American Academy of Pediatrics. South Carolina Chapter.

The mission of the South Carolina Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (SCAAP) is "to enhance communications between members of the South Carolina Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, parents in South Carolina, and others invested in the health and well-being of children" . The American Academy of Pediatrics was founded in 1930, and the South Carolina chapter was established in 1952. At a 1951 meeting of the South Carolina Pediatric Society (SCPS), Dr. Joseph I. Waring was elected to head a committee that would draft the constitution of the SCAAP. The constitution was accepted at the September 9, 1952 meeting of the South Carolina Pediatric Society, and Dr. Waring was elected the first chairman of the SCAAP. During the early years of the organization, SCAAP meetings were held in conjunction with meetings of the SCPS. The SCPS and the SCAAP were merged into a single organization in 1970 after three years of planning and review. One of the primary activities of the SCAAP was to form committees that addressed issues pertaining to the health and well being of South Carolina's children. These committees focused on accident prevention, newborn health, infectious diseases, school health, and the Head Start program. Committee members worked with local and state agencies and officials to adopt changes benefiting children. Committee activities resulted in improved highway safety laws, the establishment of South Carolina's first two poison control centers, and developing immunization programs for schools in South Carolina. The SCAAP remains an active organization working for the health and welfare of children in South Carolina.