Health equity and adolescent health: a call to action for the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine.

摘要

I am truly honored to stand here before you ready to assume the 41st presidency of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine (SAHM). Thank you for allowing me the privilege to serve in this capacity. Many years have passed since I attended my first SAHM meeting in Chicago in 1993, where I was asked to present a poster presentation as a pediatric resident on behalf of a researcher who could not make it, and at that time I was already expecting to go to an adolescent fellowship in the Fall. Thus, attending the meeting was a great opportunity. It seemed as if so many people were having fun, talking and showing their research. I felt like an outsider at that time because I didn't know anyone, but I enjoyed looking at the research and was energized at the prospect of one day becoming a part of the action. After all those years, I stand now with the responsibility to ensure that future trainees can participate in our conference and feel as though they are a part of the action and yearn to become active members.