Section on Rheumatology Facts - 2013

factsheet 


Recent and Current Activities:

Education

  • Continuing Medical Education Course on Musculoskeletal Medicine July 19-21, 2013 in Cincinnati, OH, a collaborative effort with the Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness and Section on Orthopedics
  • Pedialink online Continuing Medical Education on Pediatric Musculoskeletal Medicine: Differential Diagnosis and Assessment of a Limping Child in collaboration with the Section on Orthopedics
  • Present educational programs for pediatricians at the AAP National Conference and Exhibition and other AAP sponsored courses
  • Pediatrics in the 21st Century (Peds21) session at the 2014 AAP National Conference and Exhibition

Awards

  • James T. Cassidy Award for outstanding service in pediatric rheumatology
  • Earl J. Brewer Research Award for clinical research by a pediatric rheumatology fellow
  • Partner with the American College of Rheumatology Research and Education Foundation on the Pediatric Rheumatology Visiting Professorship Award

Communication

  • Publish a bi-annual Section newsletter
  • Redesign of the section web site to include information for medical students, residents, training fellows and physicians about the field of pediatric rheumatology

Membership

  • Expanded membership to allow any general pediatrician and/or resident with a special interest in pediatric rheumatology to join the Section
  • Pediatric Rheumatology Training Fellow participation on the Section Executive Committee

Other important topics

  • Initiated an annual Fellow's Meeting for senior pediatric rheumatology fellows, sponsored by the Arthritis Foundation, to assist with career development and networking.
  • Conducted a survey to measure our clinical productivity (via relative value units) that will assist with workforce needs, such as appropriate reimbursement and staffing
  • Support the Arthritis, Prevention, Control and Cure Act legislative initiative
  • Support the Patient Access to Treatment Act
  • Actively participate in the Council on Pediatric Subspecialties meetings

Advocacy
The AAP has an excellent Department of Federal Affairs in Washington that advocates for the health of all infants, children, adolescents, and young adults. The AAP is viewed as the "white hat" and has considerable influence on advocacy related issues. Access to health care for all children, immunizations, children with disabilities, injury prevention, and Medicaid are only a few of the topics on the AAP agenda. The AAP advocates for children and adolescents with chronic disease more than any other medical organization.

Education
As a member of the Section on Rheumatology, you may be asked to teach general pediatricians and residents at the national and local level at one of many of the Academy's educational offerings, including: National Conference and Exhibition, CME courses, and State Chapter workshops. You will receive discounts on and access to educational resources of the Academy, for example: Pediatrics, PREP, AAP News, PediaLink, and manuals.

Leadership
The AAP provides leadership training and lobbying workshops for Section members that are interested in developing those skills.

Networking
Each AAP Section on Rheumatology member that becomes involved in the Academy will benefit from collaboration with other pediatric subspecialists, as with the American College of Rheumatology.

Membership Information
The Academy is a unique organization and a great value for the cost of membership. We believe that each pediatric rheumatologist and pediatrician with a special interest in the field should support the AAP and the Section on Rheumatology.
If you are already a Section member, we look forward to your continued support; if not, please join us!

Section on Rheumatology Annual Dues

Note: In addition to National/Chapter AAP Dues

AAP Fellows $40
Resident/Training Fellows $10

For more information, contact:
Kenneth Schikler, MD, FAAP
Chairperson

Laura Laskosz
AAP Staff
800/433-9016, ext. 4928
e-mail: llaskosz@aap.org