Message from the Chair

Welcome to the Section on Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics (SODBP)!
On the behalf of the SODBP’s Executive Committee (EC), I am so glad you discovered us. Founded in 1960, the SODBP is the home within the AAP for professionals interested in child development and behavior, with the mission of strengthening collaboration between primary care pediatricians, developmental-behavioral subspecialists, and families so that all children receive comprehensive high quality developmental-behavioral care. Our interdisciplinary membership  , which is one of the largest Sections in the AAP, is comprised of over 1400 members and includes general pediatricians, developmental-behavioral pediatricians, child and adolescent psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, physical and occupational therapists, speech and language pathologists, and social workers.

Why might one join SODBP? Members receive bi-weekly updates informing them of advocacy opportunities, educational offerings, and timely updates on best practices and tools for clinical care related to DBP. Furthermore, the Section is invested in cultivating the next generation by involving trainees and early career physicians. As such, SODBP has sponsored resident CATCH grants, scholarships for attendance to the AAP Advocacy Conference, as well as scholarships for attendance to the National Conference and Exhibition. SODBP has also worked with AAP Chapters through sponsoring grants for Chapters that connect DBP and general pediatricians.

I encourage you to take the next step and explore the myriad of options to become involved with the Section. Previous chair, Peter J. Smith, MD, MA, FAAP, led the EC in the creation of the DBP workforce action plan   which is a framework that seeks to collaborate with other groups to (1) enrich training systems, (2) bolster supports for existing DBPs, and (3) advance subspecialty awareness, interest, and inclusiveness. With this framework, the SODBP EC has realigned its committees to facilitate the existing priorities of the Section, while ensuring its activities are facilitating progress of the workforce plan. As such, the committees  include:

• Education
• Equity, Justice, and Policy
• Membership Engagement
• Primary Care  

For more information about opportunities, look out for the bi-weekly emails from SODBP and reach out to us through the our contact form .  I sincerely hope that you will consider sharing your talent with the SODBP.  

Jennifer Poon, MD, FAAP
Chair