Congratulations to the winners of Washington State Individual Awards:
- Sheryl Morelli, MD, FAAP, for being Washington State’s strongest and most expert advocate for pediatric health care transformation. For years Dr. Morelli has been instrumental in helping the WCAAP understand best practices in pediatric primary care care transformation and value based payment from across the U.S. Dr. Morelli is a tireless champion for how we can more effectively serve kids’ needs upstream in primary care settings – building effective relationships with state health care leaders and clinicians alike and educating them on what is possible.
- Elizabeth Meade, MD, FAAP, for leading Washington State and our pediatric health care professionals to commit to anti-racism and also to build community in a time of disaster. Dr. Meade served as WCAAP president during the COVID-19 pandemic’s first year and was instrumental in positioning the Chapter as an expert resource to pediatric health care providers, state agencies, the Governor’s office, and the media. At the same time, she focused Chapter leadership on the pressing need to focus on equity and anti-racism, supporting the development of an Equitable Care Workgroup, which is now a standing WCAAP committee.
- Thatcher Felt, DO, FAAP, for tireless work to advance child and adolescent mental health and support family well-being. Dr. Felt has been an essential voice in WCAAP efforts to improve kids’ mental health and a strong advocate in Olympia. Dr. Felt has served on the legislature’s Children and Youth Behavioral Health Workgroup, led meetings with individual legislators, and testified in committee hearings. His input has been tremendously valuable on the Chapter’s legislative committee, as co-chair of the health care transformation committee, and as a voice from rural Central Washington. Dr. Felt is also an active participant in the Rural Health group that meets quarterly in Yakima, sharing WCAAP initiatives and bringing concerns from the group back to WCAAP leadership.
Each of these pediatricians exemplifies commitment to excellence and dedication to child health in Washington, and we are grateful for their incredible contributions to our state!