Advocacy

Besides his commitment to clinical care, education, and research, “Dr. Kempe almost single-handedly influenced the country to do away with smallpox vaccinations as an unnecessary procedure that carried with its unnecessary risks. He made the country aware of the battered child syndrome.”1

Since then, internal and external advocacy has always been a prominent feature of the Section of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology.

It has frequently been recognized for its local and national leadership in infection prevention and control and antimicrobial stewardship and since 1990 has annually analyzed and published Colorado data presented to the State legislature to advocate for improved control of vaccine-preventable diseases, firearm injuries and childhood health disparities, with fellows taking a leading role.

It has been a national leader in advocating and caring for children with acquired immunodeficiency.

In 2020-21 the Section has been widely recognized for its leadership in the care of children with COVID-19 disease and MIS-C.