Developing Concerns: Oh, Say Can You See? | |
Myopia, or nearsightedness, is increasingly common among children, apparently related to our modern world transition to spending long periods of time focusing on near objects, like phones, computers and books. In some countries, nearly 90% of high school students have significant myopia. Some children are at higher risk, including children with a family history of high myopia, those of Asian descent and children with neurodevelopmental disorders. There are current and emerging strategies for myopia control, including optical, pharmacological, and behavioral approaches. Progression to high myopia is associated with the risk of sight-threatening complications such as retinal detachment and myopic maculopathy.
Myopia is caused by axial elongation of the eyeball, causing distant objects to be focused anterior to the retina and making them appear blurry. Single vision lenses correct refractive errors, but do not prevent myopia progression. A recent review by Maulvi et al (2025) considered the following potential interventions to control myopia progression and perhaps prevent myopia...continue reading...
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Renee Wachtel, MD, FAAP
Chair, School Health and Behavioral & Developmental Committees, AAPCA1
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Childhood Nutrition & Obesity Committee Meeting: Advanced Treatments for Severe Pediatric Obesity
Wednesday, June 17 | 12 - 1 p.m | Virtual
AAPCA1 invites you to join the Childhood Nutrition & Obesity Committee meeting held virtually on Wednesday, June 17, from 12 to 1 p.m. Don’t miss this important discussion on Advanced Treatments for Severe Pediatric Obesity, featuring guest speaker Dr. Janey S.A. Pratt, MD, FACS, FASMBS, Director of the Adolescent Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Program at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital.
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Pediatric Practice Support Office Hours
Sept. 1 & Nov. 3 | 6 - 7 p.m | Virtual
Join fellow local pediatricians for informal peer-to-peer sessions designed to strengthen your practice and your community. Organized by our Practice Support Committee, these gatherings are a space to share best practices, tackle shared challenges, and stay informed on local, regional, and national issues shaping pediatric care. No agenda, no pressure, just collegial conversation with the people who understand your work best.
Additional Practice Support Office Hours:
11/3/26 from 6 p.m - 7 p.m - register here
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Advocating for Children (ACT) Conference
Saturday, Sept. 19 | 8 - 5 p.m | Kaiser Permanente Medical Center | 3600 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94611
Join us for a one-day CME-eligible conference designed to build a community of pediatric providers who are engaged and equipped to influence child health policy. Participants will experience dynamic, TED-style talks on timely advocacy topics, engage in mentorship sessions, and take part in interactive workshops focused on media training, writing for advocacy, AI, strengthening community advocacy skills, and more!
Registration prices:
Chapter Members $100
Non-Chapter member $150
Trainees $35
| | Chapter Leadership Positions | |
Area Director - Multiple Areas
As an Area Director, you'll be part of a dynamic team representing one of our 11 diverse geographic areas. You will become a voting member of our chapter board and engage with local pediatric providers to advocate for children's health through the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Volunteer alongside a supportive leadership team dedicated to shaping the future of pediatric care.
Area Director Positions:
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Central Valley Area Director: Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Tuolumne
- Monterey Area Director
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North Valley Area Director: Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity and Yuba
- San Francisco Area Director
The full Role & Responsibilities can be viewed HERE.
| Cast Your Vote: Area Director Election | We are excited to announce the opening of elections for regional Area Directors is open from June 3 until June 22 11:59PM. AAP California Chapter 1 members will soon receive an email with a personalized voting link to cast their vote for the Area Director in their region. Your vote plays an important role in helping shape the future leadership of our organization. | |
Newsletter Editor
The Pediatric Newsletter Editing Team is seeking applications to join the AAP-CA1 Newsletter Editing Team. You will play a pivotal role in providing valuable feedback and edits for our monthly Newsletter. This commitment only requires a few hours per month, providing you the flexibility to enhance the quality of articles submitted by our pediatricians.
When sending CV to the Executive Director, Yolanda Ruiz please respond to the following questions to help us understand your motivations and backgrounds better:
- Why do you want to be part of the newsletter team?
- What journalism, writing, or publishing background do you have, if any.
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The full Role & Responsibilities can be viewed HERE.
To apply, send CV to Yolanda Ruiz at yolanda.ruiz@aapca1.org.
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Apply for the Care & Connect Microgrants for up to $2,000!
AAPCA1 is excited to offer its members the opportunity to apply for a chapter microgrant. The Care & Connect Microgrant Project offers microgrants valued at up to $2,000 (no amount is too small) which can be utilized in one of two impactful ways. The first option supports innovative community-based child health initiatives. The second option is to host member gatherings and meetings within your local area. Along with the grant, you will have the full support of our AAPCA1 staff to carry out your grant goals. We encourage all members to take advantage of this chance to either drive community health improvements or enhance pediatric connections!
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ACEs Health Champions Gathering
Tuesday, June 9 | 12 - 1 p.m. | Virtual
Join the “Keeping Families Together: The Vital Role of Mental Health Professionals in Immigration Cases" Hot Topic session. This program will explore the important role psychologists, psychiatrists, and therapists can play in immigration cases through clinical reports and testimony that help document trauma, psychological hardship, and the impact of family separation. Attendees will learn how mental health professionals can help educate immigration adjudicators and support clients and families facing high-stakes immigration decisions.
