"The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) applauds the appointment of Donald Berwick, MD, FAAP, a pediatrician and clinical professor of pediatrics and health policy at Harvard Medical School, as the new Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

"As Administrator of CMS, Dr. Berwick will be tasked with implementing critical elements of health reform that directly impact the nation's children and families. He brings the leadership CMS needs at this time.

"Don Berwick believes—as many pediatricians do—that everyone deserves access to not just health care, but to quality health care. He is a national leader in efforts to improve health care quality, and countless patients have benefitted as a result of his work. In particular, his 100,000 Lives Campaign has demonstrated that quality improvement saves lives.

"Pediatricians are constantly collaborating to improve the quality of children's health care through research, education, policy analysis and advocacy. But we can't do it alone. With Dr. Berwick, we have a strong child advocate who understands the importance of the medical home for children and will help this important work move forward in a meaningful way.

"The American Academy of Pediatrics congratulates Dr. Berwick on his appointment, and looks forward to working with him to provide quality, affordable health care for all children in this country."

The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 60,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. For more information, visit www.aap.org.​