Statement on Racism
The Pennsylvania Chapter of the AAP opposes all forms of racism and discrimination. We recognize the serious and life-long health effects that racism and bias have on children and families and condemn overt acts as well as the unlabeled attitudes and policies that allow racism to exist in our society. We hereby affirm the AAP Policy on Racism and commit to furthering our role in combatting racism and its effects on child health, following the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion in all that we do.
Membership Opportunities
Advocacy
Advance the interests of Pennsylvania infants, children, and adolescents and the value of pediatric practice through ADVOCACY at the State Capitol and in Washington, D.C.
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Education
Ensure the highest quality of patient care through EDUCATION of pediatricians, residents, and medical students.
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Leadership & Networking
Promote optimal physician well-being and career stamina through PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT and NETWORKING opportunities.
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Become a member and help us to improve the health and well being of children in Pennsylvania
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Membership opportunities are available to pediatricians and allied health professionals. The Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics provides an array of benefits and services to keep you up-to-date and informed. The Chapter actively advocates on behalf of your patients, their families, and you. Together, we serve as one voice in fulfilling the needs of children and pediatricians in the state.
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#CallYourPediatrician
This toolkit will provide materials to help spread the word – YES, bring your child in and please call your pediatrician if you have any questions or concerns! We know some parents are uncertain about bringing their child to the pediatrician for their scheduled well-child visit, or for immunizations – or if it is better to wait until after the pandemic. Pediatricians’ offices are open and have taken every precaution to ensure the safety of patients, families, and staff.
President's Message, April 2021
Trude Haecker, MD, FAAP
On the mind in May: Mental Health
Over the past 15 months, we have all seen increasing incidences of anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns in children and families. Parents and caregivers have faced significant financial hardship, personal tragedy, and social isolation. Sadly, COVID-19 has affected individuals of color more severely than other populations further adding to the significant health disparities and inequities faced by those patients and families. While COVID-19 has had less of an impact on children medically, the psychological effects of remote learning, social isolation, and loss of loved ones has taken a toll on children of all ages. From toddlers unable to attend daycare to school-age children and adolescents facing the difficulties of virtual learning and lack of social contacts, the data is sobering. For adolescents, suicide is the third leading cause of death and rates are rising with over 60,000 youth hospitalized/year. Even as the COVID-19 infection numbers decrease and restrictions ease across the state, the demand for pediatric mental health services continues. So many of us across the state are struggling to find mental health resources for our patients. Chapter members have shared that they now need to manage their patients’ psychiatric concerns, including prescribing antianxiety, antidepressant, and antipsychotic medications. Last week, researchers at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) published a study in JAMA citing that “the proportion of pediatric emergency department visits for mental health conditions increased since the start of the pandemic, and that the visits during this time were more likely to require hospital admission.”
Over the past 15 months, we have all seen increasing incidences of anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns in children and families. Parents and caregivers have faced significant financial hardship, personal tragedy, and social isolation. Sadly, COVID-19 has affected individuals of color more severely than other populations further adding to the significant health disparities and inequities faced by those patients and families. While COVID-19 has had less of an impact on children medically, the psychological effects of remote learning, social isolation, and loss of loved ones has taken a toll on children of all ages. From toddlers unable to attend daycare to school-age children and adolescents facing the difficulties of virtual learning and lack of social contacts, the data is sobering. For adolescents, suicide is the third leading cause of death and rates are rising with over 60,000 youth hospitalized/year. Even as the COVID-19 infection numbers decrease and restrictions ease across the state, the demand for pediatric mental health services continues. So many of us across the state are struggling to find mental health resources for our patients. Chapter members have shared that they now need to manage their patients’ psychiatric concerns, including prescribing antianxiety, antidepressant, and antipsychotic medications. Last week, researchers at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) published a study in JAMA citing that “the proportion of pediatric emergency department visits for mental health conditions increased since the start of the pandemic, and that the visits during this time were more likely to require hospital admission.”
