Alyson Smith
@pedsaly.bsky.social
Pediatric PA. Associate Professor. Passionate about healthy policies for kids, equity, and Simpsons memes. Chilli Heeler is my spirit animal. Grateful mama. 💕
#MedSky #PedSky #MedEd
Personal acct/time via personal device.
Chicago 💙
#MedSky #PedSky #MedEd
Personal acct/time via personal device.
Chicago 💙
Pinned
Alyson Smith
@pedsaly.bsky.social
· Aug 28
American Academy of Pediatrics vaccine schedule for newborns - 18 yrs is the one to use. Just published August 19, 2025 ❤️ downloads.aap.org/AAP/PDF/AAP-...
Reposted by Alyson Smith
Reports that National Institutes of Health Director Jay Bhattacharya will now lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on an acting basis.
Unacceptable. Bhattacharya has spent his career undermining infectious disease prevention measures and spreading health and science disinformation.
Unacceptable. Bhattacharya has spent his career undermining infectious disease prevention measures and spreading health and science disinformation.
February 18, 2026 at 9:09 PM
Reports that National Institutes of Health Director Jay Bhattacharya will now lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on an acting basis.
Unacceptable. Bhattacharya has spent his career undermining infectious disease prevention measures and spreading health and science disinformation.
Unacceptable. Bhattacharya has spent his career undermining infectious disease prevention measures and spreading health and science disinformation.
Reposted by Alyson Smith
NEW: The FDA has removed a webpage warning about dangerous therapies claiming to treat autism. It’s part of a series of actions the agency has taken under RFK Jr. to discredit long-established science.
By @megomatz.bsky.social
By @megomatz.bsky.social
Chlorine Dioxide, Raw Camel Milk: The FDA No Longer Warns Against These and Other Ineffective Autism Treatments
The FDA has taken down a webpage warning about therapies and products making “false claims” of treating autism. It’s part of a series of actions the agency has taken under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy ...
www.propublica.org
February 18, 2026 at 1:31 PM
NEW: The FDA has removed a webpage warning about dangerous therapies claiming to treat autism. It’s part of a series of actions the agency has taken under RFK Jr. to discredit long-established science.
By @megomatz.bsky.social
By @megomatz.bsky.social
Reposted by Alyson Smith
BREAKING: The Department of Education has ended its directive that attempted to restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in schools nationwide.
This is a victory for academic freedom and education equity.
This is a victory for academic freedom and education equity.
February 18, 2026 at 5:39 PM
BREAKING: The Department of Education has ended its directive that attempted to restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in schools nationwide.
This is a victory for academic freedom and education equity.
This is a victory for academic freedom and education equity.
Reposted by Alyson Smith
Thank you @joaquincastrotx.bsky.social for your tireless efforts to protect families harmed by family detention. Juan needs medical care, safe housing, access to nutrition and a nurturing environment. Detention and deportation without due process is cruel and wrong.
After a discussion with their attorney, I have confirmed that Juan, his 16-month-old sister, his mom, and his dad have been deported.
February 18, 2026 at 4:44 AM
Thank you @joaquincastrotx.bsky.social for your tireless efforts to protect families harmed by family detention. Juan needs medical care, safe housing, access to nutrition and a nurturing environment. Detention and deportation without due process is cruel and wrong.
Reposted by Alyson Smith
It’s going to sweep across the country and kill and maim kids bc Trump put a lunatic grifter in charge of the nation’s public health system
Illinois’ first measles case of the year has been detected in the southern part of the state, state health officials said Tuesday.
Illinois reports first measles case of 2026
chicago.suntimes.com
February 18, 2026 at 1:43 AM
It’s going to sweep across the country and kill and maim kids bc Trump put a lunatic grifter in charge of the nation’s public health system
Reposted by Alyson Smith
The return of preventable diseases threatens vulnerable adults as well - including those who are immunocompromised due to medications or medical conditions.
This horrific change affects people you know, and will hurt your community.
This horrific change affects people you know, and will hurt your community.
RFK Jr. is going to end CDC recommendations for most childhood vaccines.
It will take a few years before the deaths and disabilities ramp up to a level that even the most vile Republican cannot tolerate.
RFK Jr. will be long gone and unaccountable, as our babies die from preventable illness.
It will take a few years before the deaths and disabilities ramp up to a level that even the most vile Republican cannot tolerate.
RFK Jr. will be long gone and unaccountable, as our babies die from preventable illness.
December 20, 2025 at 1:23 AM
The return of preventable diseases threatens vulnerable adults as well - including those who are immunocompromised due to medications or medical conditions.
This horrific change affects people you know, and will hurt your community.
This horrific change affects people you know, and will hurt your community.
Reposted by Alyson Smith
a two-month-old infant who was so sick he was unresponsive in the last day, deported with his family and their total of $190
We are laser-focused on tracking them down, holding ICE accountable for this monstrous action, demanding specific details on their whereabouts and wellbeing, and ensuring their safety.
