Thank you all for the positive feedback on our revamped chapter newsmagazine, Pediatric Prism! We’re excited to highlight the wonderful activities of our Board and Chapter members.
I’m thrilled to be attending Pediatrics at the Beach this weekend and hope to see many of you there! We’re also excited to welcome our new members joining the Chapter board. Be sure to check out the "Member Spotlight," where we’ll feature our BOD members along with their personal and professional interests.
Amanda Henry, our Executive Director, will be at Pediatrics at the Beach all weekend, so be sure to stop by our VA-AAP table and say hello!
We’ve listened to your feedback and are now offering the auto-renew option for Chapter membership. Please share your articles, updates, announcements, and more using this link: Submit Here. We look forward to your contributions. As always, feel free to reach out with any questions, comments, or suggestions.
Thank you again for your support and continued advocacy!
Stay hydrated, don’t forget your sunscreen, and enjoy the air-conditioning
“Be the change you wish to see in this world.” -Mahatma
Gandhi
Natasha K. Sriraman VA-AAP President
Meet Your Executive Committee
NATASHA K. SRIRAMAN, M.D.
Events
SEPT 27 - OCT 1
AAP National Meeting
NOV 8 - 9
Mohsen Ziai
NOV 14
Board Meeting (Virtual)
TREASURER
JANUARY 23
VA-AAP Advocacy Day
SPRING 2025
Birdsong McLemore
APRIL 2025
VA-AAP Board Meeting
Committees
ADVOCACY
CHILD SAFETY
FOOD INSECURITY
IMMIGRANT HEALTH
IMMUNIZATION
MENTAL HEALTH
PEDIATRIC COUNCIL
SCHOOL HEALTH
We have a few committees & champions that are looking for Co-chairs. If you are interested in becoming a co-chair, or even a member of any of these committees, please click the Contact Us button below. Contact Us
JUNE 12, 2025
Pediatric Sports Medicine
Champions
ADOLESCENT MEDICINE
BREASTFEEDING
EARLY CHILDHOOD
ENVIRONMENTAL EQUITY, DIVERSITY, & INCLUSION
GUN VIOLENCE
HEALTHY LIFESTYLE
INFECTIOUS DISEASE
ORAL HEALTH
RURAL HEALTH
SPORTS MEDICINE
TELEHEALTH
SUZANNE BRIXEY, M.D. KRISTINA POWELL, M.D.
A few months ago, chapter leadership submitted our annual update to the AAP. In doing so, we recognized that not all of our members may be fully aware of the significant accomplishments and activities undertaken by the chapter Below is a detailed summary of our achievements in 2023 Advocacy
The Virginia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (VA-AAP) sustained its strong advocacy efforts in 2023, following a highly successful 2022 session. Among the most notable achievements was the passage of the bullying bill (SB 1072, HB 1592), championed by Dr John Farrell, a Northern Virginia pediatrician This landmark legislation mandates that parents be notified of bullying incidents within 24 hours, a critical change from the previous variable notification period that could last up to a week. The bill was inspired by a tragic loss of a patient to suicide due to bullying, underscoring the importance of timely parental notification
Additionally, the VA-AAP successfully passed HB 1835, which enhances legal protections for healthcare providers against verbal threats outside the hospital setting. The chapter also opposed allowing pharmacists to conduct RSV, Group A Strep, and influenza testing for children, advocating for this stance in meetings with pharmacists
Another significant advocacy victory was securing increased budgetary support for the Virginia Mental Health Access Program (VMAP), with the program's funding rising to $6.8 million annually. This increase enables VMAP to continue its expansion and support for mental health services. White Coat Day in January 2023 was another highlight, attracting over 60 participants, including
CHAPTERUPDATE
many medical students and residents. The Advocacy Committee launched a traveling advocacy training program, providing sessions at Virginia pediatric residency programs on engaging in advocacy work, communicating with the media, and writing opinion pieces. The committee is also developing a formal Quality Improvement (QI) program for residents, focused on these advocacy objectives.
Membership
In 2023, the VA-AAP concentrated on effective recruitment and retention strategies. Weekly newsletters and active regional listservs kept members informed and engaged. The Chapter President provided updates at regional hospital pediatric conferences, including those at UVA, EVMS, and INOVA Additionally, the chapter hosted a reception at the National Conference & Exhibition (NCE) to connect with members and prospective members, and maintained a strong presence at the annual Lobby Day.
