TPS Committees & Subcommitties

Want to Join a TPS Committee? Use One of the Methods Below:

 for To find about more about the committee's goals and time commitments please contact the chair of that committee,  at www.txpeds.org/committees/chairs.

ADMINISTRATION and Practice Management -- plans socioeconomic programs and monitors agency programs relating to liability insurance, third party payors, managed care systems, governmental physician-payment programs, and office management.

ADOLESCENCE & SPORTS MEDICINE -- monitors available science and data regarding the broad range of adolescent health and sports medicine issues, and formulates related recommendations for TPS consideration. Areas of recent committee interest and activities have included healthy life styles promotion, health risk behaviors, sexuality and sexual activity/pregnancy, substance abuse, sport safety, mental health screening, and enhancement of health professional education about adolescent medicine and sports medicine.

AWARDS -- recommends to the Executive Board guidelines for the TPS Sidney Kaliski Award of Merit and the Distinguished Service Award; reviews the nominations for these two awards and selects the recipients.

CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT -- reviews issues relating to child abuse and neglect, its causes and prevention and plans annual educational programs for pediatricians.

CHILDHOOD OBESITY -- develops, maintains, and works to disseminate practical guidelines to aid practitioners in the prevention, early recognition and clinical care of children and adolescents with obesity and co-morbid problems; serves as the primary liaison between TPS and other organizational and governmental bodies working on the issue of childhood obesity in Texas and is available to advise TPS on legislative issues and other initiatives related to childhood obesity in Texas.

CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES -- monitors government programs relating to children with disabilities (CSHCN Program, ECI, etc); plans programs for pediatricians on developmental and behavioral problems.

CATCH/COMMUNITY HEALTH ADVOCACY -- promotes the practice of community pediatrics by encouraging and supporting Texas pediatricians in community-based efforts that include but are not limited to: identifying children’s health needs at the community level; advocating for children’s health at the community level, including advocacy for access to care and access to a medical home for every child; promoting children’s health through school health initiatives and school policies; and collaborating with others in the community interested in children’s health, including those involved in child care, injury prevention, and other areas affecting children’s health.

CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS -- writes the changes to the Constitution and Bylaws of the Society, assures the execution of its provisions, and makes suggestions such additions or alterations as it deems advisable; reviews, at the request of the Executive Board or the membership, proposals for amendment or revision; and serves as the long-range organizational planning body for the Society.

Early childhood (formerly PARENTING) -- studies and recommends how pediatricians may enhance their goals in advising parents about breastfeeding and psycho-social aspects of parenting, such as discipline, divorce, sexuality education, daycare and adoption.

PEDIATRIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE -- provides development recommendations for pediatric emergency care systems and information updates to all components of Emergency Medical Services for Children (including office practices, pre-hospital systems, emergency departments, hospitals, and state agencies).

FETUS AND NEWBORN -- as a "Technical Committee", its role is to address issues directed to it by the Executive Board, or generated by members of the Committee itself that concern the fetus and newborn. After research, discussion and the review of draft language, the Committee submits written recommendations to the Executive Board.

HOSPITAL CARE -- addresses issues including delineation of clinical privileges, hospital staffing, provision of clinical and support services, hospitalization of children and guidelines for medical and nursing staffs involved in pediatric inpatient and long-term care.

INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND IMMUNIZATIONS -- monitors current developments and treatment of infectious diseases and immunization schedules, regulations and registry; and oversees the Houston EPIC project.

INJURY PREVENTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH -- reviews and monitors current statistics due to injuries in children and adolescents; assists in programs and projects that address injury and environmental health hazards in Texas; and plans educational activities for Texas physicians.

LEGISLATION -- coordinates all state and federal legislative and regulatory issues effecting Texas children's health and welfare and recommends to the Executive Board the priority state issues. Through a key contact system with state and federal legislators, Texas pediatricians provide input on legislation, regulation, and funding of vital children's health programs.

MEDICAID SUBCOMMITTEE -- works in conjunction with Pediatric Council and the TMA ad hoc committee on Medicaid to assist physicians who see Medicaid patients and to monitor and improve the Texas Medicaid program.

MEDICAL EDUCATION -- organizes the scientific program, the subspecialty section program, and the scientific poster exhibit at the TPS annual meeting in the fall; and assists in organizing the TMA Section on Pediatrics in May.

MENTAL HEALTH -- focuses on integrating appropriate mental health evaluation and services into pediatric care, develops and delivers training programs related to mental health, disseminates research information, addresses billing and reimbursement issues for the provision of mental health services, and evaluates available tools and resources.

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