NEW ORLEANS – Robert Block, MD, FAAP, outgoing president of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), will address attendees at the AAP National Conference & Exhibition Saturday, Oct. 20, at 10:40 a.m. during the opening plenary session at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans. Dr. Block will lead a discussion on the "soul of a pediatrician," and how a pediatrician's devotion and compassion for children must persist as the world of medicine changes around us.
Dr. Block will also focus on his yearlong theme of "all adults were once children," to promote the value of investment in children's health, education, and overall well-being. Dr. Block will also discuss advancements made over the past year in Medicaid improvements, gun safety, disaster preparedness, and drugs and medical devices for children.
"One of the first things I realized after taking office is that pediatricians must recognize change and we must manage that change in order to succeed in our advocacy for children," said Dr. Block. "Our work on early brain and child development, epigenetics, and a science-based economic approach is so important to protect children as they follow the path of adult life. I am so proud of the work accomplished by the AAP during the past year that emphasizes our commitment to the importance of quality, comprehensive pediatric care for all children."
Dr. Block has served as 2011-2012 president of the AAP. He received his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania, and completed his pediatric residency at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. He has been a member of the Oklahoma University College of Medicine faculty since 1975.
Dr. Block is a diplomat of the American Board of Pediatrics, a past president of the Oklahoma chapter of the AAP, and former member and chair of the AAP Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect. He is a former member and chair of the United States Advisory Commission on Childhood Vaccines. Dr. Block is the immediate past president and current board chair of the Academy on Violence and Abuse, a national organization focused on increasing health care professionals' education and academic research on the health effects of violence and abuse.
The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 60,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. For more information, visit www.aap.org .