AAPVT News

Letter to the editor: Mandatory screening not always best

I am writing respond to and correct a letter published in the Jan. 27 Free Press by Dr. Mary Cushman (“Opinion: Missing heart defects in newborns”). Dr. Cushman’s well intentioned letter gives the inaccurate impression that newborn infants in Vermont are not being screened for congenital heart disease (an inborn heart defect) when in fact the opposite is true.

Six Vermont Physician Groups Caution Legislature About the Dangers of Legalized Marijuana 

A group of doctors representing six statewide physician organizations came together January 28th with a single voice to caution the Vermont General Assembly and public to be fully aware of potential risks of marijuana, and the possible implications of making it legal.

Franklin County to Lose Four of its 11 Pediatricians

Dec. 1, 2015 

Four of Franklin County’s 11 pediatricians will close their practices – or already have – in coming weeks, leaving an estimated 6,000 young patients scrambling for access to primary health care due to what pediatricians say is an increasingly difficult financial environment for independent primary care practitioners in Vermont.

Gov. Shumlin signs bill eliminating philosophical exemption

The American Academy of Pediatrics Vermont Chapter today applauded Governor Peter Shumlin for his efforts to protect the health of Vermonters by signing into law legislation that eliminates the philosophical exemption to immunizations beginning July 1, 2016.

The bill, H.98, was passed by the Vermont General Assembly on May 14, and signed by Gov. Shumlin today (May 28).    

AAPVT receives AAP Outstanding Chapter Award

The AAPVT has gained national recognition after receiving an Outstanding Chapter Award at the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Annual Leadership Forum held in March in Schaumburg, Ill. 

The Outstanding Chapter Awards recognize chapters for excellence in programs that promote the health and welfare of children and are presented in four categories based on membership: small chapter, medium chapter, large chapter, and very large chapter.  The Vermont Chapter earned the award for the small chapter category. 

Legislation to strength immunization laws announced

On Thursday, Feb. 5th, a press conference announced legislation to remove Vermont’s philosophical exemption to immunizations.  Stating their supper were Sen. Kevin Mullin and Representative Sarah Buxton, as well as representatives from numerous child- and health-advocacy organizations. 

Randolph pediatrician Louis DiNicola, M.D., spoke on behalf of the America Academy of Pediatrics Vermont Chapter.  To see his portion of the press conference, see the video below.

AAPVT hosts annual Fall Meeting

The American Academy of Pediatrics Vermont Chapter hosted it’s annual Fall Meeting, Nov. 14, at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Montpelier. 

Highlights of the day-long meeting included educational sessions about HPV, adolescent transition, unsafe sleep and abusive head trauma, detecting child abuse, adolescent medicine and more.  A membership forum, networking opportunities and the Green Mountain Pediatrician Awards also took place.

 

Dr. Louis DiNicola honored by Vermont Medical Society

Randolph pediatrician and immediate past president of the American Academy of Pediatrics Vermont Chapter Louis DiNicola, M.D., was given the Physician Award for Community Service by the Vermont Medical Society during its 200th annual meeting Oct. 19, at the Basin Harbor Club in Vergennes, Vt. 

AAPVT joins coalition seeking sugar sweetened beverage tax

The American Academy of Pediatrics Vermont Chapter today joined 37 other organizations in Alliance for a Healthier Vermont, a group seeking new sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) tax legislation.  During a press conference this morning at the statehouse, the coalition called on the tax in order to address the state’s growing obesity rates and associated health care costs.

Vermont once again tops healthiest state rankings

For the fourth-consecutive year, Vermont has been named the nation’s healthiest state by the United Health Foundation.
The state has steadily risen in the last 20-plus years of the group’s America’s Health Rankings, moving from 20th in 1990 to the top spot today.  
Here is what the United Health Foundation had to say about Vermont:

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