New Mexico Pediatric Society

The NMPS PEDIATRIC COUNCIL works toward improving the care of New Mexico children while making certain that the insurers of our state help to cover the care they receive... (read more)

PEDIATRIC RESEARCH IN OFFICE SETTINGS (PROS) is for pediatricians interested in generating new knowledge about child health by participating in practice-based research... (read more)

The NMPS STATE GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE (SGAC) is charged with reviewing and recommending chapter support or opposition for proposed changes in state law... (read more)

The COMMUNITY ACCESS TO CHILD HEALTH (CATCH) program provides grants for pediatricians and residents to plan and/or implement a community-based child health initiative... (read more)

The NMPS EDUCATION COMMITTEE reviews and monitors the field of pediatric education in New Mexico, identifies gaps or areas in need of enhancement, and recommends appropriate programming for the chapter's annual Wylder Lectures pediatric conference... (read more)

THE NMPS CASH FOR KIDZ project seeks to achieve fiscal sustainability for the NMPS into the future. Support can be provided to the chapter by becoming a chapter member, making a charitable donation, or purchasing ad space on our website or in one of our publications. Contact Michael Savitt, MD, NMPS Treasurer at mbsmd1@yahoo.com if you are a chapter member with a fundraising idea or want to be more involved in this effort.

The chapter partners with the Clinical Prevention Initiative (CPI) on vaccine rate improvement, Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Screening and Treatment, and tobacco use prevention and cessation. CPI is a joint project of the New Mexico Medical Society and the New Mexico Department of Health, with pediatric representation on most of the workgroups. CPI was created to promote and support practice commitment and system development for selected high priority services, to facilitate integration of preventive care in physician offices, and to provide better services to patients across the state. Contact Lance Chilton, MD at lancekathy@gmail.com if you are a provider with an interest in participating on a workgroup.

Chapter members learn how to embrace a comprehensive pediatric overweight treatment program by participating in Envision New Mexico's Pediatric Overweight Quality Improvement Initiative (POW QII). Developed in collaboration with Dr. Scott Gee of Kaiser Permanente in California and with support of the NMPS, POW QII provides clinical tools and technical assistance to support an office-based approach to the challenging issue of overweight pediatric patients. Contact Jane McGrath, MD at jmcgrath@salud.unm.edu if your practice would like to participate or you would like information about using this activity to earn MOC credit.

The New Mexico Breastfeeding Task Force is working toward the goal of increasing the frequency and duration of breastfeeding in our state. In 1990 the Task Force joined forces with the NMPS and became an official subcommittee within the Society. Contact Jim Fisk, MD at jim_ml@swcp.com or Emilie Sebesta, MD at esebestae@salud.unm.ed if you are a provider with questions or would like resource information.

The NMPS is working to ensure that all of New Mexico's children receive the best evidence-based preventive healthcare. Through a partnership with Envision New Mexico and the Center for Development and Disability, the Developmental Screening Initiative (DSI) recruits physicians interesting in participating in a practice-based quality improvement project to help with early detection and management of developmental health issues. Contact Cate McClain, MD at cmcclain@salud.unm.edu if you are a provider with questions about the initiative. Contact Jane McGrath, MD at jmcgrath@salud.unm.edu if your practice would like to participate or you would like information about using this activity to earn MOC credit.

The NMPS partners with the New Mexico Immunization Coalition in making sure that all New Mexico children are immunized on time. During "Got Shots? Protect Tots!" events, participating providers open their doors for any child who presents for immunizations, regardless of whether he/she is a patient or whether he/she has insurance. For more information on participating in future events, call Anna Pentler, NMIC ED, at 505/272-5796.

Each fall, the NMPS partners with KOB studios to coordinate a statewide televised Children's Health Hotline. The hotline is in place during the evening news broadcasts to assist parents in overcoming system, social and cultural barriers which otherwise may separate their children from health care. This is facilitated by volunteer pediatricians that provide information and referrals to anonymous callers. Contact us at jruddy@nmpeds.org if you would like more information or to be included in a future call for volunteers.

Ben Hoffman, MD, NMPS President has helped the chapter promote child passenger safety in New Mexico. Ben serves as vice- chair for Safer New Mexico Now which provides a National Child Passenger Safety Certification Training course for individuals who wish to become certified technicians capable of performing child safety seat inspections, education, and installations. For more information, contact Ben at bhoffman@salud.unm.edu or call the Safer Program Coordinator at 505/856-6119.

In 2005, the Children's Cabinet was established in New Mexico statute with bi-partisan support. In response, the Early Child Action Network (ECAN) was created as an advisory committee to make recommendations on how to improve the well being of New Mexico's youngest children, birth to five. The NMPS in partnership with ECAN meets twice a year to develop comprehensive, coordinated action plans related to Children's Cabinet -related outcomes. Contact Larry Shandler, MD at shandlerlaurence@qwestoffice.net if you are a provider interested in learning more about supporting ECAN.

The Be Our Voice campaign engages healthcare professionals as the voice of children in the fight against childhood obesity, ensuring that this collective voice is heard by legislators who make and enforce the rules and regulations that affect children's health. The first advocacy training in New Mexico was coupled with the chapter's annual conference in 2010. Contact John Ratmeyer, MD at john.ratmeyer@gimc.ihs.gov if you are a provider interested in participating in future events.

The Child Health International Program (CHIP) provides funding for international rotations through funds raised and donated by the NMPS membership. Contact Aaron Jacobs, MD, CHIP Chair at ajacobs@salud.unm.edu for further information or if you are a pediatric resident who would like to discuss your plan for an international advocacy project.

Medical students who are considering Pediatrics as a specialty, who are interested in what a pediatrician does, and who want to work with and learn about children are invited each year to the "It's Just Mentoring" Happy Hour; a "speed dating" take on mentorship at the Wylder Lectures pediatric conference. Contact Stephanie Nevarez-Fernandez, MD, at nevarezfernandez@yahoo.com if you would like to volunteer as a mentor next Wylder.