NOVEMBER 2024, WEEK BEGINNING NOVEMBER 4
Dear VA-AAP Members,
Happy Halloween!! Halloween can be a wo Please encourage your communities to pr while trick-or-treating, checking candies, g g g p y fun and safe for everyone
Voting in the 2024 presidential election is crucial; it’s our opportunity to shape the future and ensure our voices are heard. Every vote matters, and participating in this election empowers us to influence the policies that affect our lives and communities ”
I would also like to wish a very Happy Diwali to all those who celebrate! Ironically, it is on the same day as Halloween this year due to the lunar calendar. For those of us who celebrate Diwali, I want to reflect on its profound meaning Diwali, the Festival of Lights, symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance. It is a time for giving, sharing, and caring for others, values that resonate deeply with our mission as pediatricians.
Just as Diwali encourages us to extend our hands to those in need, our daily work embodies this spirit We are committed to nurturing the health and well-being of our children, families, and communities. Let’s carry this ethos forward, reminding ourselves that our efforts make a meaningful difference in the lives we touch.
Wishing you all a safe Halloween and a joyful Diwali filled with light and compassion
Natasha K Sriraman VA-AAP President
“Be the change you wish to see in this world.” -Mahatma Gandhi
Meet Your Executive Committee
NATASHA K. SRIRAMAN, M.D.
Events
NOV 8 - 9
Mohsen Ziai at INOVA
NOV 14
PERCITA ELLIS, M.D.
TREASURER
SUZANNE BRIXEY, M.D.
MARCH 21-23, 2025
Birdsong McLemore at UVA
APRIL 24, 2025
JULY 18, 2025
BOD Meeting & Dinner
JULY 18-20, 2025
Board Meeting (Virtual)
JANUARY 23 , 2025
VA-AAP White Coat Day
Board Meeting (Hybrid)
Committees
ADVOCACY
CHILD SAFETY
EARLY CHILDHOOD
ENVIRONMENTAL
FOOD EQUITY
IMMIGRANT HEALTH
IMMUNIZATION
MENTAL HEALTH
RURAL HEALTH
SCHOOL HEALTH
Board Meeting (Virtual)
JUNE 12, 2025
Pediatric Sports Medicine
Pediatrics at the Beach
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.
Champions
ADOLESCENT MEDICINE
BREASTFEEDING MEDICINE
EQUITY, DIVERSITY, & INCLUSION
GUN VIOLENCE
HEALTHY LIFESTYLE
ORAL HEALTH
SPORTS MEDICINE
TELEHEALTH
KRISTINA POWELL, M.D.
MemberSpotlight
Sandy Chung, MD, FAAP, FACHE
VMAP
Medical Director/Representative
CEO, Trusted Doctors
What inspired you to become a pediatrician?
In the 4th grade, I had to do a project on what I wanted to be when I grew up. Having grown up in poverty, I did not know. A wonderful neighbor who was an OR nurse suggested that I should become a doctor And so, I said okay! She gave me an OR hat and shoe covers and a stethoscope to wear for my presentation and I loved it!
How do you balance work, volunteering for VA-AAP, and family life?
Work-life coordination not really a balance since depending on the day, you might do one more than the other. The key is to find what brings you the most joy and to maximize activities that help you to reach your personal goals and the ones that give you energy
Who inspires you?
My parents are an inspiration to me. They came to a foreign country, sacrificing everything, in order to give me and my brothers greater opportunity. They have struggled through so much and are incredible examples of resilience and perseverance.
What is one piece of advice or tip for new members of VA-AAP?
You can make a difference! If you want to help to improve child health, reach out to any of us to ask how you can help!
What do you love most about your role with the Chapter?
I love working with so many amazing pediatric colleagues to solve real issues with real solutions. It is an incredible honor to work with some many great people!
Describe an interesting hobby or pastime that you have:
I love to paint (mostly acrylics), do puzzles, and go on the water (boating especially)!
What are you currently binge-watching?
I’m a fan of Korean dramas! Queen of Tears was the one I just finished - it was great!
Describe your favorite meal?
My husband is an amazing cook and makes a fantastic Peking Duck!
TRICKS & TREATS
If you ' re out driving on Halloween night, keep a close eye out for little ghosts and goblins. Slow down and stay alert!
