2026 April Edition

If you missed it, there's always a next time, and there are plenty of opportunities coming your way.

This spring also took me to Washington, D.C. for the AAP's national advocacy conference — and I came home inspired. If you've been to California Advocacy Day, you know the feeling: a room full of pediatricians who refuse to stay in their lane, who believe that what happens in a Capitol hallway matters as much as what happens in an exam room. Now imagine that, nationalized. Knowing that so many like-minded pediatricians across the country are showing up, speaking up, and fighting for children's health — it keeps me in it. It will continue to fuel the work we do here locally, and I hope it fuels yours too.

AAP Legislative Conference - April 12-14, 2026

(Top) California pediatricians and AAP president Dr. Andrew Racine in front of Senator Adam Schiff’s office at the US Senate building in Washington D.C. (Left) Dr. Dena Hubbard, Dr. Anu Sharma, and Dr. Melissa Ruiz with AAP president Dr. Andrew Racine. (Right) Dr. Andrew Racine with Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi.

And then there was the symposium - sold-out registration and awesome trainee energy, but I want to say more: seeing the breadth of our trainees in that room, listening to Dr. Renée Bravo and Mona Patel speak — there was something profound happening. Both brought a dual message that I think we all needed: bearing witness to the trauma that children are facing today, and then being ready for the fight. That combination of honesty and resolve is exactly what this moment calls for. Full recap in the next issue, but the gratitude couldn't wait.

Speaking of getting involved: I've been a CATCH facilitator since residency, and I can tell you it's a reasonable time commitment for exposure to really incredible projects that local pediatricians are doing. We're still looking for a CATCH facilitator — deadline May 31 — and our committees remain a vital entry point for members who want to turn passion into action. Whether your lane is advocacy, education, or something we haven't tried yet, Tomas and I are here to help you find your fit.

This month's newsletter has something for everyone. Dr. Niru Madduri reflects on "Birds and their Therapy Skills" — yes, really, and it's worth the read. The LA County Public Health Department's Quarterly Vaccine Provider Newsletter is essential reading regardless of where you practice. And our calendar is full: The First 5 SLO Pediatric Town Hall in San Luis Obispo on April 29 - where Dr. Renée Bravo and I will be speaking, a reception at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital on May 7th with AAP CEO Mark Del Monte — RSVP required, and Pediatric Grand Rounds on May 8th at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital where Mark Del Monte will be speaking.

We welcome our newest Chapter 2 members. This community is richer for having you. If you're looking to get more involved, explore our committees on the chapter website, reach out to Tomas — he's really impressive at finding you a role that matches your interests — or use the Member Input Form. Your voice directly shapes our chapter's priorities and board discussions.

As always — thank you for everything you do for kids, families, and each other.

Melissa Ruiz, MD, MPH, FAAP

SOECP is offering its first ever scholarships for up to 6 early career physicians to attend the 2026 AAP National Conference & Exhibition—with full conference registration covered. This opportunity provides access to 350+ sessions, hands on learning, the largest pediatric technology exhibit, and SOECP’s H Program and networking reception.

Deadline: May 18 | Learn more and apply

Eligibility: Early career physicians (within 10 years of training) practicing pediatrics, AAP + SOECP members, and residents of the U.S. or Canada.

Important: Scholarship covers registration only; travel and lodging are not included. Recipients will be registered by AAP staff. Do not register while your application is under review. Awards announced mid June 2026.

Questions? Contact Tori Davis

Interested in developing your skills as a mentor and leader in the field of community pediatrics?





The AAP Community Access to Child Health (CATCH) Program is seeking applications for the position of Chapter CATCH Facilitator (CCF). CCFs are appointed by their AAP Chapter to serve a renewable three-year term.

CATCH’s mission is to support pediatricians, pediatric trainees, and advanced pediatric providers to collaborate within their communities to advance the health of all children. Our vision is that every child in every community reach optimal health and well-being. View the CATCH 30th anniversary video about CATCH's impact on innovation, community collaboration and advocacy, and leadership development.

