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Happy end of school year, everyone! This is my last column as your AAPCA1 President, and as I write this I am filled with gratitude for the tremendous honor and privilege it has been to serve you all in that way.
One of the most impactful experiences of my own training was attending Advocacy Day as a resident. I got to meet then Assemblymember Richard Pan, and provide testimony in support of his AB2109, which required parents to consult with physicians before obtaining a personal belief exemption from vaccination, and paved the way for SB277, which eliminated those exemptions. Seeing a pediatrician in the state legislature and watching the impact of bringing scientific expertise to policymaking in real time, galvanized me and reinforced my commitment to advocacy as a central focus of my career.
In the years since I’ve had the privilege of attending many advocacy days with different organizations, and none fill me with optimism and pride as much as our AAP California Resident Advocacy Day. Seeing our trainees in the state putting it all together, speaking passionately with elected officials about what’s right for kids, always inspires me and recharges my batteries.
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So it was very fitting that one of my last acts as your president was to attend the 2025 AAP-CA Advocacy Day, with pediatric residents and faculty volunteers from across our large, diverse and wonderful state. This is a joint effort between our amazing CA Resident Advocacy Collaborative, currently led by Drs. Serena Yang and Amy Whittle, and AAP California. It is an annual 2-day event, with day 1 focused on learning and collaboration among residents and faculty from across the state, and day 2 focused on legislative advocacy and organized by our AAP-CA SGA (State Government Affairs) Committee.
This year’s sessions covered topics including effective advocacy for childhood immunizations, providing statewide mental health consultation, protecting immigrant and refugee children and families, strategies for protecting Medicaid coverage, and more. We were honored by many distinguished guest speakers including Drs. Dean Blumberg, Petra Steinbuchel, Raul Gutierrez, and Jyothi Marbin, AAP Immediate Past President Dr. Ben Hoffman, CA Surgeon General Dr. Diana Ramos, and CA state Senator Caroline Menjivar.
The event brought together a vibrant community of pediatricians and trainees committed to advocacy, with 130 attendees participating in 61 legislative office visits across the two-day event. It was a wonderful affirmation of why we do this work, and so exciting to see the next generation of pediatric leaders embracing advocacy as a critical tool in their repertoire of skills.
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As I transition out of the role of president, I look forward to welcoming our incoming president, Dr. Neel Patel. Neel is a fierce advocate and longtime leader in our chapter who has championed significant change during his time as vice president. I am excited for all that is to come with him as our chapter president.
As I have said here, when times are hard, we must stick together, find those who lift us up and propel us forward, who will lend an ear and an open mind when moving forward feels impossible. We are certainly navigating very challenging times as pediatric healthcare providers, but it is because of each one of you that I know forward progress will continue. Together, we will keep showing up for kids and communities every day, because it’s the right thing to do, and because they’re counting on us.
With deepest gratitude and respect,
Nikki
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Nicole Webb, MD, FAAP
President, AAPCA1
| | Assessing Climate Disaster Preparedness in Spanish-speaking Families with Children | |
Disasters affect all people, but they do not affect all people equally. Nearly 40% of California households identify as Hispanic or Latino, and 27% of residents are immigrants, the largest share of any state. California is an especially climate-stressed state, and we know that there is a lack of research on disaster preparedness for immigrant families and children.
As a fellow in Pediatric Emergency Medicine, I have been fortunate to work with mentors Nicolaus Glomb, MD, MPH, and Kevan McCarten Gibbs, MD, with experience in disaster preparedness. Our team conducted a needs assessment of the climate readiness of Spanish-speaking immigrant families in the Bay Area, with a particular focus on preparedness involving children and youth. We hope to develop and provide education and resources to this vulnerable community in the future.
We were generously funded by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Disaster Preparedness Ambassador grant program through AAPCA1. We initially connected with local and state government officials, AAP experts on climate change and disaster preparedness, and other non-profit organizations to inform our project. We decided to focus specifically on preparation for climate-related disasters such as wildfires, floods, extreme heat, and extreme storms, especially actionable pediatric preparation information for Spanish speakers. We partnered with a community organization called Vision y Compromiso, which organizes, trains, and employs Promotores de Salud, or Spanish-speaking health promoters who share the language and culture of our participants
In December of 2024, we conducted a pilot focus group and sent out survey questions about climate preparedness with UCSF’s Youth Research Advisory Council to collect feedback. We then conducted focus groups and surveys of 20 Spanish-speaking family representatives from at least six different countries of origin facilitated by Promotoras at the Mexican Consulate in San Francisco, asking about participants past experiences with disasters, their current preparations with their family and household, and what education and resources they would like in the future to help prepare for climate disasters. . . continue reading...
