AAP 2011: Presidential Address

Starting with a bang

The American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference & Exhibition 2011 started off with a bang during the Plenary Session. Prior to NCE planning committee chair Dr. Robert Cicco addressing the room, the song “Footloose” starting booming through the ballroom and a video of children dancing appeared, with others dancing in the aisles. Upon catching his breath Cicco thanked everyone for attending and then mentioned the scrubs many of the dancers were wearing. On the back of the scrubs, there was a powerful statement that Cicco reiterated:

“We take care of kids and we vote.”

Presidential address

O. Marion Burton, MD and AAP President, started his address by talking about a YouTube video that had gone viral featuring a little boy who excitedly proclaimed, “I feel happy of myself!” when asked by his dad asked how he felt after riding his bike.

The message of this video was featured throughout Burton’s discussion, only he kept saying, “We feel happy of ourselves!” when discussing the achievements of the AAP over the last year. Achievements he quickly mentioned included:

Bright Futures — “A national health promotion and disease prevention initiative that addresses children's health needs in the context of family and community.”

National Center for Medical Home Implementation — This resource is "for health professionals, families, and anyone interested in creating a medical home for all children and youth.”

2011 Legislation Restricting Physician Counseling on Firearm Safety — “The law limits the ability of physicians, nurses and other medical staff to ask patients, or in the case of children, a parent about guns in the home under threat of sanction by the state’s board of medicine.” The AAP Florida Chapter is fighting against this law saying that it infringes on pediatricians speaking with their patients.

Of course, Burton briefly touched on the most hot button issue in pediatrics—vaccinations. He received a rousing applause upon saying how studies claiming that vaccines cause autism are being debunked with increasing regularity. With celebrity spokespersons making false claims, parents who believe them are in a frenzy over whether to vaccinate their children. Further discussion of this topic will be during Monday’s session, “America’s Anti-Vaccine Movement.”

In his closing remarks, Burton left every audience member with the following message:

“Just believe and keep on practicing.”