The
Maryland Chapter: American Academy of Pediatrics (MDAAP)
is a recognized 501(c) 3 organization in Maryland.
Since the inception of MDAAP in 1950, the organization
has had a long and distinguished history of advocacy
and support for Maryland children and their health
care needs. The mission “to support and encourage
pediatricians in the promotion of optimal health for
all of Maryland’s children and adolescents”
speaks to the commitment to the health and well being
of all children. The MDAAP Chapter has over 1,200
members statewide. The MDAAP initiates and supports
numerous programs that respond to the needs of children.
Through collaborative and creative programming with
other public and private agencies throughout Maryland,
MDAAP continues to be a positive change agent in the
lives of children.
An
Executive Director, Assistant Executive Director and
Lobbyist, staff the MDAAP. MDAAP is governed by a
volunteer and very active Executive Committee and
is organized around a Committee structure. We currently
have 20 active committees that are run by volunteer
Chairpersons, all of which are pediatricians. We are
very fortunate to have a large segment of the membership
actively involved in the work of MDAAP. Pediatricians
from the academic institutions, research centers and
many private practioners create a positive and productive
organization that continues to advocate on behalf
of children throughout the state.
The
MDAAP is currently working on numerous programs as
a leader and/or partner. We were recently awarded
funds to support the Reach Out and Read program of
Maryland. The Mental Health Association of MD has
asked for our assistance in developing a survey for
pediatricians on emotional health. This project will
improve the diagnoses and treatment of children with
mental health problems. We are also working on an
autism education and detection toolkit with Pathfinders
for Autism. Below are some of our other recent accomplishments:
-
Assisted in passing the Centers of Excellence bill
that educates emergency room pediatricians throughout
the state on detection and prevention of child abuse.
- Assisted
in preventing cuts in funding for programs that
support children with special health care needs
including Rare and Expensive Medical equipment (REM).
- Established
the Childhood Obesity Prevention Team as an ad-hoc
committee. Partnered with the Department of Health
and Mental Hygiene on several obesity prevention
projects including a survey of pediatricians and
BMI data collection.
- Provided
training and support for the Reach and Out and Read
Program.
- Partnered
with sanofi pasteur to develop a website reimbursement
tool called Diaphane.
- Developed
a Pediatric Leadership Training Conference for District
III.
- Revised
the quarterly newsletter from electronic to hard
copy.
- Conducted
Obesity grand rounds in Baltimore area hospitals.
- Conducted
focus groups throughout the state on the following
topics: asthma, obesity, foster care, Medical Home
and Children with Special Healthcare Needs
-
Re-vamped the Chapter web site.
- Partnered
with the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
to promote the use of the immunization network (ImmuNet).
- Joined
established coalitions to advocate for children’s
health insurance programs.
- Developed
a task force on telephone triage and compensation
- Introduced
legislation for acquisition, distribution and reimbursement
for immunizations
Not
only are there very strong and lasting relationships
with many child advocacy groups throughout the state
and the region, there is also a strong public policy
component that has been effective at the community
and state level. The MDAAP has been recognized across
the state, by the national Academy of Pediatrics and
other health associations for their insightful and
productive public policy agenda. They are a recognized
leader in developing and initiating legislation in
Annapolis involving the health and well being of children.
The leadership of MDAAP has been instrumental in crafting
and implementing legislation that has had a positive
impact on lives of children.
