Kristin Sohl, MD, FAAP

Mom| wife| Professor & Pediatrician @MuHealth @mumedicine |@ECHOAutism Founder | Fierce child health advocate |President @MissouriAAP

[Project ECHO @ProjectECHO]

We just published our 2025 Impact Report! Explore how ECHO partners are increasing access to life-saving health care, improving education outcomes, and strengthening systems across sectors.

📖 Read the report: https://t.co/SpiqEbZwF3

[DK🇺🇸🦅🇺🇸 @1Nicdar]

130 schools said no.
He led the losingest program in college football history to a national championship anyway.
Fernando Mendoza was a 2-star recruit from Miami.

He tried to walk on at his hometown school. They passed.
So did FIU.
So did FAU.
So did everyone else.

At 17, he was sitting in his bedroom, crying over a silent recruiting inbox—after driving to 18 camps with his dad and sending highlights to more than 100 programs.
Not one FBS offer.
His only option? Yale. No scholarship. No NFL path.

Everyone told him to be “realistic.”
“Know your place.”
“Be grateful.”
He didn’t listen.
Because Mendoza understood something most people miss:
The worst outcome isn’t failing.
It’s never getting the chance to try.

Two weeks before signing day in 2022, his phone rang.
Cal needed a body. One offer. Out of 134 schools.
He took it.
He arrived as the third-string quarterback.
Spent a year on the scout team.
Lost his first four starts.
Got sacked 41 times behind a broken offensive line.

Still got up. Every time.
Then Cal brought in a transfer instead of building around him.
So Mendoza left the only school that had ever said yes.
He transferred to Indiana—the losingest program in college football history.

People laughed.
“Career suicide.”
“Graveyard program.”
“Nobody wins there.”
One coach told him something different:
“I’m going to make you the best Fernando Mendoza possible.”
That was enough.
Mendoza wasn’t just playing for football.
His mother has battled multiple sclerosis for 18 years.

Before every snap, he thought of her.
“My mother is my why.”
Indiana went 16–0.
Beat six Top-10 teams.
Won their first Big Ten title since 1945.
Mendoza threw 41 touchdowns.
Won the Heisman—first in school history.
First Cuban-American to ever do it.

Then came the title game.
Miami. Near his hometown.
Fourth-and-4. Season on the line.
Quarterback draw.
The kid 134 schools rejected spun through defenders and dove into the end zone.

Game over.
Indiana—national champions.
The losingest program became the best team in America.
All because a 17-year-old refused to believe “no” was the end.

Rankings don’t decide your ceiling.
Gatekeepers don’t write your ending.
Being overlooked isn’t a verdict—it’s a starting point.

Sometimes all you need is one shot…
and the courage to bet on yourself when nobody else will.
Don’t quit.

Credit: Barclay Mullins

[Project ECHO @ProjectECHO]

🌐 Collaboration expands the reach and impact of organizations, transforming how communities are served and how problems are solved. Watch our conversation with @LeverforChange CEO Cecilia Conrad to learn more. https://t.co/1uB1RjoaBt

#Philanthropy #Nonprofit #Funding

[New Heights @newheightshow]

The Kelce brothers absolutely dominate karaoke 👏🔥

[ECHO Autism @ECHOAutism]

Safe housing, tailored healthcare, and creative credentials aren’t extras—they’re essentials. Let’s build a world where autistic individuals don’t just get by—they thrive.

Watch #EchoAutism2025 on YouTube: https://t.co/2xR16ei9s9
#AutismCommunity #Neurodiversity

[ECHO Autism @ECHOAutism]

Everyone deserves love, acceptance, and a sense of belonging.
Join us at the ECHO Autism Symposium on April 3rd to celebrate neurodiversity and build more inclusive spaces. https://t.co/qGZ2BB3MHw
#AustismAcceptance #EchoAutism #EchoAutismCommunities #CEU #CME

[ECHO Autism @ECHOAutism]

Embrace who they are. 🌱
Growth begins with acceptance.
Join us at the ECHO Autism Symposium on April 3rd to celebrate every child’s unique strengths.
CME available.
https://t.co/dqGiilpNp7

[ECHO Autism @ECHOAutism]

The ECHO Autism Communities Symposium on April 3 is about breaking down barriers and building a more inclusive, compassionate system of care.
Let’s rethink support, challenge the status quo, and create lasting change—together.
Free webinar https://t.co/dqGiilqleF

[ECHO Autism @ECHOAutism]

The ECHO Autism Communities Symposium on April 3 is challenging biases and embracing new perspectives.
Ask yourself, What can I do differently? 🤔
Join us to learn, grow and create a more inclusive world.
#AustismAcceptance #EchoAutism #EchoAutismCommunities #ContinuingEducation

[ECHO Autism @ECHOAutism]

Autism Acceptance is Everything.
Join us April 3, 2025
Everyone is Invited.
https://t.co/0XN7Os70K2

[Kristin Sohl, MD, FAAP @katsmd12]

Great first day of #AAP2024 ! Love learning, seeing friends and championing child health and of course having sooo much fun

[ECHO Autism @ECHOAutism]

This month and every month, we are here to provide free #resources, share best practices from #autism experts, and improve access for the diagnosis and treatment of #autism. Join us in celebrating Autism Acceptance Month!

[ECHO Autism @ECHOAutism]

Last month, several members of ECHO Autism presented at #MetaECHO2023. Their presentation was titled Voices Of Impact: ECHO Autism Communities' Global Reach and Local Stories. This was one of several presentations we were able to give.

[ECHO Autism @ECHOAutism]

At the 2023 Symposium, we presented this eye-opening panel discussion on Understanding Profound Autism. Panelists shared from their perspectives how they have seen their loved ones be best included.

The presentation was captured in this graphic recording by Fall4art.

[ECHO Autism @ECHOAutism]

The increased awareness of autism has sparked an increase in adult referrals for first-time autism diagnosis. This presentation, Autism In Adults: Considerations For First Time Adult Diagnosis by Vanessa Hus Bal, provided an overview of the presentation of autism in adults.

[ECHO Autism @ECHOAutism]

Did you see our advocate panel as they discussed how to "See Possibilities in All Abilities"? During this presentation, we gained insight by listening to a panel of autistic adults who shared their perspectives and what it really means to authentically engage autistic people.

[Kristin Sohl, MD, FAAP @katsmd12]

Webinar: Hospitals as Community Care Hubs for Autism https://t.co/kwcGqzw54K

[ECHO Autism @ECHOAutism]

We are less than a week away from the ECHO Autism Communities 2023 Symposium! The lineup of speakers and topics is one you don't want to miss.

There is still time to register. Register today here: https://t.co/atRqiE57Z7

[ECHO Autism @ECHOAutism]

We are a little less than 2 weeks away from the 2023 Symposium! Have you registered yet? You don't want to miss this free, virtual event.

Check out the speakers and presentation topics here: https://t.co/atRqiE57Z7

[ECHO Autism @ECHOAutism]

The third annual ECHO Autism Communities Symposium is happening in just a few weeks and we don't want you to miss it!

Want to learn more about the speakers and topics? Learn more or register here: https://t.co/atRqiE57Z7