Maj Caitlyn Hammond
President
Location: Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio
Uniformed Affiliation: Air Force
Other Professional Affiliations:
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, USUHS
Associate Program Director, Wright State University Integrated Pediatric Residency Program
Specialty: General Pediatrics
Personal Focus: Graduate medical education, newborn medicine
Why I Chose Pediatrics: As a military dependent child, I was drawn to give back for the care I received. What better way than to those who are most vulnerable? I have always been in awe of the resiliency of children. They respond so beautifully, are fairly treatment naive and the impact of what we do lasts a literal lifetime. I love the preventive aspect and it doesn’t hurt that I get to have fun every day. Where else does treatment consist of play?!
Maj Nitasha Garcia
Immediate Past President
Location: Buckley Air Force Base, Aurora, Colorado
Uniformed Affiliation: Air Force
Other Professional Affiliation(s): American Medical Association member and Military Health System Council for Female Physician Recruitment and Retention member
Specialty: General Pediatrics
Personal Focus: Clinical quality, patient safety, mentorship of junior clinicians
Why I Chose Pediatrics: To be able to inspire children to lead healthy lives and to use my expertise to aid those who are ill or injured
LCDR Kari Wagner
Secretary/Treasurer
Location: Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD
Uniformed Affiliation: Navy
Other Professional Affiliation(s): Maryland AAP Chapter, AAP Section on Neonatal Perinatal Medicine, and Newborn Brain Society
Specialty: Neonatology
Personal Focus: NICU developmental follow-up, neonatal nutrition, and quality improvement.
Why I Chose Pediatrics: During my medical school rotations it was the specialty that felt like the best fit. I enjoy watching my patients grow and felt like I could have a greater influence on children’s health and futures.
CDR Witza Seide
Immediate Past President
Location: Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD
Uniformed Affiliation: Public Health Service
Other Professional Affiliation(s): Commissioned Officers Association, National Medical Association, American Medical Women's Association and Military Health System Council for Female Physician Recruitment and Retention member.
Specialty: General Pediatrics
Personal Focus: Coming from a large family I loved being around kids. Going into medicine I also realized the importance a Pediatrician could have on the wellbeing of a child and family dynamic; I wanted to be a part of making an impact for a healthier world.
Why I Chose Pediatrics: Coming from a large family I loved being around kids. Going into medicine I also realized the importance a Pediatrician could have on the wellbeing of a child and family dynamic; I wanted to be a part of making an impact for a healthier world.
Carolyn Famiglietti
Executive Director
Dr. Michael Rajnik
Liaison to the Section on Senior Career Physicians
Location: Uniformed Services University/Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD
Uniformed Affiliation: Retired Air Force
Other Professional Affiliation(s): Associate Professor, Uniformed Services University, AAP Section on Uniformed Services, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society
Specialties: General Pediatrics and Pediatric Infectious Diseases
Personal Focus: Clinical infectious diseases, clinical research and medical education
Why I Chose Pediatrics: I decided to go into pediatrics because I really enjoy working with children and young families. It is energizing to work with young people and watch them mature and change over time. As a pediatrician, you get to have a small part in so many children's lives that you feel like you are making a contribution to the entire society.
COL Joseph May
Liaison to the Section on Early Career Physicians
Location: WRNMMC, Bethesda, MD
Uniformed Affiliation: Army
Other Professional Affiliation(s):
AAP Section on Early Career Physicians
AAP Section on Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery
American College of Cardiology (ACC) Adult Congenital and Pediatric Cardiology Section
ACC Federal Cardiology Section
Alpha Omega Alpha, Maryland Gamma Chapter
Order of Military Medical Merit
The Cosmos Club
Washington Performing Arts Society Junior Board
Specialty: Pediatric Cardiology
Personal Focus: Technology-driven solutions for pediatric cardiology patients; improving the quality of referrals to pediatric cardiologists; career development and professional growth for junior medical staff
Why I Chose Pediatrics: In addition to the reward of helping children thrive and watching them grow up, I love the challenge that comes with the field of pediatrics. Whether deciphering symptoms from a child too young to speak, or helping to solve a complex management puzzle that comes with congenital heart disease, I find that every day I spend seeing patients keeps me on my toes!
Dr. Wendy Schofer
Member at Large
Location: Chesapeake, VA
Uniformed Affiliation: Navy Reservist (CAPT), Navy Spouse, Community Pediatrician for Military Children
Other Professional Affiliations:
Virginia Chapter, AAP - Obesity Champion;
Virginia Chapter - Co-Chair Provider Wellness Committee
Specialties: Pediatrics: Primary Care, Urgent Care, Lifestyle
Professional focus: lifestyle medicine & whole-child wellness, community engagement, population health, developmental/behavioral pediatrics and mental health; urgent care
Why I chose pediatrics: I love playing with my patients, joking around with the families, talking directly with teens, "flirting" with toddlers and making a game of how I can best engage children in the office. This makes the office visit a positive experience, and an authentic fit with my personality. Plus I know that my work with children can impact a lifetime of positive health behaviors.
LTC Elizabeth Simmons
Member at Large
Location: Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD
Uniformed Affiliation: Army
Other Professional Affiliation(s): None
Specialty: General Pediatrics
Personal Focus: Breastfeeding medicine, wellness, and clinic improvement
Why I Chose Pediatrics: To watch my patients grow up, make a difference in their lives, and play all day long while telling their parents how great they are doing in the complicated world of of parenthood.
CPT Molly Childers
CATCH Grant
Co-Coordinator
Location: Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD
Uniformed Affiliation: Army
Other Professional Affiliation(s): AAP Young Physicians Leadership Alliance (class of 2020-2023)
Specialty: Hospital Pediatrics
Personal Focus: Medical education, resident education and wellness, simulation, Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS), Hospitalist and Critical Care Medicine
Why I Chose Pediatrics: The children and people I work with every day bring me so much joy. To be surrounded by a group of healers who hope to improve the lives of children and families is a dream come true. Plus, the infinite supply of stickers and smiles isn’t too shabby either!
MAJ Rebecca McConnell
CATCH Grant
Co-Coordinator
Location: Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD
Uniformed Affiliation: Army
Other Professional Affiliation(s): Pediatric Endocrine Society
Specialty: General Pediatrics, Pediatric Endocrinology
Personal Focus: Trying to help families find the value in healthy diet and exercise habits – and find ways they can include these in their everyday lives.
Why I Chose Pediatrics: I hadn’t yet made up my mind to do Pediatrics, but after I finished my Peds rotation during my third year of medical school, I found that I missed seeing pediatric patients! Decision made!
