June 15, 2009

Every year, MN-AAP holds its annual meeting in June, a requirement by our bylaws to have an all-member meeting to ratify recent election results.  Now if you asked most of the members who attended the annual meeting on June 11 this year, I doubt this is the reason that most attended. I suspect most attend to reconnect with colleagues, many to congratulate award winners and some to be engaged by our speaker.  This year certainly provided opportunities for all.  Nearly 75 individuals attended to reconnect to one another. MN-AAP had the opportunity to celebrate with awards given to the Brynn Duncan family for their courageous efforts to move forward booster seat legislation just 6 months after Brynn became permanently paralyzed after not being restrained appropriately in a booster seat (see video link in the "Happenings" section of the Homepage). The distinguished service award was presented to Dr. Ted Thompson for his career work in advancing neonatology practice in the state of Minnesota as well as promoting excellence in medical education.  Gordy Harvieux, MN-AAP, board member was recognized on behalf of the national AAP for his work on this very website. The group had an opportunity to dialogue with former Senator David Durenburger, a nationally recognized expert in health care reform issues, as he discussed health care delivery in the future.

Yet, as current president, I also see the annual meeting as an opportunity to reflect on the growth of MN-AAP over the last year as we look to the future.  And this has been a significant year for the children that MN-AAP to which devotes its time and energy.  Legislatively, our policy committee under chair Megan Jennings, MD FAAP, was able to promote the successful passage of both booster seat legislation and primary seatbelt legislation, to name just two of the successful efforts.  Health care home continues to be a cornerstone activity of MN-AAP. In May 26 clinic teams participated in our learning collaborative. MN-AAP is involved in the dialogue regarding health care home at every step – from defining criteria to now reviewing a model for reimbursement.  President-elect, Marilyn Peitso as well as board member, Gordy Harvieux will continue to be part of these discussions.  This past year, we continued to address issues of health equity in the state. In March, MN-AAP under MN-CHIP (our public/private partnership to support continuous clinical quality improvement) was awarded a 5-year Healthy Tomorrows grant from HRSA to develop a model utilizing cultural navigators for new immigrants to access not only health care homes but also to link these children with both high-quality childcare and preschools with scholarships from the business community.  This program will serve to promote improved culture competency of the clinics and future success of these children.  In May, MN-AAP received a Healthy People 2010 grant from national AAP to support outreach to the Somali community in Olmsted County through community meetings and development of media to promote health, specifically immunizations in the community. Dr. Robert Jacobson, board member, and Autumn Keifer, Mayo pediatric resident, will coordinate these efforts. A new partnership between Minnesota Department of Health, Minnesota Department of Education, MN-AAP and the Somali community supported a daylong forum on June 12 to begin to address concerns of autism in this community. Following this forum, MN-AAP will continue its involvement in the development of 10 pilot autism health care homes.  Reach out and Read received grant money to further its efforts on five tribal reservations.  Given the activity of the last year, I am excited about future efforts of MN-AAP.

Yet, getting back to the reason that most attended the annual meeting – to reconnect with colleagues - MN-AAP membership now exceeds 900; all of us dedicated to the health and well being of the children of Minnesota. Members are the very strength of our organization.  As I not only look back at recent accomplishments of our members, I also look to the potential for the future.  Though we may have individual practices, it is through our partnerships with one another and those with like concerns for children that our future success will lay. Given the energy in the room at our annual meeting, the future of Minnesota children looks bright.  I look forward to ongoing work with all of you over the next year!

Anne Edwards, M.D., F.A.A.P.
edwar046@tc.umn.edu