When the call came in to inform Susan J. Kressly, M.D., FAAP, she was elected AAP president-elect, it was exactly one year since Hurricane Ian hit Sanibel Island, Fla., where she lives. The worst storm on that island since 1926 devastated her home, though it remains livable.
So as she continues rebuilding, the good news of her AAP win was well-timed.
“It was really awesome to know that there is hope at the end of a long journey…,” Dr. Kressly said.
Resilience is one of the qualities of the pediatric practice expert who has served in many AAP leadership capacities. Her tenure as chair of the AAP Section on Administration and Practice Management will end Dec. 31, as she steps into the role of president-elect on Jan. 1, 2024.
Dr. Kressly will focus on prioritizing children, empowering pediatricians and inspiring hope. She said there is an underpinning challenge in all of those priorities: Pediatrics is critically underpaid and under-resourced.
"Why and what levers do we have to change (this)? Because it’s not sustainable, and the kids are counting on us.”
She also is looking forward to learning the priorities of members — a journey, she said, has already begun.
Dr. Kressly ran against David L. Hill, M.D., FAAP, of Wilmington, N.C.
She will take over as president on Jan.1, 2025, following Benjamin D. Hoffman, M.D., FAAP, of Portland, Ore., who will serve as president in 2024. Read more about Dr. Kressly at https://publications.aap.org/aapnews/news/25088.
National offices
Results for additional AAP national offices are below. Those elected will take office on Jan. 1, 2024.
At-large board members
Medical subspecialist (seat A)
Angela M. Ellison, M.D., M.Sc., FAAP
Surgical specialist (seat B)
Kristina W. Rosbe, M.D., FAAP
District II chairperson
Jeffrey M. Kaczorowski, M.D., FAAP
District II vice chairperson
Vanessa Salcedo, M.D., M.P.H., FAAP
District III National Nominating Committee representative
(Stephanie) Tanner Walsh, M.D., IBCLC, FAAP
District IV chairperson
Patricia M. Purcell, M.D., M.B.A., FAAP
District IV vice chairperson
Deborah M. Greenhouse, M.D., FAAP
District V vice chairperson
Hirotaka (Hiro) Yamashiro, M.D., FAAP
District VI National Nominating Committee representative
Alison Brooks, M.D., M.P.H., FAAP
District VII chairperson
Susan Buttross, M.D., FAAP
District VII vice chairperson
Eve H. Switzer, M.D., FAAP
District VIII chairperson
Gregory S. Blaschke, M.D., M.P.H., FAAP
District VIII vice chairperson
Elizabeth Meade, M.D., FAAP
District VIII National Nominating Committee representative
John A. Pope, M.D., M.P.H., FAAP
District X National Nominating Committee representative
D. Paul Robinson, M.D., FAAP
New board member rotation
Members also approved a bylaws referendum on a revised rotation calendar for the Board of Directors to improve continuity and governance:
- Beginning with the 2024 election cycle, Districts V and X Board Members Lia Gaggino, M.D., FAAP, and Madeline Joseph, M.D., FAAP, will have their terms extended two years, to 2026. Thereafter, the terms for board members from those districts will revert to four years.
- The board member elected to at-large seat A (medical subspecialist) will have a six-year term (2024 through 2029). Thereafter, the term for this seat will revert to four years.
- The board members elected in 2023 from Districts VII and VIII will serve six-year terms (2024 through 2029). Thereafter, the terms will revert to four years.
An independent task force created in January recommended the changes. The membership vote followed a vote at this year’s Leadership Conference to allow the referendum to be placed on the ballot.
Of eligible voters, 13.5% cast votes in the AAP election. There were no position vacancies in Districts I and IX.
District chairpersons serve as AAP board members. District vice chairpersons support the district chairpersons, including assisting in chapter development. National Nominating Committee representatives select candidates for president-elect and district offices and oversee the campaign and election.
Resource
For background on all the candidates, visit the AAP News Election Guide 2023.
