Prestigious fellowship opportunity awarded to Dayton Children’s Hospital physician

A Dayton Children’s Hospital pediatrician was chosen for the inaugural class of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Policy Fellowship. Kelly Liker, MD, MBA, FAAP, chief, division of child advocacy, is among just five individuals nationwide selected for the opportunity. She stands out as one of only two board-certified child abuse pediatricians being represented in the group.

“I am honored and grateful to be selected for the AAP Policy Fellowship,” said Dr. Liker. “I am eager to form new collaborative partnerships, to learn from my partners in this work and to inform child abuse policy development in a way that will support the work of my colleagues and, most importantly, that will benefit the patients and families we serve.”

As a fellow, Dr. Liker will delve into health care policy, navigating its creation, challenges and best practices. The fellowship program was created by the Council on Child Abuse and Neglect (COCAN), a subgroup of the American Academy of Pediatrics dedicated to partnerships, education, advocacy and policy for child abuse and neglect. The AAP publishes a wide range of policies each year, covering topics from immunizations and injury prevention to Medicaid coverage and gun violence.

Dr. Liker’s dedication to drive policy change for health care’s most vulnerable patients, who often lack the ability to advocate for themselves, aligns with Dayton Children’s mission of the relentless pursuit of optimal health for every child within our reach. Starting at Dayton Children’s in 2017 and with over a decade of experience treating children with suspected abuse or neglect, she will bring valuable expertise to the fellowship.

Starting her three-year fellowship term in July 2024 with the potential for a second threeyear term, Dr. Liker is particularly excited to focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and health equity initiatives, as well as to enhance peer-review and to align evidencebased practice with policy.