The HealthySteps National Advisory Committee provides recommendations and guidance for effective sustainability, replication, and scaling of HealthySteps. We asked Dr. Askew about the “why” behind his work with the Committee.
Dr. George L. Askew is a Professor of the Practice in the Department of Family Science at the University of Maryland’s School of Public Health and a seasoned leader in public health and human services. He most recently served as President and CEO of the Meyer Foundation, following senior leadership roles including Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Prince George’s County and Deputy Commissioner of Health in New York City. Appointed by the Obama Administration as the first Chief Medical Officer for the US Administration for Children and Families, he has led major initiatives supporting vulnerable children and families. Throughout his career, Dr. Askew has combined executive leadership with advocacy, including roles at Voices for America’s Children and as founder of Docs For Tots.
How did you find out about HealthySteps?
I first encountered HealthySteps when I was a junior faculty member in the Department of Pediatrics at Boston City Hospital/Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, from 1995 to 2000. I have been a huge fan and supporter of the model ever since.
What do you see as HealthySteps’ unique contribution to child and family health?
While it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a HealthySteps Specialist to navigate the complicated map of that village. The HealthySteps Specialist is uniquely positioned to coordinate and promote, at a reasonable cost, the broad scope of health and development care for children. The great return on investment is not only seen in dollars and cents but most importantly in health and development outcomes.
“Every child and family should have access to a HealthySteps Specialist.“
What motivates you personally to support HealthySteps’ mission?
As a pediatrician with ever-increasing demands on what could be accomplished in a typical office visit, it was frustrating and challenging to meet even the most core health and development needs of children and families. HealthySteps not only supplements the work of pediatricians like me, but goes well beyond our capacity and serves as a key component in achieving the best health and development care we can provide for families.
What do you see as the role of the National Advisory Committee?
Being able to speak directly to the on-the-ground impact of HealthySteps is critical. Practitioners bring that perspective to the table. In addition, Committee members with a broad range of experience in fields such as social entrepreneurship, government and policy, and fundraising can help support the growth and development of HealthySteps.
HealthySteps matters because…
…the more we invest in children and families today, the brighter our tomorrow will be.