The AAP Advocacy Internship: Championing Child Health Through Policy and Action

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) offers a robust advocacy internship in Washington, D.C., designed to equip medical students, pediatric residents, and fellowship trainees with the skills and knowledge necessary to influence child health policy. For four decades, this program has served as a cornerstone for those eager to delve into the intricacies of child health policy, the legislative process, and public affairs.

A Foundation in Advocacy: Equipping Future Leaders

The AAP advocacy internship program is specifically tailored for AAP members who are medical students, residents, or fellow trainees. It provides a unique opportunity to gain firsthand experience in the world of advocacy, working directly within the AAP's Washington office.

The Advocacy Training SIG (Special Interest Group) has consistently held meetings, such as the one at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) conference, focusing on legislative advocacy. These sessions emphasize the skills needed to advocate effectively at the legislative level and address the impact of policy on the health and well-being of children, particularly those in underserved communities. The goal is to empower trainees to become advocates who can address the needs of the communities they serve. This is achieved through curricular innovations in teaching legislative advocacy and strategies for integrating this education into pediatric medical education across various levels of learners.

Immersive Experiences: The Core Components of the Internship

The AAP advocacy internship provides a comprehensive learning experience through several key components:

Direct Engagement with Government Processes: Interns gain invaluable insights into government institutions and processes, observing firsthand how policy is shaped and implemented.
Attendance at Hearings and Briefings: Interns attend congressional hearings on various child health issues, gaining a deeper understanding of the legislative landscape.
Coalition Building: Interns learn the importance of forming collaborations with other organizations that share similar goals, understanding the power of collective action.

Interns generally work in-person at the AAP Washington Office for four consecutive weeks, Monday through Friday, from 9 am to 5 pm. There is also an opportunity to work remotely for up to two days per week.

Read also: Internships in Disability Advocacy

The Importance of Advocacy: Protecting Vulnerable Populations

The AAP advocates for a wide range of issues that impact children, families, and pediatricians. A crucial aspect of this advocacy involves ensuring the well-being of vulnerable populations. As Congress negotiates the federal budget, the Academy urges lawmakers to reject funding cuts to vital programs like Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). These programs are essential for providing healthcare to children and families who rely on them.

At the federal level, the Academy's advocacy, grounded in evidence-based policies, extends to all three branches of the federal government. This comprehensive approach ensures that the needs of children are considered in all aspects of government decision-making.

Empowering Trainees: Becoming Agents of Change

The AAP recognizes the importance of young physicians as agents of change. The advocacy internship provides a platform for residents and faculty to participate in advocacy activities at the local, national, and international levels. These activities include discussions with state legislatures, attendance at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Legislative Conference, and participation in the AAP Advocacy elective in Washington, D.C.

Sessions at meetings such as PAS include dynamic speakers who share their experiences advocating at the local, state, or federal level. Participants also share their experiences inspiring and mentoring trainees, fostering a collaborative environment for learning and growth. The aim is to equip participants with the tools to create tailored messages that effectively communicate with decision-makers about issues affecting child health.

Highlighting Success: Showcasing Trainee Advocacy Projects

The Advocacy Training SIG sessions often highlight outstanding trainee advocacy projects through oral presentations. This provides a platform for trainees to showcase their work and inspire others to get involved in advocacy.

Read also: Academic Journey Support

For example, Hayley Sharma, a senior medical student at the University of Minnesota, presented a poster on "Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Refugee Minors: A Literature Review" at UMN’s Global Health Day Conference and the Pediatric Research, Education and Scholarship Symposium (PRESS). Her work was recognized with a 3rd Place Award for Best Undergraduate/Graduate/Medical Student Poster at the PRESS event. Ms. Sharma also presented her research at the 2019 annual ISSOP meeting in Beirut, Lebanon.

Mentorship and Global Impact: The Role of Experienced Leaders

Experienced leaders, such as Dr. Chuck Oberg, Professor Emeritus, play a crucial role in mentoring trainees and driving advocacy efforts on a global scale. Dr. Oberg's advocacy work on behalf of refugee children around the world with the International Society for Social Pediatrics and Child Health (ISSOP) exemplifies the impact that dedicated individuals can have.

ISSOP is an organization of professionals acting locally and globally to improve the health and well-being of children and young people, with a focus on social pediatrics and child health. Dr. Oberg's contributions include co-authoring the Budapest Declaration: On the Rights, Health and Well-being of Children and Youth on the Move.

Diversity and Inclusion: A Core Value

The AAP recognizes the importance of diversity and inclusion in all aspects of its work. The Academy annually presents an award to an individual who demonstrates exemplary leadership and efforts to support and create a diverse and inclusive workplace, along with an educational environment where learners can understand the needs of diverse individuals, patients, families, and populations. This includes work in health care disparities or with underserved populations.

Recipients of this award demonstrate their commitment through a wide range of activities, including efforts to support recruitment and retention of diverse faculty and/or trainees; teaching and/or research that expand understanding of equity and inclusiveness; creation/promotion of multicultural programming; community outreach initiatives; or other activities in the area of equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Addressing Emerging Threats: E-Cigarettes and Child Health

The AAP also addresses emerging threats to child health, such as the use of e-cigarettes. E-cigarettes, also called personal vaporizers or "vapes," present another way for smokers to ingest nicotine. The AAP advocates for policies and regulations to protect children from the harmful effects of e-cigarettes.

Application Information and Timeline

The application period is now closed for internships between July 2025 and June 2026. Applications for the internship cycle running from July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027, will open in the spring of 2026.

The internship is available to medical students, residents, and fellowship trainees with an interest and/or specialty in pediatrics. Interns must be members of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

tags: #aap #advocacy #internship