Just last month, ACPeds members voted on parts 1 through 3 of the Infant-Mother Connection statement and unanimously decided to make them official.
Thanks to your participation and support, the statements have now been added to the ACPeds website on our
Position Statements
page. They are also available below.
The Infant – Mother Connection and Implications for their Future Health
Thanks so much for your continued participation in producing research that benefits children.
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Thank you to members Dr. Jane Hamner for her help in editing the Parent Talk,
and Dr. Nick Yates for his help in editing the Newsletter.
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ATTENTION: Have you seen our Parent Talk newsletter?
Formerly known as the "Weekly Chatter", the Parent Talk newsletter is a bi-weekly ACPeds periodical designed as an easy way for members to keep their patients up to date with the latest news in child and adolescent health.
Of course we know that not everyone has access to a local ACPeds pediatrician, so we've made the Parent Talk available on our website at
https://www.acpeds.org/parent-talk
for parents and other health professionals as a resource.
This year’s popular Parent Talk issues:
Are you a parent who wants to be kept informed about issues impacting child health?
Click here
or visit the ACPeds website and click "
Join the Mailing List
" to subscribe to the Parent Talk newsletter.
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Members, please update your office contact information
If you’re an ACPeds member and your office contact information has recently changed, please send an email to our communications administrator, Brittney Cooper at
Brittney.acop@gmail.com
, so she can update our records.
Everyday we receive inquiries from parents who want to switch to an ACPeds pediatrician and we can only help them connect with you if we have your correct contact info
.
If you have a website or social media page for your practice, please send that info as well so we can better connect you with patients and families in your area. Thank you.
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Sign this Declaration in support of “Freedom of Conscience”
"In health care, conscience plays an essential role in the professional judgment – often subtle and delicate – that practitioners must exercise in their daily work...
This freedom of professional judgment informed by conscience must translate into the freedom not to be involved in certain activities or practices to which there is a conscientious objection
."
Signatures from health care professionals and academics in related fields are especially welcome, but you are encouraged to sign simply if you share the concern that freedom of conscious must be maintained and supported if doctors and other health professionals are to truly have patients' best interests at heart
. You do not need an institutional affiliation, professional title, or any particular background. The more signatures this Declaration obtains, the more likely it is to come to the attention of policy makers and people who can amplify the message.
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Follow us on Social Media
Every week the College publishes a new blog on its website and a
link to the blog
is posted on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
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admin@acpeds.org | American College of Pediatricians | 352-376-1877
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