Staff

Jamie McDonald, M.P.H. – Executive Director

Jamie McDonald has worked for the American Academy of Pediatrics – Orange County Chapter as a Health Educator, Program Director, and now Executive Director for over 20 years, developing, implementing, and evaluating educational programs and material on a variety of children’s health issues. She has nearly 30 years experience working collaboratively with diverse groups of community partners, professionals, individual champions (e.g., parents, volunteers), and government/legislative representatives, and has taught health sciences courses for over 15 years at California State University, Long Beach. Jamie has a Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences from UC Santa Barbara and received her Master’s degree in Public Health from California State University, Long Beach.  Jamie, her husband and two sons live in Long Beach with their dog, guinea pigs, and four chickens, enjoying music, theater, and gardening.

J’Amy Viers – Program Director

J’Amy Viers is the newest addition to the AAP – Orange County Chapter, coming on board as the Program Director in November 2023. She graduated with a Bachelors degree in Sociology from Lee University in Cleveland, TN where she began a career (and a calling) in Social Services in 2008. Since that time, she has worked in rural Tennessee and in both Northern and Southern California, with focuses on dual diagnoses in adults, foster care for both children and dependent adults, at-risk youth who have experienced trauma, and family reunification within juvenile dependency court. She has roughly 15 years of experience serving communities by active field work, advocacy, mentorship, and by working collaboratively with community partners, including educators, service providers and various juvenile dependency attorneys. Most recently, she was also the lead hands-on trainer / mentor for new and beginning Social Workers in a specialized family services program at the County of Orange. J’Amy is eager to step into this leadership position by joining an already-made strong team in an effort to support overall programmatic achievement and growth. J’Amy has shared, “Impassioned work is a blessing. It gives you a newfound energy every day. Mother Teresa said it best, “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the water to create many ripples.”  J’Amy is looking forward to being a part of a ripple effect here at American Academy of Pediatrics – Orange County chapter!”

With their daughter off at college, J’Amy and her husband are blessed to live in Newport Beach and enjoy water activities (sailing, surfing, SUP, kayaking), snowboarding, church activities and are avid travelers in their spare time! In addition, J’Amy has a love of the arts and is a Ballroom Dance Instructor for private events and plays piano.

Emma Course – Program Coordinator

Emma Course came to AAP-OC in 2012, after having worked at CHOC Children’s Hospital for over 10 years as the Reading Program Coordinator. Her experience coordinating a successful & organized program for so many years allows her to share her tips on maintaining an active program and provides technical assistance when needed. She assists clinic sites to engage their parents & children in developing a love of books and reading. Emma took on the role of CME Coordinator for AAP-OC in 2016 and coordinated activities for Continuing Medical Education until 2022. Emma added coordinating the Clinic in the Park Program in July 2020, during the Pandemic. In-person Health Expos were put on hiatus and efforts were shifted to educating Community Partners on topics of safety and injury prevention.  When restrictions were relaxed, Clinic in the Park now participates in partner organization’s outreach events, providing education on safety equipment, fitting and distributing to underserved families in Orange County. Emma assists in any AAP programs or events as needed, and truly enjoys the variety her job offers. Outside of the office, Emma enjoys family-time with her husband, two grown kids & their spouses and 4 grandkids, as well as cooking, traveling, decorating, volunteering, and of course reading.

Elizabeth Sturdy – Project Coordinator

Elizabeth Sturdy is a Continuing Medical Education (CME) and Project Coordinator for the American Academy of Pediatrics – Orange County Chapter (AAP-OC). She first started her work for AAP-OC as an intern while completing her undergraduate degree in Health Care Administration at California State University, Long Beach. She has been with the Chapter since 2021 and has assisted in a variety of areas including administrative work, Chapter membership, continuing medical education, and supporting important initiatives such as Project Firstline and ACEs PRACTICE. Elizabeth enjoys the versatility of her job and is grateful to be working for an organization that allows her to fulfill her passion for helping those in need and serving her community.