SCAAP Newsletter - October 2023

Friends,
Happy fall y’all!

Our very own Dr. Debbie Greenhouse has been elected District IV vice chair- congrats Debbie!!! Dr. Pat Purcell will be transitioning from our district vice chair to district chair! And Dr. Sue Kressly is president-elect!
SCAAP was in the top 3 finalists for Outstanding Chapter Award in the large chapter category, so we received an Award of Chapter Excellence!
Congrats to the winners of the resident poster competition at the annual meeting!
- 1^st place: Drs. Valerie McLure, Emilie Flament
- Runner up: Drs. Ariel Sturgill, Megan McGarel
- Best case report: Drs. Caroline Conroy, Sarah Lants
All: We are recruiting for committee/subcommittee members! Please check out the committee list and reach out to join. Each committee meets quarterly and is looking for your input (trainees included)! Groups recruiting members include membership, asthma, oral health, foster care, immunizations, healthy lifestyles, school health, telemedicine, climate, tobacco prevention, pediatric council, legislative advocacy, early hearing detection/intervention, PROS (pediatric research in office setting), early physicians, senior physicians, and mental health working group.

Upcoming dates:

CATCH: January 19-20, 2024 at Francis Marion hotel in Chas
SCAAP state house day: March 26, 2024
Annual summer meeting 2024: August 8-11, 2024, Royal Sonesta on HHI (not Myrtle Beach)
Annual summer meeting 2025: August 7-10, 2025, Grove Park

In the news:

See this interview of Dr. Francis Rushton on the 60^th anniversary of the church bombing in Birmingham.
Check out a SCPR safe sleep interview here by Dr. Mack
Coverage of our testimony on the benefits of universal free school meals

Grants:

We were one of 3 chapters awarded a 21k AAP Adolescent Vaccinations and Wellness Grant Program supported by Merck! Dr. Eliza Varadi is our chapter immunization rep and will be helping to lead the charge to improve vaccine rates throughout the state. We are looking for members who have successful HPV vaccination rates or who have participated in vaccine quality improvement programs and are willing to work with rural practices on strategies to improve your rates. There will be a stipend for participating physicians and participating practices! Contact mmcedwards@yahoo.com if you’re interested!
Other active grants: Project Firstline, Ambassador Suicide, SUID
We applied for an AAP/Abbott trainee engagement grant, fingers crossed!

Surveys:

The South Carolina Telehealth Alliance (SCTA) is conducting a survey to understand perspectives from SC providers, practices, hospital administration, and/or staff on the potential impact of requiring equal payment for telehealth services compared to in-person services (telehealth parity) by insurers in South Carolina. Responses will be summarized and used to help inform SC payers, legislators, and other stakeholders. We are requesting a few minutes of your time to complete the SC Telehealth Parity Perspective Survey. Participants will have the option to enter to win a $100 Amazon gift card. The survey is anonymous; no individual or organizational information will be made public. Survey will close Friday, October 27, 2023
Drs. Amy Martin & Blakely Amati have developed this survey re: oral health practices in primary care. Please take 3min to complete!!! This was determined to be IRB exempt.

Drs. Christine San Giovanni and Erin Brackbill, our chapter healthy lifestyles reps, request that we complete a short survey about managing our patients with obesity. They thank you in advance!
The MUSC Boeing Center for Children's Wellness and the Youth Access to Psychiatry Program (YAP-P) are planning the launch of a Youth Behavioral Health ECHO and would like your input. The ECHO will begin in Winter 2024, meeting twice a month for approximately one year in length. If you are interested in participating please complete this short survey.

