AAP media contacts: Lisa Robinson, 630-626-6084, lrobinson@aap.org
Alex Hulvalchick, 630-626-6282, ahulvalchick@aap.org
American Academy of Pediatrics hosts 2025 National Conference & Exhibition in Denver
Thousands of pediatric care providers and specialists will learn the latest in pediatric education, share research and attend seminars hosted by experts on infectious diseases, mental health and more.
DENVER - The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is hosting its 2025 National Conference & Exhibition will take place in Denver for the first time, providing an opportunity for pediatricians and other to learn the latest in medical research and collaborate on how to improve children’s health.
The conference, held from Friday, Sept. 26 through Tuesday, Sept. 30, at the Colorado Convention Center, includes educational sessions, an exhibit hall with hundreds of booths, and motivating plenary sessions. More than 10,000 people have registered to attend, representing 71 nations.
AAP President Susan Kressly, MD, FAAP will kick off the conference by discussing the mounting challenges that pediatricians face today and reflecting on the role the academy has in the future of our children’s health.
“Community is critical and the energizing spirit created at the National Conference is what we all need right now,” said Elizabeth Murray, DO, FAAP, chair of the National Conference & Exhibition Planning Group. “The conference offers an opportunity each year for pediatricians to gather as one group to discuss how to best care for our patients, plus it gives us the opportunity to fill our own cups.”
The keynote speaker is ophthalmologist Dr. Will Flanary, better known online as Dr. Glaucomflecken, who posts humorous medical-themed skits that point out the more eccentric and comical situations physicians can find themselves in. Dr. Flanary's humor has been shaped by the tribulations of med school and residency and his experiences as a patient. He is a two-time testicular cancer survivor and cardiac arrest survivor, saved by his wife and her timely CPR. Initially used as a creative outlet to cope with these health challenges, Dr. Flanary's comedy has evolved over time to incorporate biting satire of the US healthcare system, academic publishing, and interpersonal conflicts pervasive in the medical system
More than 260 educational sessions will address a wide array of topics, such as incorporating AI into pediatric practices, exploring the impact of social media on children and teens, and providing ways to ensure patients with special education needs get access to the tools they need. Other sessions will tackle common pediatric health topics of interest, such as injury prevention, mental health, chronic illness, and nutrition.
Journalists interested in attending the conference in person or virtually should review the AAP Media Guidelines and seek credentials in advance of the conference. Reporters should contact Lisa Robinson at lrobinson@aap.org or Alex Hulvalchick at ahulvalchick@aap.org. Embargoed news releases will be available in EurekAlert! and upon request. Abstracts to be presented at the conference will be available on the conference website at 1:05 a.m. MDT on Friday, Sept. 26.
Conference information is here: AAP Experience: National Conference & Exhibition – September 26 -30 2025
Special Events of interest to media include:
SATURDAY, Sept. 27 Plenary
10:30 a.m. to noon MDT
Opening session hosted by Dr. Murray and featuring on-stage entertainment, president’s address by Susan J. Kressly, M.D., FAAP, and keynote address by Dr. Flanary (aka Dr. Glaucomflecken).
AAP PRESS CONFERENCE: Soundbite Session
Noon-1:30 p.m. MDT, Saturday, Sept. 27, Colorado Convention Center, Press Office, 705/707
Authors of select abstracts being presented at the conference will offer brief remarks and be available for individual interviews. Attend this session to learn more about new research. The embargo on abstracts lifts at 1:05 a.m. MDT Friday, Sept. 26. Lunch is provided.
SUNDAY, Sept. 28 Plenary
10:30 a.m. to noon MDT
- “Dating Violence: Should We Be Screening Our Adolescents,” with Natasha K. Sriraman, M.D., M.P.H., FABM, FAAP
- “Smarter Content, Less Time: Partnering with AI to Create Educational and Advocacy Media,” with Michael D. Patrick Jr., M.D., FAAP
- “Elevating the Arts to Improve Youth Mental Health,” with Shale L. Wong, M.D., M.S.P.H., FAAP.
MONDAY, Sept. 29 Plenary
10:30 a.m. to noon MDT
- “Let's Get SMART About Asthma,” with David R. Stukus, M.D., FAAP
- “Legal Aspects of Providing Health Care to Adolescents,” with Abigail English, J.D.
- “The Pediatrician Shortage: How Did We Get Here and How Do We Find Our Way Out?” with Jesse M. Hackell, M.D., FAAP
- “The Power of the Pediatrician,” with Khadijia D. Tribié Reid, M.D., M.P.H., FAAP
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The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 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. Reporters can access the meeting program and other relevant meeting information through the AAP meeting website at http://www.aapexperience.org/