Colleen A. Kraft, M.D., FAAP, was waiting in her Cincinnati office along with about 30 colleagues when the call came on Nov. 22.
On the phone was AAP President Benard P. Dreyer, M.D., FAAP, who informed Dr. Kraft that she was voted AAP president-elect. She will serve as president for one year beginning Jan. 1, 2018, and follow AAP President Fernando Stein, M.D., FAAP, who took office Jan. 1, 2017. Dr. Kraft ran against Michael T. Brady, M.D., FAAP, of Columbus, Ohio.
Implementing the AAP strategic plan will be a priority when she takes over the 66,000-member organization.
“We as an Academy have brought up some important issues in the strategic plan, like poverty, early brain development and children’s use of media,” Dr. Kraft said. “What I would like to focus on is how we actually implement our strategy. How do we support our practicing pediatricians in addressing poverty, etc.?”
She believes the focus on implementation will help the Academy extend its reach.
Among other topics Dr. Kraft will focus on are maximizing innovative uses of telehealth, including its use for after-hours care of children, and alternative payment models in pediatrics.
The new president-elect is medical director of Health Network by Cincinnati Children’s (HNCC), an innovation lab for alternative payment models with Medicaid managed care. HNCC is a community-based network of providers near Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Dr. Kraft also is associate professor of pediatrics at University of Cincinnati School of Medicine.
This is Dr. Kraft’s second run for the AAP office. In 2008, she ran unsuccessfully against Judith S. Palfrey, M.D., FAAP, who was AAP president in 2009-’10.
For more about Dr. Kraft, visit http://bit.ly/2gyKcVq.
The following national officers also took office on Jan. 1:
District I – Chairperson
Wendy S. Davis, M.D., FAAP
District II – Vice Chairperson
Michael D. Terranova, M.D., FAAP
National Nominating Committee Representative
Abraham Jelin, M.D., FAAP
District IV – Chairperson
Jane Meschan Foy, M.D., FAAP (re-elected)
Vice Chair
Robert C. Gunther, M.D., M.P.H., FAAP (re-elected)
District V – Vice Chairperson
Gerald J. Tiberio, M.D., FAAP (re-elected)
National Nominating Committee Representative
Jeannette Lia Gaggino, M.D., FAAP
District VII – Chairperson
Anthony D. Johnson, M.D., FAAP (re-elected)
Vice Chairperson
Gary W. Floyd, M.D., FAAP (re-elected)
District IX – National Nominating Committee Representative
Phyllis F. Agran, M.D., M.P.H., FAAP
In the 2016 AAP election, 14.8% of eligible voters cast ballots. For a list of open positions for district chairs and the National Nominating Committee visit http://www.aappublications.org/news/2016/12/22/DistrictOffices122216