Benefits for serving as a Chapter CATCH Facilitator (CCF) include:

• Mentoring others to make a difference in their communities.

• Offers opportunities to strengthen mentorship of pediatric residents.

• Become part of the leadership within the AAP chapter.

• Beneficial career development for academic medicine or professorship titles.

• Learn more about applying for grants for your own skill development and making a difference in your community.

• Connection with like-minded colleagues from across the nation.

Learn more about the responsibilities and activities of the position. The deadline to apply online is May 31, 2026. Questions? Contact AAP CATCH staff at catch@aap.org.

CMA Pushes Back on Changes to Federal Vaccine Advisory Committee Charter Custody

CMA joined more than 130 organizations in expressing concern that proposed changes to the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) could undermine confidence in vaccines and threaten access to immunizations.



Read the full article

What if you could add a Behavioral Health team to your practice, without adding headcount?

Triplemoon embeds a virtual care team directly into your practice through a

Collaborative Care model (CoCM). Triplemoon’s team brings deep pediatric expertise, board-certified psychiatrists reviewing every case, and seamless EHR integration.

There’s no upfront cost, no minimum referral, and no additional fees to get started. Plus, appointments are available within 48 hours of referral.

Clinics that partner with Triplemoon boost revenue (20%+ revenue boost through CoCM billing), save time (5-11+ hours saved per provider per week), and improve outcomes (measurable patient improvement within 6-12 months).

We can take any mental health diagnosis – including anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism, and more.

Curious to learn more? Schedule a demo call with us HERE, and we’ll show you how Triplemoon can fit into your practice.

www.triplemoon.com/providers

Chapter members and guests gathered in March during two AAP-CA2 Socials.

Aside from networking and connecting with colleagues and friends, attendees learned about chapter projects, ways to get involved, and current legislation focused on e-bike safety and regulation.

The Los Angeles Social was held on March 19 at The Penmar - Venice, in an outdoor setting adjacent to the putting green. Chapter members enjoyed a variety of freshly made tacos under the sunset light. Mascot Louie made a special appearance, proudly wearing a name badge in front of the California Pediatrics banner.

The Santa Barbara AAP-CA2 Social was held on March 26 at 10 West Gallery, a contemporary fine art gallery located in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara.  We would like to thank Mark Walker for making this space available for our events. Food was partly catered by locally acclaimed Chef Justin West.  Municipal representatives in attendance were Councilmember Eric Friedman, as well as staff from Oscar Gutierrez.

Have you listened to the latest episode of the California Pediatrics Podcast? Streaming on Amazon Music/Audible, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Spotify and YouTube. In episode 10, AAP-CA2 president Melissa Ruiz, MD, MPH, FAAP discusses free access to mental health consultations with Josiah Cox, MD, PhD, a child and adolescent psychiatrist for Cal-MAP, California's Child and Adolescent Mental Health Access Portal.

California Pediatrics is a podcast by pediatricians from the four California chapters of the American Academy of Pediatrics presenting current affairs, highlights on career paths, and tips for parents. Please Follow! This project is funded by the AAP Healthy People 2030 grant. Produced by Chapter 2 executive director Tomas Torices. Search for California Pediatrics on your favorite podcast platform, or visit our page for direct links.


Available on audio and video, streaming on all platforms.

Free Mental Health Consults in Primary Care (Ep. 10)

SHARE YOUR FEEDBACK ON THE CALIFORNIA PEDIATRICS PODCAST!

Help the AAP-CA2 shape the future of the California Pediatrics Podcast by taking a brief evaluation created by the Chapter. You'll be able to share your thoughts on the episodes produced so far, along with technical aspects of the program.

The Member Spotlight is written to highlight our chapter membership. Chapter members can submit personal narratives about themselves with a focus on how they maintain their physician wellness in the face of everyday struggles and challenges. Authors may also choose to highlight a practice, volunteer activities, QI projects, etc. The purpose of the spotlight series is to encourage and foster unity and support within the chapter.

