About SOSM

The Section on Senior Members of the AAP is viewed as a vehicle to help members 55 years old and older to stay engaged with the AAP in their lifelong advocacy and concern for the welfare of children. The SOSM has a vision of pediatricians as having achieved professional and personal fulfillment throughout the early, middle and late stages of their professional career, their personal life, and their interaction with the AAP.​

SOSM believes, among other things, in supporting pediatricians’ life and career milestones and also that the AAP recognizes the value of its senior members and that senior members recognize the value of remaining involved in the AAP.

The Section uses a variety of educational tools and individual communications. The Section also recognizes and promotes the importance of meaningful activities for seniors at the Chapter level. 

Mission

The mission of the Section on Senior Members is to create opportunities for all AAP members 55 years of age and older to advocate for children and remain involved in the AAP in a meaningful way. To accomplish this mission, the Section will provide valued programs, resources and benefits.

Vision

Pediatricians have achieved professional and personal fulfillment throughout the entirety of their professional career, personal life, and their interaction with the AAP.

Values

We Believe:

• In the inherent worth and value of children and pediatricians of all ages.

• In supporting pediatricians' life/career milestones so that pediatricians can optimally integrate professional and personal life.

• That society should value children highly in policy and service decisions.

• That the AAP recognizes the value of its senior members and members recognize the value of remaining involved in the AAP.​

​Activities: C​urrent and Long Range

• Continue the webinar series, the website, and the Senior Bulletin (our awesome newsletter).

• Develop a chat resource on SOSM collaboration web site to increase connections with other seniors.

• Explore the use of social media.

• Continue to offer a program at the National Conference and Exhibition specifically for pediatricians 55 years of age and older.

• Work with AAP Chapters to promote state volunteer opportunities for senior-aged pediatricians.

• Promote the AAP mentoring program to seniors through all SOSM communications channels such as web pages, listserv®, and chat on collaboration site. Ask seniors who have participated in the program to write about it in Senior Bulletin.

• Promote international volunteer opportunities to senior members through the Section on International Child Health and Health Volunteers Overseas.

• Promote national volunteer opportunities.

• Explore the possibility of creating an intergenerational advocacy project whereby early careerists work with seniors on a specific AAP advocacy project.

• Explore the possibility of video and audio recordings SOSM educational program for those who are unable to attend.

• Promote local (chapter) senior educational/networking programs so that seniors can attend without extensive traveling. SOSM will track which meetings in which states have been promoted.

• Partner with other organizations such as Generations United (on intergenerational advocacy) and AARP.

• Encourage the AAP to explore the creation of new affinity programs specifically for senior aged pediatricians.​