Membership Opportunities
AdvocacyAdvance the interests of PA children and families and the value of pediatric practice through ADVOCACY at the State Capitol. Register or log in to access PA AAP's new Advocacy Action Center!
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EducationEnsure the highest quality of patient care through EDUCATION of pediatricians, residents, and medical students.
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Leadership & NetworkingPromote optimal physician well-being and career stamina through PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT and NETWORKING opportunities.
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Meet the newest members of the PA AAP Board of Directors!
President's Message, June 2024
Mary Ann Rigas, MD, FAAP
Hello fellow PA AAP members!
In my 33 years in pediatric practice, I have too often found myself in a position to report a suspicion of child physical or sexual abuse or neglect. It never gets easier, and while I feel fortunate to have completed a PA AAP preceptorship in child abuse early in my career, I nevertheless worry that my patients are not getting the expert evaluation that they deserve due to our distance from child abuse pediatricians.
Each year in our Pennsylvania, approximately 150-200 children sustain fatal or near-fatal abuse at the hands of their caregivers. The PA Department of Human Services (PA DHS) Child Abuse Fatality and Near Fatality Trend Analysis Team has identified incidents where a child was not evaluated by a child abuse pediatrician during a child abuse investigation and consequently, there was inadequate assessment of safety risks. Child abuse pediatricians provide critical expertise to respond to childhood trauma and to guard against both under- and over-diagnosis of child maltreatment. A missed diagnosis of abuse puts children at risk for continued abuse and further injury, while over-diagnosis may lead to the inappropriate removal of children from their family, as well as civil or criminal court involvement for the person accused of abusing a child.
In my 33 years in pediatric practice, I have too often found myself in a position to report a suspicion of child physical or sexual abuse or neglect. It never gets easier, and while I feel fortunate to have completed a PA AAP preceptorship in child abuse early in my career, I nevertheless worry that my patients are not getting the expert evaluation that they deserve due to our distance from child abuse pediatricians.
Each year in our Pennsylvania, approximately 150-200 children sustain fatal or near-fatal abuse at the hands of their caregivers. The PA Department of Human Services (PA DHS) Child Abuse Fatality and Near Fatality Trend Analysis Team has identified incidents where a child was not evaluated by a child abuse pediatrician during a child abuse investigation and consequently, there was inadequate assessment of safety risks. Child abuse pediatricians provide critical expertise to respond to childhood trauma and to guard against both under- and over-diagnosis of child maltreatment. A missed diagnosis of abuse puts children at risk for continued abuse and further injury, while over-diagnosis may lead to the inappropriate removal of children from their family, as well as civil or criminal court involvement for the person accused of abusing a child.
Updates and Events
PA AAP's 38th Annual Resident Career Day for Second-Year Residents
Friday, September 20, 2024 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM ET Join us for our hybrid 38th annual Resident Career Day. Participants will hear from legal and financial experts, fellow pediatricians, and health care leaders on topics relevant to post-residency career planning. Register here. |
NEW Firearm Safety Toolkit for Healthcare Providers
In recognition of Gun Violence Awareness Month in June, PA AAP launched a new Firearm Safety Toolkit for Healthcare Providers! The toolkit providers information on safe storage resources, lethal means counseling, and shares what providers can do to help advocate for gun safety legislation in Pennsylvania. Access the toolkit here. |
Become a member and help us to improve the health and well being of children in Pennsylvania
Membership opportunities are available to pediatricians and allied health professionals. The Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics provides an array of benefits and services to keep you up-to-date and informed. The Chapter actively advocates on behalf of your patients, their families, and you. Together, we serve as one voice in fulfilling the needs of children and pediatricians in the state.
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