Community Advocacy Program
The Community Advocacy Program (CAP) provides a streamlined structure for pediatric residents to engage in their community through strong local community partnerships providing child-focused advocacy activities. The program is committed to ensuring that all efficacious health and social services are provided to children in need.
These efforts require a knowledge base and expertise in advocacy, which must be learned through directed educational experiences.
Pediatricians at the Capitol
This annual event is hosted in collaboration with the AzAAP and was iniated by a group of residents passionate about demystifying the legislative process and advocating for children. Residents are afforded the opportunity to go to the State Capitol during the legislative session to advocate for child health issues through attendance at House and Senate Health Committee meetings and meeting with their state representatives. The day long event includes training about how to craft and deliver messages to legislators as well as a review of the legisl
Community Advocacy Partners (CAP)
- William T. Machan Elementary School
- Quarterly Cafecito's - education classe for an energetic group of parents
- Machan Collaborative Community Center
- UMOM New Day Center
- Monthly health topic talks for residents at the UMOM New Day Center
Advocacy Track
Created for residents interested in promoting child health and reducing child health disparities through engagement in community-based or legislative advocacy projects in collaboration with local, state and/or national partners. Requirements during the PL2 and PL3 year are that one resident longitudinal experience clinic per month and one week during the Community Rotation is dedicated to advocacy and an individualized Advocacy Project.
Track Projects
2016-2019
- Megan Matz, MD – Health Literacy in a Second Language
- Romy Shane, MD – Resilience in the face of Grief
- Aarti Vala, MD – Maryvale Community Collaboration Building
2015-2018
- Himali Bhatt, MD – Toxic Stress
- Lauren Bodily MD – Communicating Health Information with At Risk Teens
- Ashley Schmieding, MD – Improving Care for Adolescents
2014-2017
- Katie VanderVelde, MD – Food Insecurity Screening
2013-2016
- Scott Grant, MD – Adverse Childhood Experiences
