Really appreciated all the great insights from fellow child advocates at the @TJCommission UNIFY pediatric sessions @ChildrensNatl @hospitals4kids @CincyChildrens @TexasChildrens @ASPRgov

Congrats to the inspiring leaders at the PPN! @HRSAgov @UHRainbowBabies @ChildrensNatl !

Children's Health Friday The future of children’s health is being built right now—and it’s inspiring to see science, technology, and compassionate care come together for young patients and their families. These advances remind us that progress in pediatric medicine can mean more options, more hope, and more opportunities for children to live full, active lives. At @CHOP personalized gene editing is opening new possibilities for children with rare genetic conditions. This work is helping researchers explore treatments designed around an individual child’s unique diagnosis, while emphasizing careful clinical oversight, safety, and long-term follow-up. At @Nicklaus4Kids, Florida’s first robotics-assisted pediatric cardiac surgery is expanding minimally invasive options for selected children with heart conditions. The milestone reflects the power of specialized surgical teams and thoughtful innovation to make advanced care more accessible for families. Different breakthroughs, one shared goal: giving more kids the chance to grow, play, learn, and thrive. We’re grateful for the clinicians, researchers, and families helping move pediatric care forward—one meaningful advancement at a time. lnkd.in/e4emBTya lnkd.in/eYGdXgZw

AAP president: How pediatricians are navigating federal leaders’ fearmongering on vaccines statnews.com/2026/08/14/vacc… via @statnews

Children’s Health Friday | Pediatric Readiness Is Everyday Readiness When we think about disaster preparedness, we often picture hurricanes, wildfires, mass-casualty events, or pandemics. But preparedness for children starts much closer to home—in every emergency department and hospital that may be called upon to care for a critically ill or injured child. Children are not simply small adults. The right equipment, medications, clinical expertise, transfer relationships, and pediatric emergency care coordination all matter. The encouraging news is that many of the same investments that improve everyday pediatric emergency care also make our communities more resilient when disaster strikes. This Children’s Health Friday, a simple question for every health system: If several seriously ill or injured children arrived at your doors today, would you be ready? Preparing for children every day is how we prepare for children on the worst day. #ChildrensHealthFriday #Pediatrics #DisasterPreparedness #PediatricReadiness #ChildrensHealth #Peds Ready @ASPRgov emscimprovement.center/domai… pediatricdisaster.org/

Our children need us to advocate for them, now more than ever @AmerAcadPeds @hospitals4kids

When Fierce Weather Reaches The Stoops of a Friendly Street (The New York Times), Aug 10, 2026 pressreader.com/article/2814…

Children's Health Friday..... America has quietly been losing pediatric hospital capacity for years. A new study by Dr. Kenneth Michelson and colleagues at @LurieChildrens provides some of the strongest evidence yet that this trend is accelerating—and it should concern everyone committed to children's health. Over the past two decades, hospitals across the United States have seen a steady decline in pediatric capability. Many community hospitals are caring for fewer children, pediatric inpatient units have closed, and specialized pediatric services have become increasingly concentrated in fewer centers. Regionalization has undoubtedly improved outcomes for children with highly specialized or complex conditions. But it has also created new challenges. When community hospitals lose pediatric expertise and resources, children may face longer travel times, delayed transfers, and fewer local options for care. These findings have implications well beyond routine healthcare. During disasters, infectious disease outbreaks, or mass casualty incidents, every hospital may suddenly need to care for children. A resilient healthcare system depends not only on outstanding children's hospitals, but also on maintaining essential pediatric capability across community hospitals. Dr. Michelson's work is an important reminder that access to pediatric care is a national strategic issue, not simply an operational one. As healthcare leaders, we should be asking how to preserve pediatric readiness while continuing to advance excellence through regionalization. Children deserve a healthcare system that is both exceptional and accessible. Reference: Michelson KA, Bucholz EM, Ramgopal S, Remick KE, Samuels-Kalow ME. Pediatric Capabilities in US Hospitals: 2003–2022. Pediatrics. 2026;157(1). Read the article here: lnkd.in/d4JUta-8 @AmerAcadPeds @hospitals4kids #ChildHealth #Pediatrics #HealthcareLeadership #HealthPolicy #DisasterPreparedness #EmergencyPreparedness #PediatricCare

Children’s healthcare requires quality and safety approaches designed for the unique needs of children and families. That’s why I’m honored to co-lead @TJCommission Children’s Healthcare Advisory Committee, where we’re working to strengthen care for children and families. At UNIFY 2026, Joint Commission’s annual thought leadership event, our dedicated children’s health track—co-sponsored by Children’s Hospital Association—will explore what’s next for pediatric care. Sessions will focus on breakthrough innovations, access to care and emergency preparedness, with conversations aimed at improving outcomes for children nationwide. I hope you’ll join us in Washington, DC, Sept. 30-Oct. 1. Learn more: cvent.me/7o50L4?utm_source=S… player.vimeo.com/video/12136…

Today I'm launching #ChildrensHealthFriday. Children aren't simply small adults. They depend on specialized hospitals, clinicians, and systems that deserve greater national attention. Each Friday I'll share perspectives on pediatric capacity, disaster preparedness, workforce, innovation, and policy to help strengthen care for children. Healthy children are a national priority. #Pediatrics #PreparednessTT publications.aap.org/pediatr…

Congrats @jdbalart so well deserved!

ICU vaccine preventable diseases rising pediatric US It’s not just about measles. Our kids are in real danger #VaccinesSaveLives idse.net/Pediatric-Infection…