Leslie to Lead American Board of Pediatrics Research

Tuesday, March 03, 2015

The American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) has named Laurel K. Leslie, MD, MPH as Vice President for Research, with responsibility for developing and leading all research programs for the ABP and the ABP Foundation.

Dr. Leslie is board certified in general pediatrics and developmental-behavioral pediatrics, and is Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics at Tufts University School of Medicine, where she is Co-Principal Investigator of the Tufts Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI).

“Dr. Leslie’s enormous experience as a research leader will help us achieve the highest possible impact for ABP research,” said David G. Nichols, MD, MBA, ABP President and CEO. “With her leadership, our Research Advisory Committee will focus on ways that medical education and learning throughout a pediatrician’s career can best support the goal of improving the health and well-being of children.”

In her new role, Dr. Leslie will serve as senior staff member of the ABP’s Research Advisory Committee (RAC) to develop and oversee the research strategic plan for the Board and ABP Foundation. After a transitional period as Senior Consultant for Research during the coming months, she will begin as Vice President for Research full time on Nov. 1, 2015.

“Research is critical to help us understand how best to prepare and empower pediatricians – whether they are in medical school or well into their careers – to improve health outcomes for children and families,” Dr. Leslie said. “The ABP has a long history of research on educational innovations, workforce development, and the public’s perspectives on the role of certification. We plan to also examine innovative models of MOC that are relevant and meaningful for pediatricians, whether they are caring for children, implementing educational programs, or conducting research. I’m honored to be part of this work.”

Dr. Leslie received her bachelor’s degree from Harvard University and her MD from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She completed residency training in Primary Care Pediatrics and fellowship training in Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco, where she also served as Chief Resident of Pediatrics.

She has extensive research experience in the areas of identifying, treating, and delivering health services to children and adolescents with medical, developmental, and mental health needs. She served as a research scientist at the Child and Adolescent Services Research Center (CASRC) at Rady Children's Hospital and Health Center in San Diego. While at CASRC, Dr. Leslie received a Masters of Public Health in Epidemiology and Biostatistics at San Diego State University. Dr. Leslie joined Tufts School of Medicine in 2007. For the last two years, she has also served as Associate Director for the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Pediatric Research in Office Settings (PROS). Dr. Leslie has also served three years on the ABP Board of Directors.  She has helped shape initiatives for the future visioning of pediatrics, such as the Future of Pediatric Education II (FOPE II), the Residency Review and Redesign Project (R3P), and the AAP’s Vision of Pediatrics Task Force.

The American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) Foundation supports the mission of the ABP to ensure excellence in the education of pediatricians and the delivery of pediatric care.  The ABP Foundation achieves this goal by pursuing rigorous research, convening collaborators in health care, developing and disseminating collective expertise, and promoting innovation, ultimately fostering the health and well-being of children and families.

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