Web links: Pediatric organizations

New pediatricians may be boggled by the number of different organizations and societies that they can join. Even experienced pediatricians may not have heard of all of them. But each group offers its members valuable opportunities to share information, trade tips, learn from others, and help make their child care the best it can be. And almost all are eager to welcome new members to their ranks.

Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices: http://www.cdc.gov/nip/acip/
The ACIP is a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention committee, made up of 15 immunization experts, that develops the recommended schedules for routine vaccine administration.

Ambulatory Pediatrics Association: http://www.ambpeds.org/
Founded in 1953, the APA promotes generalism in academic pediatrics and academics in general pediatrics.

American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry: http://www.aapd.org/
The AAPD's 6,800 members are primary dental care providers for millions of children.

American Academy of Pediatrics: http://www.aap.org/
The official hub of the AAP is a basic asset for any pediatrician.

American Pediatric Surgical Association: http://www.eapsa.org/
At APSA, parents can find a surgeon for their child's needs, and surgeons can find patients.

American Board of Pediatrics: http://www.abp.org/ABPWebSite/
The nonprofit, independent ABP is one of the 24 certifying boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties. The ABP awards General Practice certificates, as well as over a dozen subspecialty areas.

American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology: http://www.aspho.org/
The ASPHO is a professional society for those who study and treat childhood cancer and blood diseases.

American Society of Pediatric Nephrology: http://www.aspneph.com/
ASPNeph is for the doctors, nurses, dieticians, social workers, and others who help children with kidney disease.

Congenital Cardiac Anesthesia Society: http://www.pedsanesthesia.org/ccas/
An offshoot of the Society for Paediatric Anesthesia, CCAS is devoted to a crucial subspecialty.

Federation of Pediatric Organizations: http://www.fopo.org/
FOPO exists to let the members of different pediatric groups communicate with each other.

National Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions: http://www.childrenshospitals.net/
NACHRI works to ensure children's access to health care, and to support children's hospitals. Also home to N.A.C.H., NACHRI's public policy wing.

National Association of Pediatric Nurses Practitioners: http://www.napnap.org/index_home.cfm/
NAPNAP's goals are to promote optimal health for children through leadership, practice, advocacy, education, and research.