About the Chapter

The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of over 60,000 pediatricians dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.  The OKAAP is the Oklahoma Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, comprised of over 400 pediatricians around the state of Oklahoma.

Chapter EDI Statement

The Oklahoma Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (OKAAP) agrees with and actively promotes the American Academy of Pediatrics Diversity and Inclusion Statement.

As pediatricians we have a unique responsibility to advocate and help dismantle structural inequities and racism by committing to eliminate disparities, prejudice, and bias.

We celebrate the diversity of children by recognizing differences which may include: race, ethnicity, language spoken at home, national origin, religion, disability and health care needs, gender identity, sexual orientation, geographic location, socioeconomical status, and other attributes.

We are strengthened by the uniqueness of each chapter member in our work to promote justice, respect, inclusion, equity, and diversity in our practices, our chapter activities, our patients, and in our communities.

The OKAAP is committed to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion through education and advocacy.

Advocacy

• Advocates for local public health issues such as immunizations, child abuse prevention, childhood obesity prevention, oral health, smoking cessation, and more for you and your patients.
• Supports state agencies for regulatory, socio-economic, and public health policy issues.
• Builds coalitions with parents and organizations working toward improving the health and well-being of Oklahoma’s children.
• Works to improve issues that affect the quality of care and the profession of pediatrics.Increases your knowledge of and participation in legislative and advocacy activities at a local level.
• Promotes the interests of Oklahoma pediatricians in the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Leadership

• Provides opportunities to participate on Chapter committees driven by high quality patient deliverables and member interests, which include Obesity, Oral Health, Pediatric Council & Practice Management, Young Physicians, Practice Research in Office Settings (PROS),Legislation, Child Abuse and Smoking Cessation.
• Provides opportunities to serve on National AAP Committees and Sections to represent the profession of pediatrics.

Networking

• Provides opportunities to participate on Chapter committees driven by high quality patient deliverables and member interests, which include Obesity, Asthma & Allergy Management, Pediatric Council & Practice Management, Early Hearing Detection & Intervention (EHDI), Resident Relations, Practice Research in Office Settings (PROS), Legislation, & Community Access to Child Health (CATCH) to name a few.
• Provides opportunities to serve on National AAP Committees and Sections to represent the profession of pediatrics.

Education & Communication

• Provides a Chapter website for valuable information and resources, including a job posting service.
• Publishes OK Pediatrician, the bi-monthly Chapter eNewsletter as a resource for the latest health care trends and topics.
• Facilitates important, informative and educational discussion on social media.
• Co-sponsors the Annual Oklahoma CME Conference with OU College of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics.
• Provides free AAP participation for all 3rd and 4th year Oklahoma enrolled pediatric residents.

What has the Chapter done lately?

• Participated in a District-wide Quality Improvement project to improve HPV vaccination rates.
• Developed a pediatric obesity toolkit to assist primary care providers in Oklahoma in their assessment of pediatric overweight, obesity, and related co-morbidities, which was featured in the Journal of the OSMA.
• Raised funds for a vaccine public opinion poll for immunization exemption legislative efforts.
• Worked alongside the OU College of Medicine to reformat the annual CME conference to incorporate practice management topics.
• Coordinated an annual Legislative Conference with the OSMA to discuss and advance the legislative agenda for children and pediatricians.
• Fought to prevent cuts to Medicaid payments for Oklahoma pediatricians.

Membership Dues