50 Years of Supporting Pediatrics
50 Years of Championing Better Health for Illinois Children & Families
Since our founding in 1975, ICAAP has been a driving force for children's health across Illinois, from lobbying for the state's first car seat law to launching COVID-19 vaccination initiatives reaching communities statewide. Explore the milestones, the advocates, and the wins that have shaped five decades of pediatric care in our state below.
Agnes D. Lattimer, MD, FAAP was elected ICAAP president, the first African- American woman in that role, and served from 1984 to 1986. In 1986, she was appointed medical director of Cook County Hospital, the first female African-American medical director of a major hospital.
Gary Gardner, MD, FAAP elected as ICAAP president and served as chair of its Accident and Injury Prevention Committee after being named Pediatrician of the Year in 1986. Since 2013, the H. Garry Gardner Keynote has been a staple at our Annual Education Conference.
Reach Out and Read Illinois launched
Scott Allen hired as executive director of ICAAP, a post he held until 2015
Senate Bill 101 passed the Illinois General Assembly and signed by Governor Pat Quinn, ensuring insurance equity
Jennie Pinkwater hired as executive director
ICAAP launched Illinois Vaccinates Against COVID-19 (I-VAC) with a $5 million grant, in partnership with Extension for Community Health Outcomes-Chicago at the University of Chicago and the Illinois Academy of Family Physicians, to support the expansion of COVID-19 vaccine administration into routine clinical workflows.
New ICAAP logo launched
On October 24, ICAAP leaders joined Governor JB Pritzker at a press conference recognizing the Reach Out and Read program in Rockford, IL. Governor Pritzker recognized ICAAP by saying, “I want to also shout out to the Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics for their partnership. None of this happens without leadership. And they are, at least from my perspective, the folks who are ultimately working with you to make this happen here and across the state.”
ICAAP won AAP’s Award of Chapter Excellence, Very Large Chapter
ICAAP celebrated its 50th Anniversary with a number of key wins in Illinois and celebrated all ICAAP Past Presidents at our Annual Awards Lunch.
Governor JB Pritzker joined state officials, bill sponsors, and public health experts to sign HB 767 which empowers the Illinois Department of Public Health to offer transparent, science-based vaccine guidelines through its expert Immunization Advisory Committee (IAC), while also expanding vaccine access. ICAAP leaders were instrumental in passing this bill.