2019 - February Edition
Alice Kuo, MD, PhD, MBA, FAAP   President, AAP-CA2    2018 - 2020 
Our chapter has been busy this year already! We had a very successful Life After Residency event, with nearly 40 residents and 16 practices and organizations looking for new doctors. Our goal is to double those numbers next year, and to have our event be the foremost career fair for pediatric residents and graduates in the area. We are planning to set the date for next year's event soon, so stay tuned for a Save the Date soon!
 
As I mentioned last month, our chapter has been asked to represent the health interests of children and adolescents against the "Big Tobacco" companies, namely Juul (which was bought out by Altria, the makers of Marlboro, in December 2018). The Town Hall meeting on March 21 is an opportunity to bring pediatricians, students, parents, school administrators and policy makers together to learn about the impact of nicotine addiction on adolescent brain development and to increase awareness about the need for support for families and schools.
 
But more importantly, we are launching a major advocacy effort to pass the proposed LA County ordinance to ban the sale of all flavored tobacco and vaping products. A study published last month in Pediatrics by the preventive medicine group at USC found that limiting the sale of and access to vaping products to teenagers resulted in a significantly decreased rate of teenage vaping. This is the only evidence-based strategy that we know of that will stem the alarming increasing rate of teenage vaping.
 
We need pediatricians to call, write and visit their County Supervisor and urge them to vote for the ordinance. We have heard that Juul has been working busily to convince them to limit the scope of the ordinance, and we need to counter those messages with stories of our teenage patients who are addicted to vaping or seeing the effects at their schools. We have set up a new website with the latest information, including a toolkit with sample letters, emails, and telephone scripts to contact your Supervisor. We will also be partnering with our chapter's Section on Pediatric Trainees to help us get the message out through social media. Finally, we will be planning a couple of Advocacy Action Days in which we will urge our members to contact their Supervisors on specific days to augment our message. Please help us pass this important ordinance-the whole point of this is to decrease the teenage vaping rates in LA County.
 
On another note, we also had a great showing of pediatricians in San Bernardino/Riverside for the First 5-sponsored event to start a Help Me Grow in the Inland Empire. As you may be aware, Help Me Grow is based on AAP guidelines for developmental screening and is a service system to help families get the services they need for children at-risk or with developmental delays. Our chapter is involved in Help Me Grow efforts in Los Angeles, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, and now San Bernardino/Riverside. We are looking to help start efforts in Santa Barbara and Kern counties, so if you have contacts in those areas, please let us know.
 
Our Annual Symposium is less than a month away! Our keynote speaker, Julie Linton, MD, FAAP, just gave testimony in Congress about the trauma-related consequences for children separated from their parents at our borders. For a video of her testimony, please click here. At our Symposium, she will be sharing her experiences at the border and also leading breakout session on how to advocate for immigrant children. Please join us for this and other great clinical presentations next month at the Annual Symposium.
 
Please check out the rest of our newsletter for information on our Town Hall meetings and other CME opportunities, ways to get Maintenance of Certification (MOC) points, and statewide advocacy priorities that the AAP is working on behalf of children.
 
Thanks for all that you do on behalf of children in our communities!
 
Alice Kuo, MD, PhD, MBA, FAAP
Chapter President
Screen Tip
 
 
 
Are you reading this on your mobile device? 
 
If so, turn your phone or tablet sideways for optimal font size.

This eliminates the need for zooming-in to read content.
30th Annual AAP-CA2 Symposium

Saturday, March 2, 2019 at the Sheraton Universal Hotel
 
In just 3 weeks: Mindfulness for Clinicians, Adolescent Depression, Adverse Childhood Experiences, Pediatric Emergencies, Advocacy for the Immigrant Child, Zika Virus, Tuberculosis Update and Vaccine Preventable Diseases.
 
Supported by
  
 
   
  
Call  To Action!
 
Addressing the Threat of Vaping Products/E-Cigarettes  
Adolescent Vaping is a growing problem, and the rates are alarming and reaching epidemic proportions. A number of strategies have emerged to address this issue both at the individual level and in communities.  
 
