Press Release: Local Physician honored at the White House as “Champion of Change” In the wake of President Barack Obama’s Climate Action Plan recognizing the need to cut carbon pollution, this week the White House honored 11 individuals as “Champions of Change” who are working to protect public health in a changing climate. Dr. Yadira Caraveo, a pediatrician who practices at Horizon Pediatrics in Thornton was honored for raising awareness about these health consequences and helping her community prepare for climate-related impacts. “I was nominated for work I’ve done around carbon emissions in coal burning power plants.” Caraveo went on to say that millions of American youth children have asthma and carbon emissions have a lot to do with it. Dr. Caraveo’s work began with Union of Concerned Scientists and Voces Verdes while she was in residency in New Mexico. Now that she is practicing general pediatrics in North Metro Denver, she plans to continue her work. “We need to understand that the smog that settles into the bowl that is Denver, is affecting our children’s health and their ability to breath. We order albuterol and oxygen to help our kids breath, but we must address the central issue; clean air.” Dr. Caraveo grew up in North Metro Denver and her large extended family is still here. She went to Northglenn High School, Regis University and University of Colorado School of Medicine. “As a Latina I am naturally drawn to Latino health issues. Nearly 50% of Latinos live in counties that regularly violate the ground level ozone standards set by the EPA. That’s despite the fact that our standards for clean and safe air aren’t strict enough.” Dr. Caraveo’s child advocacy interests have continued to expand since moving back to Denver, she is currently working with a group in Adams County on streamlining the referral system for children at risk of physical and cognitive delays. She has also worked with the American Academy of Pediatrics lobbying around improved gun control measures given the many tragedies that have affected children locally and nationwide. “As a Pediatrician I care for children day to day, as a child advocate I hope to give them a voice.” Dr. Caraveo joined Horizon Pediatrics in 2012. Horizon is a progressive pediatric practice with offices in Thornton and Green Valley Ranch. Prior to Yadira joining the practice providers there were already involved in child advocacy with a strong commitment to literacy through Reach Out and Read (the practice has given out over 10,000 books to children aged 6 months to 5 years). They are a Colorado Certified Medical Home for Children. They also have a strong commitment to children with educational and developmental needs and work on behalf of low income families both locally and statewide. Dr. Caraveo and Horizon Pediatrics are pleased to be accepting new patients and do so for children with all insurances including Medicaid and CHP. “Every child in America has the right to high quality health care without regard to their insurance.” You may contact Dr. Caraveo and Horizon Pediatrics at 720-929-8300 or at Horizonprimarycare
Posted on: Mon, 15 Jul 2013 14:01:01 +0000