NEAAP Executive Committee Election 2024

Members may now cast their vote for the candidates to fill several Nebraska Chapter Executive Board seats for terms beginning in July 2024.

VOTING DEADLINE IS FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2024.

There following positions are up for election
PRESIDENT-ELECT
SECRETARY/TREASURER
OMAHA REPRESENTATIVE (TWO SEATS)
LINCOLN REPRESENTATIVE
OUT-STATE REPRESENTATIVE


PRESIDENT-ELECT:
Matt Gibson, MD is a graduate of the University of Kansas School of Medicine. He trained in pediatrics at the UNMC/Children’s/Creighton combined program in Omaha, NE. Dr. Gibson has been practicing since 2013, the last almost 7 years in practice in Omaha at Methodist Physicians Clinic-Regency. He practices general pediatrics and newborn medicine while also serving as physician champion on vaccines and HPV, as well as on the Executive Board of Methodist Physicians Clinic. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and has served on the NE AAP board for 4 years as an Omaha representative and the past two years as Secretary/Treasurer. He works with the Chapter as a Social Media Co-Chair as well as previously helped to redesign and update its website. He enjoys spending free time with his spouse, two sons, and two crazy dogs. Dr. Gibson is board certified in Pediatrics.

SECRETARY/TREASURER:
Kenneth (Ken) Zoucha, MD received his medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 1988 and completed his internship and residency in in Pediatrics in 1991 during which time he served as the Chief Resident for the Department of Pediatrics from 1990 – 1991. Dr. Zoucha is currently Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the Addiction Division for the Department of Psychiatry. He is also the program director for the Addiction Medicine fellowship at UNMC with Family Medicine as the sponsoring residency. He developed a pilot project for an executive fellowship in addiction medicine to provide an intensive educational experience for current medical providers. Prior to his current position he served as Medical Director of Hastings Juvenile Chemical Dependency Program at the Hastings Regional Center that started in 2012. Dr. Zoucha practiced as a general pediatrician from 1991 until 2010 and was a partner of the Children and Adolescent Clinic, P.C. in Hastings, Nebraska while serving as volunteer faculty at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics. He maintains Board Certification in General Pediatrics and Addiction Medicine and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Fellow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine and a Diplomat of the American Board of Addiction Medicine. Ken enjoys time with his family, including his grandkids and granddogs. He finds peace in the outdoors with frequent walks with his dog and when he has time, enjoys plucking the bass guitar and spinning some wax (aka listening to records).

OMAHA REPRESENTATIVES (TWO SEATS):

Kari Krenzer, MD, is a graduate of The University of Nebraska Medical Center. She trained in pediatrics at the joint UNMC/Creighton residency program in Omaha. Dr. Krenzer has been practicing with Children’s Physicians in Omaha since August of 2001. She has served the past years as an Omaha Representative on the NEAAP Executive Committee. She is board certified and a fellow in the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Joseph (Jay) Snow, MD is a graduate of the Creighton University School of Medicine. He trained in Pediatrics at the University of Nebraska/Creighton University Joint Pediatric Residency program. Dr. Snow has been practicing since 2002 as a Pediatric Hospitalist at Children’s Nebraska, Omaha as well as additionally practicing at Nebraska Medicine, Madonna, Bryan, and St. Elizabeth’s over subsequent years.  Jay is also an Associate Professor at the University of Nebraska College of Medicine and volunteer faculty at Creighton University School of Medicine and is a fellow in the American Academy of Pediatrics.  Jay previously served on the Nebraska Chapter AAP board while serving as Chief Resident 2001-2002.  He is board certified in Pediatrics and will be sitting for the Pediatric Hospital Medicine boards this fall.

LINCOLN REPRESENTATIVE:

Pam Zegers, MD is a graduate of the University of Nebraska Medical College. She trained at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, WI. She completed a chief resident year and then practiced in Milwaukee from 2003-2011 where she was actively involved in residency training and received Outstanding Volunteer Faculty Awards. She relocated back home to Nebraska in Fall of 2011 and has been practicing for 12 years at Complete Children’s Health where she serves as the Vice President. She is board certified in Pediatrics and enjoys the broad scope of practice but has some emphases in Adolescent Health, Adolescent Gynecology, and Behavioral Pediatrics. She has served as a volunteer faculty for Children’s Nebraska and the Lincoln Family Medicine Residency Program and served on the DHHS advisory board for the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program. She spends much of her time at Complete Children’s Health working on marketing, media, and employee relations.