February 18, 2026 at 1:45 AM
a two-month-old infant who was so sick he was unresponsive in the last day, deported with his family and their total of $190
Reposted by Alyson Smith
To unnecessarily deport a sick baby and his entire family is heinous. My staff and I are in contact with Juan’s family.
February 18, 2026 at 12:49 AM
To unnecessarily deport a sick baby and his entire family is heinous. My staff and I are in contact with Juan’s family.
Reposted by Alyson Smith
Hundreds of thousand are dead from disease and malnutrition, but at least Vought has his 15-man personal security detail.
The Project 2025 architect who promised to put federal employees “in trauma” is spending $15 million of former USAID funding—money that would have gone toward fighting HIV, polio, malaria, and other diseases—to bankroll his security detail. trib.al/TSV3cmb
February 17, 2026 at 3:04 AM
Hundreds of thousand are dead from disease and malnutrition, but at least Vought has his 15-man personal security detail.
Reposted by Alyson Smith
The framing implies Americans are being poisoned by "chemicals" while Europeans eat pure, clean food, which isn't how food safety works in either system.
The irony is that Kennedy's massive cuts to agencies means we're likely to have more unsafe foods—and that has nothing to do with UPFs.
/fin
The irony is that Kennedy's massive cuts to agencies means we're likely to have more unsafe foods—and that has nothing to do with UPFs.
/fin
February 16, 2026 at 4:53 PM
The framing implies Americans are being poisoned by "chemicals" while Europeans eat pure, clean food, which isn't how food safety works in either system.
The irony is that Kennedy's massive cuts to agencies means we're likely to have more unsafe foods—and that has nothing to do with UPFs.
/fin
The irony is that Kennedy's massive cuts to agencies means we're likely to have more unsafe foods—and that has nothing to do with UPFs.
/fin
Reposted by Alyson Smith
The framing suggests that everything not on the EU's list is banned. Untrue.
The EU allows thousands of flavoring substances, enzymes, and other ingredients outside that narrow additives list.
Meanwhile, the US does have a regulatory framework; it's just structured differently.
/2
The EU allows thousands of flavoring substances, enzymes, and other ingredients outside that narrow additives list.
Meanwhile, the US does have a regulatory framework; it's just structured differently.
/2
February 16, 2026 at 4:53 PM
The framing suggests that everything not on the EU's list is banned. Untrue.
The EU allows thousands of flavoring substances, enzymes, and other ingredients outside that narrow additives list.
Meanwhile, the US does have a regulatory framework; it's just structured differently.
/2
The EU allows thousands of flavoring substances, enzymes, and other ingredients outside that narrow additives list.
Meanwhile, the US does have a regulatory framework; it's just structured differently.
/2
Reposted by Alyson Smith
He can't speak without being disingenuous.
Next time you see this 400 vs 10k citation, understand:
The EU figure refers to its approved food additives.
The US figure refers to all substances that can legally contact food, including packaging materials and processing aids.
/1
Next time you see this 400 vs 10k citation, understand:
The EU figure refers to its approved food additives.
The US figure refers to all substances that can legally contact food, including packaging materials and processing aids.
/1
February 16, 2026 at 4:53 PM
He can't speak without being disingenuous.
Next time you see this 400 vs 10k citation, understand:
The EU figure refers to its approved food additives.
The US figure refers to all substances that can legally contact food, including packaging materials and processing aids.
/1
Next time you see this 400 vs 10k citation, understand:
The EU figure refers to its approved food additives.
The US figure refers to all substances that can legally contact food, including packaging materials and processing aids.
/1
Reposted by Alyson Smith
The return of measles will mean the return of SSPE.
If you don't know what that is, read this. www.voicesforvaccines.org/what-measles...
If you don't know what that is, read this. www.voicesforvaccines.org/what-measles...
What Measles Did to My Family
My mom always told me that measles was what made my sister sick. I was 8 when she finally explained the whole thing.
www.voicesforvaccines.org
December 14, 2025 at 7:46 PM
The return of measles will mean the return of SSPE.
If you don't know what that is, read this. www.voicesforvaccines.org/what-measles...
If you don't know what that is, read this. www.voicesforvaccines.org/what-measles...
Reposted by Alyson Smith
February 14, 2026 at 9:29 PM
Reposted by Alyson Smith
Chocolate covered strawberries are a great #ValentinesDay treat. Let's give a cheer for workers like "Eva" who was laboring in Ventura County CA. She had to trudging through slippery muddy rows to bring this sweet fruit to our table. #WeFeedYou
February 15, 2026 at 1:00 AM
Chocolate covered strawberries are a great #ValentinesDay treat. Let's give a cheer for workers like "Eva" who was laboring in Ventura County CA. She had to trudging through slippery muddy rows to bring this sweet fruit to our table. #WeFeedYou
February 14, 2026 at 9:29 PM
Reposted by Alyson Smith
February 14, 2026 at 8:03 PM
Reposted by Alyson Smith
Pink and Red start to St. Valentine's Day. Saturday sunrise in Chicago.
