2010 Outstanding Chapter Award
The Idaho Chapter of the AAP was very honored to receive the Small Chapter award. When the award money was received our Executive Committee looked at important programs and issues that were happening in our state and that matched the mission and goals of our Chapter. With that in mind we gave the Idaho Immunization Coalition $500. This Coalition is a brand new not for profit organization that the Idaho Chapter has been crucial in helping to establish; dedicated to improving the immunization rates in our state. This donation helped the Coalition with some initial start up fees; stationary, web site design, handouts etc. Dr. Tom Patterson our AAP President is also the Chair of this Coalition and his passion for improving our immunization rates is felt throughout our state by his actions.
During Dr. Hardin’s tenure as President working on medical homes issues was a top priority. The Idaho Chapter donated $500 to the Idaho Medical Home Community to further their work in the areas of medical homes working with family medicine and pediatricians in the state.
Dr. Kathy Stephens is our Disaster Preparedness representative and has been working hard to get the message out to families in our communities about the importance of being prepared especially those with children and children with special health care needs. Each September, Boise hosts the largest 5K women’s only run, walk and stroll in the country; attracting over 10,000 women. Prior to the actual 5 K there is a two day Women’s Show were over 15,000 women and their families visit vendors and booths and pick up their race numbers and packets. The Idaho Chapter decided to have a booth at this Women’s Show, September 22-23, 2011 with the focus on disaster preparedness. Our vendor space was $750 and in addition we spent $1400 in brochures, handouts, booth displays and a small stipend to staff for staffing this both for the two full days. The feedback was very positive from families that stopped by the booth. We had check lists for families to take home to assist in putting together their disaster preparedness backpacks. In addition we have a defined space on our web site where families and health care providers can go to get more information on disasters.
At this point we have spent $3200 and when our board meets in January we will addressing other programs that we might want to focus on with the additional funds. As a very small chapter and when over 90% of our income comes from dues, this award has allowed us to help other programs and develop programs new for our chapter and our state. If you have any questions, feel free to call me.
Sherry Iverson, Executive Director
