The Ohio Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics (Ohio AAP), representing more than 2,900 members in the state of Ohio, is proud to announce the recipient of the William H. Cotton Pediatrician Advocate Award to Sarah Denny, MD, FAAP. This award honors a pediatrician who is a strong pediatric legislative advocate.
Dr. Denny is an emergency room pediatrician at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus. This work ignites her passion to speak out publically in the media, statehouse and on behalf of the Chapter to help prevent future injuries and deaths.
Dr. Denny was instrumental in passing legislation in 2014 that allows Ohio schools to purchase and keep epinephrine auto injectors, or epi-pens, in their buildings to treat children in an emergency. She has also testified before or met with lawmakers on many other issues including bike helmets, influenza, and immunizations.
“Simply put, without Dr. Denny, we would not be nearly as successful in advocating for child health and safety legislation,” said Ohio AAP’s lobbyist Danny Hurley.
“Dr. Denny is full of energy, drive, and passion,” said William Cotton, MD, FAAP, the award’s namesake. “You do not want to get in the way of this doctor. She is so dedicated to her work, I get emails from her in the middle of the night while she’s reading up on new Medicaid rules on vacation!”
The Ohio AAP and our members thank Dr. Denny for her hard work in advocacy and improving the health and welfare of Ohio’s children.