This year we inaugurate the State Chapter Award of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Made possible by a grant from Wyeth Laboratories and established to pay recognition to State Chapters for outstanding programs in furtherance of the Academy's objectives, the award consists of a check for $2,500, to be used by the chapter to further improve its program, and a handsome plaque.
To initiate this award, the Executive Committee of the Academy has selected as the recipient the State Chapter known as Section 2, District II (New York) under the chairmanship of Dr. Herbert L. Elias. Section 2 of District II is made up of the pediatricians practicing or working on Long Island. This chapter has been recognized for a broad program actively pursued, to further the best interests of pediatrics and child health. More specifically, Section 2 of New York was the first chapter to publish a News Letter, known as the Long Island Pediatrician, and published for ten years. This was also the first Academy chapter to Preselit continuing postgraduate courses. These are presented each fall on three evenings a week for six or seven sessions. The Chapter's "Directory of Services for the Handicapped Child" lists and describes the various services in the Long Island and New York area. Of its many active committees those on Fetus and Newborn, Juvenile Delinquency, the Handicapped Child, School Health, Accident Prevention, Hospital Outpatient Care and Postgraduate Courses, have had community programs in the past year.
Of several past State Chairmen who have contributed considerably to this fine program, we should mention Thurman B. Givan, John A. Monfort, Harry R. Litchfield, Samuel Karelitz and now Herbert L. Elias.