Message from the Chair

The Pediatric Practice Management Alliance (PPMA) is a sub-organization of the AAP Section on Administration and Practice Management (SOAPM), created with the mission to empower pediatric practice administrators, nurses, and managers as they navigate—and find solutions for—the many day-to-day challenges of running a medical practice.

Our collective knowledge represents hundreds of years of experience, supported by strong networking and access to a wide range of resources. Together, we help pediatric practices across the country become more effective, efficient, and financially sound. 

We are stronger by the day with almost 250 members nationwide who are stationed at the helm of pediatric practices. We openly exchange practical advice and real-world knowledge through an active community platform, where we actively message and ask each other questions, as well as share resources and documents that we use every day in our practices.  Not to mention, we host regular "meet ups" through our drop-in chat sessions which I look forward to every month!  This easy way of communicating with one another never leaves a PPMA member feeling alone or without support.   

Whether you are new to practice management or have been leading teams for decades, the constantly evolving healthcare landscape presents new challenges at every turn. Regulations change; expectations grow, and the pace rarely slows. PPMA is here to meet you where you are - providing trusted support, timely guidance, and collective expertise exactly when you need it, right at your fingertips (or phone or keyboard).  I can't tell you how many times a week I look to a PPMA colleague for guidance or advice - even after 25 years of pediatric management experience.

My goal as Chair of PPMA is to expand the outreach of our Alliance by growing our membership, while also increasing our support of other AAP initiatives and groups—efforts that will ultimately strengthen PPMA and the broader pediatric community we serve. We cannot do this without all of you. New ideas, fresh perspectives, and thoughtful suggestions are always welcome, and I encourage every member to stay engaged and involved.

As Simone Biles so perfectly said, “We’re stronger as a team than we are as individuals.” That belief is at the heart of PPMA. Through collaboration, shared experience, and mutual support, we are able to lead with confidence and positively impact our practices, our teams, and the families we serve.

The success of PPMA is built on its members. To our current members, thank you—we celebrate PPMA’s many years of success with you. If you are not yet a member, we warmly encourage you to join today and become part of a community where leadership, connection, and teamwork truly matter.

Sincerely,

Rachel Bakersmith
AAP Pediatric Practice Management Alliance (PPMA) Chairperson