Special Interest Groups

Special Interest Groups (SIGs) bring together members with shared clinical or professional interests to network, exchange ideas, collaborate on projects, and foster innovation. SIGs are an excellent way to get involved in NASPAG, build relationships, and contribute your expertise in an area you're passionate about, and are a great addition to a C.V.

Members are Welcome to join our Special Interest Groups:

Adolescent Medicine (Professional Development Group)

This Professional Development Group brings the Adolescent Medicine community of NASPAG together at the annual meeting, with the potential for ongoing activity and support throughout the year. We work to identify the needs of NASPAG that adolescent medicine specialists are in a unique position to address, including supporting adolescent medicine professionals who are interested in becoming more involved in the organization. We also use the forum to discuss current challenges we share in the provision of sexual and reproductive health care to adolescents and young adults, and the education of pediatric and adolescent medicine trainees on these issues. Led by Sarah Pitts and Cindy Holland-Hall. To join the Adolescent Medicine SIG, contact [email protected].

Clinicians Caring for Adolescents with Disabilities

Focuses on advancing care, sharing resources, and advancing best practices for adolescents with disabilities within PAG. Our group is dedicated to improving education, advocacy, and clinical care for this population by increasing awareness among healthcare professionals and expanding access to practical resources. This year, our goals include launching a podcast to highlight key topics, patient experiences, and expert perspectives; hosting a webinar through NASPAG to provide evidence-based education and promote discussion among clinicians; and developing physician resource pamphlets to support providers in delivering informed, compassionate, and comprehensive care for this population. This group is led by Dr. Susan Ernst and Dr. Monica Rosen. We welcome new members to help us with any of the above!

Contraception

The NASPAG Contraception Special Interest Group is a multidisciplinary forum for learning about approaches to adolescent contraception care; understanding innovations in implementation, drug development, and use of contraceptives - especially as they relate to adolescents; and consideration of polices that impact adolescents access to and use of contraceptives. We are guided by the principles of reproductive justice and human rights. All are welcome to join. Led by Lauren Wozniak. To join the Contraception SIG, contact [email protected].

DSD (Differences of Sex Development)

Promotes collaboration, education, and discussion around the care and management of patients with differences of sex development. This year, our goals are to recruit members, create a listserve for clinical and research collaboration and support, identify needs of NASPAG members who specialize in DSD care, and create a referral network. Led by Gnendy Indig and Melina Dendrinos.

Fertility Preservation

As of 2025, the Fertility Preservation Special Interest Group (SIG) will no longer operate under NASPAG.
Instead, we’re transitioning our efforts to the national stage through the Oncofertility Consortium, where two incredible committees are continuing the mission with expanded reach and resources. Read More Here. Please contact [email protected] with any questions.

Gender

Supports education, collaboration, and best practices in providing inclusive, affirming care for gender-diverse youth. Led by Frances Grimstad and Andrew Lupo. To join, contact [email protected] and [email protected]

Nursing

The purpose of the nursing SIG is to serve as group for nurses to connect and share resources and knowledge. We welcome all nurses and allied health professionals. We collaborate at the nursing SIG and outside of the national meetings. We have worked on key issues, such as producing a nursing triage book published October 2020. We work to disseminate information on guidelines, research projects, and education materials relevant to nurses and/or their patients. We offer mentorship to nurses in their role to teach, coach, individualize, and intervene in applying evidence based practice. We support systematic evaluation and dissemination of practical and actionable standardized or targeted interventions for this unique patient population that is provided by nurses. Led by Jeanette Higgins. To join the Nursing SIG, contact [email protected].

Pediatric Energy and Metabolism

Explores the intersection of metabolism, nutrition, and reproductive health in pediatric and adolescent populations. Welcome to Pediatric Energy and Metabolism SIG! We are a new SIG looking to provide up to date information and support for those whose practice focuses on states of excess or decreased energy availability including PMOS, obesity, RED-S, eating disorders and more! We would love for you to join and help define the future goals and activities for our SIG! Led by Lauren Kanner and Megan Sumida.

Physicians in Training

Focuses on raising awareness of PAG and provide mentorship and education for OB/Gyn trainees. Goals for the upcoming year: Increase awareness of PAG as a subspecialty and career pathway; Provide mentorship and career guidance to trainees; Offer accessible educational programming on clinical care, advocacy, and research; Promote early engagement with NASPAG and leadership development; In-person session at the NASPAG ACRM to review PAG scope of practice, fellowship training, and career paths: current PAG fellow panel; Mentor matching (resident/medical student with 1 or more PAG fellows); fellowship preparation session; fellow Q&A; Case-based education; discussion on multidisciplinary care and advocacy; Panel on research, advocacy, and research involvement within NASPAG. Led by Tazim Dowlut-Mcelroy, Maggie Dwiggins.

Private Practice

A question practitioners may ask is whether PAG care can exist in a private practice model or is it better to exist in an academic setting. Many of us have been practicing PAG for years in a private practice setting. We started this SIG to bring together everyone with an interest in private practice PAG.

We want to reach out and be able to mentor physicians finishing residencies, PAG fellowships, and join with those already in practice who are interested in this avenue. We can learn from each other and share keys to successfully practice PAG in private practice.

A PAG practice can be tailored to someone’s interests, skill set, availability of other specialists, and training. A private practitioner can also be involved with teaching medical students and residents. One suggestion- offer in office rotations. We can offer to present grand rounds at nearby hospitals.

We have numerous training options now- the NASPAG website and ACRM, textbooks, other courses. The list serve is a very helpful aid to keep practitioners in touch with each other.

The SIG has previously discussed topics such as above, and how to recruit patients, form and maintain relationships with local pediatricians and pediatric specialists. We have discussed how to form a network of specialists to be able to offer comprehensive care to our patients. Notifying our OB/Gyn colleagues of our interest and ability to care for young ladies is important.

Creating a safe and comfortable environment in our offices is very important. Staff may need additional training to interact with PAG patients.

Coding is a problem for all who practice PAG regardless of the setting. NASPAG has a committee working on this. We should have input as private practitioners.

We have also discussed social media as a tool to get the word out and to help educate our patients.
We hope you will join us on our quest to offer PAG care in as many realms as possible.

Led by Susan Kaufman and Diane Snyder. To join the Private Practice SIG, contact [email protected].

Professional Development

Supports career growth, leadership development, and mentorship across all stages of a PAG career. Led by Akua Afriyie-Gray, Jennifer Bercaw-Pratt, Lisa Moon, and Judy Simms-Cendan.