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President's Message, November 2022
Mary Ann Rigas, MD, FAAP
Dear fellow PA AAP members,
One of the keynote speakers at the AAP National Conference and Exhibition last month really captured my attention. Ryan Leak, a motivational speaker, executive coach, and author spoke on “Reclaiming the Joy in Pediatrics.” He suggested six ways that pediatricians can reclaim that joy, and the one that struck me most was to “Foster a habit of gratitude.” Leak reminded us that “We have to be grateful for what we have and who we have. We are all one tragedy away from a different perspective.”
As we enter the Thanksgiving season, I have tried each day to reflect on that message as I go about my daily life. We are reminded often of the many struggles and challenges that our patients and fellow pediatricians have faced over the past few years, from Covid-related illness, loss of parents and caregivers, disruption of normal childhood learning and activities, racism, violence, isolation, anxiety, depression, vaccine hesitancy, threats to our ability to care for our patients, and pediatrician harassment, to name just a few. Yet, there have been a few bright moments in the midst of these challenges, and I have tried to come up with my short list to share with all of you:
First, we now have Covid-19 vaccines for all children 6 months of age and older, which can protect them and their loved ones from serious disease, hospitalization, and death from SARS CoV-2 infection. As a hopeful corollary, next year we may have a long-acting monoclonal antibody that will protect our youngest patients from severe RSV infection that is now filling our hospitals beds.
One of the keynote speakers at the AAP National Conference and Exhibition last month really captured my attention. Ryan Leak, a motivational speaker, executive coach, and author spoke on “Reclaiming the Joy in Pediatrics.” He suggested six ways that pediatricians can reclaim that joy, and the one that struck me most was to “Foster a habit of gratitude.” Leak reminded us that “We have to be grateful for what we have and who we have. We are all one tragedy away from a different perspective.”
As we enter the Thanksgiving season, I have tried each day to reflect on that message as I go about my daily life. We are reminded often of the many struggles and challenges that our patients and fellow pediatricians have faced over the past few years, from Covid-related illness, loss of parents and caregivers, disruption of normal childhood learning and activities, racism, violence, isolation, anxiety, depression, vaccine hesitancy, threats to our ability to care for our patients, and pediatrician harassment, to name just a few. Yet, there have been a few bright moments in the midst of these challenges, and I have tried to come up with my short list to share with all of you:
First, we now have Covid-19 vaccines for all children 6 months of age and older, which can protect them and their loved ones from serious disease, hospitalization, and death from SARS CoV-2 infection. As a hopeful corollary, next year we may have a long-acting monoclonal antibody that will protect our youngest patients from severe RSV infection that is now filling our hospitals beds.
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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PA AAP Newsroom
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