Advancing Pediatric Educator eXcellence (APEX)

Are you interested in expanding your teaching skills and competence in evidence-based educational strategies? Do you want to take your career to the next level and inspire your residents and students with more meaningful learning opportunities? Would you like to meet and collaborate with like-minded educators? Well, we have the program for you.

APEX, the Advancing Pediatric Educator eXcellence, teaching program is BACK! The award-winning APEX program is now under exclusive leadership of the Academic Pediatric Association. Please see below for more information and consider applying today! APEX  is currently recruiting for its next cohorts scheduled to coincide with the 2027 Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) Meeting in Minneapolis and the Pediatric Hospital Medicine (PHM) Conference(opens in new tab) in New Orleans.(opens in new tab)

Apply by November 1, 2026:

• APEX Teaching Program PHM / PAS 2027-2028 cohort - apply here(opens in new tab).
• APEX is currently recruiting for faculty - apply here(opens in new tab).
• APEX is currently recruiting for Steering Committee members - apply here(opens in new tab).

APEX Program: Advancing Pediatric Educator Excellence

The APEX Program (Advancing Pediatric Educator Excellence) was established in 2015 to provide pediatric hospitalists with structured professional development in medical education. Since its inception, the program has expanded to include pediatric subspecialists and general pediatricians who are interested in developing their skills as clinical teachers.

APEX is a unique longitudinal national program designed to help participants build practical teaching skills, apply educational theory to their clinical practice, and develop a community of colleagues who share an interest in medical education. The program offers learning opportunities that are highly interactive and foster an ongoing exchange of ideas and best practices. Participants learn evidence-based approaches to teaching and feedback, practice these skills at their home institutions with direct observation and guidance from a local mentor, and work with expert faculty and a national cohort of peer educators to develop educational workshops for presentation at professional meetings.

A 13-Month Educational Experience

APEX is a 13-month program anchored by either the annual Pediatric Hospital Medicine (PHM) meeting or the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) meeting. Two cohorts begin each year:

• One cohort begins at the annual PHM meeting.
• One cohort begins at the annual PAS meeting.

The program includes two in-person touchpoints, occurring at pre-conference workshops approximately one year apart. These in-person sessions are connected by virtual learning, reflection, and application of new skills at participants’ home institutions using the Canvas learning platform.

Agreement forms to help with your application:

• Mentor Agreement(opens in new tab)(opens in new tab)
• Supervisor Agreement(opens in new tab)(opens in new tab)

Year 1: Foundations of Clinical Teaching

The first year focuses on developing core skills that can be immediately applied to clinical teaching:

• Setting the stage for learning
• Effective clinical teaching techniques
• Providing effective feedback

Participants practice these skills throughout the year and receive direct observation and feedback from a local mentor.

Year 2: Advancing as an Educator

The second year builds on these foundational skills and focuses on broader development as a medical educator:

• Working with the learner in difficulty
• Designing and presenting educational workshops
• Building a career in medical education

Participants also collaborate with their peers and expert faculty to develop workshops for potential presentation at local and national conferences.

What Will You Gain from APEX?

The APEX curriculum is intentionally designed to help participants:

1. Build clinical teaching skills that can be used immediately in everyday practice.
2. Practice, receive feedback on, and reflect upon teaching skills with the support of a local mentor.
3. Develop a national network of peer educators and mentors from institutions across the country.
4. Develop and submit educational workshops for presentation at local and national conferences.
5. Build a foundation for continued growth and leadership in medical education.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time commitment is required?

Most of the time commitment is associated with the in-person workshops during anchor meetings (i.e. PAS or PHM). Between workshops, participants should anticipate approximately 1–2 hours per month for virtual learning, reflection, and application of program content.

What if I don't have a local mentor?

We encourage participants to identify a mentor within their division, department, or institution who can observe their teaching and provide feedback. We recognize, however, that finding a local mentor is not always possible. For participants who need additional support, APEX has established a network of mentors who can serve in this role. If you need help identifying a mentor, please contact the APEX leadership.

What if I am unable to attend the conferences in consecutive years?

We understand that clinical and personal responsibilities can make consecutive conference attendance challenging. Although APEX is designed as a 13-month experience, participants have occasionally deferred completion when needed.  Because a Year 1 and Year 2 cohort typically run concurrently, we can work with participants to accommodate individual circumstances and scheduling needs.

Join a Community of Educators

APEX is an opportunity to develop your teaching skills, put those skills into practice, receive meaningful feedback, connect with educators from across the country, and build your portfolio as a medical educator.

Whether you are beginning to explore a career in medical education or looking to strengthen your existing role as an educator, APEX provides a structured community and longitudinal experience to support your growth.