Lois K. Lee, M.D., M.P.H., FAAP

Boston, Mass.

President-elect Candidate

Professional titles

Senior associate in pediatrics, Division of Emergency Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital

Medical school and post-graduate education

M.D., Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania 
M.P.H., Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Residency program and fellowship

Pediatric residency, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia 
Pediatric emergency medicine fellowship, Boston Children’s Hospital

Involvement in AAP or other organizations

  • AAP Massachusetts Chapter Injury Prevention Committee co-chair
  • AAP Committee on Pediatric Emergency Medicine member
  • AAP Council on Injury, Violence and Poison Prevention Executive Committee member and immediate past chair
  • Injury Free Coalition for Kids president
  • Academic Pediatric Association Health Policy Scholars program director
  • Pediatric Policy Council member
  • Society for Pediatric Research Advocacy Committee co-chair
  • Healthcare Coalition for Firearm Injury Prevention AAP liaison and Advocacy Workgroup co-chair  
  • Trainees for Child Injury Prevention faculty 

Position statement

As candidate for president-elect of the American Academy of Pediatrics, my vision is centered on these simple truths: our children deserve a healthy future and the pediatricians, pediatric subspecialists and pediatric surgeons who care for them deserve a sustainable profession. To achieve this, our Academy must lead on three critical fronts.

First, as health doesn't begin at the clinic, we must continue to champion upstream pediatric care. It begins with safe homes, equitable neighborhoods and evidence-based health policy. Every shift, I see the results of failed policy in the kids coming through the emergency department doors: unimmunized toddlers with serious infections, hungry children with food insecurity, and teens boarding for psychiatric care. To address the issues our children are facing, the AAP must be nimble and work collaboratively with our members and partner organizations. 

Second, we must fiercely protect the pediatric workforce. Burnout, administrative burdens and financial challenges are threatening our profession. We must protect our pediatric health care community and ensure we can practice safely and sustainably. 
Finally, we must lead the charge in restoring trust in child health. In an era of pervasive misinformation, the AAP must lead in being the steadfast, science-based authority, always putting children first. We must work to rebuild community trust through transparent, culturally humble communication and by empowering pediatric clinicians to combat misinformation.

At the end of the day, we all want to keep kids healthy and safe. Collectively, we can strengthen our profession, support our communities and ensure that all children can thrive.