From L to R: Desiree de la Torre (Children’s National Hospital), Dr. Joseph Wright (American Academy of Pediatrics) and Dr. Chaya Merrill (Children’s National Hospital)

In September, the Sandra L. Fenwick Institute for Pediatric Health Equity and Inclusion Symposium at Boston Children’s Hospital marked the 7th year of hosting this annual event, dedicated to advancing pediatric health equity and promoting inclusive excellence in healthcare and research leadership. The two-day symposium brought together leaders and researchers from across the country, offering a platform for the presentation of 28 abstracts that highlighted cutting-edge research and policy in pediatric health equity. Keynote speakers included Joseph Wright, MD, MPH, FAAP, Chief Health Equity Officer at the American Academy of Pediatrics, and Valerie L. Ward, MD, MPH, Senior Vice President at Boston Children’s, who moderated a panel on women in leadership.

A highlight of the symposium was the keynote address delivered by Dr. Joe Wright, the inaugural Chief Health Equity Officer and Senior Vice President for Equity Initiatives at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Dr. Wright’s role is historic, as he is tasked with overseeing the AAP’s national strategy to promote and achieve health equity for all children. In this capacity, he provides strategic guidance to the AAP Board of Directors, the CEO, and leadership on all matters related to health equity, diversity, and inclusion. His keynote set the tone for the symposium, emphasizing the importance of systemic change, cross-sector collaboration, and the role of healthcare professionals as advocates for equity.

Among the notable presentations was “Transforming Child Health: Community-Driven Strategies and Advocacy at Children’s National Hospital,” presented by Desiree de la Torre, Executive Director of Community and Government Affairs, on behalf of the Child Health Advocacy Institute (CHAI) at Children’s National Hospital. Her presentation detailed how the hospital’s Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) and Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) are actively addressing health disparities in Washington, D.C., and nearby Maryland counties. Using the Child Opportunity Index (COI), they identified 21 neighborhoods as “very low-opportunity” areas and engaged stakeholders to focus on critical priorities such as early childhood education, healthy food access, health insurance coverage, and employment. Their advocacy efforts have led to tangible legislative successes, including bills that address food access and insurance coverage, as well as extensive community engagement.

In addition, a key session titled “Child Opportunity Index (COI) 3.0: Practical Applications and Research Opportunities” was led by Clemens Noelke, PhD, one of the COI’s creators. The workshop highlighted new features of COI 3.0 and its role in promoting health equity across healthcare settings. A significant moment occurred when Dr. Chaya Merrill, Director of the Data Lab in CHAI, who has worked closely with Noelke’s team for years on integrating the COI into Children’s National Hospital’s CHNA and CHIP, met him in person for the first time. Their collaboration has helped identify and address key disparities in “very low-opportunity” neighborhoods.

The symposium highlighted the crucial role of community-driven strategies in transforming child health outcomes, as exemplified by the work at Children’s National. Through a collaborative approach that blends data-driven insights, community partnerships, and strategic advocacy, the hospital is working to address the root causes of pediatric health disparities. These efforts, combined with the forward-looking discussions at the Fenwick Institute symposium, underscore the importance of sustained commitment to pediatric health equity across healthcare, research, and policy leadership.