State advocacy updates: check out www.scaap.org/advocacy for action on current bills

We provided ~15min testimony in favor of universal free school meals at the nutrition study committee on 9/13/23, detailing the evidence-based benefits to all students.
We sent a letter to DHHS, DHEC, BCBS detailing concerns around the potential collapse of VFC related to the commercialization of COVID vaccine and the cost of nirsevimab.
In response to our letter to SCDHHS requesting update of the policies, codes, and systems to reflect AAP guidance on nisevimab prophylaxis, we received an update on 9/8/23 from Dr. Wessinger: “I have been informed that our system cannot accept new codes until a quarterly update file is submitted to us by CMS and imported by us. Typically, the next file will be received later this month and imported on or about 10/1. I was on a conference call with DHEC today and was told that the first VFC doses will likely be sent in early to mid-October, so I do anticipate that the codes will be ready prior to any claims being submitted to SC DHHS. Our operations team is acutely aware of the need to update our system as soon as it is possible for us.” And from BCBS as of 9/29: SCBCBS is going to reimburse now as they receive claims, not delay reimbursement. See attached. The division that does provider communications & support is creating the communication now to send to providers.
Dr. Bragg shared this letter from CMS to payors that indicates COVID vaccines should be covered immediately by private insurers under the ACA. CMS advised insurers in July they must cover vaccines and administration immediately.
SC Coalition for Safer Schools (of which we are an active member) set it’s legislative priorities for 2024:
- Mental Health Resources for Students (including addressing mental health-to-student ratios and conducting a mental health professional "task audit")
- Addressing Educator Shortages
- Social Media/Internet Access Safety for Students (including age requirement verification and requiring social media companies to report threats of school violence made on their platform)
It’s that time of year…JCLCC hearings! Go ahead and sign up! From our legislative advocacy committee chair Dr. Greenhouse, here are some suggested topics.
- Crisis stabilization units: offering psychiatric crisis stabilization and brief, intensive psychiatric services- Support and pass S.343- Youth Access to CSUs (currently limited to age 18 and older.
- Free school meals: Support and pass S. 148, requiring all schools that participate in the School Breakfast and National School Lunch program to provide both breakfast and lunch to ALL enrolled students. Numerous other components of this bill would help children, schools, and communities as well.
- Child access to firearms: Support and Pass S.21, the Children’s Firearm Accident Prevention Act, to require safe storage if the owner knows that children will be present and could have access and also creates a misdemeanor charge for criminal storage of a firearm in certain circumstances.
- Access to Health Care/ Medicaid Unwinding: Support all efforts to avoid procedural disenrollments and maintain coverage for as many children as possible in SC.
- Gender-affirming Care: Continue to oppose the ban on gender-affirming care and advocate for medical decisions to be made by the patient, the family, and the physician. See info here from WREN.
- Reproductive Health: Advocate against restrictive reproductive health care bills per AAP policy. Stress the downstream effect of decreased numbers of medical trainees in OB/Gyn and decreased numbers of practicing OB/Gyns statewide if these bills pass.
- Home visiting program: See talking points here from Children’s Trust.
- Topic to avoid: Vaccine requirements in schools… we don't want the discussion to encourage an attempt to overturn the vaccine requirements currently in place.
We continue to oppose S.627, which proposes a gender-affirming care ban for children under 18yo and forces schools to out children before they are ready. We testified against this bill on 3/23/23 in Senate Medical Affairs. This will likely be taken up next session.
We continue to support the hate crime penalty enhancement bill H.3014, and this may be taken up next session.

National advocacy updates

We signed onto a letter urging Congress to sufficiently fund WIC so that the program can continue providing all eligible women, infants, and children who seek to participate with the full food package.
Check out the summer 2023 AAP advocacy report!
AAP launches firearm violence prevention special-interest group! Sign up here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/firearmsigreg
AAP’s new digital Advocacy Guide provides AAP members with the information, tools, and resources they need to be effective child health advocates.
How to Sign Up for AAP Advocacy Emails: If you do not already receive advocacy emails from the AAP, please consider signing up! The Academy sends regular advocacy updates and advocacy action alerts to AAP members, along with a weekly Capital Check-Up email, recapping the child health policy news from Washington when Congress is in session. To request to sign up, email kids1st@aap.org along with your name, email address, and AAP ID if known.

