2026 July Edition

President's Message

Before looking ahead, I want to thank our outgoing president, Melissa Ruiz, MD, MPH, FAAP, and the many volunteer leaders who have devoted their time and talents to our Chapter. Their leadership has strengthened our organization, expanded opportunities for members, and ensured that Chapter 2 remains a respected voice for children, families, and pediatricians. I am fortunate to build upon such a strong foundation.

Like many of you, my career has been... Read More.

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The AAP is currently seeking Chapter Champions in the area of adolescent and young adult care for upcoming initiatives. Click here to learn more about the qualifications and how to apply.

The AAP-CA2 Nominating Committee is pleased to report the results of our Board of Directors election. In May, voting members had the opportunity to vote for the positions of Vice President/president-elect, Treasurer, Secretary, and Members-at-Large. The new term began on July 1st.

I would like to congratulate and welcome the 2026-2028 Board of Directors:

Executive Board Members

Mitchell Goldstein, MD, FAAP - President

Kamaal A. Jones, MD, FAAP - Vice president/president-elect

Ozlem Equils, MD, FAAP - Treasurer

Gabrielle Pina, DO, FAAP - Secretary

Melissa Ruiz, MD, MPH, FAAP - Immediate past-president

Members-At-Large

Cindy Baker, MD, FAAP; Melissa A. Bent, MD, FAAP; Emma Burdekin, MD, FAAP; Lingie Chiu, MD, MBA, FAAP, DipABLM; Laura Farach, MD, FAAP; Shaina Lodhi, MD, FAAP; Nirupama Madduri, MD, FAAP; Varsha Mona Puri, MD, FAAP; Kenneth Saul, MD, FAAP; Danielle Shaw, MD, MS, FAAP; and Shanna Treanor, MD, FAAP.

Area Representatives will be appointed by the Chapter president.

Congratulations to all!

Sincerely,

Grant Christman, MD, MACM, FAAP - Chair, Nominating Committee.

Members-At-Large

Board Transition - June 29 in Pasadena

The AAP-CA2 Board of Directors met at Café Santorini in Pasadena on June 29 for the last meeting of the two-year term. Chapter 2 Executive Director Tomas Torices presented Dr. Ruiz with a plaque of recognition highlighting her outstanding leadership as an advocate for our organization, our members, and the children we serve, and especially “For her vibrant energy and dedication as co-host of the California Pediatrics Podcast, and for her inspiring vision in establishing the Annual Mental Health Conference.”



Marking the conclusion of her term, Chapter 2 President Melissa Ruiz, MD, FAAP, officially handed over the gavel to incoming President, Mitchell Goldstein, MD, FAAP. The new board will serve until June of 2028.

As pediatricians, we are experts at identifying developmental delays and related concerns in young children, however the "how" to get appropriate services and evaluations for these children can be a challenge. 



This challenge is partly due to the complexity of our Early Intervention (EI) system in California. In fact, each state has an Early Intervention program, as mandated by Part C of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Read More.

Emerging forms of online exploitation are creating new challenges for the professionals who care for children.




Thorn's latest research examines how sadistic online exploitation challenges child safety systems and identifies opportunities to strengthen the coordination of response to protect young people.

For pediatricians, the findings offer practical insight into emerging warning signs, behavioral changes and the role child safety systems play in recognizing risk and responding to this harm. Read More.

The SOECP workgroup recently created a new Transition from Training to Practice Checklist to support pediatric residents as they move from residency into early career practice. Access this checklist/resource through the link below.

Transition from Training to Practice Checklist

A coalition of multidisciplinary professionals is working to strengthen hearing screening systems for children ages 5 and under across California. As part of this effort, they are developing a statewide plan for 2026 focused on improving the early identification of hearing loss that may emerge during a child's early years.


Key priorities include:

• Improving the collection of hearing screening data.
• Enhancing reporting processes for screening outcomes.
• Increasing education and awareness among providers and families about the importance of ongoing hearing screenings beyond the newborn period.
  

Your perspective can help inform this work! Please take a few minutes to complete a short, anonymous survey. Your feedback will help better the understanding of information and resources providers need to support early hearing detection and intervention efforts throughout California.

Download Information Sheet

New Articles

Medicare Changes Telehealth Billing Requirements for RHCs and FQHCs

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued new billing instructions for rural health clinics (RHCs) and federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) that provide Medicare distant-site telehealth services. Read More.

CDPH Alerts Providers to Increase in Travel-Related Mpox Cases, Rising Clade II Activity
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is urging health care providers to maintain a heightened suspicion for mpox following an increase in travel-related clade I cases entering California and a sharp rise in clade II cases statewide this year. Read More.

The Pediatric Firestorm TEAM (PFire) is a transdisciplinary collaborative dedicated to advancing children's health in the face of the growing impacts of wildfires and Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) disasters. Learn more about this group and their mission through the handout document linked below. Included are links to their meetings and resources.

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 12 of California Pediatrics, Marsha Spitzer, MD, FAAP shares her career journey in pediatrics, her passion as an advocate for early childhood literacy, and her leading role in Reach Out and Read San Diego. Podcast hosts, Michelle Leff, MD, FAAP and Wendy Pavlovich, MD, FAAP.

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.

Early Literacy in Pediatrics, 
with Dr. Marsha Spitzer (Ep. 12)

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: Yasuko Fukuda, MD FAAP

Practice location: San Francisco, CA

Number of years in practice: 32 years


Dr. Yasuko Fukuda is a general pediatrician in her hometown of San Francisco. She grew up the firstborn child of immigrants from Japan. Many times she’s had to help maneuver life for her family and younger brother. There were many lessons learned which helped her to understand the challenges of others. After graduating from UC Berkeley with degrees in Immunology and Microbiology, and the Japanese language, Dr. Fukuda attended the Mayo Medical School in Rochester, Minnesota. 

