The federal administration’s decision to pull grant funding from vital national AAP programs, combined with the abrupt change to the immunization schedule removing the recommendation for hepatitis B at birth, undermines the evidence-based care our patients deserve.



These choices are not abstract policy shifts; they have real consequences for the children and families we serve every day. But anger can be fuel. Moments like this are exactly when our voices matter most. If you’re frustrated, speak up. Lend your expertise, your stories, and your presence to the advocacy efforts that define us as pediatricians. Our collective voice is powerful, and now is the time to use it.

In this month’s newsletter, you’ll find updates on the final stretch of the CAres Food Drive; a brief article featuring Dr. Rene Bravo discussing the California Medical Association’s concerns with recent CDC changes to vaccine-autism website content; and a new feature on supporting pediatric patients during wildfire smoke events. Don’t miss the newest episode of California Pediatrics, where Jeffrey Birnbaum, MD, FAAP, talks through firearm injury prevention. And please mark your calendars for our 2026 events: the Cal-MAP Think Like A Shrink Bootcamp on February 27, and the Advances in Pediatrics Symposium on April 18.

We’re also excited to welcome our newest Chapter 2 members. If you’re looking to get more involved—whether through advocacy, education, or committee work—Tomas and I are always happy to help you find where your skills and passion can have the greatest impact. You can explore our committees on the website or share ideas and questions through our Member Input Form, which directly informs board discussions.

As you read through this issue, I hope you’ll find opportunities to channel your frustration into action—advocating, mentoring, organizing, teaching.

Thank you for showing up for children and families, especially when the work feels heavy. Your voice matters, and together, it remains our strongest force for change.

Melissa Ruiz, MD, MPH, FAAP

Time is running out to donate to the California CAres Food Drive, a statewide competition among California medical schools and pediatric training programs to help feed families in need. As SNAP and EBT benefits face ongoing uncertainty, it’s more important than ever for our community to come together and lend a hand. This drive ends on December 19, we’ll be collecting nonperishable food items for donation to local food banks and community organizations. Every contribution—big or small—makes a real difference in supporting families across our state.


Most Needed Items:

• Canned Soup
• Canned Meat
• Canned Vegetables
• Canned/Dried Fruit
• Rice, Pasta, & Cereal
• Protein Bars & Trail Mix
• Baby Food & Formula
  

Together, we can show that California’s pediatric trainees truly care, helping nourish our communities and spread kindness this holiday season. Thank you for your generosity and spirit of service!

Start donating today. Pediatric trainees may submit photos and videos of their efforts via email to sopt.districtix@gmail.com and post on social media with the hashtag #CAres. The group with the greatest impact will receive a special award and be featured on the California Pediatrics Podcast!

Make sure to tag the food drive on social media with the following official hashtags:

#CAres

#SOPTDistrictIX

#CaliforniaPediatricsPodcast

Streaming On California Pediatrics!

Don't miss this podcast "minisode" where Yasmine Choroomi, MD and Elizabeth Volpicelli, MD chat about the statewide CAres Food Drive. Learn more about the drive and how you can make an impact.

Available on audio and video, streaming on all platforms.

The CATCH Call for Proposals is now open and will close on January 20, 2026. If you know of a potential applicant who is interested, please share this registration link:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CATCHOFFICEHOURS


• Please confirm you can log into the Grants Application System - Survey Monkey Apply: All new Facilitators have been added to the Grants Application System (which is a third party system, using Survey Monkey Apply). Please try to login at https://grants.aap.org/ - using the email address and password associated with your AAP membership. IF you have an issue - and/or if you are prompted to create a new account -PLEASE stop and email CATCH@aap.org.

H.O.P.E. (Helping Our Parents Excel) Court is a specialized dependency courtroom located in the Compton Courthouse dedicated to improving outcomes for infants and toddlers ages birth to three and their families. Presided over by Judge Ashley Price, HOPE Court operates through a

multidisciplinary team that includes DCFS, Children’s Law Center (CLC), Los Angeles Dependency Lawyers (LADL), County Counsel, and Community Coordinator Tyna Colen. They serve families with open DCFS cases who reside in the six zip codes closest to the Compton Courthouse, ensuring that support is both accessible and rooted in the community.

You can learn more about this amazing program through the video above or through an article linked below.


