The British Columbia Pediatric Society serves as the British Columbia Chapter Office for the American Academy of Pediatrics.
The BC Chapter has 65 members as of January 2022.
Introducing the Current AAP BC President and Vice-President
Dr. Mumtaz Virji
AAP BC Chapter President
Dr. Mumtaz Virji is a General Pediatrician, who graduated from Medicine in Pakistan and completed her Postgraduate training in New York. She has Masters in Health Administration from UBC and has also completed Physician Leadership Course through Sauder School of Business. She works in General Pediatrics Clinic at BC Children’s Hospital and also on Clinical Teaching Unit (CTU).
Dr. Virji was the Undergraduate Program Director for Pediatrics. Currently she is the resident continuity clinic director, General Pediatrics Clinic director and Medical Director for Ambulatory Care at BC Children’s Hospital.
The Vice President role is vacant at this time.
The American Academy of Pediatrics was founded in June 1930 by 35 pediatricians who met in Detroit in response to the need for an independent pediatric forum to address children’s needs. When the AAP was established, the idea that children have special developmental and health needs was a new one. Preventive health practices now associated with child care – such as immunizations and regular health exams – were only just beginning to change the custom of treating children as “miniature adults.”
The mission of the American Academy of Pediatrics is to attain optimal physical, mental and social health and well-being for all infants, children, adolescents and young adults. To accomplish this mission, the Academy supports the professional needs of its members.
One of the AAP’s major activities is to further the professional education of its members. The Department of Education houses PediaLink® —the pediatrician’s home for CME and professional development. The annual AAP National Conference & Exhibition (NCE) features the largest variety of educational sessions in over 60 topic areas to suit a variety of learning styles, is home to the largest pediatric technical exhibit, which also showcases the latest pediatric products and services, as well as AAP educational and professional resources and programs. There are also many educational opportunities through AAP seminars, publications, and statements from committees and sections, which form the basis of a continuing postgraduate educational program.
The AAP BC publishes a semi monthly newsletter. It’s full of information of interest to AAP BC members.
The AAP publishes Pediatrics, its monthly scientific journal; Pediatrics in Review, its continuing education journal; and its membership newspaper AAP News. It also publishes manuals on such topics as infectious diseases and school health. In its public education efforts, the AAP produces patient education brochures on a variety of topics and a series of child care books written by AAP members.
To learn more about the AAP, please visit: