Fletcher Allen, a Vermont university hospital and medical center, serves all of
Vermont and the northern New York region. Located in Burlington, Fletcher Allen is a regional, academic healthcare center and teaching hospital in alliance with the University of Vermont.
Vermont Children's Hospital Leader Wins National Media Award
October 21, 2010
Michael Carrese
Marketing and Communications
802-847-2886
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has named Lewis R. First, MD, FAAP, chief of Pediatrics of the Vermont Children’s Hospital at Fletcher Allen, and chair of Pediatrics at the UVM College of Medicine, winner of the 2010 Holroyd-Sherry award for his efforts to further the use of the media in advancing children’s health.
The award citation praised his popular "First with Kids" newspaper column and radio and TV segments and noted that Dr. First, who is editor in chief of the AAP’s journal Pediatrics had "spearheaded the acceptance and publication of media research and commentaries" in his role as editor.
"I am so honored to receive this award as a reflection of what we as pediatricians strive to do in using the media positively to improve the care we provide to children and families," he said.
"Dr. First carries on the tradition of Drs. H. James Holroyd and S. Norm Sherry as ardent spokespersons, researchers, and advocates of media literacy. His unique abilities as an educator, editor and media personality have made him an ideal advocate for promoting health through effective use of media. He is a recognized AAP leader for understanding how media can affect child health and development," said Robert Block, MD, FAAP, President-Elect of the AAP.
For the past 14 years, "First with Kids" has been a fixture in local Vermont papers, and on radio and television stations. The columns and segments provide parents with information and advice on a wide range of medical, developmental and social issues in an upbeat, accessible and often humorous way. Starting on October 25, "First with Kids" segments will be featured in news programs on WPTZ-Channel 5 as follows:
- Monday afternoons on their "First at Five" broadcasts airing at 5 pm
- Tuesdays during the 5 am and 6 am newscasts on "Today at Five."
"First with Kids" is also broadcast weekly on WOKO 98.9 FM. Video segments are available at www.fletcherallen.org/firstwithkids as well as at www.wptz.com.
About the American Academy of Pediatrics
The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 60,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.
About Fletcher Allen
Fletcher Allen Health Care, together with our partners at the University of Vermont College of Medicine and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, is Vermont’s academic medical center. Our mission is to improve the health of the people in the communities we serve by integrating patient care, education and research in a caring environment. Fletcher Allen serves as a regional referral center -- providing advanced care to approximately one million people in Vermont and northern New York -- and as a community hospital for approximately 150,000 residents in Chittenden and Grand Isle counties. With more than 30 patient care sites and 100 outreach clinics, programs and services throughout the region, Fletcher Allen is committed to being a national model for the delivery of high-quality academic health care for a rural region. For more information about Fletcher Allen, visit our Web site at www.fletcherallen.org.