Remind kids always to use crosswalks and look both ways before crossing the street. Let’s make this Halloween safe for everyone!
Make sure your child's costume is comfortable, flame-resistant, and doesn’t block their vision. Avoid long, trailing costumes that can be tripping hazards!
TRICKS & TREATS
Ensure your little ones are visible this Halloween with reflective costumes and flashlights! Safety first for a spooktacular night.
Make sure your child's costume is comfortable, flame-resistant, and doesn’t block their vision. Avoid long, trailing costumes that can be tripping hazards!
Encourage kids to go trick-ortreating in groups or with an adult. Safety in numbers ensures a fun and secure Halloween!
After the trick-or-treat fun, take a moment to inspect the candy before your child digs in. Stay alert for unwrapped or suspicious items.
1
RepeatSampleCourtesyPacks
The Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS) and the Virginia Department of Health (VDH)/Newborn Screening (NBS) Program are excited to announce an initiative to improve the timeliness of repeat NBS sample collections.
Effective November 1, 2024, DCLS will begin distributing a one-time courtesy pack of repeat NBS collection kits to practices actively collecting repeat NBS samples If your practice has submitted at least one repeat NBS sample in the past 12 months, you will receive a courtesy pack via UPS. With these repeat collection cards on hand, you can –
Collect NBS samples without waiting for the hard-copy initial screening report
Use a card already on hand and restock with the card that comes by mail
IfyouarenotcurrentlycollectingNBSsamplesin-houseandwanttoprovidethis importantserviceforyourpatients,contactnewbornscreening@vdh.virginia.govto scheduleanon-sitetrainingsessionforyourstaff.
2
Effective November 1, 2024, DCLS will no longer send critical NBS results to pediatric providers via certified mail. The hard-copy results will be sent to the pediatric office (as specified on the NBS initial collection card) via regular first-class mail, in the same manner as normal and abnormal results. Critical results will continue to be reported immediately and acted upon by the VDH/NBS Follow-up Nurses, as currently performed.
“DID YOU KNOW THE VA-AAP IS YOUR VOICE TO LAWMAKERS IN VIRGINIA?”
WE HAVE FOUGHT AGAINST BILLS THAT WOULD INCREASE YOUR:
Medical malpractice insurance rates
Loosen requirements for vaccines
Threaten the quality of medical care children receive in Virginia
WE HAVE ADVOCATED FOR BILLS THAT INCREASE ACCESS TO:
Mental health services for children
Protect children from the harmful effects of tobacco products
Increase Medicaid reimbursement for clinicians
WE USE YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS IN A NONPARTISAN FASHION TO GET TO THE TABLE WITH LAWMAKERS WHO HAVE CRUCIAL ROLES IN LEGISLATION THAT IMPACTS YOU & YOUR PATIENTS.
D TO OUR FELLOW PHYSICIAN GROUPS, PEDIATRICIANS CURRENTLY HAVE THE LEAST AMOUNT OF MONEY IN OUR KIDSPAC-WE CAN DO BETTER!! LET'S DO THIS!!
This isyour opportunity to advocate for children alongsideyour colleagues by speaking directly to your state senators and representatives.
YOUR VOTE ISPOWERFUL
AS VOTERS:
Wecandirectlyinfluence thesepoliciesandhelpshape thehealthofourcommunity forgenerationstocome.
VOTING CAN:
Officials we vote into office make important decisions like How much prescription drugs cost
Whether we have access to fresh fruits and vegetables...and more
Register or check your voter registration today!!
VOTO TIENE PODER
COMO VOTANTES:
Podermos influir directamente en estas politicas y ayudar a dar forma a la salud de nuestra comunidad para las generaciones venideras.
LATA DE VOTACION:
Los funcionarios que votamos para el cargo toman decisiones importantes como Cuánto cuestan los medicamentos recetados
Si tenemos acceso a frutas y verduras frescas...y más.
UPCOMING COURSES & CONFERENCES
Friday,November8
5:30pm-6:30pm
Inova Center for Personalized Health Conference Room 5
8100 Innovation Park Drive Entrance 3 front door under Pedestrian Bridge Fairfax, VA 22031
JOIN US FOR AN EVENING OF CONNECTION AND CONVERSATION AT THE VA-AAP MEET & GREET! Socialize and mingle with fellow professionals in a relaxed atmosphere..
