On behalf of our more than 10,000 section members, I’d like to welcome you to the American Academy of Pediatrics website for resident physicians. This site is a primary means of communication with the AAP Section on Medical Students, Residents and Fellowship Trainees (SOMSRFT), formerly known as the Section on Residents. We created this site to highlight opportunities for involvement, leadership, and advocacy. It provides resources for financial support, lifelong learning, and will soon offer networking opportunities for section members around the country.
Our recent section name change shows renewed focus as an organization fully inclusive of medical students and fellows in addition to our well established resident membership. This website is an excellent resource for each of you to learn how the AAP can serve as a professional home as your career in pediatrics unfolds.
I encourage you to begin or continue your involvement in this section. Nationally, we are led by a chair, vice-chair, and secretary. Our section executive committee is also comprised of a District Coordinator and Assistant District Coordinator who are elected annually to represent each of the Academy’s ten national districts. Every residency program designates a program delegate. Do you know who yours is? Your program delegate is a link to your involvement with our section. The SOMSRFT also has liaison positions to more than 20 other sections within the Academy and outside organizations.
Every year our section focuses on a common advocacy topic. For 2008-2009, we are focusing on tobacco and smoking cessation. We also encourage you to do your part for children at a national level by signing up for Federal Advocacy Action Network’s quarterly updates. In addition to our common advocacy topic, we recognize that you may have your own advocacy interests. To that end, the AAP offers CATCH grants, Dyson Awards and other support to enable your own local advocacy work.
Training aids and preparing for lifelong learning are an important focus of the section. During residency you should take advantage of the learning opportunities of PREP and Pediatrics in Review. There are even more resources online through PediaLink. The AAP has made improving this resource a priority for the upcoming year, thanks to feedback from users like you. Real-time educational opportunities take place every year at the AAP National Convention and Exhibition (NCE). The 2009 NCE will be held in Washington, DC. I would welcome the opportunity to see as many of you as possible there for the SOMSRFT Annual Assembly on Saturday, October 17!
I hope you find what you need ask you browse the YoungPeds Network and the AAP website. If you would like to ask questions, provide feedback, or learn how to get more involved, feel free to contact your district coordinator or contact me directly.
Thanks for stopping by!
Amy Jost Starmer, MD
Chairperson
AAP Section on Medical Students, Residents, and Fellowship Trainees (SOMSRFT)
