2023 District II Candidates

Position sought

District II Chairperson

City and state of residence

Rochester, NY

Where do you work and what is your title?

Professor and Vice Chair, University of Rochester/Golisano Children’s Hospital
Senior Health Advisor and Founder, The Children’s Agenda (NY State Finger Lakes region child advocacy organization)

Medical school and post-graduate education

University of Rochester School of Medicine (1991)

Residency program and fellowship

University of Rochester Pediatrics Residency Program: Resident and Chief Resident (1995)

University of Rochester General Pediatrics Fellowship (1998)
Director, Diagnostic Referral Center for children with complex symptoms and diseases (1999-2004)

Institute on Medicine as a Profession Physician Advocacy Fellowship (2004-06)
William T. Grant Foundation Distinguished Fellow (2013-15)

Involvement in AAP and other organizations

• Director and Founder, AAP National Community Pediatrics Training Initiative (2005-2019); currently Senior Advisor
• AAP National Professional Education Award for Community Health Education (2001)
• AAP National Dyson Child Advocacy Award (2006)
• AAP National Distinguished Service Award (2018)
• Appointed to American Pediatric Society (APS 2021) and APS Advocacy Policy Committee (2023)
• Founder and Co-Leader Pediatric Academic Societies’ Maternal and Child Health Special Interest Group
• Co-Chair, NYS First 1000 Days Initiative
• Co-Chair, NYS Child Health Value-Based Payment Workgroup

Why voters should choose you

I have been involved with the AAP at a national leadership level for 20 years. I have focused on primary care, community pediatrics, and advocacy throughout my career.
I am most proud of the work of our interprofessional team, community colleagues, and family partners to improve the health of children in our region, and our enduring impact nationally to improve residency education. We now need to focus on achieving support for our primary care practices to address mental health, complex care, and the growing number of children on Medicaid, and ensuring our academic medical centers/departments of pediatrics focus on equity.

Position sought

District II Chairperson

City and state of residence

Rochester NY

Professional titles

Independent general pediatric practice
Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, University of Rochester School of Medicine

Medical school and post-graduate education

University of Rochester School of Medicine, MD

Residency program and fellowship

Cincinnati Children’s Medical Center (PL1, PL2) University of Rochester Medical Center (PL3)

Involvement in AAP and other organizations

• 1993 – 1997 - Legislative Liaison, District II, Chapter 1
• 2000 - 2019- Pediatric Council, Chairman
• 2010 - 2012 - District II, Chapter 1, President
• 2019 - 2021 - District II, Chapter 1, President
• 2012 - 2016 - District II, Chapter Forum Management Comm Rep
• 2015 - 2016 - CQN ADHD Quality Improvement Project, NY Chapter 1
• 2019- 2019 - Delegate to MSSNY House of Delegates
• Section on Administration & Practice Management
• Council on Community Pediatrics
• Council on Clinical Information Technology

Why voters should choose you

I have been actively involved with organized medicine and the AAP for my entire professional career. I have had the unique opportunity to serve two terms as Chapter 1 president, the last through the start of the pandemic. It is my goal to seek out and work with early career pediatricians to ensure that the AAP remains a strong voice advocating, not only for the health of all children, but the professionals who care for them. For without physically, emotionally, and financially healthy pediatricians, there will be no one to care for our patients.

Position sought

District II Vice Chairperson

City and state of residence

New York, New York

Professional titles

New York University Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, and Bellevue Hospital Center.

Clinical Professor of Pediatrics and Director of Child Protection Services for the Department of Pediatrics, NYU Grossman School of Medicine

Medical school and post-graduate education

Mount Sinai School of Medicine - 1990

Residency program and fellowship

1990-1993 Resident in Pediatrics, New York University Medical Center, New York, NY

1993-1994 Chief Resident in Pediatrics, New York University Medical Center, New York, NY

1994-1996 Fellow, General Academic Pediatrics, New York University Medical Center, New York, NY

Involvement in AAP and other organizations

• 2004-2014 Co-chair, Committee on Family Violence, NYSAAP- Chapter 3
• 2009-2017 Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President, President NYSAAP- Chapter 3
• 2010-2014 Awards Subcommittee , AAP SOCAN
• 2013- present, Member, Policy Committee, NYSAAP- Chapter 3
• 2014-2020 AAP COCAN Executive Committee
• 2019-2020 AAP COCAN, Chair, Policy Committee
• 2019-2022 District 2, CFMC Representative to the AAP
• 2007- present Program Directors Committee, Helfer Society
• 2013- present Education Committee, Helfer Society
• 2008-10 Program committee, Helfer Society
• 2007- Abstract reviewer, Academic Pediatrics Association

Why voters should choose you

My leadership experience within Chapter 3 makes me well prepared to fulfill the important DVC role of support to the Chapters. I seek to help Chapters expand membership and diversify leadership. As Chapter president, we started a program to send early career physicians to a national meeting. This exposure to the AAP lead to diversity in chapter leadership. As DVC, I hope to advocate for policies at both the state government and national AAP that would benefit vulnerable children and adolescents such as LGBTQ+ and homeless and runaway youth and those children and families involved in the child protection system.

Position sought

District II Vice Chairperson

City and state of residence

New York, NY

Professional titles

Union Community Health Center, Federally Qualified Health Center, Bronx, NY
Assistant Vice President of Pediatrics and Health Promotion

Medical school and post-graduate education

Doctor of Medicine

George Washington University
School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC

Master of Public Health

George Washington University
Milken Institute School of Public Health, Washington, DC

Residency program and fellowship

Pediatric Residency

Columbia University Medical Center
New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital, New York, NY

Involvement in AAP and other organizations

• American Academy of Pediatrics
  • Chair and Immediate Past Chair, Section of Early Career Physicians
  • Executive Committee, Section of Early Career Physician, District II Representative
  • Chapter Representative, SOECP Chapter 2 Representative, District II
  • Young Physician Alliance Leadership (YPLA) Training
• National Hispanic Medical Association
  • National Chair, Council of Young Physicians
  • Board of Directors
  • Northeast Regional Director, Council of Young Physicians
  • Northeast Regional Director, Council of Residents

Why voters should choose you

As a general pediatrician with a background in public health, I possess a unique combination of expertise and passion. The AAP has been instrumental in shaping my career, equipping me with invaluable leadership skills. Notably, as Chair of the Section of Early Career Physicians, I led a member-driven strategic plan that focused on engagement, networking, and professional development, while prioritizing equity, diversity and inclusion. My ability to unite diverse voices and drive meaningful change is exemplified by numerous achievements, including spearheading a Bronx-wide initiative aimed at reducing sugary beverage consumption, which gained national recognition. If elected as District Vice Chair, I will leverage my skills, dedication, and leadership to enhance advocacy, foster professional growth and facilitate collaboration throughout New York State.