Kansas Pediatrician: Q4 2024

Welcome to the quarterly edition of the Kansas Pediatrician Newsletter. In this edition, we look at the impact of the Kansas Pediatric Foundation, Childhood Immunizations, Kansas CARE information, the child death review board, and more! This edition includes:

President’s Perspective

by Kelly Kreisler, MD, MPH, FAAP

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” (Margaret Mead).

Earlier this year, I had my favorite quote made into a piece of art that now hangs in my dining room. It serves as a constant reminder that the work we do together matters. The Kansas Chapter American Academy of Pediatrics (KAAP) is a group of committed pediatricians making positive change for all Kansas children and families. Our efforts to educate, advocate, and support children and each other make a difference in our state and beyond.

I sometimes feel discouraged and frustrated when politicians do not prioritize what we know is best for children. This is true regardless of their party affiliation. Children are our future; their safety, health, and well-being should not be an afterthought when policy is being crafted. No matter who is in office, children will always need us to speak up. By working with the KAAP, I’m able to channel that frustration into positive action. I hope you will join us for advocacy day on January 28, 2025 and let your voice be heard too.

Earlier this month, I was filled with gratitude for the opportunity to gather with many of you in person. The KAAP Board of Directors met the day prior to the fall Progress in Pediatrics conference in Salina. It was my first time leading the four-hour board meeting, and we had a big agenda. As I listened to understand, I often found it difficult to cut short thoughtful discussions. While the board debated the best ways to provide additional grant opportunities for our members and expand the TAP-TAM program, I found myself in awe of the communication among members. It was obvious to me this group values differing experiences, understanding we are stronger when we learn from one another.

There was a lot of excitement as the new logo and website were unveiled. The new website is going to be a great member benefit! This was a labor of love for the staff and members who participated in the process. Please check it out and let us know what you think. I never knew how important fonts were before this. In addition to the intricacies of fonts, I learned practical new tips for my clinical practice at the fall CME meeting; I loved hearing the perspective of seasoned pediatric experts, residents, and medical students alike. Both meetings were so energizing! I can’t wait for the spring meeting! Save the Date – April 4, 2025, in Topeka.

Executive Director Update

by Denise Cyzman

Celebrating a Year of Growth and Impact

As Dr. Kreisler mentioned, we are excited to announce KAAP has officially rebranded and will soon launch a new website! This marks a significant milestone in our continued efforts to better serve our members, enhance our visibility, and more effectively communicate the vital work Kansas pediatricians do for children and families in Kansas.

Rebranding KAAP

The rebranding includes refreshed logos and visual identity that represent our organization’s commitment to innovation and progress while still honoring the strong foundation of support and advocacy for pediatricians and children that has always defined us. Our new look is more modern and dynamic and also includes new logos for the Kansas Pediatric Foundation (KPF), the Child Abuse Review and Evaluation (CARE) program, and the Turn a Page. Touch a Mind (TAP-TAM) early childhood literacy initiative.

Alongside the rebranding, we proudly announce that our new website will be unveiled in early December. Designed with members in mind, the site is user-friendly, making it easier to access resources, register for events, stay current with the latest news, and find new ways to get involved.

The new site also simplifies staying informed on advocacy opportunities, education programs, and how we work to improve children’s health across Kansas. This is just the beginning of a new chapter for KAAP and KPF, and we’re excited to continue this journey with you.

This Giving Tuesday, Your Support Can Transform Lives

As the year draws to a close, we invite you to join us in making an impact that will last for generations. The Kansas Pediatric Foundation (KPF) works tirelessly to empower pediatricians and improve child health across Kansas, and your generosity fuels our mission.

This year alone, your donations have helped support the innovative Pediatrician in Action Awards, enabling Kansas pediatricians to lead critical projects addressing home safety, mental health barriers, breastfeeding resources, and menstrual product accessibility. With your help, these initiatives are improving the lives of countless children and families.

Giving Tuesday, and the entire month of December is your opportunity to amplify this impact!

Every contribution creates a ripple effect that strengthens our communities. Whether it funds an averaged-sized Turn a Page. Touch a Mind.® (TAP-TAM) site for one year, sponsors pediatricians to attend advocacy events, or provides a child with books at their well-child visits. Together, we can close the gaps in education, healthcare, and opportunity for Kansas children.

Your Gift, Their Future

Let’s make this Giving Tuesday, the month of December, and the coming year unforgettable! Join us in building brighter futures for Kansas children and empowering the pediatricians who care for them.

Donate Today!

Increasing Childhood Immunizations QI Project Enrolling Now!

The project kicks off on January 13 and runs through June 2025.

KAAP invites pediatricians to participate in a quality improvement project to understand and improve childhood immunization rates. This FREE activity:

Participating pediatricians will focus on at least one of the following measures:

Over six months, participants will pull vaccine data reports every other month, attend four virtual trainings, and implement evidence-based process changes designed to improve immunization rates. This QI project repeats the successful phase offered in 2023, where 23 KAAP members completed all activities to earn 25 MOC-4 credits and saw measurable increases in vaccination rates for all target areas. View the full report. 

Register today https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZZPYG9Z

Expanding the KS CARE Network for Child Abuse Victims

KAAP has been working hard to expand the KS CARE Network, ensuring comprehensive medical evaluations are accessible across all of Kansas for cases of child physical abuse and neglect. In September, KAAP hosted the annual two-day training program, which has now trained 74 physicians and medical providers in Kansas since 2022. Between April 1, 2023, and September 30, 2024, the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) provided 4,137 referrals to the CARE program. Among these, 618 were recommended for a CARE exam. By expanding the network of qualified providers statewide, KAAP aims to provide children in every Kansas community access to top-tier medical care.

