NASPAG HISTORY

Pediatricians and Gynecologists recognize that children and teenagers have their own unique health care needs and are not just little adults.  As such they need and deserve to be treated differently in regard to their health care, specifically reproductive health care. Thus, the specialties of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology (PAG) and Adolescent Medicine, took root more than a century ago. These specialties are multidisciplinary with many professionals sharing in the growth of knowledge of these fields of medicine. 

The basic tenets of a North American society focusing on gynecologic problems in individuals from birth into the twenties were established in August 1986 at the 8th International Symposium of FIGIJ (Federation Internationale de Gynecologie et Juvenile-International Federation of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology). FIGIJ is a branch of FIGO- International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics. Following this Washington, D.C. meeting in 1986, the North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology was established. Under the auspices of its founding members, the Society began with headquarters located in Philadelphia, PA. The Society is dedicated to conducting and encouraging programs of medical education in the field of pediatric and adolescent gynecology. NASPAG has specific scientific and educational goals for health professionals, they include:

  • Serve and be recognized as the lead provider in PAG education, research and clinical care
  • Conduct and encourage multidisciplinary and inter-professional programs of medical education and research in the field of PAG.
  • Advocate for the reproductive well being of children and adolescents and the provision of unrestricted, unbiased and evidence-based practice of PAG.

 

Since inception, the Society has had a most prestigious peer-reviewed journal, viz. Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology which had its first volume published in 1987. Dr. Paul McDonough was Editor-in-Chief for the initial year and subsequently Dr. Joseph Sanfilippo served as Editor-in-Chief until 2016, upon his retirement from NASPAG. The Journal continues to cover the spectrum of basic science and clinical research in the subspecialty area, addressing gynecological related problems from birth through early twenties and is now under the leadership of Dr. Paula Hillard.

The Society has flourished into the premier educational entity for health care professionals dealing with pediatric and adolescent females. An annual clinical meeting is held in the spring to update clinicians on advances within the field. The NASPAG website provides information regarding clinical resources for health care professionals, “New positions” available for clinicians, as well as information for patients. The Society continues to grow in membership as it serves to inform, educate and advance the quality of care for young gynecological patients both nationally and internationally.