BUSM’s Sean Palfrey, MD, FAAP, Named First Massachusetts CDC Childhood Immunization Champion

Sean Palfrey
Sean Palfrey

Sean Palfrey, MD, FAAP, professor of Pediatrics and Public Health at BUSM and BUSPH, and Director of the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (MCAAP) Immunization initiative has been named the first Massachusetts recipient of the 2012 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Childhood Immunization Champion Award. Established this year by the CDC, the Childhood Immunization Champion Award recognizes individuals who make a difference in the lives of infants and children through their work in immunization. Dr. Palfrey was nominated for this award by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH).

The selection of Dr. Palfrey was praised by his colleagues. Gregory Hagan, MD, President of the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, said “Sean exemplifies the spirit of the award by providing community and statewide leadership on immunization issues, and collaborating with others to build support for and increase immunization rates of infants and young children. He has been an invaluable and tireless advocate for the critical role of immunizations in child health.”

Susan Lett, MD, MPH, Medical Director of the Immunization Program at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, stated that she could not think of anyone in the state, from any discipline, more ideal to be the first recipient of the Immunization Champion award. “Dr. Palfrey is a builder of partnerships and the MCAAP’s Immunization Initiative which he founded more than 15 years ago has been a model forum for bringing together all stakeholders in childhood immunizations. He is a most effective communicator about vaccines, their importance and safety, to parents, other professionals and legislators.”

Dr. Palfrey has been a practicing pediatrician, teacher, mentor and passionate advocate for child health in Massachusetts for the past 35 years. He is a pediatrician and Professor of Clinical Pediatrics and of Public Health at Boston University. He studied received his MD from Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons, and completed his residency at Tufts New England Medical Center. He has served in many clinical, teaching and administrative roles at the University of Massachusetts, Children’s Hospital, Boston, and Boston Medical Center.

 

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