FAIR's Access Revoked by the AAP

FAIR in Medicine Director Nikki Johnson describes her recent experience having her access revoked to the American Academy of Pediatrics national conference

This past weekend, I was shocked to learn that the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the most prominent American medical organization that claims to advocate for children’s health, revoked my access to their national conference without an explanation.

I signed up to attend the conference virtually on September 6th and paid the $695 fee for a virtual access-only pass. My registration was confirmed by email, and I was issued an AAP identification number to access the conference schedule and event information. In the weeks following my registration, I received numerous emails with updates about the conference, downloaded the conference mobile app, and mapped the sessions I planned to attend.

After leaving clinical practice two years ago, I was excited to network with pediatricians and medical students and earn continuing medical education credits necessary to maintain my medical license and board certifications. 

I was also very curious to witness how the AAP planned to approach controversial policies on topics like DE&I, climate change, and health equity. I was most interested to witness how the organization would address gender-affirming care since HHS Assistant Health Secretary Admiral Rachel Levine was a keynote speaker, which contradicted the organization’s announcement in 2023 that it would systematically review the evidence for its policy.

But, on the morning of September 27th, just hours before the conference began, I was shocked to receive an email notifying me that my registration had been denied.

I don’t shy away from being openly critical of the AAP on social media and Substack, in editorials, podcast appearances, and webinars. I was vocal about the AAP’s role in pushing harmful COVID-19 policy recommendations, such as its political decision to reverse its position on school reopening and statements about the effects of masking children and the mRNA vaccine-related risk of myocarditis. Most recently, I have been outspoken about the AAP’s unscientific gender-affirming care policy and Dr. Levine’s political influence on WPATH.

But is my criticism the reason that the AAP revoked my access? Or did the registration committee single me out because of my affiliation with FAIR since I used my fairforall.org email address for correspondence? 

Investigative journalist Benjamin Ryan obtained AAP internal emails and published them in The New York Sun and his Substack. In one of the emails, a pediatrician member claimed to have been harassed by FAIR In Medicine at the 2023 convention and wrote, “The AAP said it was accidental oversight that such a transphobic, racist organization was allowed to table in the exhibition hall and sneak into lectures.”  Of note is the fact that I didn’t join FAIR until months after that conference.

I know that I couldn’t possibly have violated the AAP’s code of conduct. The conference hadn’t yet begun. I have attended several medical conferences, served on national committees in medical organizations, and actively participated in scientific and health policy debates, all while upholding the Hippocratic Oath, maintaining decorum and professionalism, and showing respect for my colleagues. 

Suppose the AAP denied me access to the conference, CME content, and networking opportunities because my views do not align with theirs. In that case, that is a troubling sign for the future medical advancement and restoration of public trust in health professionals. When the nation’s premier pediatric medical organization shuts out voices of dissent and reduces exposure to information it thinks is important for pediatricians to know, it shows that it is more interested in protecting its own self-interest than in advocating for the health of children through educating health professionals.

Twenty-seven years ago, I stood proudly in an auditorium with new medical students reciting the Hippocratic Oath and donning my white coat for the first time. On that day, I dedicated my life to serving humanity. I pledged to “practice medicine with conscience and dignity” and to “give respect and gratitude to my deserving teachers.” I vowed to “maintain the utmost respect for human life” and to never “use my knowledge contrary to the laws of humanity.”

The principles expressed in the mission of the American Academy of Pediatrics are in line with the words in the Hippocratic Oath. I have upheld my vow. I’m not so sure the members and leadership of the AAP have done the same.