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:
Chapter Committees
- Adolescent Health
- Early Childhood
- Emotional Health
- Environmental Health and Climate Change
- Gun Violence Prevention
- Immigrant Child Health
- Immunizations
- Inclusion-Diversity Anti-Racism & Equity (I-DARE)
- Injury, Violence and Poison Prevention
- Mental Health
- Oral Health
- Pediatric Council
- Senior Pediatricians
Chapter Champions
- Safe Sleep Champion
- Senior Members Champion
Chapter Liaisons
- Breastfeeding Liaison
- CATCH Facilitators
- Child Maltreatment/Foster Care Liaison
- Communications Liaison
- CSHCN/Disabilities Liaison
- Dentistry Liaison
- Disaster Preparedness Liaison
- Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Liaison
- Hospitalists Liaison
- Infectious Diseases Liaison
- Information Technology Liaison
- Military Liaison
- School Health Liaison
- Tobacco Control Liaison
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.