The County of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors will soon vote on an ordinance to amend County Code, Title 22 - Planning and Zoning, that will result in tobacco shops being prohibited in residential zones, within a certain distance of residential zones and within a certain distance from sensitive uses whose primary purpose is to serve children, such as elementary, middle and high schools, parks and youth centers.  
 
We need your support! 
  1. Call to Action! Call your District Supervisor.
  2. Come learn about strategies to combat adolescent Vaping in your community. Attend the Community Town Hall in Torrance on March 21.
 
Please visit http://aapca2.org/vaping for more information.
  
CATCH Facilitator Call For Nominations
Become a CATCH Facilitator   
 
Are you interested in supporting fellow practicing and resident pediatricians in developing their ideas into grant-funded projects? Have you been a part of a CATCH project in the past and wanted to do more but didn't know how? If so, apply now! We're looking for an individual with community pediatric experience who wants to help other pediatricians address local challenges through community partnerships.
 
Call for Nominations - Deadline is Wednesday February 27, 2019
 
AAP-CA2 is currently accepting nominations for a position as Chapter CATCH Facilitator (CCF). CCFs are appointed by their state Chapter to serve a renewable three-year term from any of the Chapter 2 counties: San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Kern,  Los Angeles, San Bernardino, or Riverside. Self nominations are welcome.
 
Recent Events
January 9 - LA doctors call for better healthcare for migrant children at the border    
 
After the deaths of two migrant children at the border, dozens of local doctors and healthcare professionals issued a call for help on January 9 on the steps of LAC+USC Medical Center.
UCLA Internal Medicine - Pediatrics Chief Resident Lisa Gantz, MD and LAC+USC Pediatric Resident Maria Martez Gomez, DO were interviewed by ABC and Telemundo. 
"It was really disturbing to see the conditions in these detention centers," Gantz said. "These kids get to spend less than an hour outside each day. I got to meet and spend time with some of these children. And it's just devastating." Watch the segment below.   
 
 
 
January 17 - Unaccompanied Minors Collaborative Meeting  
   
AAP-CA2 Chapter President Alice Kuo, MD, PhD, MBA, FAAP delivered a presentation on the Medical - Legal Partnerships for Immigrant Children during the Unaccompanied Minors Collaborative (UMC) Meeting on January 17 at Esperanza Immigrant Rights Project (Esperanza) in Los Angeles. The collaborative is lead by Steven Shafer who  joined Esperanza in April 2018 as the supervising attorney for the Legal Orientation Program for Custodians of Unaccompanied Minors.
 
Esperanza is a branch of Catholic Charities of Los Angeles serving some of the most vulnerable immigrants in the Los Angeles area. Esperanza provides legal orientations to detained immigrants at the Adelanto Immigration Detention Center as well as to adults, families and the custodians of unaccompanied minors at Esperanza's offices at the LA immigration court. Staff attorneys represent a number of released youth eligible for relief. Representation is provided at no cost to clients.Esperanza matches cases with volunteer attorneys who are able to provide pro bono representation for released youth in the Los Angeles area.
 
 
(Bottom right) Alice Kuo, MD, PhD, MBA, FAAP with Steven Shafer, LOPC Supervising Attorney Esperanza Immigrant Rights Project. 
 
Dr. Kuo provided an overview of the AAP's mission, Department of Federal Affairs and Council on Community Pediatrics. Furthermore, she presented two AAP policy statements: 1) Providing Care for Immigrant, Migrant, and Border Children, and 2) Detention of Immigrant Children. Her talk culminated with an overview of our local efforts with the Immigrant Health Committee, forensic examination trainings, and partnership with the Los Angeles County Office of Immigrant Affairs.
 
January 29- Life After Residency / Career Fair   
The 2019 Life After Residency (LAR) Career Fair was held at the Sheraton Universal Hotel on January 29. A total of 16 employers from Northern California, San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles, Ventura, San Bernardino and Riverside were in attendance, as well as 37 Residents looking for positions in the next year. AAP-CA2 President Alice Kuo, MD, PhD, MBA, FAAP delivered a talk on what to expect out of residency, including financial management and career choices. AAP-CA2 is grateful for the leadership of Christine Thang, MD and Lisa Gantz, MD for being essential members of the LAR committee. We would like to recognize David Dinette of Abbott Nutrition and his team for sponsoring and making this event possible.
   