Elizabeth Mack, MD, MS, FAAP
SCAAP president

Section on Early Career Physicians (SOECP) Corner

1. Register now for the 2023 AAP National Conference and Exhibition in Washington, DC! Oct 20-24, 2023
The Section on Early Career Physicians session will take place on Sunday, October 22, 1:00–5:00 pm ET. Bookmark our program (Session #H3040). We will also being having a networking reception following our H-program from 5:30-6:30pm that evening. Make the most of the rest of the conference with 350 other sessions in 75 topic areas – from hands-on clinical skills labs to inspiring plenary sessions! Exciting special events will also enable you to network and reconnect with colleagues and friends. A limited virtual attendee experience will also be available. Visit the AAP National Conference & Exhibition site for updates and registration information.

2. 2023 SOCC Virtual Job Fair in November
The AAP Section on Critical Care will be holding its virtual job fair in November.
-November 20th (cardiac intensivist positions only) @ 2-4pm EST
-November 28th (non-cardiac or combined positions) @2-5pm EST
This networking session is open to intensivists, fellows, residents, division directors, or others seeking to hire or be hired in pediatric critical care. To allow time to make the pairings, please plan to RSVP by 10/31/23. Applicants will need to attach their CV & cover letter to complete the sign-up survey. To get information on signing up, please contact Sue Tellez

3. Fall AAP Virtual Job Fair
New Job Opportunities at Every Career Level -- Nov 1^st & 2^nd
Live text chat one-on-one with recruiting representatives from major health systems at the fall AAP Virtual Career Fair on November 1 (Noon–6pm ET) and November 2 (11am–2pm ET). Job seekers sign-up now for free and receive a text alert reminder the day of the event.

Register now at http://careerfair.aap.org/.

4. SOECP SOAP Notes Blog Submissions
Interested in submitting an article to the SOECP SOAP Notes Blog? Posts can be on any topic relevant to early career pediatricians. Many choose to submit articles related to National Health Observances (these are due the month prior to the health observance you are writing about). Once accepted, blog articles are posted to the SOECP SOAP Notes Blog and shared via the SOECP What’s New monthly newsletter. Blog article submissions are due on the 15^th of each month.

More information here!

Your SOECP District IV Reps
DR: Laura Workman, MD— laura.workman@louisville.edu
ADR: Erika Cravanas, MD— erika.cravanas@duke.edu

Happy Birthday CATCH!

Celebrating 30 years of CATCH! Watch this video about CATCH’s impact on innovation, advocacy, and leadership development. In recent years, the CATCH program has been supported predominantly through the Friends of Children funds, Roots & Wings Foundation, Boulter CATCH Oral Health Endowment, and support from AAP Sections and Councils (for designated Resident CATCH grants). Support CATCH now through our donor campaign which aims to grow the CATCH Endowment, helping to ensure our ability to fund future CATCH grants.

Don't forget, the 2024 CATCH Grant cycle opens November 1,2023!

Check Out These Resources and Opportunities

Check out Medicaid’s bulletin regarding coverage for factor for hemophilia patients.

Check out SC Immunization Coalition’s resources, webinars, and especially their projects ongoing in rural counties!

See here for DHEC PPE ordering form.

Encourage patients to download and use CDC’s milestone tracker app!

Resources for gender-affirming care: Plume, Folx, and Trace
See other phone resources here for trans youth in our state.

Download this quick reference guide from the AAP for age-appropriate dosing of the COVID-19 vaccine. The chart includes information for immunocompromised children and has been updated to include the latest booster dosing information for children under 5.

Community Connections: Check out a model to replicate led by Dr. Martha Edwards!

Student, Resident, and Fellow Membership Fees: Nudge a Trainee Today to Join!