February 14, 2026 at 1:27 PM
Pink and Red start to St. Valentine's Day. Saturday sunrise in Chicago.
Happy Valentine’s, friends ❤️
February 14, 2026 at 1:27 PM
Happy Valentine’s, friends ❤️
Reposted by Alyson Smith
A day that celebrates Love doesn't have to be about Eros. Here's something for those other great loves in our lives.
February 14, 2026 at 1:15 PM
A day that celebrates Love doesn't have to be about Eros. Here's something for those other great loves in our lives.
Reposted by Alyson Smith
Bluesky is the new science Twitter, new study by @whysharksmatter.bsky.social and Julia Wester concludes!
"Results show that for every reported professional benefit that scientists once gained from Twitter, scientists can now gain that benefit more effectively on Bluesky than on Twitter."
"Results show that for every reported professional benefit that scientists once gained from Twitter, scientists can now gain that benefit more effectively on Bluesky than on Twitter."
Scientists no Longer Find Twitter Professionally Useful, and have Switched to Bluesky
Synopsis. Social media has become widely used by the scientific community for a variety of professional uses, including networking and public outreach. For
academic.oup.com
February 13, 2026 at 10:08 PM
Bluesky is the new science Twitter, new study by @whysharksmatter.bsky.social and Julia Wester concludes!
"Results show that for every reported professional benefit that scientists once gained from Twitter, scientists can now gain that benefit more effectively on Bluesky than on Twitter."
"Results show that for every reported professional benefit that scientists once gained from Twitter, scientists can now gain that benefit more effectively on Bluesky than on Twitter."
This is a fantastic piece.
I urge everyone to read- and share it, even if you aren’t in medicine or science ⤵️
I urge everyone to read- and share it, even if you aren’t in medicine or science ⤵️
In his confirmation hearings, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told U.S. senators that he would not cut funding for vaccine research or change the nation's official vaccine recommendations. He did both. n.pr/46QDn9p
RFK Jr. made promises to get his job as health secretary. He's broken many of them
In his confirmation hearings, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told U.S. senators that he would not cut funding for vaccine research or change the nation's official vaccine recommendations. He did both.
n.pr
February 13, 2026 at 7:23 PM
This is a fantastic piece.
I urge everyone to read- and share it, even if you aren’t in medicine or science ⤵️
I urge everyone to read- and share it, even if you aren’t in medicine or science ⤵️
“These results show that while childhood measles vaccination remains the social norm with close to 80% intention, there is an important minority of US adults who are not willing to vaccinate children against measles even if recommended to do so.“
Such an important study! ⤵️
Such an important study! ⤵️
🚨🆕 Excited to share our new paper on #measles #vaccination attitudes in the 🇺🇸
As measles cases surge 📈 to highest levels since elimination in 2000, we wanted to understand if U.S. adults intention to vaccinate children against measles
Here’s what we found. 🧵👇
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
As measles cases surge 📈 to highest levels since elimination in 2000, we wanted to understand if U.S. adults intention to vaccinate children against measles
Here’s what we found. 🧵👇
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Intention to vaccinate children against measles: findings from a national survey in the United States
The United States is currently experiencing the largest surge of measles cases since 2000, with over 2855 cases reported across the country since Janu…
www.sciencedirect.com
February 13, 2026 at 5:27 AM
“These results show that while childhood measles vaccination remains the social norm with close to 80% intention, there is an important minority of US adults who are not willing to vaccinate children against measles even if recommended to do so.“
Such an important study! ⤵️
Such an important study! ⤵️
Reposted by Alyson Smith
Public health should never be politicized — and the courts agreed tonight.
Donald Trump's attack on Illinoisans was just blocked by a temporary restraining order.
We will continue to check his abuses of power and win against this President.
Donald Trump's attack on Illinoisans was just blocked by a temporary restraining order.
We will continue to check his abuses of power and win against this President.
Donald Trump is stripping critical public health funding with one goal in mind: harming states he doesn’t like.
It’s a slap in the face to Illinoisans.
We will not stand by idly as Trump illegally cancels the Congressionally-allocated funding we are owed.
It’s a slap in the face to Illinoisans.
We will not stand by idly as Trump illegally cancels the Congressionally-allocated funding we are owed.
Illinois AG sues to prevent Trump admin. from cutting $600M in public health funds from 4 states
Illinois' attorney general is suing to block the Trump administration from cutting public health funding. Among the $600 million in cuts would be a $5.2 million program at Lurie Children's Hospital.
abc7chicago.com
February 13, 2026 at 1:50 AM
Public health should never be politicized — and the courts agreed tonight.
Donald Trump's attack on Illinoisans was just blocked by a temporary restraining order.
We will continue to check his abuses of power and win against this President.
Donald Trump's attack on Illinoisans was just blocked by a temporary restraining order.
We will continue to check his abuses of power and win against this President.