Sandra G. Hassink, MD, MSc, FAAP

Dr. Hassink has devoted her professional career caring and advocating for children with obesity and is the current Medical Director of the AAP Institute for Healthy Childhood Weight which is focused on translating research into practice for pediatric health care providers, families and children and advancing the field of pediatric obesity. Dr. Hassink has testified before Congress on childhood obesity, food insecurity and hunger focusing on supporting the foundations of child health. Dr. Hassink is the past chair of the Institute for Medicaid Innovation Child and Adolescent Subcommittee and a member of the National Advisory Board.

She is past board member and president of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Hassink began the weight management clinic at Nemours/AI DuPont Children’s Hospital in 1988. She has collaborated in basic research efforts to identify pathophysiologic mechanisms of obesity, centering on the role of leptin, and has lectured widely in the field of pediatric obesity. In addition, she has authored A Parent’s Guide to Childhood Obesity, Pediatric Obesity: Prevention, Intervention, and Treatment Strategies for Primary Care, and Clinical Guide to Pediatric Weight Management. Dr. Hassink was the vice chair of the writing committee for the 2023 AAP Clinical Practice Guidelines on Evaluation and Treatment of Obesity in Children and Adolescents. Dr. Hassink also holds a Master of Science in Pastoral Care and Counseling.