OUT-STATE REPRESENTATIVE:

Melissa Law, MD is a graduate of University of Nebraska College of Medicine. She trained in Pediatrics at the University of Nebraska Medical Center-Children’s Hospital-Creighton combined residency program in Omaha, NE, and served a fourth year as a Co-Chief Resident. Dr. Law has been practicing since 2013, the last 9 years in Grand Island, NE at the Grand Island Clinic. Dr. Law specializes in General Pediatrics and has extra training in lactation and loves following her patients from birth throughout childhood. Dr. Law is on staff at both CHI-St. Francis and Regional Medical Center hospitals in Grand Island, NE. Dr. Law is a volunteer adjunct assistant professor at both University of Nebraska Medical Center-Pediatric Department and Creighton Medical Center-Pediatric Department and is a fellow in the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Law was the recipient of the University of Nebraska Medical Center- Pediatric Department volunteer faculty clerkship teaching award in 2018. She has served the past two years as Out-State Representative on the NEAAP Executive Committee. Dr. Law is board certified in General Pediatrics.

NEACH Advocacy Day at State Capitol – Friday, February 23, 2024

The Nebraska Advocates for Child Health – a collaborative advocacy effort of the Nebraska Chapter AAP and the Nebraska Regional Council of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (ROCAP) – invite member physicians to attend our Third Annual Advocacy Day at State Capitol. Now more than ever, it is important for lawmakers to hear from pediatric health experts as they make decisions that will impact health care and the health of Nebraska’s children and adolescents.

Make your voice heard.

NO PRIOR ADVOCACY EXPERIENCE NEEDED.
Open to seasoned advocates and anyone wanting to learn more about advocating for child health.

TENTATIVE AGENDA: (UPDATED 2.8.24)

8:30 AM – Meet in Children’s Admin Parking Lot (for those wishing to carpool to Lincoln)

9:45 AM – Meet at Nebraska State Capitol, south side entrance

10:00 AM – Group Visits with State Senators

10:30 AM – Lunch & Morning Recap

11:00 AM – Group Visits with State Senators

11:30 AMLunch in the Capitol Cafeteria & Discussion

1:00 PMObserve Legislative Hearing or Meet with Senators

3:00 PM – Leave Capitol

The visits are conducted in groups that will include both experienced advocates and those learning the advocacy process.

REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED. If you are still interested in attending, please email director@nebraska-aap.org

Nirsevimab Resources

As nirsevimab is the first product of its kind, there are many things to consider during the first season of implementation. Below are various resources to support implementation in both inpatient and outpatient settings.  

Ambulatory/Outpatient Practice Resources 

General Resources 

Beyfortus Expert Series Informational Webinars

  • Register online for 30-minute session focused on clinical topics such as MOA, formulary updates, implementation and more.
  • Multiple dates available for sessions with live Q&A

NEAAP Award Nominations

Nominations are now open for two NEAAP Awards:

Outstanding Child Advocate of the Year

  • Recognize a NEAAP member who has contributed to the improvement of child health care at the chapter level. It can also be given for either a special project or for years of service on behalf of children.
  • Nominee must be a current Nebraska Chapter AAP member.
  • Nomination must be submitted from a current Nebraska Chapter AAP member.
  • Consideration Criteria: active involvement in Chapter service or initiatives, involvement in advocacy or community awareness on behalf of child health, involvement in special projects, committees or activities that serve the needs of Nebraska children.

Friend of Child Health

  • Non-medical or medical provider outside of pediatrics (i.e. community leader, lawmaker, provider in a non-pediatric related field)
  • Nomination must be submitted from a current Nebraska Chapter AAP member.
  • Consideration Criteria: performs outstanding service to the betterment of the health of the children and adolescents of the state of Nebraska.

Please note the following restrictions:

  1. Individuals may only nominate one person for each individual award.
  2. Current members of the NEAAP Executive Committee are ineligible to receive these awards.

Deadline for Nominations: Friday, August 25, 2023

Award recipients will be determined by the NEAAP Executive Committee and will be announced at the NEAAP Fall Conference on Friday, October 6, 2023.

Reception for Nebraska AAP Members Attending 2023 NCE

PLANNING TO ATTEND THE AAP NCE IN WASHINGTON DC?
Join us for a reception for the Nebraska Chapter AAP attendees:

Saturday, October 21
6:30-8:30 PM
EDT
Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar
Havanna Room
801 9th St. NW, Ste A
Washington DC

All members of the Nebraska Chapter are invited to attend this reception.
Appetizers and first cocktail on the Nebraska AAP.

Reception for 2023 NCE Attendees

NEAAP Executive Committee Election 2023

Members may now cast their vote for the candidates to fill several Nebraska Chapter Executive Board seats for terms beginning in July 2023.

VOTING DEADLINE IS FRIDAY, MAY 19, 2023.

