Judith S. Palfrey, MD , FAAP* 2009-20010 President American Academy of Pediatrics

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Judith S. (Judy) Palfrey, MD, FAAP, is the 2009-2010 President of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), based in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. The AAP is the nation's largest pediatric organization, with a membership of 60,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists.

Dr. Palfrey is a general pediatrician and child advocate. After receiving her undergraduate degree from Harvard University and medical degree from Columbia University, she trained at Jacobi Hospital in New York. She then joined Children's Hospital, Boston, holding the position of General Pediatrics Division Chief from 1986-2008. Under her leadership, the Division grew to one of the largest and most productive General Pediatrics programs in the country. Dr. Palfrey has served as Chair of the AAP Section on Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, President of the Academic Pediatric Association, Director of Building Bright Futures, and National Program Director of the Dyson Community Pediatrics Initiative.

Dr. Palfrey is the T. Berry Brazelton Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School. She directs the Children's International Pediatric Center, Children's Hospital, Boston. She is also Master of Adams House at Harvard College along with her husband, Dr. Sean Palfrey. She has written five books, including Community Child Health and Child Health in America, and more than 100 articles dealing with improving child health systems. She has mentored hundreds of medical students, residents, and fellows.

Dr. Palfrey has advocated for fully coordinated primary care services in a "medical home" to address child health inequities, and she has provided guidance for practices and school systems for children with special health care needs. She has advocated at the federal level for funding of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), improved school health services and payment to pediatricians for developmental screening and coordination of care. "It is time to get health care coverage for children right once and for all," said Dr. Palfrey. "We must assure that all children receive excellent health care through universal insurance and the provision of a full health benefits package consistent with AAP standards - our children are depending on it."

Judy and Sean have 3 children and 3 grandchildren.

*FAAP - Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics