The Department of Pediatrics joined forces with other New York City pediatrics department chairs and the Association of Medical School Pediatric Department Chairs (AMSPDC) in a recent event combining the Tony-winning Broadway show Suffs with an engaging panel discussion on children’s health. The evening was not just an enjoyable night of theater, but a powerful reminder of the importance of advocacy, especially in support of our children’s health. In attendance were Weill Cornell and New York Presbyterian leadership, healthcare professionals, policy makers, medical students, and community members, all dedicated to transforming the future of children’s health.
Suffs, which portrays the courage and determination of early 20th-century suffragists, tells the story of women who fought to change the course of history and underscored the potential of dedicated individuals working together to address systemic issues—a perfect backdrop for discussing the urgent health challenges faced by children today.
Following the show, Chelsea Clinton moderated a dynamic talkback with Tony-nominated Suffs actor Nikki M. James and a distinguished panel of experts, including Drs. Peter Hotez, Edith Bracho-Sanchez, and Omolara Uwemedimo. These leaders offered compelling insights on critical topics in pediatric healthcare, from equitable access to care, addressing disparities in childhood health, to building a more robust pipeline of pediatric specialists and researchers. Each topic highlighted the pressing need for collective action and innovation, reinforcing the role of the medical community—and society at large—in prioritizing children’s well-being.
This event showed the impact that storytelling and advocacy can have in raising awareness, but it also serves as a call to action for medical institutions across the city. Children’s health is an issue that affects every community, yet it often remains underfunded and overshadowed by other healthcare priorities. Elevating children’s health as a top concern across the entire medical system—including teaching, research, and clinical care—could transform how society values and invests in the next generation’s well-being.
Dr. Sallie Permar, Chair of the Department of Pediatrics and AMSPDC member, thanks everyone who attended and contributed to this unforgettable evening and urges every medical institution to consider how they can prioritize pediatric health in their work and inspire students and professionals to carry that commitment throughout their careers. As we learned from Suffs, the courage to speak up and work together can ignite change, and we invite everyone to “use their outside voice” to keep pushing this movement forward.