There is ONE Lincoln Representative seat and TWO Omaha Representative seats up for election.

CANDIDATES:

LINCOLN:

David Meduna, MD, graduated from UNMC medical school in Omaha in 2005. He trained in general pediatrics at the Creighton-Nebraska Universities Health Foundation located in Omaha. Dr. Meduna completed his residency in 2008 and has been practicing general pediatrics since he completed training at Complete Children’s Health in Lincoln, Nebraska. He also works part time with Lincoln Pediatric Hospitalists as a pediatric hospitalist. He started with the Lincoln Pediatric Hospitalist group starting in 2020. Dr. Meduna also participates in clinical research in conjunction with the Midwest Children’s Health Research Institute in Lincoln, Nebraska. He is board certified in General Pediatrics. Dr. Meduna is a member of The Alpha Omega Alpha Medical honorary society. He has been a member of The Nebraska AAP executive committee twice before.


OMAHA:

Hannah Donaldson, MD, is a graduate of Thomas Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, PA. She trained in pediatrics at the University of Michigan. Dr. Donaldson has been practicing general pediatrics since 2018, the last 3 years at the Children’s Physicians clinic in Plattsmouth, NE. Dr. Donaldson has a special interest in community outreach, medical education, and mental health care for children, adolescents, and young adults. Dr. Donaldson is also an assistant professor at UNMC and is a fellow in the American Academy of Pediatrics. In 2022, she was named Outstanding Child Advocate of the Year by the Nebraska AAP and she received the UNMC Department of Pediatrics Faculty Clerkship Teaching Award in 2021. She is currently a chapter member of the Nebraska American Academy of Pediatrics.

Lauren Maskin, MD, is a graduate of the Columbia College of Physicians & Surgeons. She trained in pediatrics at Montefiore Children’s Hospital in Bronx, NY for her intern year, followed by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for the remaining categorical years. Dr. Maskin has been practicing since 2012, for the past 11 years, at the Children’s Hospital & Medical Center. Maskin specializes in Pediatric Hospital Medicine. Maskin also served as the Medical Director for Inpatient Medical-Surgical Services for 9 years and is a fellow in the American Academy of Pediatrics. Maskin assisted in spearheading CHMC/s Workplace Violence Efforts with efforts to change the visitor management system, helped to create the Clinical Pathways program, developed an Observation Unit which then served as a COVID unit (i.e. the Respiratory Assessment Center), and has led multiple quality improvement efforts across the hospital system. She’s been active in hospital policy editing and writing and has served on numerous hospital committees. She’s also active in resident and student education and led the Med Surg Multidisciplinary Mock Code Program for 8 years. Maskin is a new active member of the Nebraska Advocates for Child Health and is looking forward to becoming more involved in the NE Chapter of the AAP as she completes her masters.

Ananya Ray, MD, is a graduate of Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University. She trained in pediatrics at A.I. DuPont Hospital for Children/Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals at Philadelphia, PA. Dr. Ray has been practicing since 2019, the last 2 years in Omaha, NE at Children’s Physicians. She specializes in newborn care and preventative medicine. She is board certified in general pediatrics. Dr. Ray is also an assistant professor at Creighton University and is a fellow in the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Ray was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha National Honor Society as an honorary member in 2018, and was the recipient of the Richard C. Gozon Compassion in Medicine Award at Thomas Jefferson University in 2019. Dr. Ray served as the Omaha representative in the Nebraska Chapter AAP from 2022-2023.

SPRING CONFERENCE 2023

This conference will bring together pediatric medical and mental health providers from across the state for an in-depth look at the post-pandemic state of child mental health. Gain a clear understanding of the impact of the pandemic on child and adolescent mental health disorders while recognizing strategies and available resources in Nebraska.

Nebraska Chapter AAP Seeking Candidates for Executive Committee

We are seeking candidates to fill three seats on the Executive Committee–two Omaha representatives and one Lincoln representative. Each seat is a two-year term beginning July 1, 2023. Email Laura Polak at director@nebraska-aap.org if interested. You will also need to provide 5 statements from current Nebraska Chapter members supporting your bid for office. These may be emails or letters of support.

Advocacy Training Session for Child Health Providers 12/1

Nebraska AAP and the Nebraska Regional Council of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry invite you to hone your advocacy skills at two online training sessions. These sessions are open to all NEAAP and ROCAP members as well as medical students and residents.

The next session, December 1 from 6-7 PM, will feature former Senator Sara Howard providing a lawmaker perspective on to help sharpen your skills and increase your advocacy effectiveness.

We hope you will join us.

2022 Advocacy Sessions - 12/1