Recently, I cared for a family who no longer felt safe sending their children to school and made the painful decision to leave this country out of fear that their children might witness a detainment. I met another mother who came to a visit with her newborn and three young children—effectively a single parent overnight after her partner was deported.

There are moments when this feels absolutely overwhelming, even helpless. But I remind myself—and I remind all of us—that we are not powerless. We are in positions of privilege and trust. We can listen. We can bear witness. We can support families in concrete ways, volunteer with local organizations, and effect change through our chapter and through the national AAP. What is happening right now in our country is failing children. And we have both the responsibility and the voice to say that clearly, loudly, and repeatedly.

In this month’s issue, you’ll find details on submitting abstracts for the 2026 Pediatric Symposium, alongside a timely advocacy piece on AB 762, critical legislation addressing the public health and environmental harms of vaping. We also highlight the powerful impact of our chapter’s CAres Food Drive, made possible by trainees and programs across the state, and feature an important update from CMA President Dr. René Bravo on California’s budget amid looming federal health care cuts.

You’ll also find a new episode of California Pediatrics, featuring Dr. Maya Kumar on adolescent medicine, nutrition, eating disorders, and reproductive health, as well as information on upcoming events, including a CHOC Virtual Lecture, the Cal-MAP/AAP-CA2 Mental Health Bootcamp Event, and the 2026 AAP Chapter 2 Annual Symposium.

We are excited to welcome our newest Chapter 2 members. If you’re looking to get more involved—through advocacy, education, or committee work—Tomas and I are always happy to help you find where your skills and passion can make the greatest impact. You can explore our committees on the chapter website or share ideas and questions through our Member Input Form. Committee engagement and member input continue to directly inform our chapter’s priorities and board discussions. As you read through this issue, I hope you’ll find ways to turn concern into action—advocating for evidence-based policy, mentoring the next generation, and showing up for children and families when it matters most.

Thank you for your continued commitment, especially when the work feels heavy. Your voice matters—and together, it drives real change.

Melissa Ruiz, MD, MPH, FAAP

The AAP California Chapter 2 is accepting abstracts on scholarly projects by pediatric and medicine-pediatric residents and medical students enrolled in training programs in the Southern California counties of Kern, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura. This is your chance to present your work live at the 37th Annual Advances In Pediatrics Symposium! Read More Here!

California sells an estimated 12 million disposable vapes each month, and nearly all end up in public waste streams, where lithium-ion batteries spark fires and toxic chemicals leach into soil and water.

These same devices are now the primary driver of youth nicotine use, engineered for high-dose delivery and marketed through flavors and social trends that target minors. Read more.

The CAres Food Drive concluded on 12/19/25. We had an outstanding donation turnout for this initiative, and we're appreciate of all the support this received. From November 17 to December 19, 12 medical schools and pediatric

training programs across California participated in the CAres Food Drive, a statewide initiative aimed at addressing food insecurity.

Together, participating programs collected 1,939 food items and raised $683 in monetary donations. We commend all trainees for their generosity, dedication, and commitment to community service and advocacy. Thank you for CAring about others! We are proud to announce the CAres Food Drive award recipients:

• Food Donation Champion
  Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (Trainees collected 428 donations for the Hollywood Food Coalition.)
• Monetary Donation Champion
  Stanford Pediatrics (Trainees raised $415 for Second Harvest of Silicon Valley and Feeding America. Every $1 provided = 20 meals to families in need.
  

Congrats to our winners and a massive thanks again to all programs which participated. For more information on the drive's success, check out this District IX Newsletter, created by Dr. Elizabeth Volpicelli (District Fellow Representative).

AAP-CA2 President Melissa Ruiz, MD, MPH, FAAP shares with viewers of Univision about the effects of prolonged screen time on young children.

California's Budget Must Address Massive Federal Cuts to Health Care


January 9, 2026 / Sacramento, CA — In response to Governor Gavin Newsom’s 2026-27 budget proposal, California Medical Association President René Bravo, M.D., issued the following statement:

"Californians are facing significant uncertainty because of H.R. 1 and other Trump administration policies that will lead to substantial cuts to the state’s budget. While we recognize the volatility coming out of Washington, the reality is that these federal actions will have real financial consequences for California and its residents. A ‘wait and see’ approach, particularly when it comes to health care, leaves the state vulnerable at a moment when preparation is essential.

"Health care affordability remains a top concern for Californians and Americans alike. In California, voters have repeatedly and decisively directed the state to invest in safeguarding and strengthening our health care system, most recently through the overwhelming passage of Proposition 35 in 2024. In fact, voters have funded 270 new physician positions this year alone through new graduate medical education funding via Prop 35 — an essential step toward meeting California’s growing health care needs and addressing longstanding workforce shortages.

"While we appreciate the uncertainty created by an unpredictable federal administration, Californians cannot afford to be caught unprepared. At a time when federal support is being rolled back, costs continue to rise and health care is of paramount importance to voters, state leaders must lean in and take proactive steps to protect patients, access to care, and the stability of our health care system. We look forward to reviewing the May Revision after the administration has engaged with the Legislature on the best path forward to ensure California is prepared to meet these challenges."

