Spring Symposium 2026 

The Chapter held its annual Spring Symposium in partnership with the Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Society of Greater Washington (CAPSGW) on May 7th. We were honored to have as our keynote speaker Sharon Levy, MD, MPH, Chief, Division of Addiction Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital and Professor of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School. Dr. Levy authored a newly released Handbook of Pediatric Addiction Medicine (published by the American Academy of Pediatrics, March/April 2026), a comprehensive guide for clinicians addressing adolescent substance use. Attendees received free copies of the book. The book offers actionable strategies for screening, treatment, and managing cannabis, nicotine, and opioid use in teens. Login to AAP to purchase the book here.

A teen panel hosted by the DC Prevention Center’s Robert Smith (Wards 5&6) and Lyndsey Murray (Wards 3&4) was a highlight of the evening with 4 teens sharing their perspectives on pediatric care and substance abuse.

Dr. Marc Fishman, an addiction psychiatrist and Medical Director of Maryland Treatment Centers, closed out the evening with practical advice for working with teens and their families. We thank all of our presenters and planners for engaging evening and conversation about “Supporting Teens: Practical Strategies for Addressing Substance Use.”