What’s Up Docs? Article
Neel Patel, MD, FAAP
Posted June 5, 2024
Area Director Elections: Gratitude, Renewal and Rejuvenation!
I hope everyone is now ready to enjoy May flowers and celebrate the outdoors. Springtime brings new energy and time for rejuvenation! In that regard, it is time for Chapter 1 area director elections. All areas are up for election this year! First and foremost, we would like to thank the current area directors who have led and supported our chapter members with amazing enthusiasm and spirit. From chapter chats to strategic planning to helping individual members find their way, we can’t thank you enough! The current area directors (formerly known as MALs) are a wonderful group. Please join me in celebrating them. As Vice President, I have a special interest in supporting our area directors to really be there for our members in each area. For the upcoming elections, we invite you to participate by becoming the next area director for your area. Each election cycle we invite anyone who is interested (you must be a chapter member in good standing) to submit their nomination.
Please consider joining the world of Chapter 1 AAP leadership! It is a wonderful opportunity to support your colleagues in a meaningful way and grow professionally and personally through connection, advocacy and contribution through the AAP. It may be the perfect complement to the amazing work you do on a daily basis! So, I invite you to express interest in becoming a 2 year term area director by contacting myself or Yolanda Ruiz, our executive director, who will be happy to guide you. We look forward to hearing from you!
Please see this list of our Area Directors (* indicates not seeking re-election)
Area 1: Thiyagu Ganesan, MD, FAAP, MMM*
from the North Valley Counties: Butte, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Sutter,
Tehama, Trinity, and Yuba
Area 2: Lena Van Der List, DO, FAAP
from the Sacramento Valley Counties: El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, Yolo
Area 3: Deborah Shassetz, DO, FAAP
from the Central Valley Counties: Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Tuolumne
Area 4: Sireesha Palkamsetti, MD, FAAP
from the South Valley Counties: Fresno, Inyo, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Mono, and Tulare
Area 5: Maya Raman, MD, FAAP*
from San Francisco County and Daly City.
Area 6: Bindya Singh, MD, FAAP
from Santa Clara County.
Area 7: Jackie Czaja, MD, FAAP*
from San Mateo County
Area 8: Jefferey Ribordy, MD, FAAP
from North Coastal Counties: Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Napa, Sonoma
Area 9: Graciela Wilcox, MD, MPH, FAAP*
from Monterey Bay Area: Monterey San Benito Santa Cruz
Area 10: Renee Wachtel, MD, FAAP
from Alameda County.
Area 11: Omoniyi Omotoso, MD, MPH, FAAP*
from Contra Costa and Solano Counties.