Dedicated to the Health of All Children

Billing for Newborn Screening Specimens in Certain Circumstances to Begin June 1, 2008: The Georgia Public Health Laboratory (GPHL) will begin invoicing pediatricians for newborn screening specimens under certain circumstances. The billing will begin on June 1, 2008. A detailed blastfax was sent out on April 17, 2008. Please click here to review the blastfax.

Join Us at Pediatrics by the Sea! The 2008 version of Pediatrics by the Sea will be held on June 1-3, 2008 at the Ritz-Carlton on Amelia Island, Fla. (The dates this year are on a Sunday-Tuesday format.) The hotel was named this year by Child magazine as one of the top 10 Child Friendly Resorts in the USA. Jean Wright, MD, chair of pediatrics at Mercer-Savannah and Backus Children's Hospital is this year's chair. Registration and program information will be available soon. In the meantime, you can book your room at the hotel, or find other lodging options in the Amelia Island/Fernandina Beach area by clicking on the information in the header above. Make your plans now to attend Pediatrics by the Sea in its new home at the Ritz Carlton on Amelia Island, Fla. (Note: the 2009 and 2010 versions of Pediatrics by the Sea will also be held at the Ritz, but in those years we'll return to our traditional Father's Day weekends formats.)

Please note that the toll-free phone number for the Ritz-Carlton in our mailings is incorrect.

The correct phone number is 888-856-4337. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Important Information Regarding VFC Program Policies: Recent storm related power outages in Georgia have called our attention to risks of compromise to large inventories of vaccines that many offices now carry. Vaccines can be compromised due to mechanical failure of a refrigerator, or due to power outages. The Chapter would like to remind our members of their responsibilities and correct procedures to follow when a power outage or mechanical failure occurs. Georgia’s Vaccines for Children (VFC) Provider Agreement Policy establishes requirements for enrolled providers. There are 13 specific requirements with examples of Program violations and actions that could potentially be taken. Georgia’s Vaccines for Children (VFC) Vaccine Loss Policy establishes the policy for management of incidents that result in loss of state supplied vaccine. There are 3 categories of defined vaccine loss with potential actions to be taken depending on the type of loss incurred.
State Legislative News: The Georgia General Assembly convened on January 14 for its 40-day session at the state Capitol. We'll follow the events at the Gold Dome as they effect children's health and safety and the practice of pediatrics. Click onto to the Legislative Affairs page of the website to read weekly updates and get the information you need to be an effective voice for pediatrics in our state.
New Chapter Breastfeeding Program: Trainers & Practices Wanted: Last summer the Chapter launched a new EPIC program on Breastfeeding for members and their office staff. This free 1-hour program, modeled after our successful Immunization EPIC program, can be presented in your practice, usually during the lunch hour. CME credit will be awarded to physicians, CEU for nurses, and CERP for lactation consultants. We're seeking physicians, mid-level providers, lactation counselors, nurses, and dieticians with an interest in lactation support to become trainers in the program. We need trainers in all areas of the state and especially in Bibb, Clayton, Chatham, Houston, Lowndes, and Muscogee counties. If your office would like to schedule a program or you'd like to become a trainer, contact Kristy Fors, RN, IBCLC, Breastfeeding EPIC Program Director at 404-881-5095 or email her at kfors@gaaap.org.
Pediatric Foundation Golf Tournament Sets Down at Settindown Creek: The foundation's annual golf tournament will be held Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008 at Settindown Creek Golf Course in northwest Atlanta. The Settindown has the reputation as one of the city's top courses so golfers are in for a real treat that day. Mark your calendar now for this annual fund raiser for the Chapter's foundation. More information to follow.
Medicaid HMO problems: Many of our members continue to encounter difficulties in dealing with the Medicaid HMOs, now enter their second year in the Georgia Medicaid and Peachcare program. While the Chapter doesn't have a staffer at this time dedicated to this important service area, we request that you email questions and issues to us at medicaidquestions@gaaap.org. We will try to answer them and assist you as best we can.

To reach us....

Georgia Chapter
American Academy of Pediatrics

1330 West Peachtree Street NW, Suite 500, Atlanta, Georgia 30309-2904
Office hrs. 8:30am - 5:00pm EST Phone: 404-881-5020 Fax: (404) 249-9503

See Staff Directory for direct phone lines & email addresses for staff members.

Direct questions & comments on the medical content of this website to Website Editor, at drmacleod@att.net.