Dominga Sol Padilla, MD, FAAP Professor and Executive Medical Director, Pediatrics- Division of Adolescent & Young Adult Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School (NJMS) As a proud Rutgers New Jersey Medical School alum– a pipeline student (RWJMS), medical student and pediatric resident (NJMS)—I have spent the past two decades growing as a clinician, advocate, educator, and leader. At the heart of my work is a commitment to equitable, compassionate care for children, adolescents, and young adults, particularly those navigating complex social and structural barriers. I serve as a Professor of Pediatrics at Rutgers NJMS, affirming my dedication to academic medicine and teaching alongside clinical leadership. Currently, I serve as Executive Director of the Pediatrics- Division of Adolescent & Young Adult Medicine (DAYAM), where I lead several grant-funded programs, as PI, addressing HIV prevention and care, adolescent mental health, and sexual & reproductive health. I collaborate closely with University Hospital and community partners to expand access to care, especially for under- and uninsured youth. Our collective efforts have culminated in the development of programs like STOP, START, PRiDE, and STEPS, and have helped successfully secure over $2 million in annual funding to support our mission. In parallel with my “primary care” clinical work, I remain deeply committed to teaching and mentoring. As a clinician educator, I deeply value mentorship and experiential learning. From precepting NJMS students to guiding internal medicine/pediatrics residents through our innovative Community-Based Adolescent Medicine (CBAM) curriculum, where they learn directly in community settings. I strive to center the patient experience and elevate the voices of underserved communities. My passion for education also extends to pipeline development, with a focus on increasing the representation of underrepresented diverse groups in medicine. My background as a middle school science teacher inspires me to adapt educational approaches that engage students, fostering curiosity and inclusion from pipeline cohorts into medical school and through residency. The belief that “to those who are given much, much is expected” is at the core of my professional ethos. I remain grateful for this journey and look forward to continuing service, collaboration, and mentorship. I welcome collaboration with colleagues across disciplines who share a passion for advancing health equity, primary care, comprehensive youth wellness, and inclusive medical education.