Message from the President: Annual Retreat
Elizabeth Meade, MD, FAAP
President, WCAAP
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Dear WCAAP Members,
Your WCAAP Board of Trustees, Executive Committee, and staff gathered on October 11-13 for our annual leadership retreat in Leavenworth. Our Board is richer in passion and experience than ever, representing pediatric health care providers from across the state, from large cities and smaller communities, in primary care and subspecialty practice. WCAAP is so fortunate to have this group of dedicated child advocates at the table!
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P-TCPi Project Ends but Learning Continues
Frances Chalmers, MD, FAAP
Trustee, WCAAP
Chair, WCAAP Health Care Transformation Committee
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Chapter will continue to identify improvements
September 30, 2019 marked the end of the four-year Pediatric Transforming Clinical Practice Grant led by the Washington State Department of Health, with significant support from WCAAP and Molina. The project was extremely successful and productive, resulting in the enrollment of 121 medical practices comprised of 800 Pediatrician/ARNP/PAs and 92 Behavioral Health Clinics with 1000 behavioral health providers.
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Register for our 2020 Advocacy Day!
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Join us in Olympia on January 14, 2020!
You work hard every day to provide the best possible care for each individual child you see in your practice. At WCAAP's Advocacy Day, you can make a difference in the lives of
all kids in Washington.
Join us in Olympia on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 for a chance to connect with other pediatric health care providers around the state, hear from legislative champions for kids, and speak directly with lawmakers. All you need to bring is your commitment to kids - we'll handle the details of the day.
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Influenza Vaccine 2019 Update
The Return of a Reformulated Live-Attenuated Vaccine
Frank Bell, MD, FAAP
Swedish Pediatric Infectious Disease, Seattle
Swedish Pediatrics Representative, WCAAP
WCAAP Vaccine Committee
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Several pediatric influenza vaccines available this season
'Tis the season! - the influenza vaccine season that is. Now well into November, it's time for some urgency in reminding our yet-to-be-vaccinated patients that influenza season is around the corner, and for those who were waiting until the last minute (perhaps thinking to maximize vaccine efficacy) it is now time to get the vaccine. Our 2019 record year for measles in Washington State reminds us that the vaccine needs to get out of the vial and into the patient in order to be effective.
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Lenna Liu, MD, MPH, FAAP
Odessa Brown Children's Clinic
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As pediatric practice has evolved and new evidence has emerged on the impact of significant stressors or trauma in childhood (Adverse Childhood Experiences, or ACES), we find ourselves trying to support children and teens with a myriad of behavioral and mental health conditions, particularly anxiety. Furthermore, as someone who has been working in the field of childhood obesity for over 20 years, I know that when a child has a significant and/or ongoing change in their growth trajectory (either gaining or losing weight) it is often associated with what is going on in the family's life. Instead of asking about what foods a family is eating, we should be asking (as in trauma-informed care), "What is happening in your life?" We know as pediatricians that the well-being of a child is linked to the parents' well-being.
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Break from the Mold: Get Outside (Even in Winter)
Julian Ayer, MD, FAAP
Secretary, WCAAP
Board of Directors, BestStart Washington
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Resources to help families explore nature year-round
As the seasons change, so do our daily activities. In the Pacific Northwest, fall and early winter bring beautiful colors, shorter days, and wetter, colder weather. Most of us go back to routines that revolve around school, sports or other activities. With these changes many of us are outside less than during warmer times of the year. This can lead us to be less active, spend more time on screens, and fall into less healthy habits.
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Member Spotlight: Chelsea Del Rosso, MD
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Chelsea Del Rosso grew up in a family of avid St. Louis Blues hockey and Cardinals baseball fans in St. Louis, MO and attended Saint Louis University School of Medicine. Now in her third year of pediatric residency at UW-Seattle Children's Hospital, Dr. Del Rosso is interested in general pediatrics while working toward equitable health care for all children and is particularly interested in advocacy to support the health of immigrant children. "As pediatricians we have a unique opportunity to support children and their families to live the healthiest lives possible and it is so rewarding to be able to be a part of that journey," says Del Rosso.
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AAP section pages.
Did you know that AAP members who are involved in sections are more likely to feel a sense of belonging? New recruitment web pages for the AAP's 52 sections are now online. Learn how and why to join a section, about section initiatives, and find leadership opportunities.
Explore all of the sections online.
CATCH grant cycle now open.
The 2020 cycle for Community Access to Child Health (CATCH)Planning, Implementation and Resident Grants opened Nov. 1.
Grants of up to $10,000 for pediatricians and fellowship trainees and $2,000 for pediatric residents are available for innovative initiatives that address critical child health issues, engage diverse community partners and provide access to health services not otherwise available in communities.
Applications are due Jan. 15. Visit
http://bit.ly/catchproposalsduejan15
to learn how to apply. Questions? Email
[email protected]
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CDC releases state, national immunization rates. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released this year's National Immunization Survey (NIS) Childhood data, including Washington's immunization rates. The CDC changed their sampling methodology and cohort this year, which limits our ability to compare to past years' data. However, Washington state's rates have not changed significantly. A few highlights from the WA DOH:
- Most of the state's individual childhood vaccination rates are statistically similar to the national average.
- Washington state's childhood combined 7-dose series completion rate decreased significantly among the 2015-2016 birth cohort compared to the 2013-2014 birth cohort (61.3% compared to 71.0%). This aligns more closely with our state Immunization Information System (IIS) estimate, which was 59% in 2018. Unfortunately, this is below our Healthy People 2020 goal of 80% coverage.
- Our flu immunization rates (2+ doses) were significantly higher than the national average (65.5% compared to 56.6%).
- We did not meet the Healthy People 2020 goal of 90% coverage for hepatitis B (86.7%), MMR (89.4%), polio (87.0%), varicella (85.1%), or the 80% coverage goal for rotavirus (71.7%). However, the 95% confidence intervals included the target percentages.
- There is always year-to-year fluctuation in coverage rates. Some upward swings may reflect increased vaccination in response to disease outbreaks, but a few years after, coverage rates fall. This leaves our state vulnerable to further outbreaks.
- We are not where we want to be with our childhood vaccination rates to keep communities protected.
Don't forget! If you missed WCAAP's July webinar with the Department of Health regarding the new
MMR exemption law
, you can now
view a recording online
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Coming Up: WCAAP Committee Meetings
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Join us! Committees are a great way to meet other members and get involved with Chapter work! Watch this space for upcoming meeting dates and times for Chapter committees and interest groups. Most committees meet by phone for one hour.
Health Care Transformation Committee
Meets monthly by telephone
Legislative Affairs Committee
December 3, 7:00-8:00am
Meets weekly by phone during the legislative session & special session
Meets monthly by phone during the interim
Early Childhood Committee
Meets periodically by phone, 2x/year in person
Membership Engagement Committee
December 17 - 12:00-1:00pm
Meets quarterly by telephone
Vaccine Committee
Meets periodically by telephone
Contact
John Dunn to learn more about the committee.
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What's Happening?
We bring education and networking events to providers all over Washington. Find all of our latest upcoming events plus offerings from our partners around the state on our website's
Events
page!
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| Thank you to our sponsors:
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