• HOPE Court Feature Article

California Medical Association Criticizes CDC Over Vaccine-Autism Website Changes

California Medical Association (CMA) President René Bravo, M.D., responded to recent changes made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Read More.

There is robust evidence to support the safety, effectiveness and necessity of U.S. vaccine recommendations. Some public figures have falsely implied that the number of recommended vaccines for children in the United States could be linked to chronic health conditions or autism and have called for re-testing proven immunizations.


Others have claimed that the U.S. childhood vaccine schedule is unsafe or unnecessary because the United States recommends more routine vaccines than some countries, like Denmark. The truth is that while vaccine guidance is largely similar across developed countries, it may differ by country due to different disease threats, population demographics, health systems, costs, government structures, vaccine availability, and programs for vaccine delivery. Learn More Here!

Pediatric Cardiovascular Outcomes and the Wildfire Urban Interface (WUI): Pathways, Vulnerabilities, Mitigation, and Monitoring 
Sarah Ann Keil Heinonen, DNP, APRN, CPNP-AC/PC and Juan C. Alejos, MD 


Wildfire smoke (WFS) is a complex mixture of aerosolized gases that travels many miles and evolves chemically as it ages; increasingly blanketing populations in the wildland–urban interface (WUI). Beyond known respiratory effects, WFS components are dominated by fine particulate matter (PM₂.₅), ultrafine particles (UFPs), nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) which have systemic cardiovascular impacts.1-10 Children are a uniquely vulnerable population due to their higher minute ventilation per kilogram, developing organ systems, less efficient nasal filtration, and behavior patterns that increase exposure. Read More.

California Releases its Own Vaccine Recommendations

In anticipation of restrictive federal immunization rules, California Department of Public Health officials issued their own vaccination guidelines on September 17th. Gov. Gavin Newsom and state health officials released the recommendations as part of the state’s newly formed health alliance with Oregon, Washington and Hawaii, with leading medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Read more.

Have you listened to the new episode of the California Pediatrics Podcast? Streaming on Amazon Music/Audible, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Spotify and YouTube. In episode 8, hosts Grant Christman, MD, MACM, FAAP and Ilan Shapiro, MD, MBA, FACHE, FAAP have a conversation with Jeffrey Birnbaum, MD, FAAP, a pediatric emergency medicine physician who is a passionate proponent firearm injury prevention.

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.

Episode 8: Dr. Jeffrey Birnbaum, Firearm Injury Prevention

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.

Name: Rebecca Dudovitz, MD, MSHS

Practice Location: UCLA Pediatrics

Years In Practice: 16 Years


I am an academic general pediatrician and health services researcher at UCLA. I was born and raised in Los Angeles and absolutely love this city.

I left L.A. briefly for my undergraduate education at UC Davis and then returned for medical school at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. I did my residency training at UCLA in the Child Health and Advocacy Track (CHAT) where I was introduced to public health concepts and discovered health services research. Read More!

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

"Not So Random Kindness"

By Nirupama Madduri, MD

The holiday season is a roller coaster ride of emotions. We love seeing our extended family and friends. The stress of interacting can be overwhelming. We want to provide nice gifts for those in our inner circles, but the burden of cost weighs on us. The days are shorter, our patient inboxes and schedules are longer. Any experience of trauma or grief creeps its way into our psyche and appears without warning. Read More.

December Update




This issue provides timely immunization reminders and resources to support healthcare providers during respiratory virus season. With holiday travel and gatherings increasing risk, providers are encouraged to ensure patients are up to date on influenza, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines and to maintain adequate vaccine stock.

New Los Angeles County respiratory vaccine dashboards and RespWatch offer tools to monitor vaccine uptake and respiratory illness trends. The newsletter also highlights updated Hepatitis B guidance, reinforcing birth dose recommendations. Additionally, an on-demand Pediatric Immunization Webinar with free CME—covering respiratory trends, ACIP updates, recent infant botulism outbreak, and vaccine confidence strategies—will be available soon. See newsletter for more information. Read More.

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:

As part of our 2025 Advances In Pediatrics Symposium, residents and medical students were invited to present educational abstracts and posters. Through the chapter newsletters, the AAP-CA2 will be sharing this year's submissions and materials with membership. Please see this month's abstract below!

