(Press-News.org) November 4, 2025 – The American Pediatric Society (APS) is pleased to announce Harolyn Belcher, MD, MHS, as the 2026 David G. Nichols Health Equity Award recipient.
The David G. Nichols Health Equity Award, administered by the APS and endowed by the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) Foundation, was created to recognize demonstrated excellence in advancing child and adolescent health, well-being, and equity through quality improvement, advocacy, practice, or research. This award recognizes Dr. Belcher’s outstanding contributions to advancing child and adolescent health, well-being, and equity, as well as the far-reaching impact of her work. The award will be presented to Dr. Belcher during the APS Presidential Plenary at the Pediatric Academic Societies 2026 Meeting in Boston, Massachusetts, April 24 –27.
A developmental pediatrician and nationally recognized leader in health equity, Dr. Belcher has dedicated more than three decades to advancing the health and well-being of children and adolescents, particularly those affected by racism, poverty, and community violence. She has continuously secured federal research and training funding, authored over ninety publications, and founded and directed transformative programs at Kennedy Krieger Institute and Johns Hopkins that train future generations of maternal and child health public health leaders. Over the course of her career, Dr. Belcher has directed multiple federally funded workforce development and public health leadership programs, mentoring more than 1,000 undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral fellows—many of whom have gone on to become faculty at leading institutions, Fulbright scholars, and public health leaders nationwide. Beyond her research and mentorship, Dr. Belcher’s equity-focused initiatives—such as the long-running “Room to Grow: Journey to Cultural and Linguistic Competency” conference—have shaped culturally responsive care, research, and policy. Her leadership continues to leave an indelible mark on pediatrics, public health, and the pursuit of health equity.
"Dr. Belcher is a true champion for health equity. Her career has been defined by an unwavering commitment to advancing child and adolescent health, mentoring the next generation of diverse leaders, and addressing the complex challenges faced by marginalized communities,” said Michael A. Barone, MD, MPH, President and CEO of the American Board of Pediatrics. “Through her leadership, scholarship, and advocacy, Dr. Belcher has made a lasting impact on public health and the fight against health disparities. Her work has been transformative, and I can think of no one more deserving of the 2026 APS David G. Nichols Health Equity Award.”
“Dr. Belcher is a distinguished pediatric leader who has focused on the neurodevelopmental needs of children who experience poverty and community violence. She has served on the National Academy of Sciences’ Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) Board on Children, Youth, and Families and the NASEM Forum for Children’s Well-Being: Promoting Cognitive, Affective, and Behavioral Health for Children and Youth. Her career-long commitment to health equity has resulted in the founding of the Center for Excellence in Public Health Leadership at the Kennedy Krieger Institute. She is incredibly deserving of the 2026 David G. Nichols Health Equity Award,” said Dr. Stephen Daniels, MD, PhD, President of the American Pediatric Society.
Dr. Belcher earned both her bachelor’s degree (magna cum laude) and her medical degree through Howard University’s BS–MD Honors Program. Her pediatric residency was at Children’s National Medical Center followed by a fellowship in Developmental Pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the Kennedy Krieger Institute. Dr. Belcher is Vice President and Senior Director of the Center for Excellence in Public Health Leadership at the Kennedy Krieger Institute. She also serves as Professor of Pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine with a joint appointment in the Department of Mental Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and as faculty in the Hopkins Center for Health Disparities Solutions.
Please visit the APS website for more information about Dr. Belcher and the APS David G. Nichols Health Equity Award.
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About the American Pediatric Society
The American Pediatric Society (APS) founded in 1888 as the first pediatric society in North America, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening academic pediatrics. Through its mission to expand the workforce, nurture leaders, and develop innovative approaches to address child and adolescent health challenges, APS engages over 1,800 distinguished members who are recognized for their extraordinary achievements. Together, they work to advance the future of child health and the profession of pediatrics. For more information, please visit aps1888.org, and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
Media Contact:
Lisa Thompson
Association Director
American Pediatric Society
(346) 980-9707
lthompson@aps1888.org
END
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