The Puerto Rico Chapter of the
Various
activities are highlighted:
1.An open forum about childhood
violence was held during January 27, 2007 where we discussed how violence has
affected our society.Prestigious
members of our community, leaders of Puerto Rico Pediatric Organizations and
other organizations dealing with mental health and child abuse, as well as high
governmental officials, attended the activity.
2.To strengthen the relationship
between the AAP and the other pediatric societies, there was ample participation
by our chapter in the Pediatric Society Convention held on February 2007. The AAP-PR Chapter sponsored for the first
time a 3 hrs. seminar where the pediatric residents from the different teaching
hospitals of the
3.In order to maintain an open forum and to improve the communication
net among pediatricians,our executive
director has revised , expanded and promoted major dissemination of our Web site and our newsletter at :
http://aap.prped.googlepages.com/.
4.Advocacy and Chapter activities:
a.In our efforts to motivate all
Pediatricians to become advocates in all issues which affect the physical,
emotional and intellectual welfare of the Pediatric population, the leadership
group of our chapter has been actively involved in multiple national coalitions
and workforces such as:
¨Organization
of a symposium in April for preschool teachers and primary care providers
directed to emphasize the importance of play in child development.The main theme was organized following the
recommendation of an AAP report bythe Committee on Communication
and the Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health:The Importance of Play in
Promoting Healthy Child Development and Maintaining Strong Parent-Child Bonds by Kenneth R. Ginsburg, MD.This was a national collaborative effort,
with the governors office, the sports and recreation department, United way and
Headstart. Dr. Rosario Gonzalez (past chapter president) was the main speaker.
¨Dr
¨Dr.
b.Two members of our chapter were
awarded a grant to participate in the Legislative Advocacy training program in
June and are in the process of developing a Legislative Advocacy Curriculum for
AAP-PR members and Pediatric Training Programs in
c.Members of the Chapter participated
and provided feedback for the development of a legislative project directed to
improving the wellbeing of early childhood.The project is in its final stages going through legislative evaluation
for what the chapter has provided full support. A Senate bill was introduced in
June 8.
d.The Chapter has also provided
feedback on issues relating to neonatal hyperbilirubnemia and kernicterus which
have guided legislators in the development of future projects. Members of our
chapter have published press releases on themes relating to pediatric well
being, such as harmful environmental pollutioneffect on child health.
e.The Puerto Rico Chapter participated
in the FESTIVAL de la Niñez Temprana (Early Childhood Festival), offering
accident prevention orientation, nutritional advice, information on
breastfeeding promotion and other AAP activities where our members oriented
attendants that visited our booth.This Festival is very popular and is sponsored by local
teacher associations.Over 2000 families
attended the activity. The Festival achieved STRONG COMMUNITY involvement in
its organization and implementation.
f.Our elected vice-president, Dr. José Cordero, chairs a Premature Birth
Task Force, with the active participation of various chapter members, March of
Dimes and other professionals in the evaluation of risk factors for premature
birth and the development of preventive interventions.They have monthly meetings, and are working
towards a strategic plan for the prevention of premature births.
g.Dr Milagros Martin, organized a
Symposium on Pediatric Medical Emergencies offered to our members, other
pediatricians and healthcare professionals working in Emergency situations in
the
h.Dr. Luisa Alvarado, the chapter
secretary, is working in a Developmental Screening Task Force, were she will be
training, with the participation of members of the Puerto Rico Health
Department and Medicaid program, in the ABCD initiative. The main goal is for
them to develop a developmental screening method, to teach and implement in
i.Dra
j.Recruitment campaign: During these months letters were sent to members dropped
for nonpayment urging them to return to the chapter, letter
to eligible candidates were sent urging them to join the AAP, and letters to
members of the National AAP to join the local chapter.A review of member e-mails was done to
improve electronic communications and to identify incorrect e-mails.
5.Participation in ALF 2007: The
following members of our board participated in the ALF held during March 2007:
¨Dr.
Lillian Gonzalez de Pijem: District X representative and member of the
Leadership Forum Management Committee (2006-2009).
¨Dr.
Olga Rodriguez, Chapter President
¨Dr.
Yvette Piovanetti, Chapter Vice President
¨Dr.
Cindy Calderon, Chapter Executive Director
Our chapter was directly involved in
two resolutions accepted in the ALF:
¨Resolution # 20: Breastfeeding during Emergencies and in Times
of Disasters
¨Resolution # 80 Different AAP
Dues Structure for Puerto Rico
During this activity the PR Chapter
was nominated for the best small chapter award.
6.Two or our residents were awarded
CATCH Grants:Dr. Mariel Silva and Dr.
Sonia Figueroa.These are residents of
the Program of the Hospital Episcopal San Lucas-Ponce School of Medicine.
7.Dr. Pedro Mayol, a senior member of
the Chapter, is writing the history of the PR-AAP chapter.
8.The AAP-PR chapter is sponsoring a
two day forum in August with our annual assembly for all of our members.In this forum we will be discussing health
and pediatric practice issues of priority to our members such as: immunization,
developmental screening, oral health, obesity prevention, legislative advocacy,
among others topics.