Programs
As the educational arm of VMAP, the Virginia chapter played a crucial role in running the REACH and ECHO programs, which included QI projects offering Continuing Medical Education (CME) and Maintenance of Certification (MOC). These programs expanded to address adolescent mental health and early childhood behavior. The "Pearls and Pitfalls" educational series, supporting pediatric providers delivering behavioral health services, was particularly successful, offering 16 sessions on topics such as billing for mental health services and legal pitfalls in care delivery.
The VA-AAP also secured grants from the Virginia Department of Health for various initiatives,
including maternal mortality, child abuse prevention/SEEK screening, and car seat safety. Another significant grant focused on increasing COVID19 vaccination uptake in rural areas.
Education
Throughout 2023, the VA-AAP provided free webinars on topics such as Back to School/COVID updates, Medicaid Unwinding, WIC/SNAP updates, and addressing food insecurity from the office. These educational offerings were wellreceived, reflecting the chapter’s commitment to continuous professional development
Innovation
In an innovative partnership with Findhelp, the VA-AAP rebranded AuntBertha to Bridge2ResourcesVA, a free social needs platform. This platform supports various educational efforts, adding programs like car seat sites and Medicaid Unwinding links, and providing resources during the formula shortage The chapter collaborated with Cigna on a grant to raise awareness of the platform among providers in Charlottesville, Lynchburg, and Roanoke, leading to a significant increase in searches. The VA-AAP's ongoing efforts in reviewing analytics and adding relevant programs have made Bridge2ResourcesVA an invaluable resource for addressing social needs across the state
Conclusion
Through its outstanding activities and accomplishments in 2023, the Virginia AAP has continued to make significant strides in advocacy, membership engagement, program development, education, and innovation. These efforts underscore the chapter’s unwavering commitment to improving pediatric care in Virginia
Commonwealth of Virginia
Office of Governor Glenn Youngkin
What They Are Saying: State and National Leaders Praise Cell Phone-Free Education
RICHMOND, VA – Last week, Governor Glenn Youngkin issued Executive Order 33, which directs the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) to draft guidance for public school divisions to adopt local policies and procedures establishing cell phone-free education. Leaders across the Commonwealth and the nation reacted to the continued commitment towards protecting the health and safety of Virginia’s students
Hours after the Executive Order, Hanover County School Board voted 6-1 to ban devices and headphones for all grade levels. This is a bold step forward from their existing policy towards a cell-phone free school day with cell phones off and out of sight for the entire school day.
NATIONAL LEADERS
“Thanks to Governor Glenn Youngkin for leading on the critical issue of distracted learning. Kids need to scroll less to learn more,” said former Florida Governor Jeb Bush. “This executive order provides needed guidance to schools and communities.”
“More fantastic news: Virginia schools will go phone free Well done Gov Youngkin,” said NYU-Stern Social Psychologist Jonathan Haidt “Red, blue, and purple states are doing it. Politicians in both parties are parents, they see what is happening.”
EDUCATION STAKEHOLDERS
“As a former teacher, I am immensely grateful to Governor Youngkin for this executive order, which supports teachers as the instructional leaders we expect them to be each and every day for students across the
Commonwealth,” said Virginia Board of Education President Grace Creasey "There is a time and a place for the use of technology in our classrooms, and with this executive order, Governor Youngkin has given our teachers the autonomy to make decisions about the use of technology during instructional time.”
