About GAAAP

Pediatric Foundation of Georgia

Promoting the health and well-being of Georgia children.

About GAAAP

Pediatric Foundation of Georgia

Promoting the health and well-being of Georgia children.

Endowment Campaign
Progress to Date

96%

Complete of our
$500,000 Goal

About the Foundation

About the Foundation

Established in 1998 as the 501(c)(3) philanthropic arm of the Georgia Chapter, the Pediatric Foundation of Georgia exists to promote the health and well-being of Georgia children via philanthropic support of worthy non-profit organizations doing great work for children and adolescent in our state.

The foundation’s other mission is to support pediatrics as a medical specialty by encouraging medical students and residents in their study and training for pediatrics.

As a nonprofit, tax exempt organization, donations to the Foundation are fully deductible as allowed by law.

Endowment Campaign 2021-2025!

Raising a better future for Georgia’s children

Our Fund-Raising Goal…

In fall 2021 we launched the foundation Endowment Campaign 2021-2025. Our goal is to raise $500,000 to endow the foundation so that its charitable work can continue for decades to come. The Campaign concluded at the 70th Anniversary of the Georgia Chapter in 2025.

The Chapter’s Made the First Pledge…

To demonstrate our commitment to our fund drive, the Georgia Chapter has pledged $250,000 towards the goal, leaving the balance of $250,000 to be raised from Chapter members and our friends. That’s where you come in!

Help Us Exceed Our Endowment Goal…

In Fall 2024 the Georgia Chapter planned to celebrate their 70h Anniversary Gala benefitting the Pediatric Foundation of Georgia however, due to the devastation of Hurricane Helene the Gala was postponed to March 8th.

The Gala was a day to remember in time and we thank all of the attendees, sponsors and planning committee on a wonderful, memorable night. If you were unable to attend and want to support the foundation, please donate here:

Premium Giving Levels

Please consider a gift in support of the Foundation Endowment Campaign and help the foundation reach this important milestone. You may make a one-time gift or make a recurring gift easily by using the form below.

To make a customized pledge of $5,000 or more, please reach out to the Chapter office at 404.881.5091 or jcaceres-aponte@gaaap.org. And Thank You! With your help, we’re raising a better future for Georgia’s children.

Endowment Founder – $15,000
Platinum – $10,000
Gold – $5,000
Silver – $2,500
Bronze – $700

You may also indicate if donations are made in memory or honor of someone.
Donations of any amount are welcome.

Recent Foundation Grant Recipients…

Over the past two decades the foundation has made grant awards to so many wonderful non-profits who support Georgia’s children. Many of you we’re sure will know these organizations and can attest to the great work they do for kids in our state. And to fulfill the Foundation’s second mission, we make regular grants to support the pediatric interest groups and clubs at all the state’s medical schools. (Average Foundation grant amounts typically range between $1,000- $4,000.) We want our fair share of the “best and brightest” to enter pediatrics and carry on the mission and professional enrichment that pediatrics has given all of us who chose it.

Recent Foundation Grants Include the Following:

  • Extra Special People, Inc.
  • DeKalb Library Foundation
  • Camp Trach Me Away
  • The Auditory-Verbal Center, Inc.
  • Reach Out & Read
  • Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society
  • Camp Kudzu
  • Pediatric Interest Groups at the state’s medical schools
  • And many more

Apply for a Foundation Grant

The Foundation makes grants to non-profit organizations and institutions in support of these goals. Grant requests are considered in the summer and late fall and applicants are asked to limit applications to once per calendar year. Applications must be received by May 15 or September 1 for consideration at the next meeting of the Foundation board. Please note, direct involvement with a Georgia AAP member is required for consideration.

Thank You to our Donors!

We are grateful for the support of all our donors. Special thanks to our Premium Giving Level Donors:

Endowment Founder

Endowment Founder

Sally Goza, MD

(Donation made in honor of past, present and future Georgia AAP staff)

Platinum

Cedric Miller, MD

Anu Sheth, MD

Deneta Sells, MD

Gold

Angela Battle, MD

Kathryn Cheek, MD

Kristen DeWeese, MD & Bright Pediatrics

Terri McFadden, MD

Hugo Scornik, MD

Benjamin Spitalnick, MD

Robert Wiskind, MD

Chevon Brooks, MD

Silver

Iris Buchanan-Perry, MD

Jennifer Fowlkes-Callins, MD

Jonathan Goodin, MD

Rick Ward

Susan McWhirter, MD

Bronze

Wyndolyn Bell, MD

Marisa Gadea, MD

April Hartman, MD

Valera Hudson, MD

Evelyn Johnson, MD

Stanley Jones, MD

Sharon Steele, MD

Charles Linder, MD

Janice Loeffler, MD

Lisa McMath, MD

Alison Niebanck, MD

Pediatrics Care PC-Dalton

Jonathan Popler, MD

Rebecca Reamy, MD

Allison Rose, MD

Cyrus Samai, MD

Tania Smith, MD

Joyce Neal Shoemaker, MD

Jan Soapes, MD

Benjamin Toole, MD

Sylvia Washington, MD

Close-up of a golf ball in grass.

Foundation Golf Classic

Foundation Golf Classic

The Foundation’s primary fund raiser is held annually at one of Georgia’s premier golf courses. The 2026 Jim Soapes Charity Golf Tournament for the Pediatric Foundation of Georgia will take place on Wednesday, April 22, at the Cherokee Run Golf Club.

Pediatric Foundation of Georgia
Board of Directors

Hugo Scornik, MD

President, Conyers

Ben Spitalnick, MD

Savannah

Evelyn Johnson, MD

Brunswick

Robert Wiskind, MD

Atlanta

Jan Fitzgerald-Soapes, MD

Clarkesville

Ken Dooley, MD

Eatonton

Cedric Miller, MD

Atlanta

Sara H. Goza, MD

Fayetteville

Kathryn Cheek, MD

Columbus

Avril Beckford, MD

Atlanta

Davidson Freeman, MD

Augusta

Joyce Neal, MD

Albany

Charles Linder, MD

Augusta

Terri McFadden, MD

Atlanta

Ex-Officio

Nicola Chin, MD

Chapter President, Atlanta

Benjamin Toole, MD

Chapter Treasurer, Albany

Staff

Richard Ward, CAE

Executive Director