Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Children’s health in America is at a critical crossroads. From Medicaid uncertainty and workforce shortages and burnout to rising mental health needs, misinformation and the growing impact of social media and AI, pediatric care is facing unprecedented pressure. Mark Del Monte, JD, CEO, Executive Vice President, American Academy of Pediatrics, explores the current state of pediatrics, why advocacy is central to the practice of medicine for children, and what continues to give him hope for the future of children’s health.
Featuring:
Mark Del Monte, JD, CEO, Executive Vice President, American Academy of Pediatrics
Host/Producer: Carol Vassar
00:00 Welcome to Well Beyond Medicine
00:36 The State of Pediatrics in 2026
01:28 Why Pediatricians Are Feeling the Pressure
03:22 Rational Optimism in Children's Health
04:26 The Advocacy Legacy of the American Academy of Pediatrics
05:21 Finding Hope Amid Today's Challenges
06:26 The Biggest Gaps in Children's Health Care
07:42 Medicaid, Mental Health, and Immigrant Children
08:01 Why 85% of Child Health Happens Outside the Doctor's Office
10:33 Paying for Health, Not Just Treating Illness
12:32 Burnout, Workforce Shortages, and the Future of Pediatrics
14:36 The AAP's Top Policy Priorities
15:18 Vaccine Misinformation and Trust in Science
16:10 Reaching Families Through Social Media and Influencers
17:06 How AI Is Transforming Pediatric Care
19:16 The Risks of AI for Children and Families
20:25 What Gives Mark Del Monte Hope for the Future
21:54 Closing Thoughts
Thanks for listening to Well Beyond Medicine: The Nemours Children’s Health Podcast. How do you go well beyond medicine in your own life or community? How do you celebrate it?
🎙️ Share your story or leave us a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/NemoursWell...
Your message could be featured in a future episode.
🌐 Listen to more episodes and explore the podcast: nemourswellbeyond.org
📩 Sign up for our monthly newsletter for new episodes, stories, and updates: nemourswellbeyond.org/news
Follow Nemours Children’s Health:
Instagram: / nemours
X (Twitter): / nemours
Facebook: / nemours
LinkedIn: / nemours
Well Beyond Medicine: The Nemours Children’s Health Podcast explores children’s health, pediatric care, health equity, mental health, social determinants of health, and health care innovation—from food security and community-based care to meeting families where they are with accessible health and wellness resources. We highlight the people and ideas shaping the future of pediatric health care and building the healthiest generations of children ever.
#WellBeyondMedicine #NemoursChildrensHealth #Pediatrics #ChildrensHealth #HealthEquity #HealthcareInnovation #MentalHealth #socialdeterminantsofhealth
Children’s health in America is at a critical crossroads. From Medicaid uncertainty and workforce shortages and burnout to rising mental health needs, misinformation and the growing impact of social media and AI, pediatric care is facing unprecedented pressure. Mark Del Monte, JD, CEO, Executive Vice President, American Academy of Pediatrics, explores the current state of pediatrics, why advocacy is central to the practice of medicine for children, and what continues to give him hope for the future of children’s health.
Featuring:
Mark Del Monte, JD, CEO, Executive Vice President, American Academy of Pediatrics
Host/Producer: Carol Vassar
00:00 Welcome to Well Beyond Medicine
00:36 The State of Pediatrics in 2026
01:28 Why Pediatricians Are Feeling the Pressure
03:22 Rational Optimism in Children's Health
04:26 The Advocacy Legacy of the American Academy of Pediatrics
05:21 Finding Hope Amid Today's Challenges
06:26 The Biggest Gaps in Children's Health Care
07:42 Medicaid, Mental Health, and Immigrant Children
08:01 Why 85% of Child Health Happens Outside the Doctor's Office
10:33 Paying for Health, Not Just Treating Illness
12:32 Burnout, Workforce Shortages, and the Future of Pediatrics
14:36 The AAP's Top Policy Priorities
15:18 Vaccine Misinformation and Trust in Science
16:10 Reaching Families Through Social Media and Influencers
17:06 How AI Is Transforming Pediatric Care
19:16 The Risks of AI for Children and Families
20:25 What Gives Mark Del Monte Hope for the Future
21:54 Closing Thoughts
Thanks for listening to Well Beyond Medicine: The Nemours Children’s Health Podcast. How do you go well beyond medicine in your own life or community? How do you celebrate it?
🎙️ Share your story or leave us a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/NemoursWell...
Your message could be featured in a future episode.
🌐 Listen to more episodes and explore the podcast: nemourswellbeyond.org
📩 Sign up for our monthly newsletter for new episodes, stories, and updates: nemourswellbeyond.org/news
Follow Nemours Children’s Health:
Instagram: / nemours
X (Twitter): / nemours
Facebook: / nemours
LinkedIn: / nemours
Well Beyond Medicine: The Nemours Children’s Health Podcast explores children’s health, pediatric care, health equity, mental health, social determinants of health, and health care innovation—from food security and community-based care to meeting families where they are with accessible health and wellness resources. We highlight the people and ideas shaping the future of pediatric health care and building the healthiest generations of children ever.
#WellBeyondMedicine #NemoursChildrensHealth #Pediatrics #ChildrensHealth #HealthEquity #HealthcareInnovation #MentalHealth #socialdeterminantsofhealth
