American Academy of Pediatrics Hosts Its First All-Virtual National Conference & Exhibition with Keynote Speaker Anthony S. Fauci, MD

Amid the unique circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of pediatric medical experts will experience the annual conference in a new way, using technology to attend seminars, exhibits and presentations to attend.

ITASCA, IL. – The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Virtual National Conference & Exhibition promises to be precedent-setting, from its virtual array of hot-topic presentations to a keynote speech by  Anthony S. Fauci, MD, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

The AAP National Conference & Exhibition takes place entirely online, featuring special presentations on child healthy equity, racism and what is known about COVID-19 and its impact on children.

“The pandemic has stretched the medical profession in every imaginable way, and pediatricians are learning new information every day about how the coronavirus impacts children and families,” said Cassandra Pruitt, MD, FAAP, chair of the 2020 conference Planning Group. “This conference offers an opportunity to review the latest in medical research not only about COVID-19 but about all topics that concern children and their healthy development.”

The conference will host 35 live sessions and more than 150 sessions on demand. On demand sessions will be recorded and available through Jan. 21. Topics are wide-ranging and include the latest research on firearms violence; the links between sleep and obesity; adverse childhood events; issues facing immigrants; and care of transgender youth. Sessions on child health equity will include discussions on how to talk with children about racism, as well as how pediatricians can address implicit biases, create inclusive workplaces, and relate with cultural humility. Sessions related to COVID-19 will cover topics such as medical complexities in children; school reopenings; and infection prevention and control.

Researchers will present hundreds of original research abstracts on newsworthy topics, including the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on firearm-related injuries, adolescent wellness and telehealth.

Highlights for media include:

• In a keynote address Saturday, Dr. Fauci will speak on, “COVID-19: Public Health and Scientific Challenges,” followed by a question and answer session with AAP President Sara “Sally” Goza, from 10 a.m.-11 a.m. CT Saturday, Oct. 3.
• Ibram X. Kendi, a New York Times bestselling author and founding director of the Boston University Center for Antiracist Research, sits down for a discussion with Pediatrics On Call podcast hosts David Hill, MD, FAAP, and Joanna Parga-Belinkie, MD, FAAP. Kendi, the author of “How to be an Antiracist,” will address “Anti-Racism in Health Care,” during the event, from noon- 1 p.m. CT Monday, Oct. 5.
• A special 3-hour session on “Fighting Racism to Advance Child Health Equity: A Call to Action,” applies an anti-racist lens to the systems shaping health and medicine. Those attending will learn how to examine their own biases and how to take practical action to fight racism between noon-3 p.m. CT Saturday, Oct. 3.
• A live session, “What’s at Stake for Children in November Election?” is presented by Melinda Williams-Willingham, MD, FAAP, at 1 p.m. CT Saturday, Oct. 3.
• Advocating for immigrant children requires pediatricians to partner with government officials, lawmakers, and community members who may have very different perspectives. This session addresses how pediatricians can communicate stories so children’s voices are heard, from 10 a.m.-11 a.m. CT Monday, Oct. 5.

Media interested in covering the conference are strongly encouraged to apply for credentials in advance. For information about covering the conference, including how to register, media guidelines and daily meeting highlights, visit the AAP News Room or contact AAP Public Affairs at commun@aap.org or 630-626-6177. Embargoed abstracts are available by request.

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The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. For more information, visit www.aap.org.