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2026 Health Families Fitness Festival
Saturday, August 1 | 10 - 2 p.m. | The Grounds Roseville, 700 Event Center Dr, Roseville, CA
Join the Sierra Community Medical Foundation for the 2026 Healthy Families Fitness Festival on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at The Grounds in Roseville. This free family-friendly event will bring the community together for a day of health, wellness, and fun, featuring health screenings, vendors, games, prizes, free backpacks and school supplies, sports clinics, and activities for all ages. Families are invited to attend, connect with local resources, and celebrate a shared commitment to building safer, healthier communities.
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2026 National Conference & Exhibition
Friday, Oct. 2 - 6 | San Diego Convention Center| 111 Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) invites you to soak up the sun and sharpen your skills at the 2026 National Conference & Exhibition, happening October 2–6 in beautiful San Diego, California.
Registration is now open for members.
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42nd Annual Current Advances in Pediatrics
Friday, Oct. 16 - 18 | The Irvine Marriott Hotel | 18000 Von Karman Ave, Irvine, CA 92612
The seminar is intended for Pediatricians, Family Practitioners, and Allied Health Professionals. It will emphasize newer treatments and their practical applications for both the office and hospital practice of pediatrics. This year’s program will focus on topics that include: Dermatology, Endocrinology, General Pediatrics, Infectious Diseases, Pediatric Urology & Newborn Medicine.
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47th Annual Las Vegas Seminars
Friday, Nov. 13 - 15 | Caesars Palace, Las Vegas | 3570 Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Join the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) California Chapter for the 47th Annual Las Vegas Seminars, an engaging educational experience designed for pediatricians, family practitioners, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and allied health professionals. This year’s program features expert-led updates in Pediatric Nephrology, Endocrinology & Nutrition, Pediatric Dermatology, Infectious Diseases, Adolescent Gynecology, and Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics, with a focus on practical, evidence-based care for both office and hospital settings.
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On Tuesday, May 5, about 170 California pediatricians descended upon the State Capitol in Sacramento, constituent organized groups met with 65 legislative offices. Pediatric attendees comprised of nearly 100 trainees from the various residency programs in the state, complimented by resident program faculty and AAP-CA leadership, including Board of Directors, State Government Affairs committee members and AAP-CA Chapter leaders.
Two of the bills passed out of their respective Appropriations committee today:
AB 2346 (Wilson D) Vehicles: electric bicycles and speed limits passed out of Assembly Appropriations on a 13/0 vote and moves to the Assembly floor and is set to be heard on Monday May 18.
This bill, among other things, requires labeling and disclosure requirements of manufacturers and distributors of electric bicycles (e-bikes), requires e-bikes equipped with speedometers and lights and sets speed limits for e-bike riders who are under 16 years of age.
SB 936 (Blakespear D) Nitrous oxide: sales passed out of Senate Appropriations on a 7/0 vote and moves to the Senate Floor and is set to be heard on Monday, May 18...continue reading...
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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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Pediatric Jobs Available!
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Coming July 2026: Pediatrician's Guide to Pasteurized Donor Human Milk
Mothers’ Milk Bank California is pleased to announce the upcoming release of the Pediatrician’s Guide to Pasteurized Donor Human Milk, available in July 2026.
This practical, evidence-based guide will support pediatricians and healthcare providers in discussing the clinical use, benefits, safety, access, and prescribing considerations of donor human milk for vulnerable infants in and beyond the NICU.
To request a copy when available, please email Info@MothersMilk.org.
Recommended by AAP
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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
Recommended by AAP-CA1, Mental Health Committee
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California Pediatric Podcast
Ep 10: Free Mental Health Consults in Primary Care
Other Episodes
Ep. 9: California Cares Food Drive
Recommended by California Pediatric Podcast
| | | First 5 First Steps Family Support Program | |
First Steps promotes positive parenting and enhances child health and development for families who may face hardships and stressors that place them at increased risk for poor health and developmental outcomes.
Access the Fact Sheet here
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Bird Flu (Avian Influenza): Facts for Families
Bird flu can spread from animals to humans. Since last spring, there have been more than 60 cases of people infected with bird flu in the U.S., including two children. Seasonal flu vaccination will not prevent infection with bird flu viruses. The annual influenza vaccine protects against three strains that are most widely circulating in humans.
Recommended by Healthy Children
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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: Neel Patel • Vice President: Saul Diaz Martinez
• Secretary: Kerrilyn Rice • Treasurer: Amita Saxena • Past President: Nicole Webb
Area Directors:
North Valley: VACANT • Sacramento Valley: Lena van der List • Central Valley: Deborah Shassetz • South Valley: Sireesha Palkamsetti • San Francisco: Ryan Alanzalon • Santa Clara: Swetang Shahm • San Mateo: Jonathon Everett • North Coastal: VACANT • Monterey Bay: VACANT • Alameda County: Renee Wachtel • Contra Costa/Solano: Jennifer Anne Miller
Pediatric Insider News Editors:
• Nicole Anderson
Staff:
Executive Director: Yolanda Ruiz • Project Coordinator: Sana Sayyid •
Marketing Assistant: Arathzy Portillo
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