Supported by
 
January 31 - Dinner Lecture in Santa Barbara    
Pediatricians in Santa Barbara gathered at Wine Cask on January 31 for an evening of professional development and networking with AAP-CA2 Santa Barbara County Representative Brian Santacrose, MD, FAAP. Guest speaker Ashley Weber, ND of Kabrita USA (On left) provided an overview of the physiologic benefits of goat milk formulas.
   
Goat milk protein contains less alpha S1 casein than cow milk protein . As a result, it   forms a softer, smaller and looser curd  in the gut compared to cow milk protein, making it easier to digest. Research has demonstrated that the casein composition of goat milk is closer to breast milk than is cow milk, and that compared to cow milk formula, goat milk formula is digested at a rate closer to breastmilk.
 
Pediatricians may recommend Kabrita as an   easy-to-digest  option for supplementing or weaning, as a cow milk alternative, or in cases of tummy troubles. 
 
Kabrita currently offers   goat milk   toddler   formula   in the US,   and is working through the FDA requirements for   launching the first goat milk based   infant formula  in North America, expected in late 2019.
 
You may request samples of Kabrita products delivered to your practice by clicking this link: 
Advertisement

DO YOU HAVE PATIENTS THAT CAN'T ATTEND HIGH SCHOOL REGULARLY DUE TO ILLNESS?
At Clear Passage students learn online! Anywhere. Anytime.
 
Clear Passage Educational Center (CPEC) is an accredited, tuition-free independent study charter high school that serves students ages 14-19 years old. We offer high school diploma completion, credit recovery, college guidance and career preparation and one on one support to students who may need a more flexible learning environment, including students who may be recovering from illness. Courses are taken  online and can be completed at home or at school.


Upcoming AAP-CA2 Events
February 28, 2019 in Hesperia - Town Hall / Dinner 
   
Damodara Rajasekhar, MD, FAAP Vice President, AAP-CA2 
Join AAP-CA2 Vice President Damodara Rajasekhar, MD, FAAP for a Town Hall in the High Desert on February 28, 2019.  
 
AAP High Desert Area Townhall meeting    
 
Topic #1:  "Diagnosis and Management of Autism in Children"
Speaker: Teresa Frausto, MD
Chief Psychiatric Officer, County of San Bernardino Behavioral Health Department.  
 
Topic #2: AAP, CMA, SBCMS Updates.
Speaker: Damodara Rajasekhar, MD, FAAP
Vice President, AAP-CA2  
President, San Bernardino County Medical Society  
 
Date: 2/28/2019
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Bangkok Cuisine
15800 Main Street, Unit 200, Hesperia, CA 92345
Tel: 760-998-2898
 
RSVP directly to Dr. Rajasekhar at drajasekharmd@gmail.com  
30th Annual AAP-CA2 Symposium
 
Supported by First 5 LA 
March 2, 2019
 
6.5 CME / 6 MOC Part 2
  Saturday, March 2, 2019 at the Sheraton Universal Hotel
 

  
 
  
Advertisement
New Partnership: Ready, Set, Food! Now Available at
The Pump Station and Nurtury!
 
The Pump Station has been expecting and new parent's trusted source of education and Support for 30+ years. Ready, Set, Food! early and sustained allergen introduction system is now available at their
Santa Monica and Hollywood stores. Ready, Set, Food! is also now an integral part of their Class curriculum.
 

March 21, 2019 in Torrance - Town Hall   
     
The Southern California Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP-CA 2) invites you to El Camino College on March 21, 2019 at 3 PM for a community-wide Town Hall addressing Flavored Liquid Vaping Products/E-Cigarettes use in youth.  This event is in co-partnership with the County of Los Angeles Public Health Tobacco Control and Prevention Department - Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention. This event is open to everyone! 
 
Addressing Teenage Vaping
This event is open to everyone!   
 
   
Learn how you can help before this event. Visit our website! http://aapca2.org/vaping 

Date: 3/21/2019
Time: 3PM to 5 PM 
Location: El Camino College
16007 Crenshaw Blvd, Torrance, CA 90506 
Click to RSVP for this event 
March 21, 2019 in Hesperia - Town Hall / Dinner 
   
Damodara Rajasekhar, MD, FAAP Vice President, AAP-CA2 
Join AAP-CA2 Vice President Damodara Rajasekhar, MD, FAAP for a Town Hall in the High Desert on March 21, 2019.  
 
