As a JELF scholar over the past two years, I have had the privilege of learning how to advocate at the institutional, state, and national levels as a pediatric nephrologist. Through the ASPN JELF seminars and the guidance of my mentorship team, I have partnered with a local grassroots coalition Husky4Immigrants to address a cause that is deeply personal to me – immigrant health. As the daughter of Peruvian immigrants who entered the U.S. as undocumented individuals, I entered medicine with a commitment to serving underserved communities that mirrored my family’s experiences, including navigating complex healthcare systems and the uncertainty of being uninsured. This passion for advocacy and policy has continued to grow, ultimately leading me to find my JELF “squad.”
AAP Advocacy Conference: At the 2025 AAP Advocacy Conference, nine pediatric nephrologists, including JELF scholars and ASPN Public Policy Committee members, joined together to advocate on behalf of our patients and field. Over 400 pediatricians from 44 states gathered together to urge our representatives to preserve Medicaid funding from proposed budget cuts at a pivotal moment. Over the first two days, we honed our skills with inspiring speakers and interactive workshops, which culminated in meetings on Capitol Hill with our state representatives. One of the most memorable and impactful speakers was Dr. Paul H. Wise, who works to protect children at the US-Mexico border and in war-conflict zones.
Local Advocacy: As the Adviser for the Healthcare Provider Subcommittee within the Husky4Immigrants coalition, I have collaborated with CT providers to expand Husky Medicaid coverage for undocumented children up to the age of 26. In CT, the age of coverage was recently increased from 12 to 15 years old, effective July 1, 2024. I have provided verbal testimony twice and participated in a press release at the CT State Capitol alongside our legislators. During the 2024 legislative session, we successfully gathered signatures from ~450 healthcare providers, with a goal of reaching 550 this year. Alongside the AAP CT Chapter, I wrote an opinion piece titled: “Opinion: U.S. Immigration policy is damaging children’s health.”
Being a part of JELF has been transformative, and I look forward to further developing my advocacy skills to better serve my community.
Author: Leonela Villegas, MD
