AKRON, Ohio -- Dr. John Duby has been named the Ohio Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics Pediatrician of the Year.

Duby is a developmental behavioral pediatrician and co-director of the NeuroDevelopmental Center at Akron Children's Hospital.

Duby has practiced medicine for 20 years.

Duby helped to expand the "Reach Out and Read" program from one to 138 sites in Ohio. The program promotes early literacy and gives children a new book at doctor’s visits.

He has also served as medical director of Ohio's Autism Diagnosis Education Pilot Project to promote the early identification and treatment of children with developmental delays, including autism.