Neonatal Cerebrovascular Stability Index Is Associated With 3-Month Neurodevelopmental Outcomes In Infants With and Without Congenital Heart Disease - Ashley Ibrahim (USC)


Cerebrovascular autoregulation (CA) is thought to be dysregulated in infants with congenital heart disease (CHD).

While existing literature has examined its relationship with neurodevelopmental outcomes (NDOs) in children with CHD, few studies have investigated early CA and its association with NDOs in infants with CHD at young ages. Read Full Abstract.

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

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.

ENRICH-LAC is transforming pediatric care in Los Angeles County by embedding Family Partners-caregivers with lived experience-directly into clinics.

In its pilot, FPs worked with over 1,673 families, successfully connecting 86% to early intervention and school-based services. By streamlining referrals and reducing administrative burdens, FPs free providers to focus on clinical care while helping families feel supported and confident navigating complex systems. Building on this success, ENRICH-LAC is expanding countywide, enhancing FP training, refining workflows, and scaling this innovative model to ensure every child gets timely access to crucial developmental services. 

• ENRICH-LAC Webpage
• ENRICH-LAC Brochure
• ENRICH-LAC Provider Handout

Free services for pediatric practices. Enroll and refer patients at no cost to you - at no cost to them!

Imagine a hypothetical scenario. A stressed mom brings in her daughter to see you for new severe anxiety since the birth of a new baby sister weeks ago. The patient briefly stopped eating due to fear that she might vomit and make the baby sick. She has intense tantrums and has been resistant to going to school. She has started writing letters expressing guilt and feeling lost and asking for help. Her weight is stable, and she is without self harm or suicidality. She has started weekly therapy, but her anxiety seems to be getting worse. You are considering starting an SSRI but are wondering if it might be too soon.  

You have a few minutes in between patients, should you:  

1. Avoid calling Cal-MAP because you have not had a chance to use an evidence-based rating scale for this patient’s anxiety.
2. Avoid calling Cal-MAP because you don’t have enough time to consult with the Cal-MAP psychiatrist.
3. Avoid calling Cal-MAP because you have not had a chance to register with Cal-MAP yet.
4. CALL Cal-MAP for a consultation. 

The scenario above is a great example of when to reach out and utilize Cal-MAP!

We've provided a Q&A linked through the button below, which we hope will convince you to use Cal-MAP for a free, prompt, provider to provider consultation for your patients with mental health concerns. Here is the Cal-MAP phone number so you can write it down and keep it handy: 800-253-2103. You can also sign up for the consultation service and educational resources at Cal-MAP.org. Or, for more educational resources and webinars from Cal-MAP, head over to the program's trainings schedule page.

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

CHOC, part of Rady Children’s Health, is proud to introduce our Virtual

Pediatric Lecture Series, an ongoing effort to keep community providers

informed with the latest and most relevant medical updates. Unless

otherwise noted, all sessions are eligible for CME credit.

Topic

Hydrocephalus Management: Past, Present, and Future


Speaker

Dr. Brian W. Hanak, Neurosurgery


Lecture Details

📅 Date: Thursday, January 8, 2026

🕖 Time: 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM (PDT)

Download Event Flyer

Cal-MAP: Think Like A Shrink In-Person Bootcamp - February 27 @ CHLA - Save The Date!

February 27, 2026

8:00 am - 3:15 pm

Children's Hospital Los Angeles

The Saban Auditorium

Join Cal-MAP and the AAP-CA2 at the Think Like a Shrink Boot Camp! This in-person event hosted at CHLA focuses on the management of mental health diagnoses in primary care.

• Module 1: ADHD, Anxiety, and Depression: The Basics
• Module 2: Disruptive Behavior, Complex ADHD, and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
• Module 3: Adolescent Risk-Taking Behaviors

Save the date!

37th Annual Advances In Pediatrics Symposium @ The Garland Hotel - April 18 - Save The Date!

AAP-CA2 is excited to announce the official date and venue for 2026's Advances in Pediatrics Symposium! Next year's Symposium will be returning to the Garland Hotel in North Hollywood on April 18, 2026. This stunning venue and event will feature speakers on a wide-range of topics, along with exhibitors, live podcasting sessions, and much more. Make sure you save the date on your calendar and look for more details soon!

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/

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