Who We Are
Our mission is to support and encourage pediatricians in the promotion of optimal health for all of Maryland’s children and adolescents.
The Maryland Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics (MDAAP) is a recognized 501 (c) 6 organization in Maryland. Since the inception of MDAAP in 1950, the organization has had a long and distinguished history of advocacy and support of Maryland children and their health care needs. Our mission speaks to the commitment to the health and well being of all children. The MDAAP initiates and supports numerous programs that respond to the needs of children. Through collaborative and creative programming with other public and private agencies throughout Maryland, MDAAP continues to be a positive change agent in the lives of children.
An Executive Director and Executive Coordinator staff the MDAAP office. The MDAAP is governed by active volunteers organized into committees and task forces. Our volunteers include pediatricians and pediatric healthcare providers from private practice settings, academic institutions, and research centers. MDAAP members advocate for the health and well-being of Maryland’s children and adolescents.
The MDAAP works on initiatives and projects to serve the children and adolescents of Maryland. Our Committees include:
Committees
- Adolescent Health
- Breastfeeding
- Child Maltreatment/Foster Care
- Communications
- CSHCN/Disabilities
- Disaster Preparedness
- Early Childhood
- Emotional Health
- Environmental Health and Climate Change
- Gun Violence Prevention
- Hospitalists
- Immigrant Child Health
- Immunizations
- Inclusion-Diversity Anti-Racism & Equity (I-DARE)
Chapter Liaisons
- CATCH Facilitators
- Dentistry
- Early Hearing Detection and Intervention
- Military
- School Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Information Technology
- Injury, Violence and Poison Prevention
- Mental Health
- Oral Health
- Pediatric Council
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Senior Pediatricians
Collaborations and Partnerships
The MDAAP also participates as a partner and collaborator with other child-serving organizations, including:
- American Dairy Association North East
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
- Baltimore City Health Department – B’More for Healthy Babies; School Readiness Coalition
- Center for Hope’s Child Advocacy Center (formerly Baltimore Child Abuse Center)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- CHAMPS (Children Need Amazing Parents)
- Chesapeake Physicians for Social Responsibility
- Eastern Society for Pediatric Research
- Family League of Baltimore
- Free State PTA (Maryland State)
- Green & Healthy Homes Initiative
- Howard County Local Health Improvement Coalition
- Johns Hopkins University
- Kennedy Krieger Institute
- Maryland Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
- Maryland Assembly on School-Based Health Care
- Maryland Association of School Health Nurses
- Maryland Behavioral Health Integration in Pediatric Primary Care
- Maryland Board of Pharmacy
- Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities
- Maryland Comptroller’s Task Force on Electronic Smoking Devices
- Maryland Dental Action Coalition
- Maryland Department of Health – Asthma and Lead Program; Cancer Collaborative; Center for Immunization; Center for STI Prevention; Developmental Disabilities Administration; HPV Workgroup; Perinatal Action Team; Perinatal and Infant Oral Health Quality Improvement Program; State Advisory Council on Health and Wellness; Environmental Health Bureau; Office of Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention; Office of Oral Health; Maryland Primary Care Program; Office of Genetics and People with Special Health Care Needs; Maternal Child Health Bureau
- Maryland Department of the Environment – Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
- Maryland Department of Human Services – Social Services Administration
- Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council
- Maryland Family Engagement Coalition
- Maryland Family Network
- Maryland Governor’s Commission on Suicide Prevention
- Maryland Nonprofits
- Maryland Office of Oral Health
- Maryland Poison Center
- Maryland State Department of Education – Family Engagement Coalition; State Early Childhood Advisory Council
- Maryland Youth Justice Coalition
- Mental Health Association of Maryland
- Moms Demand Action Against Gun Violence
- National Alliance for Mental Illness Maryland
- National Association of School Nurses
- National Association of State Boards of Education
- National Center for Fatality Review and Prevention
- National Institute of Mental Health
- No Kid Hungry
- Park Rx America
- Ready At Five
- Sinai Hospital of Baltimore
- The Horizon Foundation
- The Parents’ Place of Maryland
- University of Maryland
A Public Agenda
Not only are there very strong and lasting relationships with many child advocacy groups throughout the state and the region, there is also a strong public policy component that has been effective at the community and state level. The MDAAP has been recognized across the state by the American Academy of Pediatrics and other health associations for their insightful and productive public policy agenda. We are a recognized leader in developing and initiating legislation in Annapolis involving the health and well being of children. The leadership of MDAAP has been instrumental in crafting and implementing legislation that has had a positive impact on the lives of children.
Frequently Asked Questions
Maryland Chapter – American Academy of Pediatrics
What are current chapter initiatives and projects?
Information about current chapter initiatives and projects can be found here.
How do I become a member?
Information about becoming a member and membership dues can be found here.
Why should I become a member and join the MDAAP?
MDAAP offers you the opportunities to advocate (for your profession as well as your patients/families), take a leadership role, and network with your colleagues. For more information click here.
How does the chapter advocate for its members?
The MDAAP is your voice at the table in the Maryland Department of Health, Maryland General Assembly, and other advisory boards. In addition, our MDAAP Pediatric Council assists with issues of access to care, quality of care, and physician payment. The MDAAP has recently tackled these issues:
- Met with the Health Services Cost Review Commission (HSCRC) to recognize issues related to pediatric inpatient services and integration of pediatric care in the community
- Supported legislation to establish a Maternal and Child Health Task force to help HSCRC create policies that will incentivize prevention of and early intervention for pediatric illness and community-based models of care
- Wrote letter to Governor Hogan requesting E & M Code reimbursement be increased to parity with Medicare
How does the chapter advocate for Maryland’s children and adolescents?
The MDAAP is the voice of children in the Maryland General Assembly. The MDAAP will keep you informed about legislation affecting your patients – and with your help, we can bring expertise needed to move legislation forward. In 2020, the MDAAP supported legislation that would:
- Establish a crisis intervention team center of excellence in the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services
- Dedicate staff at the Maryland Department of Education to coordinate with school behavioral health services, revise regulations regarding school-based health centers, and develop guidelines for schools on a trauma-informed approach
- Reduce tobacco, vaping, and electronic smoking devices use by banning flavored products
- Prohibit the use of chlorpyrifos in Maryland
- Establish a seat for an MDAAP representative on the Maryland Department of Health Lead Poisoning Prevention Commission
- Establish a State coordinator for Autism Strategy in the Maryland Department of Health Department of Disabilities