On May 23, 2019, Governor Jared Polis signed SB19-228 Substance Use Disorders Prevention. The new law, section 12-30-114, C.R.S., requires the Colorado Medical Board (Board) to adopt rules on substance use prevention training for prescribers. The Board’s new Rules went into effect on March 30, 2020, and require any physician or physician assistant seeking a…
Proper vaccine administration is critical to ensure that vaccination is safe and effective. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Colorado Immunization Branch (CIB) recommend that all healthcare personnel who administer vaccines receive comprehensive, competency-based training on vaccine administration policies and procedures BEFORE administering vaccines. Comprehensive, skills-based training should be integrated into…
A press release from the Governor’s Office. In anticipation of the first shipments of Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines in December, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) has collaborated closely with local public health agencies across the state to prepare health care facilities to receive the vaccine. These health care facilities will…
Today, at 1:30 pm, CAFP Board Treasurer/Secretary Alan-Michael Vargas, MD, FAAFP, will be joining one of his COVID-recovered patients to speak at a press conference with Governor Jared Polis. The press conference will discuss the seriousness of this new phase of the pandemic. The press conference will be streamed at the governor’s Facebook page. CAFP…
The Fall 2020 issue of Colorado Family Physician is out. Inside, we introduce Gina Carr, MD, the new president of the board, and discuss the latest approaches and education for family physicians. We also discuss suicide prevention, essential cybersecurity practices, and we launched our 2021 CAFP Award Nominations. And don’t forget the CME!
At first glance, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) pediatric (i.e., child and adolescent) and adult immunization schedules can appear overwhelming and difficult to understand. Fortunately, there are instructions, additional information, and resources to better understand both schedules: Instructions and Additional Information Tables and corresponding information: The pediatric and adult immunization schedules have brief…
CAFP Board Member Cleveland Piggott, MD, MPH, has been named the Vice Chair for Diversity, Health Equity, and Inclusion at the The University of Colorado Department of Family Medicine (DFM). This is a wonderful step for Dr. Piggott, who has devoted his life toward social justice and health equity. We are so proud of Dr….
The Colorado Academy of Family Physicians (CAFP) Board of Directors has selected Ryan Biehle, MPH, MPA, as its next Executive Vice President (EVP) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective October 1, 2020. Ryan will succeed outgoing CEO Raquel J. Alexander, who is retiring on November 30, 2020. Ryan has over a decade of experience in…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: DENVER, COLORADO – The Colorado Academy of Family Physicians (CAFP) and American Academy of Pediatrics – Colorado Chapter (AAP-CO) support and fully endorse the order issued today by Governor Jared Polis requiring the use of cloth masks in Colorado. This order comes as Colorado is facing a rise in new COVID-19 infections….
The last few months have seen a tremendous upheaval in our society, from the COVID-19 pandemic to, more recently, a mass movement to demand action in response to police brutality toward people of color. We as doctors are not immune from this upheaval. I am so proud of how all of you have responded to…
While Colorado and the world focus on the spread of the coronavirus, this year’s influenza season is proving especially bad for children. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 166 pediatric flu deaths nationally, the highest number seen since recently with the exception of the 2009 H1N1 pandemic. In Colorado, pediatric flu deaths…
The office of Governor Polis has provided some updates and information about the state’s pandemic response. We have lightly edited this information for the benefit of our members. Quick Links to Stay Up to Date Governor’s Facebook Page covid19.colorado.gov Topline Update As of 4/1/20, Colorado has 3,342 cases and 620 hospitalizations out of 18,645 completed…