Diane M. LeMay, M.D., FAAP, of Licking Memorial Pediatrics, was recognized nationally for her endeavors to protect her young patients through immunizations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) created the CDC Childhood Immunization Champion Award to honor individuals who work at the community level to promote children’s vaccinations against preventable disease. Dr. LeMay was selected to represent Ohio in 2012, which was the inaugural year for the award.
The Licking County Health Department nominated Dr. LeMay in honor of her successful immunization program. In 2010, the Licking County Health Department presented Dr. LeMay and her staff with special recognition for achieving an outstanding 90 percent success rate in ensuring that their young patients are completely immunized by the age of 2 years. A folow up internal audit indicated the percentage further improved to 98 percent. In comparison, the national average is 67 percent.
“We may never fully realize how much Dr. LeMay has done for the community through her immunization initiative,” stated Licking County Health Commissioner Joe Ebel. “Certainly, many of our children have been saved from contracting preventable diseases due to her dedication. We are elated that Dr. LeMay was selected to be the first CDC Childhood Immunization Champion for the state of Ohio. She is an inspiration to everyone who cares about children’s health.”
Dr. LeMay uses every opportunity to immunize her young patients. Her staff runs a daily report from their electronic medical records to show which patients are due for a vaccine, and then they call the patients’ parents to make an appointment. Dr. LeMay checks at every office visit, no matter the original reason for the appointment, to see if any vaccines are due for the patient, as well as any siblings who may also be present. In addition, Dr. LeMay works through the Vaccines for Children program to provide immunizations free of charge if a child’s family is unable to pay, and sometimes even provides taxi tokens for patients who do not have transportation to her office, which is located on East Main Street in Newark.
Rob Montagnese, Licking Memorial Health Systems (LMHS) President & CEO, added, “Dr. LeMay has set the standard for childhood immunizations at LMHS. She has generously shared her experiences with other physicians, and as a result, we now have additional Licking Memorial Pediatrics providers who have surpassed the 90 percent success rate in immunizing children by the age of 2 years. Dr. LeMay is a very caring physician, who works tirelessly to improve the health of children, far beyond the scope of her own practice. She is very deserving of this prestigious award.”
Dr. LeMay first started practicing as a pediatrician in 1991 after earning her Doctor of Medicine degree from Wright State University School of Medicine (now Boonshoft School of Medicine) in Dayton, and completing an internship and residency at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus. She is board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics, and is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She serves on the Advisory Board of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Licking County, and is a member of the Central Ohio Pediatric Society. She also serves on the Practice Management Committee for the Ohio Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She was named a Healthcare Hero by Columbus Business First in 2008, and received Licking County’s Woman of Achievement Award in 2009.
The 2012 CDC Childhood Immunization Champions were announced in conjunction with National Infant Immunization Week, April 21 through 28. Each year, one recipient may be named from each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Thirty-nine states participated in 2012. Information about Dr. LeMay’s immunization initiative is featured on the CDC’s Web site, www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/niiw/champions, along with a description of the other Champions.