PURPOSE
The Section on Pediatric Pulmonology was founded in 1957 (then named "The Section on Diseases of the Chest") for the purpose of improving the care of infants, children and adolescents with acute and chronic pulmonary disease by providing an educational forum for the discussion of problems and treatments, and by stimulating research and the teaching of acute and chronic pulmonary disease. The Section is also charged with disseminating knowledge of acute and chronic pulmonary disease through Academy channels. In addition, the Section on Pediatric Pulmonology serves in a consulting capacity to the Board of Directors to make recommendations for programs, policy statements, and other actions on matters relating to pulmonary disease.

MEMBERSHIP
The membership of the Section consists of Fellows, Resident Fellows, Candidate Fellows, Post Residency Training Fellows, Emeritus Fellows, Life Fellows, Corresponding Fellows, Honorary Fellows, CPS/AAP Dual Fellows, ACP/ASIM/AAP Dual Fellows of the American Academy of Pediatrics, who are actively involved in some aspect of the care of pulmonary disease in infants, children, adolescents, or young adults and who are interested in contributing toward the objectives of the Section. The Section currently assesses dues at $12 per year.

EDUCATION
The Section presents educational programs at the AAP National Conference and Exhibition. In addition, the section collaborates with the American College of Chest Physicians to offer an annual CME course, "Celebration of Pediatric Pulmonology."

AWARDS
The Edwin L. Kendig, Jr Award is presented during the "Celebration of Pediatric Pulmonology." The award is presented to an individual that meets the following criteria: distinguished clinical service and dedication to patient care, significant contribution to clinical or basic science research in the field of pediatric pulmonology, and dedication to the education of pediatric pulmonary fellows or students. In addition, the section sponsors several travel grants for selected pediatric pulmonology fellows to attend the CME course.

POLICY
In 2002, a subcommittee of the section published the clinical practice guideline and corresponding technical report "Diagnosis and Management of Childhood Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome"

The section has also created the following public education brochures:
· Bronchiolitis and Your Young Child
· Sleep Apnea and Your Child
· What is a Pediatric Pulmonologist

COMMUNICATION
To communicate with section members, the executive committee has developed a Section Newsletter, a Section web site, and a section e-mail list.