2025 May Edition

All four California chapters joined together and lobbied our state legislators to ensure children in California have what they need to thrive.

If the news has you wanting to do more, and you're looking to advocate for children locally, statewide, or nationally, our chapter offers a supportive community. Join us, and we'll connect you with a mentor to help you get started.

As May is mental health awareness month, Dr. Danielle Shaw shares her personal experience in navigating available resources for her daughter.

In the EDI Corner, Dr. Jeanne Delgado provides resources for assisting children in immigrant families.

Dr. Niru Madduri highlights the importance of patience in this month's mindful reflections.

Please follow California Pediatrics on your favorite podcast platform.

Have you registered for the Advances in Pediatrics Symposium? The conference is taking place on Friday, May 30th in North Hollywood. We have a fantastic program and speaker line-up, a free trauma informed care training at the same location, and a chapter social gathering after the event. Join us!

I’d like to extend a warm welcome to our new chapter members! We invite you to get involved—whether by joining one of our chapter committees or reaching out to Tomas or me to explore where your passion and voice can make the greatest impact within Chapter 2. You can learn more about our committees and access other resources by visiting our website: https://aapca2.org.

We also encourage you to share your thoughts, questions, or ideas through our Member Input form, which helps guide discussion at our upcoming board meeting.

Your support and engagement are what make the work of this chapter possible—thank you for being part of it.

Melissa Ruiz, MD, MPH, FAAP

Registration is Open! Early Bird ends 5/18 at midnight.

Set to take place at the Garland Hotel in North Hollywood, this year’s Symposium is bigger and better than ever! Hurry and register today to snag your early bird pricing (extended through May 18th)

• Lectures with exceptional speakers
• Network with fellow pediatricians
• State of the art conference center/Free Wi-Fi/Great food
• Live recording of the Peds RAP Podcast
• Industry exhibitors and product demonstrations
• In-person event with Zoom option. Join us in person!

Registration is free. Includes networking and lunch prior to the event, as well as the Chapter Social at 4 PM. Register your clinical staff!

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

By Danielle Shaw, MD, FAAP, FAPA

April showers bring May flowers. For those who are struggling with a mental health issue or have a loved one with a mental health issue, April showers are the tears we shed over not having access to the services needed to bring the May flowers of recovery. Read More.

AAP letter to the US Senate supporting provisions of the Advancing FASD Research, Services and Prevention Act (FASD Respect Act) (S. 139).

View letter

EDI Corner - How To Get Involved

By Jeanne Delgado, MD, FAAP

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Champion

Nearly 30% of California’s population are proud immigrants. Moreover, within homes, almost half of all Californian children have at least one immigrant parent. The diversity these families bring to our communities and schools is known to Pediatricians throughout California. Read More.

Birthing hospitals, newborn nurseries, and Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) play a critical role in ensuring newborns are protected against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Children who are publicly insured and uninsured (versus privately insured) have higher odds of missing well-child visits. Administering RSV vaccination in the birthing hospital before discharge is a critical way of ensuring protection against RSV infection for uninsured or underinsured infants who may be less likely to have a well-child visit within the first week of life, especially for newborns who have had prolonged hospitalizations related to prematurity or other causes.  

Birthing hospitals may enroll in the Vaccine for Children (VFC) Program as a Specialty Provider offering only nirsevimab and hepatitis B vaccination birth dose for eligible infants. Hospitals may also participate in the dose replacement program. The replacement program hospitals supply the initial stock of nirsevimab and hepatitis B for their patient population and, as doses are used for VFC-eligible children, those doses are replaced by the VFC Program.  

Our team at VPDC is currently leading an initiative to encourage birthing hospitals to enroll in the VFC Program ahead of the upcoming respiratory season this fall.

As part of this effort, we’re recruiting pediatricians to serve as Immunization Champions to advocate for birthing hospitals to enroll in the VFC Program. As part of this effort, champions will be asked to:

• Meet with Hospital CMOs, Pediatric Dept. Heads, and Maternal-Child Nursing Directors to advocate for VFC enrollment. VPDC’s team is available to attend meetings as well.  
• Share resources regarding the VFC Birthing Hospital Enrollment  
• Meet with VPDCP Bi-monthly to discuss progress and address any barriers to enrollment.  

VPDC will help facilitate enrollment and training for birthing hospital interested in joining the VFC program.  

We’re eager to collaborate with any pediatrician willing to participate in this endeavor. Please feel free to share the resources below and reach out to our team if you have questions.

• VFC Enrollment Birthing Hospitals
• CDC information  
• VFC page for birthing hospitals.

For more information and to enroll, checkout: https://eziz.org/vfc-program-birthing-hospitals/

Have you seen the episodes of California Pediatrics?

Streaming on Amazon Music/Audible, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Spotify and YouTube...

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 platform on Libsyn

Are you in need of local air quality resources for wildfire relief? Checkout the below links for information for those affected.

Pasadena Public Health Department

Safety Precautions and Ash Exposure Prevention

LACDPH

Fire Safety and Health Information

Recently, some of our membership attended PAS 2025 (The Pediatric Academic Societies' conference in Honolulu, HI) and a workshop called “Storytelling for Advocacy: Harnessing the Power of Your Story.“ It was led by Dr. Kimberly Petko, chapter secretary and advocacy committee chair. 

