The Voices section is a place for physicians, staff and community leaders to share their perspectives on all things healthcare. Dr. Tina Hansen-Sackey is a pediatric resident at Valley Children’s Healthcare and a national trainee liaison for the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Section on Allergy and Immunology.
WASHINGTON – As pediatricians, we care for one child at a time in the clinic, hospital and community. Through advocacy, however, we have the opportunity to improve the health and well-being of countless children. This was one of the most powerful lessons reinforced during my participation in the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Advocacy Conference in Washington, D.C.
I was honored to attend the conference through a scholarship sponsored by the AAP Section on Allergy and Immunology (SOAI). As the current national trainee liaison for SOAI, the experience was especially meaningful because it reinforced the important role pediatric subspecialists play in shaping policies that affect children and families long before and after they walk through our clinic doors.
Representing Valley Children’s Healthcare alongside my attending physician and advocacy mentor, Dr. Hailey Nelson, I joined pediatricians, residents and child health advocates from across the country for several days of advocacy training, policy discussions and legislative visits on Capitol Hill.
One of the primary legislative priorities we discussed was the Strengthening the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program Act. Established in 1993 following a national measles outbreak, the Vaccines for Children Program provides federally purchased vaccines to approximately half of all children in the United States, including those who are uninsured, underinsured, Medicaid-eligible, or American Indian or Alaska Native.
The proposed legislation seeks to expand where eligible children can receive VFC vaccines, including in their medical homes and other trusted healthcare settings, helping reduce barriers to immunization and improve access to preventive care.
A major takeaway from the conference was learning how to effectively engage with policymakers. A framework that resonated with me was the “Problem-Person-Path” approach. Effective advocacy begins with identifying a problem, connecting it to the story of a real child or family affected by that issue, and ending with one clear, actionable request.
Whether asking a legislator to sponsor a bill, make a phone call or cast a vote, advocacy becomes most impactful when evidence and personal stories work together.
The conference also highlighted broader child health issues, including vaccine confidence, public health messaging and the effects of policy decisions on vulnerable populations. Discussions emphasized the concept of collective caregiving – the idea that healthy communities help protect all children by strengthening access to preventive care and reducing the spread of infectious diseases. We also learned about initiatives such as the Vaccine Confidence Institute and strategies to address vaccine hesitancy through trust-building and community engagement.
A session that resonated with me focused on immigration and child health. As an immigrant and someone who has cared for children from diverse backgrounds throughout my training, the discussion resonated deeply. A quote shared during the conference from Warsan Shire’s poem “Home” has stayed with me: “No one puts their children in a boat unless the water is safer than the land.” It was a powerful reminder that behind every policy discussion are children and families whose stories deserve compassion, understanding and advocacy.
Attending the conference alongside Dr. Nelson was particularly meaningful. Her longstanding commitment to advocacy continues to inspire pediatric trainees. She reinforces an important truth: Pediatricians have a responsibility not only to care for children at the bedside, but also to advocate for policies that improve child health on a broader scale.
As I prepare to begin fellowship training in allergy and immunology, this experience reaffirmed that advocacy is an essential part of our profession. It reinforced that some of the most important work we do for children happens beyond the bedside. I am grateful to the AAP Section on Allergy and Immunology for supporting my participation and to the Valley Children’s Pediatric Residency Program for fostering a culture that values advocacy and community engagement. I strongly encourage pediatric residents to seek out advocacy opportunities such as the AAP Advocacy Conference.
These experiences not only teach us how policy shapes health, but also remind us why our voices matter.
For me, advocacy is simply another way of caring for children, beyond the bedside, beyond the clinic and within the communities where they live and grow.