“The Virginia Association of Elementary School Principals supports the Governor's Executive Order #33 (2024) As elementary principals we have experienced first-hand the decline in student wellness as a result of many factorsincluding social media and cell phone usage. We look forward to the ongoing dialogue with the VDOE on developing appropriate educational policies surrounding this important issue,” said Virginia Association of Elementary School Principals Executive Director Krista Barton-Arnold
“This isn't just a pro-child and proparental rights policy, this is a proteacher policy,” said Director of the Independent Women’s Network Julie Gunlock. “Teachers have enough on their plate They shouldn't also have to act as the phone police in the classroom, constantly badgering students to put away their devices This executive order supports teachers who simply want to teach with the full attention of their students. The Independent Women's Network applauds Governor Youngkin's action to give teachers and parents the help they need to end cell phone use in the classroom "
"Governor Youngkin's executive order makes it clear that phones aren't a
minor nuisance in schools, they are a menace Highly addictive smartphones and social media platforms are profoundly harming students emotionally and academically. It is time for a collective action commitment to establishing cellphone-free classrooms across the Commonwealth,” said Director of the Education Freedom Center at the Independent Women’s Forum Ginny Gentles
“I am excited to have been a part of the policy-making process regarding phones within the school system; I believe that phones provide a distraction but also see them as a necessary evil in some cases, as they can be wonderful tools that can help education,” said 2023-2024 Governor’s Student Advisory Board Member Lance Toapanta
“Regardless, I hope to see this executive order help improve the quality of education within the Commonwealth.”
“I am not able to express my happiness at this moment for being a tiny part of this specific Executive Order I am very grateful to have worked with peers in the prestigious role of being a board member I enjoyed every bit of the whole experience. It feels really good to be able to bring change, a change that brings betterment to our communities and the future of students in Virginia. I loved everything about the Order passes and, as I advocated for it amongst our strong opinions throughout the extended conversation we had over lunch I am very happy
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with the decision and hope it brings out some splendid results in the foreseeable future. I would have the document on my desktop screen hoping to get reminded of this very small contribution that did something positive, and I will try my best to be a part of programs like this in the future,” said 2023-2024 Governor’s Student Advisory Board Member Abubakkar Rahim.
HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
“The Virginia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (VA AAP) strongly supports Governor Glenn Youngkin’s Executive Order 33 As pediatricians, we recognize the profound impact that excessive cell phone use and social media can have on children’s mental health and academic performance. The American Psychological Association’s findings, which highlight the doubled risk of poor mental health among adolescents spending over three hours daily on social media, underscore the urgency of this initiative. Implementing cell phone-free education is a prudent and essential measure to create a healthier, more focused learning environment. We commend the administration’s commitment to engaging parents, educators, and public health professionals in developing ageappropriate guidelines Furthermore, the allocation of funds to support family nights and community engagement events is a commendable step towards addressing youth mental health challenges holistically,” said President of the Virginia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics Dr. Natasha Sriraman
LEGISLATIVENEWS
The greatest resource we all have is our attention. This is especially important for a child’s developing brain for learning and memory,” said Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU Chair of the Department of Pediatrics Shari Barkin, MD, MSHS “Cell-free zones during educational instruction is one way to help train brains to focus Ultimately this is one of the lifelong skills we all need to develop.”
“The Virginia Association of Community-Based Providers (VACBP) wholeheartedly supports Governor Youngkin for taking action on the use of cell phones in Virginia schools Research continues to show that excessive cell phone use has been linked to increased rates of anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances among young people. By limiting cell phone use in schools, we can create a more focused and mentally healthy learning environment that better promotes cognitive development, social interaction, and overall well-being We are hopeful this proactive measure will help students to develop healthier relationships with technology, improve academic performance, and cultivate stronger interpersonal connections,” said Virginia Association of CommunityBased Providers (VACBP) Executive Director Mindy Carlin. “The VACBP applauds the Administration’s commitment to prioritizing the mental health and academic success of our students, and we believe this ban will have a long-term, positive impact on the well-being of our youth.”
“The mental health of our young people must be a priority and include thoughtful approaches to how technology likesmartphones can
influence children's well-being, including learning and social interaction. Hearing from all segments of the community will help inform the best way to approach this important issue,” said Mental Health America of Virginia Executive Director Bruce Cruser
“The Virginia Association of School Nurses celebrates Governor Youngkin’s most recently issued Executive Order to establish cell phone-free educational environments for K-12 public school students. School nurses play a critical role in promoting a safe and healthy environment for students to grow, learn and play, and we look forward to engaging in the development of these policies,” said Virginia Association of School Nurses President Betsy Looney.
GRANT & OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
Pediatrics Deputy Editor Application - Deadline July 19, 2024
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) seeks a candidate to serve as Deputy Editor for Pediatrics, the flagship peer-reviewed journal of the AAP.