Medical Students: $25 national AAP, $0 SCAAP
Residents: $135 national, $30 SCAAP (usually sponsored by a program)
Fellowship Trainees: $145 national, $30 SCAAP

Visit www.scaap.org and go to membership to join.

Upcoming ICS Nurturing Developing Minds conference on March 8, 2024
Click here for more info or to submit an abstract.

Recruiting continuity clinics to work on fetal alcohol syndrome- get paid!

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Program is recruiting up to nine (9) pediatric continuity clinics to participate in a 4-month project to teach residents to recognize the signs of and implement plans of care for children with an FASD. Applications are now being accepted for Improving Continuity of Care for Children and Families Affected by Prenatal Alcohol Exposure, an effort to implement a resident-focused curriculum designed to introduce the future pediatric workforce to key components of FASD most relevant to the primary care setting. The overarching goal of this project is to engage pediatric residents participating in primary care continuity clinics to categorize the conditions within the continuum of FASDs and understand their prevalence. The 4-month project runs from November 2023 – February 2024. The AAP FASD program will provide stipends (Up to $1,320 per site) to support the implementation of the resident curriculum. Interested pediatric practices are encouraged to review a detailed project description with additional information, requirements, and expectations. Priority will be given to practice teams that complete the online application by October 31, 2023. The link to the project description can also be found here: https://downloads.aap.org/DOCHW/FASD_CCProjDescription_2023-24_Final.pdf

Mark Your Calendars!

SCAAP Activities:

National AAP Updates

COVID-19 Vaccine Updates and Resources
The CDC recently approved updated COVID-19 vaccines for children and adults, recommending everyone 6 months and older get an updated COVID vaccine. Visit the AAP News COVID-19 page to read about the latest developments in COVID vaccines and therapeutics. The AAP Critical Updates on COVID-19 page also has updated information and resources from the AAP, including an updated COVID-19 vaccine dosing quick reference guide.

CDC OKs Maternal RSV Vaccine, Provides Updated Guidance for Nirsevimab
Pregnant people can get a new vaccine to protect their infants from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Most infants whose mother receives Pfizer’s RSVpreF (Abrysvo) vaccine will not need nirsevimab, the newly recommended RSV monoclonal antibody for infants and high-risk toddlers. Learn more in AAP News. The CDC also provided additional guidance on when to use each product. Visit the AAP RSV page for updated information, including AAP recommendations, FAQs, and more.

#WeArePediatricians Campaign Highlights Stories, Uplifts Pediatric Professionals
Pediatricians are sharing inspirational stories about what led them to study medicine and pursue pediatrics in the new AAP digital campaign #WeArePediatricians. The campaign aims to lift up the lifesaving work of pediatricians and boost morale of clinicians who have faced anti-vaccine, anti-trans, and anti-science/medicine actions in recent years. Its main goal is to emphasize a clear message: Pediatricians’ mission is to keep kids healthy. Pediatricians across the country are encouraged to share their stories on social media using the hashtag #WeArePediatricians.

Webinar: School Attendance and the Link to Mental Health – October 5
School districts across the country are already seeing a decrease in student attendance rates as the new school year begins. The crisis in child and adolescent mental health is one factor contributing to students missing school. What can be done to help get kids back in the classroom? The AAP is hosting a free webinar, "Every Day Counts: School Attendance and the Link to Mental Health," on Thursday, October 5, 2023, from 11:00 am–12:00 pm CT. The webinar will be led by experts Heidi Schumacher, MD, FAAP, and Tia Brumsted, MSW, LICSW, NCSSW, to review the current state of school attendance and chronic absenteeism; discuss the connection between school attendance and student, family, and staff health, with an emphasis on mental health; and review evidence-based models from school and community settings to support student wellbeing and school attendance. Register here.

Webinar on Generative Artificial Intelligence/ChatGPT: What Pediatricians Need to Know – October 5
Join the AAP for an exciting and engaging discussion. In this session, Gregg Lund, DO, FAAP, and Srinivasan Suresh, MD, MBA, FAAP, will cover the background and basics of generative AI, use of AI in health care, ChatGPT and large language models (LLMs), and AI applications in the care of children. Register here. The webinar will be recorded and made available after the event.

