President's Message
Hello everyone,
I am honored to serve as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Chapter President for Oregon, doing my part to lead the Oregon Pediatric Society during a time of unprecedented change in our health system. We are proud that Oregon is moving quickly to realize the goals of the Triple Aim (better care, lower costs and an improved patient experience).
The Oregon Pediatric Society (OPS) is a professional membership organization committed to child health advocacy and supporting the health care providers who care for children in Oregon. We capitalize on their expertise along with our many community partnerships with the ultimate goal to improve the health of Oregon's children so they may grow into healthy, happy adults.
Our organization's goal in the next year is to continue to increase collaboration with the many organizations leading health reform so that children remain a high priority in policy changes at the State level, Coordinated Care Organizations (CCOs), Patient Centered Primary Care Homes (PCPCH) certification requirements, and other programs and systems that influence child health (including as education and mental health). Our organization has an unprecedented number of members on state level committees offering their expertise to health system reform.
Our Screening Tools and Referral Training (START) program continues to support and train practices in early identification of developmental delay, postpartum mood disorders, adolescent depression, management of patients with autism and early identification and management of social risk. This grant supported program continues to train hundreds around Oregon to improve care for Oregon's children.
In the last year, our Reach Out and Read Oregon Program has greatly expanded the number of ROR sites in Oregon, leading to many additional children benefiting from the program. This program hands out books during well-child visits from 6 months through 5 years of age, and teaches families the importance of reading aloud with their children. This national, evidence based program supports improved kindergarten readiness and improved literacy rates.
If these or any other of our many projects interest you and you want to participate, please let us know. We know there is a great pool of passion and expertise out there! Feel free to explore our website to learn about our organization, its programs, and members. We want to support all of our members in the work you are doing. We want to be a resource for general pediatricians in the community, subspecialists, academicians, children’s surgeons and the entire membership of our society who want to advance the health of our patients and families and support the health professionals who care for them.
Best Wishes,
Kenneth Carlson, MD, FAAP
President, Oregon Pediatric Society
President, Oregon Pediatric Society
