OCTOBER 2024, WEEK BEGINNING OCTOBER 21
Dear VA-AAP Members,
I hope this message finds you well Based PRISM magazine twice a month Look for it in your inbox every other Thursday—we have a lot in store!
Since stepping in as President in July, I’ve had the opportunity to connect with the Virginia ACOG Board and their lobbyist Last month, I spoke at the VA-ACOG annual meeting on the critical issue of maternal morbidity and mortality. As we know, the health of mothers both physical and mental has a direct impact on our pediatric patients and their families.
Our partnership with VA-ACOG is essential, particularly as we explore initiatives like vaccinating pregnant mothers for RSV and screening for postpartum anxiety. Collaboration will empower us to achieve even more together.
October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month In honor of this, we are spotlighting the CHKD milk bank the only one in Virginia and their Legacy Milk Donation Program. This program provides a meaningful way for families to offer altruistic donations of their breast milk in memory of their babies.
Your continued advocacy and support are invaluable as we raise awareness around these important issues If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to reach out!
Thank you for all that you do!
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.
PREGNANCY AND INFANT LOSS AWARENESS MONTH
In honor of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, we would like to highlight the Legacy Milk Donation Program at The King’s Daughters Milk Bank at CHKD. The unique, bereavement program was created especially for families wishing to offer a donation of their breast milk in memory of their baby. Whether their loss is from a miscarriage, stillborn birth, loss in the hospital, or loss in the home, we understand that supporting a bereaved family's lactation journey is a critical step in helping them to heal spiritually, physically, and emotionally.
In the past 10 years, The King’s Daughters Milk Bank has seen a steady increase in the number of families seeking to donate their invaluable “white tears” as part of their healing journey. While working with these grief-stricken families, the Milk Bank staff has also noted that many were not initially aware that:
they should expect the onset of milk production after a miscarriage, perinatal, or early neonatal loss, they would continue to produce milk even without a baby in their arms, and they had the option to donate their previously expressed breast milk or that they could initiate or continue collecting breast milk to donate as a legacy for their baby.
As healthcare providers, it is imperative to take a few minutes to prepare these heartbroken families for what to expect in regard to milk production and to assess their lactation desires. Then, you can provide them with guidance on how to either cease their milk production and/or information on expressing and donating their lifesaving breast milk. As a nonprofit milk bank, The King’s Daughters Milk Bank relies heavily on healthcare providers across the state and nation to advocate, support, and gently encourage the donation of breast milk as it is vital to the supply of pasteurized donor human milk available for NICUs in the United States.
Please review and share this educational handout with your colleagues, and contact The King's Daughters Milk Bank if you'd like to have bereavement milk donation brochures made available for your unit
Exam RoomBeyond the PRESENTS
Pediatric Environmental Health Conference
Series
“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..