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!

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 9 of California Pediatrics, Maya Kumar, MD, FAAP, FRCPC shares her trajectory in medicine and how a pediatric clinical rotation involving teenage mothers led her on the path of adolescence medicine, with a focus on eating disorders and nutrition concerns, as well as reproductive health. 

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.

Adolescent Medicine, with Dr. Maya Kumar - Episode 9

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

"Calm After the Storm"

By Nirupama Madduri, MD

Living in Southern California, in addition to devastating wildfires, earthquakes, and various car-mageddon events, atmospheric rivers flow through, bringing rain, wind, and floods. As we ended 2025 and began our journey in 2026, rain arrived, left, and arrived again. Read More.

January Update




The LA County Department of Health appreciates your continued commitment

to protecting public health through immunization. Through these efforts, the DPH can raise awareness, support one another, and encourage community members to talk with trusted messengers about staying up to date on their vaccinations. 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

AAP-CA 2026 Legislative Day (May 4th - 5th)

Leadership from the four California chapters will convene in Sacramento on May 4th and 5th for the annual Legislative Day Conference and legislative visits. This year, AAP-CA2 will sponsor one pediatric resident from each of the residency programs in our region to attend this advocacy event.

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 abstracts below!

Minions Belly Breathing: Developing a Children’s App to Help with Stress - Miranda Kim (Keck School of Medicine of USC)


Toxic stress, which is defined as persistent exposure to difficult events (i.e. adverse childhood experiences), can impact children’s health into adulthood. Positive distractions can help divert attention from stress or anxiety in hospital settings. Read Full Abstract.

Evaluating the impact of Early Growth Patterns on Long-Term Health Outcomes for Large Gestational Age Infants - Emily Koos, MD


Large for gestational age (LGA) infants face immediate and long-term health outcomes. Emerging evidence suggests that LGA infants may exhibit a distinct growth pattern characterized by decelerated growth in early life, also termed catch-down growth. Read Full Abstract.

Integrating Responsive Bassinets to 

Improve Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Outcomes and Nurse Experiences - Sandie Luo, BA (USC)


Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) can develop in neonates who are exposed to opioids in-utero. NAS manifests as opioid withdrawal symptoms that require additional care such as interrupted sleep, fussiness, and feeding difficulties (Grisham et al., 2019; Shannon et al., 2021). Read Full Abstract.

Room for Improvement: Examining Baseline Data Review for High-Risk Infant Follow-Up after Neonatal and Cardiac Intensive Care Unit Discharge - Lexi Masek, DO, MS


Close periodic surveillance of development is a cornerstone of care for high-risk infants discharged from the Neonatal ICU and Cardiothoracic ICU with high-risk status most often attributed to prematurity-associated sequelae or significant medical comorbidities. 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 Brochure
• ENRICH-LAC Provider Handout

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 Virtual Pediatric Lecture Series: Pectus Deformities - February 25

CHOC, part of Rady Children’s Health, is proud to introduce a 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.

The next virtual lecture will take place on February 25th, with Dr. Mustafa H. Kabeer (Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery) speaking on Pectus Deformities. You can learn more and register by using the links below!

Download Official Flyer

Think Like A Shrink In-Person Bootcamp - February 27 @ CHLA

AAP-CA2 Annual Mental Health Conference
Think Like a Shrink: Cal-MAP Pediatric Mental Health Bootcamp for Primary Care Providers

February 27, 2026 (8:00am - 5pm)

Children's Hospital Los Angeles (The Saban Auditorium)

‌You're invited! California Child and Adolescent Mental Health Access Portal (Cal-MAP), in partnership with Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles (CHLA) and the American Academy of Pediatrics California Chapter 2 (AAP-CA2), is hosting a FREE in-person Pediatric Mental Health Bootcamp for Primary Care Providers in Los Angeles, CA, on February 27, 2026.

Earn free CME/CE credit while learning the fundamentals of pediatric mental health to better support your patients. This bootcamp covers core topics in childhood and adolescent mental health including anxiety, depression, ADHD, and autism, as well as advanced topics such as supporting high-risk youth with disruptive behaviors, addressing complex psychiatric comorbidities, and managing treatment-resistant cases. This activity is jointly provided by Postgraduate Institute for Medicine and Cal-MAP, and co-sponsored by CHLA and AAP-CA2.

Download the Official Flyer Here!

• 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

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

This 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! Below are just a few of the speakers you can expect to be in attendance.

Rene Bravo, MD, FAAP
Keynote Lecture
Healthcare in California - CMA's Strategy for Children

Douglas Vanderbilt, MD, FAAP
Lecture Topic
Autism Facts in the Age of Misinformation

Mona Patel, MD, FAAP
Lecture Topic
Pediatric Advocacy and National Policy

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.

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Please visit our website: aapca2.org

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

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