Archives
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Physicians tell House committee: Independent practice for nurse practitioners is the wrong answer for Texas primary care shortage
By Jonathan Nelson
The House Public Health Committee took up several bills that would expand the scope of practice of nurse practitioners on a long day of business on Tuesday, April 25. The hearing had stretched into the evening before TAFP member Emily Briggs, MD, of New Braunfels was called to the podium to speak against House Bill 3395 by Rep. Four Price (R-Amarillo). The bill would grant nurse practitioners independent authority if they practice in a rural area that doesn’t currently have a physician.
“I’m a family physician in Comal County, which means I see patients in my office,” Briggs told the committee. “I also take care of them in the hospital, I deliver their babies, I take care of their babies after delivering them and I also take care of the rest of their family.”
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April is Autism Awareness Month
How Sesame Street models behaviors of inclusion
By Jean Klewitz
When the new Muppet character, Julia, a shy, artistic 4-year-old girl, made her debut on Sesame Street on April 10, 2017, you could tell there was something special about her.
In the episode “Meet Julia,” Big Bird is confused when Julia doesn’t respond to him. Throughout the episode, the characters of Sesame Street present the uniqueness and talents of their new friend to each other. The lively introductions to Julia provide a message of understanding for young viewers watching everywhere. “It’s just that Julia has autism,” Elmo says, “so sometimes it takes her a little longer to do things.”
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National Infant Immunization Week
By Perdita Henry
April 22-29 is National Infant Immunization Week and the Department of State Health Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offer several different ways to help you keep your patients’ parents informed.
The DSHS’s National Infant Immunization Week website features articles and offers printable, bilingual, materials such as the “Protect Two from the Flu” brochure, the “Pertussis Cocooning” brochure, and the “Hepatitis B Vaccine Can Save Your Baby’s Life” poster to assist you in educating your patients about the benefits of immunizations and how they keep those most at risk safe.
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C. Frank Webber Lectureship and Interim Session: We came, we saw, we conquered
By Perdita Henry
It’s the second week of April 2017 and that means TAFP just wrapped up Interim Session and C. Frank Webber Lectureship! It was great to see all of you for two days of business meetings and CME, but there was so much more that happened. In case you were busy with other important tasks, meetings, and networking opportunities, here’s some behind the scenes information.
This year’s CFW had 306 total attendees. Of our total number of attendees, 276 were physicians who had the opportunity to earn up to 17 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ and AAFP Prescribed Credits. More than 100 members helped shape Academy policy and discussed hot topics on a wide range of issues in committee, commission, and section meetings during Interim Session.
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