Dr. Ashlesha Kaushik Elected President of Iowa AAP
Ashlesha Kaushik
UnityPoint Clinic proudly announces that Ashlesha Kaushik, MD, MS, pediatric infectious disease specialist, has been elected president of the Iowa Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), marking several historic milestones for pediatric medicine and Siouxland.
Dr. Kaushik is the first pediatric specialist from Iowa to serve as president of the Iowa AAP, the first physician from the Siouxland region to hold the position and the first woman specialist physician and infectious diseases physician to serve as president. She is also the youngest physician to hold the position.
"Dr. Kaushik's leadership and dedication to pediatric health continue to make an impact well beyond Siouxland," says Stephen Pallone, MD, medical director of UnityPoint Clinic in Sioux City. "We are excited to see her recognized by her peers and take on this important leadership role. Her engagement in education and advocacy to advance health care for children at multiple levels reflects the best of UnityPoint Health."
In addition to her election as president, Dr. Kaushik was honored with the American Academy of Pediatrics Outstanding Chapter Award for Iowa. The award was presented during the National AAP Leadership Conference in July 2026 and recognizes the accomplishments of the Iowa Chapter. This is the first time ever Iowa has won the highest national AAP Award.
"I am deeply humbled and honored to serve as president of the Iowa Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics," says Dr. Kaushik. "This is a tremendous opportunity to advocate for children and families across Iowa and to advance pediatric health care, education and public health. I am incredibly proud to bring this honor to UnityPoint Health and grateful to the colleagues, mentors and teams who have supported me throughout my journey."
Dr. Kaushik also serves as chair of the Iowa AAP Committee on Infectious Diseases, continuing her longstanding leadership in pediatric infectious diseases, immunization and antimicrobial stewardship.
Her upcoming engagements include serving as an invited speaker for Grand Rounds at Blank Children's Hospital in Des Moines on Oct. 29, 2026. She has also been invited to speak at "Inspirational Rounds" for residents, faculty and medical students in New Jersey and New York, where she will share her professional journey and experiences in pediatric medicine and infectious diseases.
Dr. Kaushik serves as medical director of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and director of the Antimicrobial Stewardship Program at UnityPoint Health – St. Luke's. She also holds an academic appointment as a clinical associate professor in the Stead Family Department of Pediatrics at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine and serves as a resident preceptor for the Siouxland Medical Education Foundation Residency Program.
Her work has earned numerous state and national honors, including the CDC Childhood Immunization Champion Award for Iowa, the National Immunization Emerging Leader Award, the AAP Excellence in Education Award and two AAP Special Achievement Awards for her leadership and contributions to infectious diseases.
Dr. Kaushik's continued leadership and advocacy help advance pediatric care, education and public health initiatives for children and families in Siouxland and beyond.