December, 2013

Anton Alerte, MD, will serve as Vice President
Robert Dudley, MD,  New Britain
Raul Arguello, MD, Danbury
Charles Thompson, MD, Stonington
M. Alex Geertsma, MD, West Hartford

Sandra Carbonari, MD, President
Anton Alerte, MD, Vice President
Alanna Coughlin, MD, Secretary
Katherine Marinelli, MD, Treasurer

Andrew Carlson, MD
Douglas Idelson, MD
Cliff O'Callahan, MD
Scott Schoem, MD
Catherine Wiley, MD

I want to thank Elsa Stone, MD, for her incredible gift of time to the Chapter over the last year. Cliff O'Callahan had been serving as Chapter Vice President when he had a wonderful opportunity to go to Africa for a year. But that left the Chapter with one less person on the Executive Committee, and at a time when we were working really hard on some legislative issues.

Elsa came to our rescue and agreed to serve as Acting Vice President.  As President of the Chapter, I don't know what I would have done with out Elsa agreeing, happily, I might add!  She was so engaged and committed to the work we were doing. Not all of you remember that Elsa served as President of the Chapter in the early 1990's...so this was her second time around.

Thank you, Elsa....our Chapter gained so much from your dedication and experience.

Sandi Carbonari
President, CTAAP

Seasonal influenza activity is increasing in some parts of the  United States. Three influenza-associated pediatric deaths for the 2013-2014 season already have been reported.

 

Vaccination remains the most important step in protecting against influenza. For the 2013-2014 influenza season, there are some new seasonal influenza vaccines available. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) policy statement "Recommendations for Prevention and Control of Influenza in Children, 2013-2014" offers descriptions and guidance on the available vaccines as part of for this year's recommendations for seasonal influenza vaccine and antiviral medications for the prevention and treatment of influenza in children, respectively.

 

Everyone needs an influenza vaccine each year and more than 129 million vaccine doses have already been distributed across the country. As a reminder, it takes about two weeks after vaccination to develop antibodies for protection against influenza virus infection. Anyone who plans to visit or travel during this holiday season should get vaccinated now, while vaccine is readily available.

 

For more detailed influenza information, see the AAP Red Book Online Influenza Resource page or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention FluView.

 

Nassau University Medical Center in New York is interested in learning more about the ways primary care pediatricians care for children with Velocardiofacial syndrome (VCFS). This survey has been reviewed by the North Shore - Long Island Jewish Health System Institutional Review Board and participation is voluntary.

The goal of this study is to identify the type of care coordination involved in caring for children and adolescents with VCFS by primary care pediatricians. The University would like to identify the extent to which they use specialist care and community resources in caring for this specific group of patients.

Thank you for your support of pediatric research and education!
www.surveymonkey.com/s/VCFS

Tracey McDougall
Teleconference Coordinator

Yvette Moretti
Administrative Assistant

Kathryn Senk

Administrative Assistant's Assistant

Judy Blei
Government Relations

104 Hungerford Street
Hartford, CT  06106

In This Issue

Take advantage of a great new opportunity to post your continuing medical education classes on CTAAP's website.  Please complete the Statewide Pediatric CME Form and send it to yvette.ctaap@gmail.com