The new APS: lingering lessons

It is my pleasure to have the opportunity to speak with you this morning as part of our 2021 American Pediatric Society (APS) Presidential Plenary session and to give the annual APS Presidential Address. I have been thrilled for having the privilege of serving as President of the APS this past year. This has been an amazing year and it has provided me with the wonderful opportunity to work with and to get to know an extraordinary group of talented pediatric leaders from multiple disciplines and institutions across the country. The APS, including leadership, staff, and membership, consists of a remarkable and talented group of people, each of whom has rolled up their sleeves and taken on the demands of these challenging times with great vision, thoughtfulness, and skills. Their commitment and dedication to addressing diverse child health issues have been inspiring. It has been especially a pleasure to see these folks come together as a team to address so many concurrent challenges that we faced during these difficult times. Similarly, it has been especially impressive how well each of our pediatric societies has pulled together to tackle an explosion of intense problems facing the health and well-being of our children, their families, and communities. The American Academy of Pediatrics, Society for Pediatric Research (SPR), American Medical School Pediatric Department Chairs, American Pediatric Association, the Federation of Pediatric Organizations, and other groups have all joined together to develop strategies regarding how to best approach many challenges this year, ranging from the coronavirus disease (COVID) pandemic; never-ending issues of racism, social disparities, and inequities; the lack of diversity and inclusion throughout society, including our health care system; expansion of the complex and ongoing immigration crisis, increasing gun violence; the lack of trust in our medical institutions and government; ongoing problems of misinformation; challenges to our democracy; and the splintering of public unity and faith in our future. Throughout this past year, we have faced these challenges driven by the strength of our sense of community throughout pediatrics and by the diversity of talents throughout our health care system, while developing and launching multifaceted approaches needed to take on many of the problems that we will be discussing shortly. My talk today, entitled “The new APS: lingering lessons,” provides a very brief overview of this year’s APS activities, emphasizing the changes in the philosophy of moving the APS beyond its traditional roles to become a more proactive society of “do-ers,” providing its leaders and membership with opportunities to demonstrate and apply their deep commitments to child health in addressing the many critical challenges we face throughout our pediatric community, especially in the context of responsibilities of the APS within academic medicine. In addition to these activities, I would like to also include a few historical and some personal “lingering lessons” as related to these many issues facing Pediatrics. Perhaps my favorite part of this talk is having the opportunity to use my brief time to personally thank those who have deeply influenced me as mentors and role models during my own career. Reflecting on this year’s events have led me to better appreciate and understand how much I have learned important lessons—both personally and professionally—from so many who have taught me throughout the various stages of my own career, as well as the lessons learned during my time with the APS. First, from my own perspective but especially on behalf of the APS more broadly, I would like to begin by thanking one of my favorites, Dr. Richard Johnston (Fig. 1). Dr. Johnston, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Colorado, is a worldrenowned immunologist and basic science investigator, an outstanding mentor, and a leader in all things academic. He exemplifies the very best of pediatrics, blending insights in clinical care with our missions of research, education, and advocacy so well. As a past Holland Awardee, Dick has always been an exemplary and inspirational role model and teacher for so many, myself included, from my earliest days as an intern in Denver. It was really Dick who suggested, or rather told me, that he was going to nominate me for President of the APS, for which I am so grateful. Having undertaken all my pediatric training in Colorado, I have learned much from many outstanding faculty at Colorado over the years. This group does not need to be reminded of the rich heritage of pediatrics in Colorado, including APS members who have provided many “lingering lessons” for all of Pediatrics. First, Dr. Henry Kempe, a past Howland Awardee. Not only did he develop an outstanding academic pediatrics department in Colorado, but Dr. Kempe received two nominations for the Nobel Prize, the first for his work in eradicating smallpox through vaccine development, and the second, in recognition of his characterization of the “Battered Child Syndrome,” which led to the recognition of this key problem, leading to the development of policies and legislation regarding child abuse. Dr. Kempe’s outstanding achievements further highlight the importance of