During her 3rd year of medical school, she spent 6 months in Hiroshima, Japan, conducting research on atomic bomb survivors. 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!

Congratulations to Dr. Ilan Shapiro, named a 2026 Dad Ambassador by the Congressional Dads Caucus during their Father's Day Week of Action. He was selected for his leadership and dedication to advancing public health and supporting families. Dr. Shapiro is a bilingual pediatrician, official spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics, healthcare communicator on social media, and Chief Health Correspondent at AltaMed Health Services

Known as @Dr_Shaps across national media, he educates families on trending health topics and champions culturally appropriate care, health literacy and access to services.

Filling Your Cup

"Let Liberation Vibrate"

By Nirupama Madduri, MD, FAAP

Sitting in an airport waiting to fly out of town for the July 4th weekend, I realized that this year is the 250th Anniversary of Independence Day (the holiday, not the movie). I reflected upon what freedom is exactly. Read More.

Summer 2026




In the latest Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Vaccine Preventable Disease Control Program Quarterly Update, you'll find information on immunizations for the upcoming school year, information related to the FIFA World Cup, details on the measles outbreak, and a disease watch focused on Ebola. Read More.

Created by AAP-CA2's new Vice President, the Dr. Kamaal Jones Show is a podcast breaking down the high stakes political battles impacting patients and providers. Dr. Jones has a simple mission: "Pull back the curtain on the forces shaping our well-being, so that we can mobilize for the healthcare we actually deserve."

In the latest episode, linked below, Dr. Jones discusses the topic of teen pregnancy and the impact of recent public health decisions at the federal level.

You can click on the button below to head over to the show's official YouTube page to find your preferred podcast platform, like Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

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 the 2026 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!

Bridging the Gap in Congenital Heart Disease Detection: Rural Implementation of Newborn CCHD Screening in Karnataka, India 

Aneesha Pydi, MD


Critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) is a major cause of preventable neonatal mortality, however screening coverage in low‑resource settings remains limited.

Rural and tribal communities in India face persistent barriers to early detection including shortages of trained personnel, limited access to echocardiography, and fragmented referral pathways. Read More.

Examining Novel Pro-Vaccination Education Techniques to Promote Vaccine Uptake in an Outpatient Pediatric Setting 

Sonia Shenoi, DO, MS



Despite being recognized as one of the most effective public health measures, in today’s climate, vaccinations are viewed as unsafe and unnecessary by an increasing number of individuals.

Vaccine hesitancy results from a complex mix of social and political influences, cultural and religious beliefs, the availability of and ability to interpret health and scientific information, and personal and population experiences of health systems and government policies. Read More.

Offering CFTR Modulators in Pregnancy to Prevent Cystic Fibrosis-Related Organ Damage Before Birth: Case Series with Insights from Infants with CFTR Variants of Varying Clinical Consequence

Carrie Saleeb, BS

With the advent of highly effective CFTR modulator therapy (HEMT), the prognosis and quality of life for those with cystic fibrosis (CF) has drastically improved with significant improvements in lung function, increased life expectancy, and reduced number of lung transplants performed.

However, CF complications begin to manifest in utero, including meconium ileus and pancreatic dysfunction, and current FDA approval for HEMT such as elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor (ETI) is only for those 2 years and older.

Read More.

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

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! 

Mothers’ Milk Bank California is pleased to announce the release of the Pediatrician’s Guide to Pasteurized Donor Human Milk.




This guide is designed to help equip pediatricians, and any physicians caring for the youngest and most vulnerable patients, with the knowledge and tools necessary to safely and effectively incorporate pasteurized donor human milk (PDHM) into their practice. Request the guide here.

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.

We are celebrating the release of Building Better Platforms: a Youth-Led Guide to Age-Appropriate Digital Design. This Design Guide was created by the Center's Youth Advisory Panel (YAP), who came together last summer and shared what they wanted their online experience to look like. The YAP described what they value about their online experience, like connection, safety, and privacy. They also shared what they want more of, like media literacy and safer ways to explore AI. This guide reflects a vision of social media that better supports how adolescents think, feel, and connect.

Read More.

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.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) ‘s 175-year record, January 2025 marks the start of the year with a record-breaking temperature. The average global land and ocean surface temperature was 2.39°F above the 20th century average, making it the warmest January in the global climate record. Join the 2026 H3SD Summit to learn the impacts of that 2.39°F increase on human health!

This conference will be hosted on August 15th. Best of all, registration is free! Click on the button below to register for the event and to learn more.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) invites you to join them for the 2026 National Conference & Exhibition, taking place October 2–6 in San Diego, California. Experience over 350 educational sessions in more than 70 topic areas, and earn up to 97 CME Credits!

There will be plenty of opportunities for networking, in addition to the largest pediatric technical exhibit of its kind.

Join AAP California 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. A rundown of speakers and the agenda can be accessed here.

PFire hosts an annual transdisciplinary working conference that brings together healthcare professionals, scientists, engineers, public health experts, educators, policymakers, community leaders, students, and families to address one of the most urgent public health challenges of our time.

Unlike traditional conferences, Pediatric Health on a Burning Planet is designed to generate actionable solutions through collaborative discussions, research development, clinical innovation, community engagement, and policy recommendations. See the upcoming conference details below, registration coming soon.

• Saturday, November 21, 2026 - Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA)
• Hybrid (In-person & Virtual)
• Free!

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.

Please visit our website: aapca2.org

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

Thank you to the 1,883 who follow us on X (@AAPCA2) and on Instagram.