Please complete THIS FORM to be considered for a future Member Spotlight in the AAP-CA2 Newsletter!

Filling Your Cup

"Birds and their Therapy Skills"

By Nirupama Madduri, MD, FAAP

Waking up in the morning, the sweet singing and chirping from birds around us provides a beautiful backdrop for the start of a new day. In Southern California, we are lucky and have various species who remain here throughout the year.

Read more ...

We are excited to share the third ⁠Quarterly Vaccine Provider Newsletter!

This newsletter is designed to keep our partners informed and prepared by providing essential immunization updates and valuable resources. 

All newsletters are available on the Vaccine Provider Information Hub: ph.lacounty.gov/providers.  

AAP-CA2 Legislative Contacts Form

As part of our AAP-CA2 Advocacy Committee, we're calling for members interested in advocacy to consider serving as legislative key contacts for the chapter with their local elected officials!

As the state level legislative season progresses, there will be opportunities to contact state senators and assembly members when bills come up for consideration in committees or on the floor. We need to develop a core group of members who are ready to call or email their legislators when opportunities arise, and accompany pediatric residents on their annual local legislative visits. 

If you would be interested becoming a key contact, please fill out the form below with the requested information! Thanks again for your support of the chapter's advocacy efforts. 

Legislative Contacts Form

The latest in pediatric medicine.

High yield. High entertainment.

AAP-CA2 members may now Subscribe to PedsRAP with a 15% Discount.

Be sure to use the link by clicking the button below in order to have the discount applied at checkout:

We'll Come To Your School or Hospital

Dear Medical Schools and Pediatric Residency Programs in AAP California Chapter 2, 

Are you interested in learning more about local advocacy efforts? Do you want to hear more about getting involved in AAP California Chapter 2? If yes, then please consider inviting our chapter leadership to your local pediatric interest group meeting, pediatric residency noon conference, or any other gathering. Our chapter leadership wants to connect with the trainees in the area so reach out to chapter2@aapca2.org to schedule an event at your medical school/residency program! 

We are including the links to SOPT Trainee Tribune eNews so that you may get a glimpse of their content. If you’re not already a member, please consider joining National AAP via This Link so that you may receive these benefits regularly.

• E-News for Residents & Fellowship Trainees
• E-News for Medical Students

ATTENTION PRIMARY CARE PROVIDERS: I am conducting research as part of the requirements for a Doctor of Philosophy degree at Liberty University. The purpose of my research is to examine whether primary care providers are knowledgeable about early symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder in children with Down Syndrome. To participate, you must be a currently practicing primary care provider who is practicing medicine in the United States, on a pediatric population, and fluent in English. Participants will be asked to complete an anonymous online survey, which should take about 10 minutes. If you are interested and eligible, please click the link provided at the end of this post. A study information sheet will be provided on the first page of the survey. Please review the information, and if you agree to participate, proceed to the survey.

To take the survey, click here

Thank you,

Candice Gentry

Doctoral Candidate, School of Behavioral Sciences, Liberty University

Chapter committees, like our mental health committee, are great opportunities to get involved in areas that interest you the most. Furthermore, if you are a Fellow member (FAAP), local involvement could position you for leadership opportunities at National AAP. To learn more about our various Committees and Sections, and to sign up, please visit aapca2.org/committees.

Click Here to Sign-up For Chapter Committees

Do you have any concerns, questions or ideas that we can discuss and address during upcoming board meetings? This form is anonymous and confidential, with the option of entering your personal information and/or receive a call from a board member, staff, or any other chapter representative.

If you have any concerns, questions, or ideas that you would like to share, please complete This Form.

