Section on Early Career Physicians Awards

Dr. O’Neil is an innovative pediatric critical care physician and ECMO specialist whose career reflects exceptional clinical expertise, impactful research, and a strong commitment to advancing care for critically ill children and other vulnerable populations. Since completing her fellowship at Texas Children’s Hospital in 2020, she has rapidly emerged as a national leader in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), producing over 30 peer-reviewed publications that have significantly shaped the field.

Dr. O’Neil’s pioneering work has expanded ECMO use in historically excluded populations, including pregnant women and neonates, and has helped establish standardized definitions now adopted by major organizations such as the NIH and FDA. Her research has broadened indications for ECMO in complex pediatric conditions and contributed to multicenter trials that inform clinical practice. In addition to her ECMO work, she has advanced innovative therapies such as inhaled tranexamic acid for pulmonary hemorrhage and highlighted critical health disparities affecting children with severe asthma. A recognized leader in the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) and a contributor to international guidelines, Dr. O’Neil is also an active-duty U.S. Air Force physician, demonstrating leadership and service on a global scale. Her work exemplifies the AAP’s mission to advance science, equity, and high-quality care for children with the greatest medical needs.

Dr. Person is a dedicated pediatric gastroenterologist and child psychiatrist whose career is defined by a deep commitment to education, equity, and improving care for diverse pediatric populations. From early in training, Dr. Person identified critical gaps in medical education—developing curricula on LGBTQIA+ health and later creating Breaking Through Bias, a skills-based antiracism program designed to move clinicians from awareness to actionable change. This work has expanded into institution-wide leadership of antiracism education initiatives at the University of Washington and Seattle Children’s Hospital, with national presentations and scholarly contributions, including authorship of a pediatric textbook chapter on racism’s impact on child health.  

Beyond curriculum innovation, Dr. Person is a dedicated educator across the continuum, providing bedside teaching, didactics, and mentorship to trainees, many of whom have gone on to present and publish scholarly work. Dr. Person’s leadership extends to faculty development and health equity initiatives, including roles supporting minority faculty advancement and outcomes-focused care. They have also led wellness-focused educational efforts, translating ergonomic principles into practical interventions for clinicians. Through local, national, and international outreach, Dr. Person ensures that education remains accessible, inclusive, and impactful. Their work exemplifies the AAP’s mission to advance equity, foster innovation in education, and improve the health and well-being of all children. 

Dr. Shen is a dedicated pediatrician and advocacy leader whose career is defined by her unwavering commitment to advancing child health through policy, mentorship, and community engagement. As a leader within the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Washington Chapter, Dr. Shen has been instrumental in strengthening advocacy efforts and expanding opportunities for early career physicians and trainees to engage in meaningful advocacy work. Through her mentorship and outreach, she has successfully integrated residents into advocacy initiatives, increasing participation in events such as Advocacy Day and fostering the next generation of physician advocates. 
Dr. Shen’s work exemplifies advocacy as a pathway to health equity. She has led the development of equity-focused initiatives, including the Equitable Care Gather Toolkit and educational workshops shared at the national level. As a policy advocate, she has demonstrated sustained leadership in addressing youth nicotine addiction, working collaboratively with legislators, public health leaders, and community coalitions to advance policies aimed at prevention and health promotion. Her efforts include building diverse partnerships that amplify the voices of communities disproportionately affected by health disparities and supporting legislation to reduce youth access to nicotine products.

Through her leadership, mentorship, and policy impact, Dr. Shen exemplifies the AAP’s mission by advancing advocacy strategies that improve systems of care, promote equity, and create lasting, meaningful improvements in the health and well-being of children and families.