Looking ahead to January 2025, KAAP will be hosting a child-abuse and maltreatment ECHO series on Tuesday from 12-1 pm, covering the following topics:

If you’re interested in attending, please register using this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEucOChrzgqGtPZh_YOLB8CxG68NlpEdELD#/registration

Fall 2024 Progress in Pediatrics Conference Celebrated as a Success!

On November 8, KAAP hosted its highly anticipated Progress in Pediatrics conference. The event, held at the Hilton Garden Inn in Salina, brought together pediatricians, residents, medical students, and key stakeholders from across the state. It was a resounding success, fostering an environment of learning, collaboration, and inspiration.  

The conference featured:

We sincerely thank all attendees, speakers, sponsors, and exhibitors who made this year’s event possible. 

We are already planning next year’s event and are committed to continuing the tradition of excellence. If you have feedback or suggestions for future events, please email angela.collier@kansasaap.org.

Child Fatalities in Kansas: Unsafe Sleep, Firearms, and Drug Deaths Highlight Ongoing Risks

The Kansas Child Death Review Board (CDRB) has released its 2024 annual report, which provides detailed insights into child fatalities in Kansas during 2022. KAAP would like to acknowledge and thank Dr. Katherine Melhorn, MD, FAAP, a long-standing CDRB member, and Dr. Stephanie Kuhlmann, DO, FAAP, who began her tenure earlier this year, for their dedicated service.

In 2022, Kansas reported 389 deaths among children under 18, marking an increase from 349 the previous year. Natural causes accounted for 58% of these deaths, followed by 19% from unintentional injuries, 6% from homicide, 5% from suicide, and 12% from undetermined causes. Males represented 60% of all child deaths and had higher mortality rates across nearly every age group.

The report highlighted significant racial and ethnic disparities. Black/non-Hispanic children faced higher mortality rates in all categories compared to other groups, with White/non-Hispanic children consistently experiencing the lowest death rates. These disparities emphasize the urgent need for addressing health inequities statewide.

Infant deaths rose by 21% in 2022. Among the 158 natural deaths, prematurity and congenital anomalies were the leading causes. However, 52 non-natural deaths were attributed to undetermined causes, sudden unexpected infant deaths (SUID), and unintentional suffocation linked to unsafe sleep practices. The board stressed the importance of safe sleep practices, such as placing infants on their backs in cribs or bassinets free of soft bedding or toys.

While deaths by suicide fell to 21 in 2022, the lowest since 2018, drug-related deaths increased to 16, with 13 involving fentanyl. Firearm-related fatalities decreased to 30, down from 44 the previous year, but still exceeded levels seen in 2018 and 2019. Over five years, 82% of firearm-related deaths involved male victims, predominantly adolescents aged 15-17.

The report underscores the need for comprehensive public health measures, including promoting safe sleep environments for infants, enhancing firearm safety through secure storage, and addressing systemic health inequities. Efforts like these can help protect Kansas children and improve outcomes for all families in the state.

Access the 2024 Kansas Child Death Review Board report here.

Apply for an AAP CATCH Grant Now – Deadline is January 21, 2025

AAP’s CATCH Planning, Implementation, and Resident Grants support innovative community-based child health initiatives. These projects must be led by a pediatrician, fellowship trainee, pediatric resident, or pediatric advanced practice provider and will focus on building strong community partnerships. The initiatives will serve those who are underserved and experience health disparities by providing access to services that promote optimal child health and well-being. Successful initiatives are expected to have measurable outcomes and include plans for sustainability to ensure lasting community impact.  

You can access complete information on the CATCH Grant Application Process here.

For assistance, please contact the Kansas Chapter CATCH Facilitators

AAP Call for Committee Nominations – Become Involved!

The AAP Board of Directors is soliciting nominations to fill member vacancies in the following AAP National Committees for terms beginning July 1, 2025:

Committee member requirements, needs statements for each position, and application materials are on the Committees, Councils, and Sections collaboration site (AAP login required).  

As part of the AAP Equity Agenda, the Board of Directors is committed to increasing the percentage of members from groups underrepresented in medicine serving in Academy leadership positions. Diverse candidates in terms of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or national origin are encouraged to apply. 

The deadline for nominations is February 14, 2025. Nominees must submit the completed application package to their chapter president (AAP login required) and the AAP Nominations team. The AAP Board of Directors will meet in May 2025 to review nominations and make final appointments.

Email questions to the AAP Nominations team

Officers

Kelly Kreisler, MD, MPH, FAAP
President

Sonder Crane, MD, FAAP
President-Elect

Julianne Schwerdtfager, MD, FAAP
Treasurer

Gretchen Homan, MD, FAAP
Past President

Board of Directors

KAAP Committees & Task Force

Team

Denise Cyzman
Executive Director
denise.cyzman@kansasaap.org

Martha Atkinson
Accountant
martha.atkinson@kansasaap.org

Michelle Horst
Foundation Operations Manager
michelle.horst@kansasaap.org

Mallory Laur
Program Manager
mallory.laur@kansasaap.org

Marissa Guerrero
Outreach and Event Coordinator
marisa.guerrero@kansasaap.org

Angela Collier
Membership Services Program Manager
angela.collier@kansasaap.org

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