NAMI Westside Los Angeles is an affiliate of National Alliance of Mental Illness, a grassroots mental health advocacy organization dedicated to supporting individuals with mental health conditions, as well as their families and loved ones. To find out about NAMI's support groups and courses, which are free of charge to participants, please go https://www.nami.org/findsupport/ to identify the NAMI affiliate that is most local to you. NAMI Westside Los Angeles has also been developing a Children's Mental Health Toolbox, which includes materials that can be used in the home, the classroom, the counseling office, and other settings for youth recreation and education. This resource can be found here- https://namiwla.org/childrens-mental-health-toolbox/.

To learn more about the Children's Mental Health Toolbox, or how it might be used for your specific context, please feel free to reach out to ohakak@namila.org.

Also, please check out this "Life Rocks" book created by NAMI which is about coping strategies and a great resource for patients of all ages. Click here to check it out.

Upcoming Events

Engaging presentations, local panel discussions, and a resource fair will focus on connecting care systems from pregnancy through early childhood to support optimal family development. Pediatric & maternal health providers, and other child & family serving professionals are encouraged to attend this professional development event, including dinner and networking.

For more information or to register, contact Maggie Payne (mpayne@first5slo.org or 805-781-4058). You can also download the flyer below. Venue details will be coming soon!

Download Official Event Flyer

May 7th. - PEDIATRIC ADVOCACY:

An Evening in Conversation

Please join us in Santa Barbara on May 7th for an evening of pediatric advocacy with National AAP CEO Mark Del Monte, J.D.

Thursday, May 7th at 6:15pm

Click to RSVP

Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital

400 W Pueblo St, Santa Barbara, CA 93105



SBCH Burtness Auditorium

6th Floor

Parking is available in the structure across the street from the main hospital lobby with the entrance located on Castillo St. Street parking is also an option. Guests will be required to check in and show valid government ID at the front desk in the main lobby. Directions to the reception location inside the hospital will be provided.

May 8th. - SBCH Grand Rounds



Please join us in Santa Barbara on May 8th at the Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Grand Rounds with National AAP CEO Mark Del Monte, J.D.

Friday, May 8th at 8:00 AM

Save The Date, RSVP coming soon

Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital

400 W Pueblo St, Santa Barbara, CA 93105

Parking is available in the structure across the street from the main hospital lobby with the entrance located on Castillo St. Street parking is also an option. Guests will be required to check in and show valid government ID at the front desk in the main lobby. Directions to the Grand Rounds location inside the hospital will be provided.

Join us for Pediatric Grand Rounds, where expert pediatricians and healthcare professionals come together to explore the latest advancements in child health! These engaging, evidence-based learning series feature top specialists sharing insights on a variety of clinical topics, from cutting-edge treatments to emerging research.

• Help Me Grow LA website: www.HelpMeGrowLA.org 
• Help Me Grow LA Call Center phone number: (833) 903-3972 

You can help improve the system by partnering with Help Me Grow LA to make sure all young children in your care are supported and provided resources to benefit their development. 

Contact Help Me Grow LA leadership via email: HelpMeGrowLA@ph.lacounty.gov. We look forward to working with you!

The Immigrant Youth Task Force (IYTF) at UCLA and the American Academy of Pediatrics California Chapter 2 (AAP-CA2) invite you to visit The Los Angeles County Immigrant Youth Resource Toolkit, a website consolidating community resources in the greater LA area for immigrant youth and families. Our goal is to help professionals from all disciplines address the needs of their immigrant youth patients/clients with regards to health care, legal services, education, social services, and more. As our toolkit continues to evolve, we encourage you to explore and use it in your practice going forward.

AAP-CA2 invites you to advertise in our newsletter

AAP-CA2 publishes its electronic newsletter, Peds@CA2, which is emailed to its 1,500+ members on the second weekend every month. Chapter members and non-profit organizations receive a 50% discount. Please follow the link below for more information.

For advertisement rates and guidelines, please click here.

If you are interested in advertising, please email the Chapter.

Members-At-Large

Area Representatives

Please visit our website: aapca2.org

Past issues of Peds@CA2 eNews: https://aapca2.org/publications/

Thank you to the 1,332 who follow us on X! @AAPCA2 and Instagram