(From left) Lingie Chiu, MD, MBA, FAAP, (AAP-CA2) | Jean Junior, MD | Cambria Garell, MD, FAAP, (AAP-CA2) | Christine Thang, MD, FAAP, (AAP-CA2) | Natalia Sidhu, MD, MS, FAAP | Ruksana Khambaty, MD | Kimberly Petko, MD, MPH, FAAP, (AAP-CA2) 

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

By Nirupama Madduri, M.D

The Importance of Patience

During one of my weekly walks at the LA County Arboretum in Arcadia, I had a nice conversation with a gentleman who was a photographer.  We shared an interest in birds, and he set up his camera and tripod where he could capture images of various species of migrating birds.  He told me that he likes to go to areas where there are few to no other photographers, especially on days with a light rain.  He showed me an image he took of one of my favorite and beautiful birds, a Western tanager.  He shared with me that he waited six hours for the perfect shot. Continue reading.

May Update

As of May 1, 2025, a total of 935 confirmed measles cases have been reported across 30 states. 96% of these cases occurred in individuals who were either unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination status. Children and adolescents continue to be disproportionately affected, with approximately 70% of cases occurring in individuals under the age of 19. To date this year, three measles-related deaths have been reported, including two unvaccinated children in Texas. View the full update here.

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 Well-Child Visit Prescription That Lasts a Lifetime

By Delesa Barnes

Reach Out and Read Inland Empire Program Coordinator

Did you know that children’s brains develop faster in the first five years than at any other time? 90% of a child’s brain development happens before age 5 and most families visit their pediatrician more than any other professional during those years? That means your exam room is ... Read more

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! 

AAP-CA2 Visits UC Riverside

April 3 - UC Riverside School of Medicine - Pediatric Interest Group

AAP-CA2 executive director Tomás Torices met with several medical students interested in pediatrics at the University of California Riverside on April 3rd. Ingrid Channa, medical student class of 2027 and co-director of the Pediatric Interest Group, organized the visit. Presentations to medical schools and pediatric residency programs provide an overview of the organization, ways to get involved with the AAP at the local level, and opportunities for advocacy. It's exciting to see so much enthusiasm for pediatrics so early in their medical career.

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.

Cal-MAP’s team of mental health specialists supports primary care providers (PCPs) treating youth with mental health needs through education, consultation, and resource navigation. This includes advice on screening, diagnosis, and treatment from a child psychiatrist and guidance on resources and referrals from a social worker.

Register for the Cal-MAP consultation program here: https://cal-map.org

Cal-MAP Resources:

PCP Resources

Family Resources

800-253-2103

Email: info@cal-map.org

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 checkout 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. And, make sure to download this free activity packet for children affected by the recent California wildfires.

Upcoming Events

36th Annual AAP-CA2 Advances In Pediatrics Symposium 5.25 CME – 5.25 MOC PART 2

Registration Open!

Don't miss our incredible lineup of speakers and events taking place during this incredible event. You can register by clicking on the button below. Please note, the early bird registration date has been extended to May 18th!

• Official Event Webpage
• Event Agenda

Topics: Caring for Children in Immigrant Families  |  How to Diagnose and Treat ADHD in a Busy Practice  |  Comprehensive Pediatric Obesity Care  |  Advances of AI in Healthcare & Pediatrics  |  “But I Did My Own Research”: Combatting Medical Misinformation  |  Tiny Patients, Big Responsibility: Cultivating Antimicrobial Stewardship in Pediatric Care  |  Post-Fire Threats to Children's Health  |  Increasing Firearm Screening in Resident Pediatric Well-Child Checks  |  Primary and Dental Care Utilization Among Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders in FQHCs

Building Trauma-Informed Clinical Teams

A Train-the-Trainer Session At The AAP-CA2 Symposium 2.00 CME - 2.00 MOC Part 2



Friday, May 30, 2025

1:00 PM - 4:00 PM, PST

REGISTRATION OPEN!

Free Training - Reserve Your Spot By 5/23/25

Come learn about the Pediatric Approach to Trauma, Treatment, and Resilience (PATTeR) Clinic Staff Training and how you can bring this training back to your clinical community. 

This Train-the-Trainer session will introduce you to the Pediatric Approach to Trauma, Treatment, and Resilience (PATTeR) Clinic Staff Training. This interactive training will cover core TIC principles, facilitation strategies, and practical tools to train staff effectively. The program emphasizes building trauma-informed clinical teams, supporting team well-being, and fostering relational health. Participants will gain the confidence to lead the PATTeR training, adapt content to their setting, and champion TIC practices within their organizations. Best of all, this event will be taking place at the same venue and on the same day as the 36th Annual Advances In Pediatrics Symposium!

For more information, visit the AAP website: https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/national-center-for-relational-health-and-trauma-informed-care/

Both the event page and registration are now open. Click the button below to access the event page and register today. Please note, registration is free.

EVENT SPEAKERS

June 25 - Town Hall with Dr. Ken Saul in Woodland Hills

RSVP: Via Email to docksaul@aol.com or Call: (805)494-1948

August 2 - Ventura County Pediatric Asthma Camp

The Ventura County Pediatric Asthma Camp is seeking volunteers for their event in August. Please see the event flier and registration links below.

Participant Registration Volunteer Registration Flier

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!

Chapter committees, like the immigrant 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

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 1,370 who follow us on X! @AAPCA2 and Instagram