AAP High Desert Area Townhall meeting    
 
Topic #1: "Evaluation and Management of Dysmorphic Infant"
Speaker: Robin Clark, MD - Genetics Specialist, LLUMC 
 
Topic #2: AAP, CMA, SBCMS Updates.
Speaker: Damodara Rajasekhar, MD, FAAP
Vice President, AAP-CA2  
President, San Bernardino County Medical Society  
 
Date: 3/21/2019
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Bangkok Cuisine
15800 Main Street, Unit 200, Hesperia, CA 92345
Tel: 760-998-2898
 
RSVP directly to Dr. Rajasekhar at drajasekharmd@gmail.com  
   
Brian Santacrose, MD, FAAP
Santa Barbara Area Rep. 
 
March 28, 2019 in Santa Barbara - Dinner/Lecture
 
 
Please join AAP-CA2 Santa Barbara Area Representative Brian Santacrose, MD, FAAP for a lecture/Town Hall on March 28, 2019.
 
 
 
Pfizer Cordially Invites You to Attend
An Informational Program
Featuring
 
MYRON LIEBHABER, MD
 
An Update on a Steroid-Free Topical Option for Mild to Moderate Atopic Dermatitis  
in Patients 2 Years and Older  
 
Thursday, Mar 28, 2019 at 6:30 PM
 
  Wine Cask
813 Anacapa St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101  
Hosted by Bradley McMahon 
 
Please RSVP to your Pfizer Representative
Bradley McMahon: (619) 208-1766, bradley.mcmahon@pfizer.com
 
Kindly provide your full name, degree, specialty, address including State, and email address when registering so that you can be confirmed.  
Please also provide the Meeting ID# INT-0042968 when you RSVP.  
Other Events  -  Community Partners
March 19, 2019 in Santa Monica
 
The Los Angeles Pediatric Society (LAPS) will hold its 2019 S. Michael Marcy Memorial Lecture at the Parmelee Spring Meeting on March 19 at Providence Saint John's Health Center, in Santa Monica.  
 
 
Christopher Harris, MD, FAAP and Alan Blum, MD will discuss the timely topics of Vaping & E-Cigs: WHAT? HOW? WHO? and E-cigarettes in Context: A Threat to Health or a Fear of Missing Out?
For more details, please Click Here 

April 26, 2019 in Pomona
San Gabriel/Pomona Regional Center

April 26, 2019 in Santa Barbara
2nd annual Child Abuse Symposium at UCSB

 



For more details...

to visit the Event Page



CDC Updates & LAHAN Alerts
Join the CDC Listserv
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is happy to offer a free email subscription service, which allows CDC.gov users to receive alerts by e-mail when new information is available. With a subscription profile, you get the updated information on the items of interest to you automatically without having to return to the Web site and check for changes. Click to Subscribe 

Join the LAHAN Listserv  
To receive communications from the Health Alert Network, Sign-up here.
It takes less than two minutes to sign up.  
 
Visit the LAHAN website.

Submitting Articles for Publication in Our Newsletter


 

Have you written original clinical work you would like to share?

Do you have any news that you would like to publish in our newsletter?


AAP-CA2 invites you to submit your ideas, accomplishments, news, pictures...

For article submission guidelines, please click here.

 
Advertise in Our Newsletter

AAP-CA2 invites you to advertise in our newsletter
AAP-CA2 publishes its electronic newsletter, Peds@CA2, which is emailed to its 1,700+ members on the first 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.
Please Donate
AAP-CA2 is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Please consider a tax-deductible charitable donation to one of our many programs. 
  • The Medicine-Biological Sciences Scholarship Program, which awards scholarships to exceptional high school students each year.
  • The Committee on Service, Education, and Mentoring, which awards scholarships to pediatric residents for outstanding research projects. 
  • The S. Michael Marcy Memorial Lecture, which helps sponsor a portion of our annual Advances in Pediatrics Conference in his honor.

PO Box 94127 Pasadena, CA 91109
(818) 422-9877
Please visit our website at  http://aapca2.org/