Pro Bono Publico - American Academy of Pediatrics National ...

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PRO BONO PUBLICO continued from page 1
access to care for children in need.
Some political pundits argue the
Chief Justice voted for the common
good of the court. Last week I was
asked to consult on a child from a
rival practice, a consult that led to
multiple consults; competing practices
all pitched in for the common
good of the child and his family.
Medicaid helped. At my institution,
our very first pediatric interns are
now entering their second year of
residency and are readily guiding the
new interns and medical students,
contributing to the common good
of the residency program. This
weekend an article in the New York
Times reported a study that found
that spending money for the good
of others made one happier than
spending money on oneself. And
yesterday I received the minutes of
the recent AAP Combined District
VI/VII meeting in which Jeff Britton,
vice president of the Wisconsin
Chapter, wrote that we members of
the AAP should “focus on
the ‘pediatric soul,’ i.e.,
we are here because of
the desire to do something
good for the children.”
These random yet
intertwining occasions
lead me
Pediatric Bowl (V4069)
Tuesday, October 23
12:30 PM-1:30 PM
Ernest N. Morial
Convention Center
Special Non-CME Event Free to
Conference Attendees
‘Pass a good time’ at the Pediatric Bowl! Play along
with Louisiana’s pediatric residency programs
competing for the meconium cup. Defending
Champions (2003) Bonnie Desselle/Paul Cooper
and their “Tchoupitoulas Tigers” from Louisiana State
University will compete against Todd Washko and his
“Gris-gris Green Waves” from Tulane University and
newcomers Alston Dunbar and his “Cajun Krewe”
from Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital Baton
Rouge. Who dat They’re the famed facilitators
of fun! Watch moderators Lewis First, editor of
Pediatrics; Marshall Land, American Board of
Pediatrics; and William Gerson, University of Vermont
College of Medicine challenge the rising stars of
pediatrics.
playfully to the next paragraph.
To me, the NCE is the theater
for medical students, residents,
fellows, faculty, and private practitioners
to play their role and
find their pediatric soul. In the
mirthful midst of receptions, Kid’s
Camp, Mardi Gras World family
night festivities, Pediatric Bowl,
and Fun Run, there are section
meetings, plenaries, business luncheons,
workshops, and seminars
dedicated to improving and advocating
care for children. Rex would
approve of this forum for mixing
pleasure with business.
This month’s issue of AAP Today
touches on ADHD treatments,
UTI diagnosis and therapy, and the
proper use of the ophthalmoscope.
This issue also teases you with
lighthearted blurbs about other
NCE affairs. View the clip on the
Pediatric Bowl and make sure you
read the humorous yet true story of
an attendee in the article “Faculty
Approach 25-Year Teaching Milestone
at AAP Conference.”
I suspect Rex also asserts,
“Multa veritas tenuit in iocum”
or, in English, “Many a truth
is held in jest.” I always believe
there is truth in humor, and one
is truly happy and entertained
when helping others. I like Rex,
and I like his kingdom. New
Orleans is just the right host city
for this year’s NCE where we will
meet “pro bono publico” and
have fun.