Special thanks to my mentors Nicolaus Glomb, MD, MPH and Kevan McCarten-Gibbs, MD, team members Ronus Hojjati, MD, Brigitte Glines, CEM-IAEM, DVM, Vision y Compromiso collaborators Hugo Ramirez, Josefita Maldonado and Cindia Martinez, advisors Shruti Kant, MBBS and Hilary Ong, MD, and Yolanda Ruiz for project coordination.
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Morgan Leighton, MD, MPH, FAAP
Advocacy Committee Co-Chair, AAPCA1
| | Pediatric Research in Office Settings (PROS): Bridging Research and Primary Care | | |
Ever wonder if the challenges you face in your pediatric practice are shared by others, and if there is a way to solve them together? The American Academy of Pediatrics’ Pediatric Research in Office Settings (PROS) program is a national network that does exactly that.
Founded in 1986, PROS is the only nationwide pediatric primary care practice-based research network, bringing practicing pediatricians together with academic researchers to answer real-world questions. From small private offices to community health centers, hundreds of pediatric practices collaborate in PROS studies that seek to improve child health and enhance daily practice. In short, PROS connects the front lines of pediatrics with the forefront of research, allowing busy clinicians to be part of groundbreaking studies without leaving their offices.
PROS: A NETWORK FOR PEDIATRIC PRACTICE RESEARCH
In the world of medical research, PROS is unique. It operates as a nationwide extension of the pediatric office, turning our collective patient care experiences into data and insights. Community pediatricians drive the research agenda – identifying pressing questions from daily practice and collaborating with research experts to study them.
PROS was created because evidence to improve primary care works best when it comes from primary care settings themselves. Front-line pediatricians are involved in all phases of PROS projects, from choosing study topics to developing protocols and even co-authoring publications. Parents even serve on the PROS Steering Committee, ensuring studies remain relevant to families. . .continue reading...
A RURAL PEDIATRICIAN’S PERSPECTIVE: WHY I’M PART OF PROS
As a pediatrician serving a rural community, I sometimes felt disconnected from academic research centers. I juggle many roles—clinician, educator, medical director, and community advocate. When I discovered PROS through a newsletter, I was inspired to visit the AAP headquarters in Itasca, Illinois, to learn more. . .continue reading...
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
Getting started with PROS is simple. Visit the website to learn more and sign up. If you are in California Chapter 1, I serve as the PROS Coordinator and would be happy to connect with you directly at sauldiazm@gmail.com.
PROS welcomes pediatricians from all practice settings and career stages. Your voice and experience matter—join us in shaping the future of pediatric care. For inquiries, contact Dr. Saul A Diaz Martinez at sauldiazm@gmail.com or the AAP PROS team at PROSOps@aap.org
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Saul A. Diaz Martinez, MD, FAAP
PROS Coordinator, AAPCA1
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AAPCA1 Joins National Call to Strengthen Measles Response
AAPCA1 recently joined a national sign-on letter urging HHS and the CDC to take stronger, unified action to address the alarming rise in measles cases—now confirmed in over 1,000 individuals across more than 30 states. The letter emphasized the critical need for clear messaging around the MMR vaccine and called for reversing funding cuts that are undermining outbreak response efforts nationwide.
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California Advocacy
AAP-CA (our California AAP District advocacy group) follows California-specific bills of related to child health. Visit the AAP-CA website’s Advocacy page at https://aap-ca.org/legislative-bills/ to see the entire list of AAP-CA tracked bills that made it to the Governor’s desk where you can read the outcome of each bill and an in-depth analysis.
If you are interested in knowing more about certain legislation, reach out to our State Government Affairs Chapter Representative Anna Kaplan, MD, FAAP, and Nora Pfaff, MD, FAAP at info@aapca1.org.
