Below is a news release on presentations at the 2009 National Conference and Exhibition (NCE) of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Awards to five “Pediatric Heroes” will be presented during plenary sessions October 16 - 20 at the NCE in Washington, DC.

For Release: Friday, Oct. 16, 2009

WASHINGTON, DC – Imagine facing difficult situations and daily challenges that can forever change a child’s life. Now, imagine how it feels to be the hero. Last fall, The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) reached out to parents, patients and colleagues to nominate a “Pediatric Hero,” a pediatrician who provides exceptional care for patients and parents, speaks up for the underprivileged and underserved, and makes a commitment to children and to lifelong learning.

After receiving nearly 400 nominations, members of the AAP National Conference and Exhibition (NCE) planning group and AAP staff selected the final winners – four pediatricians who exemplify what it means to be a hero to children. They are Catherine Bartlett, MD, FAAP; Scott Cohen, MD, FAAP; Bhagwan Das Bang, MD, FAAP; and Joseph Peter, MD, FAAP. In addition, the AAP will present Jennifer L. Schening, DO, FACOP, FAAP, with the Arnold P. Gold Foundation Humanism in Medicine Award for her work on behalf of children in foster care.

Each member will be honored at a daily plenary session. Dates and times of award presentations can be found in the AAP Program Guide. Here are excerpts from each winning entry:

Catherine Bartlett, MD, FAAP: Pediatricians see more children suffering from hearing loss than any other disease. After Dr. Catherine Bartlett attended a symposium on early diagnosis of hearing loss 20 years ago in her current hometown of Northampton, Mass., she decided to do something about it. By identifying hearing loss at birth and providing immediate intervention, Dr. Bartlett discovered that a deaf child could still learn to talk and listen rather than rely solely on sign language. Since newborn screenings weren’t common at the time, Dr. Barlett was instrumental in establishing the first Newborn Hearing Screening Program in western Massachusetts, which served as a model for several other programs around the country. “Being a champion for children is an honor and a duty that goes with being a pediatrician,” Dr. Bartlett said. “I believe that deaf children should be given the opportunity to be part of the larger world, and now that nearly all states have newborn hearing screening, I continue to work on the challenge of providing follow up and habilitation to these infants so they may listen and speak.”

Scott J. Cohen, MD, FAAP: Dr. Scott Cohen founded Global Pediatric Alliance (GPA) in 2002 to offer educational workshops for indigenous midwives and health practitioners in Latin America. He recognized that training lay practitioners could empower them to improve the quality of care for women and children and lower the rates of maternal and infant mortality in poor, rural areas. Today, in addition to the many trainings, GPA has funded many grassroots community groups.  These grants have funded the construction of ecological toilets and rainwater catchment systems, and also have funded programs for improving prenatal care for women in the region. The trainings and grants program are guided by Dr. Cohen’s commitment to cost-effectiveness, sustainability and empowerment, and continues to help women and children in Latin America. When asked about his accomplishments, Dr. Cohen said, “There is no greater privilege than to practice medicine as a pediatrician. It offers a chance to build close trusting relationships with patients and their families, which enables one to advocate in a meaningful way for children. Whether our work takes place domestically or abroad, pediatricians should honor and embrace this unique opportunity.” Dr. Cohen currently serves as a general pediatrician at Kaiser Permanente in San Rafael, Calif.

Bhagwan Das Bang, MD, FAAP: Residents of Opp, Ala., found a hero in Dr. Bhagwan Bang, a generalist pediatrician dedicated to serving low-income and underprivileged families. Dr. Bang is known for going above and beyond in his small, rural town by making himself available 24 hours a day. He gives his cell phone number to patients and parents, reducing unnecessary and costly emergency room visits. A parent who nominated Dr. Bang says the impact he has had on her family is a mere glimpse of the impact he has had on their community. Dr. Bang is a frequent contributor of clinical articles to many pediatric trade publications. He also serves as preceptor for medical students doing rural rotations. “I began to realize that proper medical care at birth and during childhood has a lasting impact on one’s whole life,” Dr. Bang says. “The joy of being able to be of service to children, who are our future, is gratifying. I feel immense joy when a young child greets me with a hug, when and wherever he sees me!”

Joseph P. Peter, MD, FAAP: Dr. Joseph Peter was nominated to be a pediatric hero by several families, patients and community leaders in his hometown of Crestview, Fla. For the past five years, Dr. Peter has hosted a free clinic for families without health insurance several times a year. He also runs an Asthma Allergy Health Fair, where guest speakers educate parents and students on asthma, allergies and obesity prevention. Dr. Peter also participated in a “No Child Without Health Care” event, in which 500 African-American children received free physicals. “See all sick children regardless of financial status.” Dr. Peter said. “Sponsoring sports teams and working clinics for the underserved are all ways to make an impact outside of our individual practices and affect the well-being of a community.” His latest community project YES –Youth Exercise and Screening Program addresses overweight and obesity. Dr. Peter is a hero to many, and continues to give tirelessly to his community.

Jennifer Leigh Schening, DO, FAAP, winner of the Arnold P. Gold Foundation Humanism in Medicine Award

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is proud to honor Jennifer Leigh Schening, DO, FAAP, with the Arnold P. Gold Foundation Humanism in Medicine Award. The award will be given to Dr. Schening at the Pediatrics for the 21st Century: Fostering Healthy Futures symposium on Friday, October 16.

This award is presented annually on behalf of The Arnold P. Gold Foundation in collaboration with the Council of Medical Specialty Societies to a practicing physician selected by fellow members of the physician’s medical society.

Dr. Schening was nominated by several parents on behalf of her work with children and youth in foster care. She opened her practice to see more than 30 percent of the children in the custody of the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) in Kane County, Ill. She takes time with each patient and parent to answer all of their questions. She is known as a thorough and compassionate medical team member for many foster care children who are not always treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.

In the words of one parent, “Dr. Schening is my hero, my quarterback, my lifeline, my angel. This woman was born to be a doctor, she was born to be a pediatrician – not to mention her passion for foster children.” Another parent states, “Dr. Schening helped me navigate my foster child’s many medical needs and instilled in our family the confidence necessary to care for them.”

When asked how she would encourage or inspire her peers, Dr. Schening replied, “I thought if I could change one child’s life for the better, then I would have met a great goal. I then started wondering why I set my sights so low.” She adds, “My children in foster care inspire me, and I am always ready to be a stable medical home for them. One of my favorite lines from a movie is ‘Everyone needs a hero.’ My question to you is, ‘why can’t you be that hero?”

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The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 60,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.