APS Announces the 2023 John Howland Award Recipient

The American Pediatric Society (APS) is pleased to announce Yvonne (Bonnie) Maldonado, MD, as the 2023 APS John Howland Award recipient, the highest honor bestowed by the APS. The prestigious award signifies the society’s recognition of Dr. Maldonado for her significant contributions to advancing child health and the profession of pediatrics. The award will be presented to Dr. Maldonado during the APS Presidential Plenary at the Pediatric Academic Societies 2023 Meeting in Washington, DC, April 27 – May 1.

The APS John Howland Award was created in honor of clinician-scientist John Howland, MD. Since 1952, the annual award has recognized individuals for their distinguished service to pediatrics.

Dr. Maldonado is the Senior Associate Dean for Faculty Development; Taube Endowed Professor of Global Health and Infectious Diseases; Professor of Pediatrics and of Epidemiology and Population Health; and Chief, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Stanford University School of Medicine. She is also the Co-Medical Director, Infection Prevention and Control; and Attending Physician at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford.

Dr. Maldonado is recognized internationally for her accomplishments as a clinician-investigator and academic leader in pediatric infectious disease epidemiology. After her medical training, she served as an Epidemiologic Intelligence Surveillance Officer for the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Dr. Maldonado has led several NIH, CDC, Gates Foundation, and WHO-funded domestic and international pediatric vaccine studies, as well as studies in the prevention and treatment of perinatal HIV infection in the US, India, Mexico, and Africa. Dr. Maldonado’s other significant contributions include her work in polio eradication, some of which include her studies with colleagues in Mexico that helped inform the development of novel oral polio vaccines and her efforts to enhance environmental assays for assessment of oral poliovirus circulation, to name just a few.

“We are thrilled to recognize Dr. Maldonado’s extraordinary leadership in pediatrics with the 2023 APS John Howland Award. The profound impact of her advocacy has been felt locally, nationally, and internationally in prevention and treatment of perinatal HIV infection and vaccine-preventable illness in children” said APS President Lisa Robinson, MD. “Throughout her career, Dr. Maldonado has dedicated herself to reducing health disparities that negatively affect child wellbeing. As a committed teacher and mentor, she led the development of numerous training and mentorship programs for learners, clinicians, and faculty. She has worked tirelessly to enhance diversity and inclusion in academic medicine, and to foster a just culture in which all may flourish. She is a truly inspiring role model”.

Beyond her roles as a clinician-investigator and academic, Dr. Maldonado has been an extraordinary mentor in academic pediatrics, having nurtured the careers of women and underrepresented minorities in medicine. She has been a pioneer in championing diversity efforts in medical schools and universities throughout her career. This work involves undertaking research on equity, diversity, and health disparities and designing education programs for students of all cultural backgrounds.

For more information about Dr. Maldonado and the APS John Howland Award, please visit the APS website.