Advocating for the health and well-being of Ontario children and representating the voice of its pediatricians
About the Pediatricians Alliance of Ontario (PAO)
The Pediatricians Alliance of Ontario advocates for the health and well-being of Ontario children and represents the voice of its pediatricians.
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Pediatricians make up roughly 1300 of Ontario’s 24,000 physicians.
Of the 1300 pediatricians in Ontario, about one third are sub-specialists and work in or are affiliated with academic centers such as the Hospital for Sick Children, CHEO, CHWO and McMaster Children’s as well as places like Bloorview MacMillan. Another third work in so-called alternative funding positions with varying affiliations, leaving the last third in community practice, covering community hospitals and office practices offering both primary and consulting care.
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The Pediatricians Alliance of Ontario is the Ontario Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and is partnered with the Pediatrics Section, OMA.
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Goals and Objectives
The Purpose of the PAO is to:
Promote and enhance the highest quality of health care delivery to children and youth in Ontario and beyond;
Advocate, as a recognized pediatric authority, for improved health on behalf of children and youth in Ontario;
Promote the education, leadership capacity, and well-being of Ontario pediatricians;
To advance the awareness of the role Ontario pediatricians play in the health and well-being of Ontario children, youth and families; as well as their valued role in the education and support provided to ancillary health care providers;
To utilize American Academy of Pediatrics’ resources and other appropriate alliances to advance PAO activities.
Pediatricians Alliance of Ontario (PAO) , receives prestigious award
2020 Award of Chapter Excellence
As the Ontario Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the PAO is recognized for its efforts during 2020 advocating on behalf of Ontario's children.
PAO Top Five Priorities
1. Children's Mental Health
We are alarmed by the lack of access to mental health resources, making this our number one priority for advocacy.
2. Healthy, Active Living
We advocate for daily outside activity and less screen time. We support Health Canada’s position recommending 60 minutes of physical activity per day.
3. Vaccinations
We believe that vaccinations should be mandatory for all children in Ontario.
4. Literacy
We recommend that parents/guardians read to children a minimum of 15 minutes per day and early intervention with evidence-based reading programs for school-aged children struggling to read.
PONDA Advocacy Toolkit for Literacy Based Learning Disabilities
5. Transition of Care
We support policy easing the transition of care for children with complex needs.