District VIII Candidates

National Nominating Committee Candidate

Professional title

Pediatrician, Desert Valley Pediatrics, Las Vegas

Medical school and post-graduate education 
M.D., Tufts University School of Medicine  

Residency program and fellowship

Wright State University/Wright Patterson Air Force Base joint military and civilian residency

Involvement in AAP or other organizations

• Nevada Chapter president (2025-’26), vice president (2023-’24) and treasurer (2021-2022)
• Fellow, AAP (2000-present)
• Nevada Medical Association (2025-Present)
• Massachusetts Medical Society House of Delegates representative (2014-’18)
• New Mexico Pediatric Society (2003-’06)

What motivates you to seek this position?

With 25 years of clinical and leadership experience, I am eager to join the National Nominating Committee to bring the Nevada voice to the national stage. My goal is to ensure the unique perspectives of lower-population states are integral to selecting future leaders. Through active membership in medical societies in Nevada, Massachusetts and New Mexico, and roles such as Nevada Chapter president and U.S. Air Force major, I have developed the governance expertise to identify candidates with an inclusive vision. I am committed to selecting leaders who reflect the excellence and diversity of our profession.

National Nominating Committee Candidate

Professional title

Pediatric hospitalist at Alaska Native Medical Center (ANMC) in Anchorage

Medical school and post-graduate education

M.D., University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines

Residency program and fellowship

Michigan State University at Devos Children’s Hospital

Involvement in AAP or other organizations

• Pediatric hospitalist with 20-plus years of clinical experience at ANMC
• Immediate-past pediatric hospital medicine medical director at ANMC
• Pediatric liaison for trauma team and pediatric sedation lead hospitalist
• AAP Alaska Chapter immediate-past president, former vice president
• AAP Section on Hospital Medicine nominating committee co-chair
• Alaska Perinatal Quality Collaborative Steering Committee
• Alaska Emergency Medical Services for Children Advisory Committee

What motivates you to seek this position?

I am seeking to become a member of the AAP National Nominating Committee because I am deeply committed to strengthening the future of pediatrics through selection of visionary and inclusive leaders. My experiences as a pediatric hospitalist of 20 years, PHM medical director within a tribal health organization, and immediate past president of the AAP Alaska Chapter have reinforced the importance of equity, transparency, collaboration and culturally responsive governance. I am motivated to help identify leaders who reflect the diversity of our profession and the communities we serve who can effectively advocate for all children. Serving on the NNC would allow me to contribute to a fair, thoughtful and forward-looking process which advances the AAP’s mission and values nationwide.