The Chronicle

Issue date: 10/31/07 Section: News
Last update: 10/31/07 at 6:16 AM EST

Media Credit: Chronicle file photo Duke Hospital

Doctors traded scrubs for cocktail attire Thursday to celebrate the launch of Docs For Tots North Carolina, a program promoting the importance of young children's health.

DFTNC was launched by Durham's Partnership for Children, which will work with Duke University Health System to encourage doctors to be involved in the healthy development of children and in preventative care.

"The program encourages engaging doctors beyond clinic walls to help ensure that we continue to advocate for children to be healthy and ready to succeed in school and in life," said Marsha Basloe, executive director of Durham's Partnership for Children.

DFTNC is a state affiliate of the national Docs for Tots initiative, based in Washington, D.C.

The group's mission is to develop, support and grow a nationwide network of doctors able to respond to the requests of child advocacy organizations in promoting policies and practices that will improve the health and development of infants, toddlers and preschoolers.

The program was started through grants provided by the local branch of Smart Start, a DPfC-administered fund that ensures that all children of all incomes enter school healthy.

DFTNC hopes to reach children of all families, especially those with low incomes, Basloe said.

"We envision a country where no young child lives in poverty or suffers from disparities in health and development outcomes due to race, ethnicity or socio-economic status," she said. "All young children should have access to quality early care and education, and children's doctors are actively engaged in bringing about these changes."

In the past, DPfC has worked with local businesses and government agencies to promote the health of children in Durham. Local organizations, such as the North Carolina Pediatric Society, are helping DPfC with DFTNC.

George Askew, Docs for Tots' founder and first executive director, spoke at the reception about what he believes must be done in order for the program to succeed, Basloe said.

"Last week he met with members of the program to emphasize the importance of pediatricians to understand early care and education issues including preschool education," she said.

In order for DFTNC to have a successful first year, doctors need to be become heavily involved, she added.

"Evidence suggests that doctors wield an enormous capacity to influence and inform policies, programs and public agendas affecting our youngest children," Basloe said. "By initiating a DFT project and engaging physicians and residents, our medical professionals in the 'city of medicine' will be part of the growing movement of physicians who are defending and protecting children in the most critical of years."

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