Responsibilities of the Deputy Editor
The Deputy Editor assists the editor-in-chief with overall editorial content and peer-review management, as well as acting as an ambassador for the journal, engaging audiences at all levels and expanding the journal's reach, all while defining the journal's editorial strategy and policies. The Deputy Editor should be able to identify trends and innovations in scientific journal publishing and understand open access.
The position of Deputy Editor is an independent contract position with an annual stipend and AAP editorial office management support. The initial term is 6 years, renewable for an additional 3 years (for a total of 9 years), as approved by the AAP The initial term begins July 1, 2025; however, training for the role will begin in January 2025
Appointments are made on the basis of knowledge, expertise, and interest. The AAP treats all application materials as confidential. Applications, CVs, and other documents will be kept secure and will not be shared with anyone except designated AAP staff and the editorial leadership.
At the end of this application, you will be asked to upload a written narrative addressing the following:
Why you are interested in this role
Willingness to devote time to the journal
Suggestions you have for the future direction of the journal
Read the Deputy Editor role description here.
Deadline for submissions is July 19, 2024.
If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact Senior Managing Editor Kate Larson at klarson@aap.org
RESOURCES & REQUESTS
NEWS FROM AAP
Join the Conversation!
Enhance digital screening and treatment tools that help manage suicide risk. Focus groups with teens, parents, & practice teams.
In search of: Primary care practices (one pediatrician/one staff) to:
Participate in a virtual focus group about a digital app-based teen suicide prevention intervention.
Refer parents/adolescents who may be interested in participating in a virtual focus group about the app
Length of Focus Groups: About one hour
Dates of Focus Groups: Spring 2024 - exact dates TBA
Practices that qualify: Primary care practices that do NOT have embedded/co-located mental health services
Each Focus Group Participant will receive a $50 gift CARD IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR EFFORTS AND EACH PARTICIPATING PRACTICE RECEIVES
$250
• Note that there will be separate focus groups for practices, parents, and teens, respectively
This research opportunity is a collaboration between:
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Pediatric Re-search in Office Settings (PRS) research network
University of Pittsburgh (Pitt)
Study Funder: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Principal Investigator: Stephanie Stepp, PhD, at Pitt
Research opportunity purpose:
Take part in refining digital suicide prevention screening and treatment tools that identify, triage, and manage teens with depression or at risk of suicide Help design digital screening and treatment tools that are user-friendly for teens, parents, and practices!
This research opportunity is part of a larger study that will later pilot test these digital suicide prevention tools within pediatric primary care
HEART+ STUDY RESPONSE FORM click here or scan QR Code
Whatisinvolvedforyourpractice?
Identify patients 12-17 years with a past historyofdepressionorsuicidebehaviorto invitetoa1-hourconfidentialfocusgroup. Refer parents of patients 12-17 to PITT to learn more about the confidential focus group. Parent permission is required for a teen to participate. Parents are invited to separateconfidentialfocusgroupstoo! Select practice team members (clinicians and staff) to participate in a 1-hour confidentialfocusgroups.
Tojointhestudy:
Return the Study Participation Form to PROS!
Sendviaemail(prosops.org)ORfax (847-434-8910)
Wanttoknowmore?
Please reach out to Donna Harris at dlharris@aap.orgor630-626-6362
Membership
We are pleased to announce AAP has introduced the option to auto-renew your membership for your convenience! This new option will allow you to enjoy uninterrupted membership, while avoiding the hassle of having to remember to pay monthly/annually. We do the work for you & your membership stays intact! If interested in enrolling in AutoPay, please click the button below or scan the QR code
Learning Update from Across the State
Children’s Hospital of Richmond Grand Rounds are one a break for the summer and will return in September 2024.
Grand Rounds are held Tuesdays from 12 noon - 1 pm.
Updates in ADHD Treatment
Lowry Shropshire, MD
Developmental Pediatrics
Friday, July 19
12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
Learning Objectives:
• Review the current recommended treatment approaches for ADHD
• Reviewe the mechanism of action, expected benefits, and potential side effects of stimulant and non-stimulant ADHD medications
• Become familiar with newer ADHD medications
Learning Update from Across the State
No Grand Rounds scheduled for the week.
Learning Update from Across the State
No Grand Rounds or Journal Club cases scheduled for the week.
