President's Message
June 2010
I feel quite privileged to serve as the President of the Academic Pediatric Association for this upcoming year. The APA has been an integral part of my professional development and my hope is that all of our members will benefit from their affiliation.
What a wonderful 50th anniversary APA celebration at the PAS meeting in Vancouver! The meeting remained exciting from the welcoming session, the invited science programs, excellent abstract, poster and workshop presentations, the entertaining and informative debate, to the Presidential Plenary Session with scientific abstracts, memorable presentations by renowned colleagues, Danielle's inspiring Presidential address, poetry readings, the Oral History project and even a Canadian marimba band!
Viewing the Oral History project and hearing the inspiring remarks of past presidents reminded me how lucky I have been to receive the gift of mentorship from many APA colleagues. All of us need mentors, and we can all serve as mentors. And there are so many opportunities through the APA. The Committees, SIGs, Regional Meetings, the research networks PRIS and CORNET, Young Investigator Awards and the Educational and New Century Scholars allow for countless opportunities for mentorship. Two upcoming meetings will appeal to many of our members.
The Hospitalist meeting (sponsored by the AAP, APA and SHM) will take place in Minneapolis from July 22-25 and the program looks quite exciting. The 4th APA Leadership Conference, which is a collaboration between the APA and APPD, will take place September 21-22 and include a peer mentoring program. Consider either serving as a mentor or seeking a mentor for the upcoming solicitations for PAS invited science programs (due July 1st) and PAS workshops (due August 13).
When I was a young faculty member, two senior colleagues from other institutions invited me to work with them on a workshop. I was thrilled they extended, this opportunity to me! Once I agreed, they then informed me I should lead the workshop. While I was at first nervous, it was one of the best experiences I have had by providing me the experience to lead the workshop with their input and support. This workshop experience then led to a content area that I have continued to develop throughout my career. So for the upcoming submissions for the PAS meeting, consider inviting more junior, peer or senior colleagues to work with you. Not only will this expansion allow you to get to know people outside your institution and provide further networking opportunities, it will enhance the diversity and vibrancy of the program.
Celebrating the first 50 years of the APA leads to the need to plan for the next 50, or at least to start with, the next 5! Our organization has so much talent and vitality and the APA Board will be starting our strategic planning to guide; our vision for the next 5 years. Your input will be essential in determining the value of the APA, what aspects of the APA are important to you as members, and to build programs for the future. We want to maintain the vibrancy and relevance of our organization and continue to attract new members. So please email or call any of the Board members if you have suggestions or comments and be prepared to participate in a more formal survey in the future. The anniversary celebration caused several of us to discuss why we value the APA. Many of us had joined early in our careers at the prompting of our mentors and found a camaraderie and forum for growth. That is what we hope all our members can experience. So find an activity that matches your interests and get involved! Not only will it be fun, but your contributions will be invaluable to others and to the health of children.
Take care and have a fun summer,
Janet Serwint
President
Academic Pediatric Association
jserwint@jhmi.edu