Call for Leadership Applications: National Quality Improvement (QI) Primary Care Collaborative – Due October 6
The AAP Pediatric Primary Care (PPC) Quality Network is seeking a project leader and a quality improvement coach to build its next national QI project focused on improving quality of care in pediatric primary care settings to improve adolescent substance use and mental health outcomes.
This project will begin planning in November 2023 and conclude in Spring 2025. Primary care physicians with experience in implementation of QI efforts focused on adolescent substance use and/or mental health concerns are strongly encouraged to apply. Both roles will serve as paid consultants to the AAP to form a project team in collaboration with AAP staff. Past involvement with the Chapter Quality Network (CQN) or the Quality Improvement Innovation Network (QuIIN) is a plus, but not required. Click here to learn more about the Project Leader role and to apply. Click here to learn more about the Quality Improvement Coach role and to apply. Applications are due Thursday, October 6, 2023.

Contact: Kristie Marcelle, Quality Network & Project ECHO Director

The AAP Quality Networks uphold the AAP Diversity and Inclusion Statement and are strengthened by the diversity of backgrounds and perspectives of our members. The Quality Networks values and promotes diversity, including (but not limited to) differences in age, race, ethnicity, geographic background, religion, socioeconomic status, language preference, immigration background, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, ability, political beliefs, and other attributes. This project is funded through the generous support of the Elevance Health Foundation.

Grant Opportunity: Care Coordination for Chronic Condition Management in Schools – Applications Due October 23
With funding made possible through the CDC Healthy Schools Branch, the AAP is launching a Care Coordination for Chronic Condition Management in Schools planning grant program, which includes participation in a virtual learning community. Up to 10 planning grants, each worth up to $12,000, are available to qualified applicants. Grantees will be funded for a 6-month project period, December 1, 2023, through May 31, 2024. Participation in planning grant activities and learning sessions will support the planning and development of innovative community-based approaches in partnership with families, local schools and school districts, and community providers to advance care coordination for students with chronic conditions. Funded projects must establish teams that include the following representatives: (1) schools and/or school districts; (2) local pediatrician and/or pediatric resident; and (3) family advisor. Community organizations/local health departments are also invited to apply and must include the above 3 sectors on the project team. See the RFP for more information and apply here. Applications are due Monday, October 23, 2023, by 5:00 pm CT.

Contact: Abby St. George, Program Manager, School Health Initiatives

Conversations About Care Podcast: Onramp to Interoperability and Clinical Decision Support for Obesity Treatment
In this episode of the clinical practice guideline (CPG) series on the Conversations About Care podcast, Sandy Hassink, MD, FAAP, is joined by Mona Sharifi, MD, MPH, FAAP and Dan Imler, MD. Dr Sharifi was a member of the CPG Obesity Subcommittee and is an associate professor of pediatrics at Yale University School of Medicine, and of health informatics at Yale School of Health. Dr Imler is an associate professor of pediatrics and hospital medicine at Stanford University and the founder of Curbside Health. They discuss a high-level overview and introduction to the new Obesity CPG Pathway. For more podcast episodes, visit the AAP Conversations About Care podcast page.

SCAAP Information

SCAAP officers (August 2022 – July 2024):

Elizabeth Mack, MD, MS, FAAP mackeli@musc.edu - President
Martha Edwards, MD, FAAP mmcedwards@yahoo.com - VP
Ramkumar Jayagopalan, MD, FAAP Ramkumarjayagopalan@gmail.com - Secretary/treasurer
Bob Saul, MD, FAAP robertsaul@me.com – Past president & Nominating committee chair

SCAAP Executive Committee, Board, Committees, Liaisons.

Lutine Management Associates: https://lutinemanagement.com/our-team/