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Exploring Novel Treatments for Rett Syndrome Meeting
We would like to invite you to join Exploring Novel Treatments for Rett Syndrome on Wednesday, June 11 from 3-4PM! This talk explores promising new treatments and care strategies for children and adults with Rett syndrome—a rare neurodevelopmental disorder affecting movement, speech, and behavior. Led by Dr. Timothy John Feyma, Pediatric Neurologist at Gillette Children’s Hospital, this session offers clinical insights and practical tools to support patients and families across the lifespan.
Date: Wednesday, June 11
Time: 03:00 P.M. to 04:00 P.M PDT
Location: via Zoom
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EveryoneBelongsHere Series: Building Trust, Privacy, Safety and Documentation in the Healthcare Practice
AAPCA1's Immigrant Child Health Committee is partnering with EveryoneBelongsHere to bring you the "Immigrant Health in the Bay Area Learning Series." This talk focuses on helping pediatricians navigate privacy and documentation in the healthcare practice.
Date: Thursday, June 12
Time: 12:00 P.M. to 01:00 P.M PDT
Location: via Zoom
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ACEs Health Champions Gathering Free Webinar
Building on the success of Esmeralda, a short film based on a real life story, this talk delves into the complex cycle of intergenerational trauma and resilience in the Latino community through the lens of child sexual abuse. Using a trauma-informed framework, we will examine the profound impact on individuals, families, and communities while highlighting prevention, intervention, and healing strategies to drive meaningful change and support survivors on their path to recovery.
Date: Friday, June 13
Time: 12:00 P.M. to 01:00 P.M PDT
Location: via Zoom
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AAP-CA's 46th Annual Las Vegas Seminars
We personally invite you to attend this year’s Annual Las Vegas Seminars at the beautiful Caesars Palace Las Vegas! This meeting is the largest regional Pediatric Conference in the country, thanks to the continued support and participation of individuals like you.
Date: November 14-16
Location: Caesars Palace, Las Vegas
Chapter Members receive a discount!
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Pediatric Careers in California!
Explore our job board for exciting career opportunities or share one of your own. Visit aapca1.org/jobs/.
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Chapter Members: Enjoy a discounted rate of $50 for a 90-day job posting and promotion.
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Non-Members/Corporate Entities: Post for 30 days at $100.
Take the next step in your pediatric career today!
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Cal-MAP: Mental Health Support Resources
Cal-MAP’s team of mental health specialists supports primary care providers (PCPs) treating youth with mental health needs through education, consultation, and resource navigation.
Register for the Cal-MAP consultation program here: https://cal-map.org
Contact Us:
Phone:
800-253-2103
Email: info@cal-map.org
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Pediatrics on Call: A Podcast on Children's Health from the AAP
Episode 248 - Federal Cuts to Children’s Health Care
| California Pediatrics Podcast | | |
Resources to Help Youth Heal from Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES)
Looking for ways to better support young patients facing trauma or toxic stress?
The Live Beyond campaign offers tools to help youth and families understand Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), build resilience, and begin healing.
Recommended by Live Beyond
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Your membership makes a difference for children in California, thank you!
The AAPCA1's ability to advocate on behalf of children is only as strong as the support we receive from our members. Encourage your colleagues to join today by visiting the AAPCA1 website.
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Our mission is to promote the optimal health and development of children and
adolescents of Northern California in partnership with their families and communities, and to support the pediatricians who care for them.
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Executive Committee:
President: Nicole Webb • Vice President: Neel Patel
• Secretary: Resham Kaur • Treasurer: Amita Saxena • Past President: Nelson Branco
Area Directors:
North Valley: Aishwarya Taneja • Sacramento Valley: Lena van der List • Central Valley: Deborah Shassetz • South Valley: Sireesha Palkamsetti • San Francisco: Ryan Alanzalon • Santa Clara: Bindya Singh • San Mateo: Jonathon Everett • North Coastal: VACANT • Monterey Bay: VACANT • Alameda County: Renee Wachtel • Contra Costa/Solano: Jennifer Anne Miller
Pediatric Insider News Editors:
Christy Capestany • Nicole Anderson
Staff:
Executive Director: Yolanda Ruiz • Project Coordinator: Sana Sayyid •
Marketing Assistant: Arathzy Portillo
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