Are you a junior faculty member in pediatrics looking to advance your academic career? The Academic Pediatric Association (APA) is dedicated to nurturing the professional growth of early career academics like you. Through its comprehensive early career program, the APA offers a wealth of opportunities designed to foster faculty and scholarship development, provide valuable mentorship, cultivate leadership skills, facilitate networking, and offer access to crucial research funding and resources. Explore the diverse facets of the Apa Early Career Program and discover how you can get involved today to propel your career to new heights.
Awards and Recognition for Early Career Pediatricians
The APA recognizes and celebrates the outstanding contributions of its members to the field of medical education. Through its annual awards program, the APA honors individuals who demonstrate excellence in teaching and acknowledges the most impactful medical education abstracts presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) Meeting. For junior faculty members who are deeply committed to patient care, the annual Health Care Delivery awards provide well-deserved recognition for their dedication and innovation.
Faculty Development Opportunities through APA Programs
Investing in faculty development is a cornerstone of the APA Early Career Program. A suite of programs is designed to equip junior faculty with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in academic pediatrics.
Advancing Pediatric Educator Excellence (APEX) Teaching Program
The Advancing Pediatric Educator Excellence (APEX) Teaching Program is a year-long longitudinal program meticulously crafted for junior faculty seeking to refine their educational expertise. APEX provides a unique platform to delve into educational theory and acquire practical teaching skills that can be directly implemented at your home institution. Participants benefit from direct observation and personalized feedback from a local mentor, enhancing their clinical teaching capabilities. This program is particularly beneficial for generalists and hospitalists aspiring to elevate their teaching prowess.
Scholars Programs in Education, Health Policy, Quality Improvement, and Research
For junior faculty with a passion for scholarly pursuits and leadership roles, the APA offers several three-year national faculty development programs. These Scholars Programs are tailored for pediatric academicians aiming to cultivate advanced skills in education, health policy, quality improvement, and research. Each program boasts a unique curriculum and is led by distinguished experts in their respective fields. Scholars participate in annual conferences held prior to the PAS meeting and are expected to present their research findings at PAS upon program completion, providing invaluable exposure and networking opportunities.
Funding Opportunities: Young Investigator Award
Securing funding is often a critical step in establishing an academic research career. The APA Early Career Program directly addresses this need by offering the Young Investigator Award grant. Early career faculty members are eligible to apply for this $10,000 grant to support a research project. The application process itself is a valuable exercise in preparing for larger early career research awards, such as the NIH K awards, building crucial grant writing skills and experience.
Leadership Roles for Early Career Faculty
The APA offers numerous avenues for early career faculty to develop and exercise leadership skills at the national level.
Committees
Joining an APA committee provides a platform for early career faculty to contribute their expertise and shape the direction of the association. With a variety of committees focused on diverse areas within academic pediatrics, members can engage in thought leadership and contribute to advancing the APA’s goals. Committees typically meet via teleconference, making participation accessible from anywhere in the country.
Special Interest Groups (SIGs)
Special Interest Groups (SIGs) offer a focused environment for early career faculty to connect with peers who share similar academic interests. Leading an APA SIG provides an excellent opportunity to expand your professional network and hone your leadership abilities. As a SIG Chair, you will facilitate discussions among members throughout the year and organize the annual educational session at the PAS meeting, further establishing your expertise and network within your chosen area.
Regions
APA Regions provide a more localized leadership opportunity. Early career faculty can take on leadership roles within their APA Region, fostering professional development, mentorship, and networking among regional members. Region Chairs play a key role in planning the Region’s annual meeting and facilitating ongoing engagement throughout the year, offering valuable experience in regional leadership and community building.
Mentorship and Networking for Career Growth
The APA Early Career Program emphasizes the importance of mentorship and networking in career advancement.
APA mentorship programs are designed to establish national mentorship relationships, providing early career faculty with access to career advice and guidance from experienced leaders outside their own institutions. The Speed Mentoring event at PAS offers an efficient way to gain insights from senior leaders. Additionally, the APA Community platform facilitates connections with senior leaders and peers for ongoing career advice and support. Junior faculty also have opportunities to mentor trainees at the PHM meeting and through the New Century Scholars program, further developing their mentorship skills.
Networking is seamlessly integrated into the APA experience. The APA Community and the Connect App are invaluable tools for connecting with colleagues across the country.
APA’s Community
APA’s Community online platform hosts over 40 Special Interest Group (SIG) and 10 Region discussion forums. These dynamic and interactive forums enable members to exchange information on the latest academic and clinical trends, share resources, and collaborate on projects, fostering a vibrant and supportive professional network.
Connect App
The APA Connect mobile app provides members with on-the-go access to colleagues and keeps them informed about association news and events. This app streamlines communication and networking, ensuring you stay connected with the APA community wherever you are.
Professional Development Resources
The APA is committed to providing ongoing professional development resources for its early career members.
Develop Your Career in PHM Conference
For pediatric hospitalists in the early stages of their career, the half-day “Develop Your Career in Pediatric Hospital Medicine” leadership conference, held just before the PHM Meeting, is an invaluable resource. Experienced leaders in PHM lead networking and educational sessions designed to equip you with the knowledge and connections needed to chart your path to career success in pediatric hospital medicine.
National and Regional Meetings
Early career faculty members benefit from discounted registration fees for APA’s annual national meetings, including the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) Meeting and the Pediatric Hospital Medicine (PHM) Meeting. These meetings offer opportunities to present research, attend cutting-edge sessions, and network with leaders in the field. APA’s 10 regions also host annual meetings, featuring calls for abstracts and workshops, providing further opportunities to present research and receive valuable feedback in a more regional setting. APA membership automatically includes Region membership, expanding access to these regional professional development opportunities.
Research Networks
The APA is home to three practice-based research networks, offering junior faculty unique avenues for research collaboration and engagement. Participating in these networks allows you to contribute to nation-wide studies, serve on executive leadership committees, and propose your own research studies, accelerating your research career and expanding your impact in the field.
The APA Early Career Program is a robust and multifaceted initiative designed to support junior faculty in pediatrics at every stage of their academic journey. By leveraging these diverse opportunities for awards, faculty development, leadership, mentorship, networking, funding, and professional growth, you can strategically build a successful and impactful career in academic pediatrics. We encourage you to explore these programs further and take an active role in the APA community today.
