June 7, 2013 (St. Paul, MN) – The Minnesota Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (MNAAP) presented three awards to individuals and organizations advocating for Minnesota’s children at its annual meeting on Friday, May 31, 2013.
The 2013 Distinguished Service Award was presented to Thomas Scott, MD, a clinical professor and interim residency director for the Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Program in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Scott has a long history of program development to support children, teens and their families. He currently serves on the Minnesota Governor’s Task Force on the Prevention of School Bullying.
The 2013 Child Advocacy Award was presented to Maslon Edelman Borman & Brand, LLP. The firm’s probono representation helped preserve newborn screening bloodspots/ results for over 1.1 million Minnesota children and their families and called into question a 71-day retention period for newborn blood samples.
The 2013 Child Advocate Legislator of the Year Award was presented to Senator John Marty, DFL Senator for Roseville and St. Paul-based Senate District 66. He vigorously pursued legislative changes that would forestall the destruction of newborn screening test results. While the effort was ultimately blocked in the House, Senator Marty’s steadfast and vocal support of newborn screening raised the program’s profile among colleagues, and ensures that the discussion will continue in 2014.
With more than 1,000 pediatrician members, MNAAP is committed to improving the health of all children and teens in Minnesota. For more information about the award winners or MNAAP, visit www.mnaap.org
MEDIA CONTACT:
Melissa DeBilzan
Director of Communications
(651) 338-1823
debilzan*AT*mnaap.org
