AzAAP Over Time HIGHLIGHTS FROM RECENT PAST PRESIDENTS MARY RIMSZA, MD, 1991-1994 What were some of the major issues that you dealt with during your tenure as President? Hired new executive director I wanted to especially work on child abuse prevention and injury prevention. The issues included passing an infant restraint bill, preventing gun violence, pool fencing, funding and support for CPS programs, and support for development of a state Medicaid program. A major event was the passage of the Child Fatality Review Program legislation which turned out to be amazingly valuable because it allows a non-partisan group to speak out annually on the prevention of child deaths using evidence based information. In your opinion, what have been the major changes in Pediatrics that have occurred over your career? Hospitalists caring for children in the inpatient setting rather than their primary care physician The explosion of pediatric subspecialties. When I started my career a general pediatrician not only cared for inpatients, well nursery babies but also cared for those in the NICU and PICU. We also did procedures that are no longer done by generalists including endocscopy, tympanocentesis, management of ventilated patients, central lines. One thing that has not changed and probably never will is that there will never be enough doctors to care for the poor and uninsured. What do you see as the major issues (either in child health or as a profession) that we face today? Increased reliance of parents on the media and movie stars for their medical information. This culture of pseudoscience regarding issues that impact the health and welfare of children is very concerning. We have folks opposing vaccines and assault weapon bans on the basis of mistruths they hear in sound bites on questionable “Coyote” television. What advice do you have for the AzAAP as an organization? I think it’s important to support the needs of our members while continuing to advocate for children, remembering that what is best for pediatricians is usually also what is best for kids.
RICKEY WILLIAMS, MD, MPH, 1994-1997 What were some of the major issues that you dealt with during your tenure as President? ASIIS was just starting. AzAAP Medical Home Project (now called the Medical Services Project) was begun. Please relate a specific event, memory, or experience that serves as a highlight (or lowlight) of your Presidency. Attending the AAP's Annual Leadership Forum in Chicago to see what the national AAP and other chapters were doing. In your opinion, what have been the major changes in Pediatrics that have occurred over your career? General pediatricians are no longer caring for NICU or PICU patients, and some are not taking care of hospitalized patients at all. PediatricDigest, Spring 2013 Page 18