There are many opportunities to engage and connect with the AAP and the SOPT. A great way to initially get involved is to write an article for one of our Section's News & Views blogs or our Monthly Feature Column in Pediatrics. Also, be sure to follow the AAP and the SOPT on social media for the latest opportunities and information.

SOPT Pediatrics Monthly Column

Pediatrics has provided SOPT with the opportunity to contribute to the Monthly Features section of the journal featuring manuscripts written by trainees in pediatrics. This SOPT column joins four other stellar columns in the Monthly Features section: (1) Global Health; (2) the Council on Medical Student Education in Pediatrics (COMSEP); (3) the Historical Perspectives; and (4) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Column submissions are accepted on a rolling basis and may be emailed directly to the SOPT Monthly Feature editorial board.

Pediatrics SOPT 2026 Essay Competition: “Myth Busters: Injury Prevention”Deadline: May 8 | Author Instructions | Submission Portal

The 2026 SOPT Advocacy Campaign, “Myth Busters: Kids First, Facts Always,” encourages trainees to participate in initiatives that address medical myths, including the focus of this year’s SOPT Advocacy Essay Competition, injury prevention.

We encourage trainees to reflect on the myth that prevention of unintentional injuries, which remain the leading cause of death from ages 1-19,1 is somehow not worth the cost or perceived limitations on freedom, and instead identify practices to decrease childhood harm from motor vehicle crashes, drowning, burn injuries, poisoning, falls, suffocation, and firearm injuries.

It may be helpful to focus on one or more of the following questions:

What cultural, social, structural, or institutional factors reinforce the myth that injuries among children are inevitable? How has your training shaped your view of the clinician’s role in preventing childhood injuries rather than simply treating them? What role should healthcare trainees play in injury prevention advocacy at the bedside, in training programs, and at the policy level? 

To submit a piece for consideration, please follow the author instructions laid out on the Pediatrics website and submit via our manuscript processing system. The deadline is Friday May 8, 2026, at 11:59pm EST. Please ensure all submissions are in accord with publication guidelines on the SOPT Pediatrics website. Please limit articles to 1200 words, a maximum of 4 authors, and 15 references.

References
[1] https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/child-health.htm 

SOPT News and Views

The SOPT News and Views Blog is a great way to learn about anything and everything related to trainee advocacy campaign projects, district projects, pediatric subspecialties, informational articles from the SOPT executive committee, clinical puzzles, and stories from trainees across the country! We invite you to browse through the blog, as well as consider submitting an article (AAP member login required).

SOPT Storytellers

We created SOPT Storytellers as a portal for trainees to share their personal stories in medicine. Members are encouraged to submit original works of written expression – narrative pieces, poetry, and beyond! From reflections on the current pandemic to systemic racism to trainee "firsts," we would love to hear from you! Visit the SOPT Storytellers site to read the latest submissions and learn about how you can contribute (AAP member login required).

Social Media

SOPT utilizes Instagram to share about important advocacy issues, highlight upcoming events and deadlines, and celebrate our members. Follow, like, and share our posts to inform the algorithm that you’re interested in seeing our content!

Last Updated

04/02/2026

Source

American Academy of Pediatrics

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