Dr. Tommy Schechtman Recognized for CDC Childhood Immunization Champion Award

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Tallahassee, Fla. — Today, the Florida Department of Health recognized Dr. Tommy Schechtman for being named the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Childhood Immunization Champion for Florida. Dr. Schechtman was recognized as a Champion for his exemplary work to promote childhood vaccination in Florida. This annual award honors individuals who go above and beyond to improve public health by promoting childhood immunizations in their communities.

“As a community pediatrician who also works with his local school district and is appointed to the statewide board that oversees Florida’s Children’s Health Insurance Program, Dr. Schechtman voices the importance of childhood through advocacy at every possible opportunity,” said State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. Celeste Philip. “His work educating other health care providers and the public on the benefits of vaccination and advocating for effective vaccine policy have a positive impact on the health of his community and our state.”

“Dr. Schechtman’s perspective on children’s health, and the role preventive care plays within it, has been an asset to the Florida Healthy Kids Corporation in our focus to enroll children in comprehensive health insurance that provides routine care, such as immunizations, to keep them healthy and engaged in all aspects of life,” said Chief Executive Officer of the Florida Healthy Kids Corporation Rebecca Matthews. “Congratulations to Dr. Schechtman for this well-deserved award.”

Dr. Schechtman earned his Master of Public Health from the University Of Texas School Of Public Health and continued on at the University of Texas to earn his medical degree with specialties in Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics and General Pediatrics. He completed his residency in pediatrics at the Baylor College of Medicine, and he is board-certified in both general pediatrics and behavioral health. He is one of the two founding partners of his current practice, Pediatric Partners, and is the immediate past president of the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Schechtman has served on the Florida Healthy Kids Corporation Board since 2013.

Dr. Schechtman works to increase childhood immunization rates by supporting various vaccine campaigns, speaking on panels and educating other doctors about their role in childhood vaccines. He is a medical consultant for Palm Beach County School District, supporting local efforts to immunize young children. He also advocates for adherence to national pediatric vaccination recommendations, and has worked with local hospitals to ensure administration of  the hepatitis B vaccine at birth. Through immunization coalition activities, he builds partnerships and encourages other participants to unite in offering immunization and support services throughout Florida.

CDC Childhood Immunization Champions were selected from a pool of health professionals, coalition members, community advocates and other immunization leaders. State Immunization Programs coordinated the nomination process and submitted nominees to CDC. One winner was selected in each of the participating states and the District of Columbia.

For profiles of other 2017 CDC Childhood Immunization Champion award winners, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/niiw/champions/profiles-2017.html

To learn more about the department’s efforts to increase immunization rates in Florida, visit the Immunization Section website.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

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