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16th National Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect
ACYF Commissioner's Award Book
Joseph F. Hagan, MD, FAAP |
VermontDr. Joseph F. Hagan plays an integral role in creating and assuring safety for Vermont's children in addition to responding to child abuse and neglect. A provider of pediatric care to many of the State's children, he also serves as co-Chair of the Vermont Citizens Advisory Board for the Family Services Division of the Department for Children and Families (DCF) and as the Pediatric Consultant for DCF. Dr. Hagan has worked hand-in-hand with DCF since 1985. In his myriad of roles in association with the Department for Children and Families, Dr. Hagan all in one day may collaborate with a child's community providers to offer optimum services and prevent or limit Family Services involvement, provide care to a hospitalized child, and respond to an emergency call to consult on an allegation of serious physical abuse of a child. He makes himself available to social workers and managerial staff throughout the day and night, at work or on holiday, always willing to provide his expert opinion to address any situation—from failure to thrive to fractures to burns and all that comes in between. Dr. Hagan provides clear and concise information, explaining the mechanics of an injury or illness in layperson language and thus enabling social workers both to understand the situation at hand and to explain it to others. A presiding chair and member of numerous American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) boards and committees, currently Dr. Hagan serves as Chair of the Birth Futures Education Center Project Action Committee and as media spokesperson for the Vermont Chapter of AAP. Locally, from 1995-2000, Dr. Hagan assumed responsibility as the supervising physician for the Spectrum One-Stop Clinic, a clinic providing medical care to homeless, runaway, and at-risk youth; and, from 1980-1989, he worked with the Chittenden County Child Protection Team in addition to taking on numerous other important roles for youth and their families. Many Vermont families praise Dr. Hagan for providing outstanding pediatric care to their children. Many Vermont Family Services staff credit Dr. Hagan with providing the information essential to supporting families and preventing child abuse and neglect or protecting those children who have experienced abuse or neglect from future maltreatment. Compassionate as well as thorough, Dr. Hagan proves an invaluable asset to the citizens of Vermont. |