The American Pediatric Society (APS) is pleased to announce Glenn Flores, MD, as the 2024 David G. Nichols Health Equity Award recipient.
Credit: APS
The American Pediatric Society (APS) is pleased to announce Glenn Flores, MD, as the 2024 David G. Nichols Health Equity Award recipient.
The David G. Nichols Health Equity Award, administered by the APS and endowed by the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) Foundation, was created to recognize demonstrated excellence in advancing child and adolescent health, well-being, and equity through quality improvement, advocacy, practice, or research. This award recognizes Dr. Flores’ outstanding contributions to advancing child and adolescent health, well-being, and equity and the far-reaching impact of his work. The award will be presented to Dr. Flores during the APS Presidential Plenary at the Pediatric Academic Societies 2024 Meeting in Toronto, Canada, May 2 – May 6.
Dr. Glenn Flores’ commitment to achieving equity and eliminating disparities for the most underserved patients and families started as a resident and junior faculty when he founded the Pediatric Latino Clinic at Boston Medical Center to better serve the Latino community by providing linguistic and culturally relevant healthcare. In the decades since, Dr. Flores has continued to address our nation’s gaps in healthcare for children and youth through his research, advocacy, and mentoring efforts. His past research includes a systematic review of the impact of medical interpreter services on healthcare quality and an exhaustive critical review of barriers to healthcare access for Latino children. Dr. Flores’ advocacy achievements include being an invited speaker and panelist for the US Surgeon General’s Workshop on Improving Health Literacy. He also drafted 2018 legislation signed into law by Congress and the President as part of CHIP reauthorization which makes organizations that use parent mentors eligible to receive $120 million in CMS grants for Medicaid and CHIP outreach and enrollment; there are now CMS-funded parent-mentor programs in 11 states and the Cherokee Nation. Finally, Dr. Flores has been the primary mentor for an impressive 72 mentees, most of whom have been underrepresented minorities in medicine.
“Dr. Flores embodies the essence of the David G. Nichols Health Equity Award, continuing the legacy of Dr. Nichols’ unwavering commitment to health equity and diversity in pediatric care,” said Dr. John A. Barnard, MD, Interim President and CEO of the American Board of Pediatrics. Dr. Flores’ lifelong dedication to eliminating disparities and fostering equity for underserved children and families is both inspiring and transformative.”
“From his pioneering work in establishing the Pediatric Latino Clinic at Boston Medical Center to his influential research and advocacy efforts, Dr. Flores has been a beacon of hope and progress. His leadership of the Research in Academic Pediatrics Initiative on Diversity (RAPID) underscores his commitment to nurturing the next generation of diverse pediatric leaders. We are honored to celebrate Dr. Flores as a testament to the enduring impact of Dr. Nichols’ vision and values.”
APS President, Dr. Michael DeBaun, commented, “Dr. Flores has had a multi-generational impact on mentoring the next generation of pediatric physician-scientists and leaders. In 2010, Dr. Flores was the initiator and has been the only director of the Research in Academic Pediatrics Initiative on Diversity (RAPID). RAPID recently received its second competitive renewal from NIDDK for Years 11-15. RAPID has been associated with an astounding 86% increase in APA’s racial/ethnic diversity. RAPID Scholars have generated multiple national conference publications and presentations and received NIH K and AMFDP awards, R01s, and major FDA funding. The RAPID Annual Conference brings in underrepresented minorities in medicine investigations nationwide, spanning the spectrum from residents to mid-level faculty. Glenn has carefully forged RAPID partnerships with the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, the American Board of Pediatrics, the American Pediatric Society, and Mead Johnson.”
“On a personal note, I have known Glenn for over 20 years. He has carved out a path for discovery and advocacy that few thought was feasible and many thought was not worthwhile. He has been steadfast in his mission to provide meaningful opportunities for Black and Brown pediatricians who aspire to be physician-scientists, physician leaders, or both.”
Dr. Flores completed his bachelor’s degree at Harvard University and received his medical degree from the University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine. His pediatric residency was at The New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, followed by his Yale University School of Medicine fellowship. He is Professor and Chair of Pediatrics and Senior Associate Dean of Child Health at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, and Physician-in-Chief at Holtz Children’s Hospital in the Jackson Health System.
Please visit the APS website for more information about Dr. Flores and the APS David G. Nichols Health Equity Award.
###
About the American Pediatric Society
The American Pediatric Society (APS) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1888 as the first pediatric society in North America. The mission of the APS is to shape the future of academic pediatrics through the engagement of distinguished child-health leaders to represent the full diversity within the field. The 1,800-plus members of APS are recognized leaders of extraordinary achievement who work together to shape the future of academic pediatrics. For more information, please visit aps1888.org and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
Media Contact:
Lisa Thompson
Association Director
American Pediatric Society
(346) 980-9707
[email protected]
