North Carolina Foot & Ankle

The American Board of Pediatrics, founded in 1933, is an independent, nonprofit organization whose certificate is recognized throughout the world as a credential signifying a high level of physician competence. The association is one of the 24 certifying boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties. ABP promotes excellence in medical care for children and adolescents through training, establishment of requirements for certification and setting the standards for examinations. The board awards certificates in general pediatrics and in subspecialty areas, such as adolescent medicine, cardiology, critical care medicine, developmental-behavioral pediatrics, emergency medicine, endocrinology, gastroenterology, hematology-oncology, infectious diseases, neonatal-perinatal medicine, nephrology, pulmonology and rheumatology. The certificates are awarded in conjunction with other specialty boards in the areas of medical toxicology, neurodevelopmental disabilities and sports medicine. ABP has headquarters in Chapel Hill, N.C.

They maintain a close affiliation with child advocacy groups such as the NC Child Advocacy Institute, the Covenant with North Carolina's Children, Commission on Children with Special Health Needs, March of Dimes, NC Day Care Commission, NC Council on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and many others. The State Government Affairs Committee is active in monitoring legislation at the state and federal levels. Pediatricians are also busy working in partnership with the private sector to find solutions to health care problems. NCPS has worked on safety issues such as seat belt regulations, playground safety and pick-up truck safety as well as laws pertaining to child abuse and neglect and the sexual exploitation of children in advertising. NCPS members were instrumental in the passage of North Carolina Health Choice, the State Child Health Insurance Plan ( SCHIP ) for children in families with income up to 200% of the federal poverty guidelines ( up to $36, 200 for a family of 4 in 2002 ).