Dear APA community,
How is it September already? I hope everyone had a wonderful summer! Priya and I are acclimating to the start of the school year for our youngest daughter who started 10th grade as well as a quieter household with our oldest starting college in mid-August. Facetime and texting have helped her sappy parents.
On the APA front:
- Jessica and I had a meaningful virtual APA Past Presidents and Officers meeting on August 25th. It was incredible to engage with luminaries and pediatric legends who have left a lasting imprint on our field and the APA. Our discussion primarily focused on the sociopolitical climate in the US including policies and legislation that harm children and families along with attacks on science and academic institutions. At times it was a hard conversation knowing that as a community we want to do more to affect positive change. We are so grateful to our Past Presidents and Officers continued commitment to the APA. As a Board we are going to see how we can further engage these amazing individuals and leaders to help guide the APA into the future.
- The Board is gearing up to meet for our Fall Board Meeting in Washington DC at the end of September. We meet twice a year in person, the second time at PAS and virtually bi-monthly. Our agenda includes: discussing new opportunities for advocacy and community engagement by the APA; exploring new DEI initiatives including affinity groups; reviewing of the APA’s strategic plan and finances. As part of our meeting, as a Board, we will be making a visit to Capitol Hill to speak with our representatives about the urgent need for investing in pediatric research. This is the first time in recent history that the Board has engaged in this type of advocacy and I hope it is something we can build upon.
- The APA team and I have started planning for the PAS meeting already! I had no idea it started so fast. It’s been fun and I’m excited that it’s in Boston, where I was born and have lived most of my life in the surrounding suburbs. I hope to see you there!
In continuing to continue to celebrate the APA’s 65th birthday this year, fun fact, do you know when the APA first launched Special Interest Groups (SIGs)? It was in 1983! The first 4 were: accidents, chronic illness, emergency medicine and health maintenance organizations. Now there are 47 SIGS! Here are our current SIGS. They are a critical part of the APA membership experience and we are grateful for our SIG leaders and all of our volunteers who make the APA special!
As always, please reach out to me anytime with your ideas, suggestions and/or concerns.
In community with you, our colleagues and the children, families, and communities that we serve,
Arvin Garg, MD, MPH
President
Academic Pediatric Association
