2026 May Edition

I'm pretty sure that includes all pediatricians too! May is a month of momentum — and this issue reflects exactly that.

First, a reminder: Chapter elections open today, May 18th, at 6PM. If you're a voting member, please check your inbox for the subject line "2026 - Please Vote." Leadership transitions are how organizations stay alive and evolving, and your vote matters. While you're at it, look into the SOECP National Conference scholarships — also due May 18th — a rare chance for early career physicians to access 350+ sessions with registration fully covered.

I want to take another moment to celebrate our 37th Annual Advances in Pediatrics Symposium, which Dr. Madduri recaps beautifully in this issue. This year was the biggest yet, and if you were there, you felt it — the energy in that room was a reminder of what this community is capable of when we show up for each other. The sessions on vaccines and autism were timely and necessary. We are living in a moment where the science is being contested in ways that would have been unimaginable a few years ago, and having a room full of pediatricians grounded in evidence and committed to their patients is not a small thing. It's the whole thing.

May is also Mental Health Awareness Month. I'd encourage you to read Dr. Madduri's Mindful Reflections piece on safe spaces — it's honest, and it's for us as much as it's about us. We can't pour from an empty cup, and this field has a way of quietly depleting people who care too much to say so.

This issue is also packed with practical tools: the SOECP Transition from Training to Practice Checklist for your graduating residents, a CATCH facilitator opportunity for those of you interested in mentorship and community pediatrics leadership, and an important CMA reminder about COVID-19 testing reimbursement protections dating back to March 2020 — worth passing along to your billing team.

And if you haven't listened to Episode 11 of the California Pediatrics Podcast with Dr. Colleen Kraft yet, make time. Her story — from Head Start enrollee to pediatric advocate — is the kind of origin story that reminds you why this work matters.

As always, this chapter is what its members make it. Get involved, vote, show up.

With gratitude,

Melissa Ruiz, MD, MPH, FAAP

President, AAP California Chapter 2 

SOECP is offering its first ever scholarships for up to 6 early career physicians to attend the 2026 AAP National Conference & Exhibition—with full conference registration covered. This opportunity provides access to 350+ sessions, hands on learning, the largest pediatric technology exhibit, and SOECP’s H Program and networking reception.

Deadline: May 18 | Learn more and apply

Eligibility: Early career physicians (within 10 years of training) practicing pediatrics, AAP + SOECP members, and residents of the U.S. or Canada.

Important: Scholarship covers registration only; travel and lodging are not included. Recipients will be registered by AAP staff. Do not register while your application is under review. Awards announced mid June 2026.

Questions? Contact Tori Davis

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

Spotlight on SISHU: Standardizing Infant Screening and Health for the Underserved

By: Supriya Bavisetty, MD

SISHU is a pioneering newborn screening initiative developed through a collaboration between the Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM) in India and UCLA Global Health. At the forefront of this effort is Dr. Kumar Suryanarayana, a visionary pediatrician who has dedicated 14 years to serving a population of approximately 300,000 rural indigenous tribals in rural Karnataka.

Guided by the vision that “every newborn thrives, and birth is not a barrier but a powerful beginning,” his work has focused on bridging gaps in equitable newborn care for vulnerable communities. Read More.

Interested in developing your skills as a mentor and leader in the field of community pediatrics?





The AAP Community Access to Child Health (CATCH) Program is seeking applications for the position of Chapter CATCH Facilitator (CCF). CCFs are appointed by their AAP Chapter to serve a renewable three-year term.

CATCH’s mission is to support pediatricians, pediatric trainees, and advanced pediatric providers to collaborate within their communities to advance the health of all children. Our vision is that every child in every community reach optimal health and well-being. View the CATCH 30th anniversary video about CATCH's impact on innovation, community collaboration and advocacy, and leadership development.

Benefits for serving as a Chapter CATCH Facilitator (CCF) include:

• Mentoring others to make a difference in their communities.

• Offers opportunities to strengthen mentorship of pediatric residents.

• Become part of the leadership within the AAP chapter.

• Beneficial career development for academic medicine or professorship titles.

• Learn more about applying for grants for your own skill development and making a difference in your community.

• Connection with like-minded colleagues from across the nation.

Learn more about the responsibilities and activities of the position. The deadline to apply online is May 31, 2026. Questions? Contact AAP CATCH staff at catch@aap.org.

Reminder: Health Plans Cannot Shift COVID-19 Testing Costs Through Case Rate Agreements


The California Medical Association (CMA) is reminding physicians that health plans are prohibited from shifting the financial risk for COVID-19 testing, immunizations and related services through limited risk arrangements such as single case agreements and case rate agreements.

In January 2026, the California Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) issued All-Plan Letter (APL) 26-002 in response to concerns raised by CMA after physicians reported that some health plans, including Medi-Cal managed care plans, were refusing to reimburse pandemic-era COVID-19 testing claims based on the existence of case rate agreements or other limited risk arrangements.

CMA-sponsored Senate Bill 510 (2021) requires health plans and insurers to reimburse providers for COVID-19 testing, vaccine administration and related services. The law also prohibits plans from shifting the financial risk for those services to contracted providers unless both parties negotiated and agreed to a new contractual provision accepting that risk.

The DMHC guidance confirmed that these protections apply broadly, including to limited risk shifting arrangements such as single case agreements, case rate agreements and similar payment structures. Health plans may not rely on those arrangements to avoid reimbursement obligations unless the provider expressly agreed to accept the financial risk for COVID-19-related services.

The guidance also confirmed that Medi-Cal managed care plans were required to comply with these protections for dates of service prior to June 30, 2025. While AB 116 later exempted Medi-Cal managed care plans from these specific statutory provisions, that exemption only applies to dates of service on or after June 30, 2025.

Importantly, physicians should be aware that SB 510 applies retroactively to claims dating back to March 4, 2020—the beginning of California’s COVID-19 public health emergency. Physicians who believe claims were improperly denied or underpaid based on case rate agreements or other limited risk arrangements are encouraged to contact CMA’s Center for Economic Services for assistance at economicservices@cmadocs.org or (800) 786-4262.

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AAP-CA2 Symposium Recap - From Nirupama Madduri, MD, FAAP 

Our 37th annual AAPCA2 Symposium on April 18, 2026, “Advances in Pediatrics”, provided hard facts, great hope, and comradery for pediatricians in our chapter. The Garland Hotel in North Hollywood created a lovely space for learning and sharing. Read More.

Have you listened to the newest episode of the California Pediatrics Podcast? Streaming on Amazon Music/Audible, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Spotify and YouTube. In episode 11 of California Pediatrics, Colleen Kraft, MD, FAAP shares her journey in medicine, and how being enrolled as a child in the first class of the Head Start Program in 1965 set her on a path of professional success and pediatric advocacy. 

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.

Advocacy in Pediatric Training, with Dr. Colleen Kraft (Ep. 11)

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: Douglas Vanderbilt, MD, MS, MBA

Practice location: Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

Number of years in practice: 21 years

I grew up in Chattanooga Tennessee, but my family had a connection to CA going back to my great grandmother. After I went to Stanford undergrad and returned again for residency at UCLA, I knew I was not going to leave again!

I did have to leave twice: once for medical school at UT Memphis and one more time for DBP fellowship at Boston University. I have been at CHLA for almost 19 years now partnering with general pediatricians to take care of their families with developmental and behavioral challenges. 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

"Safe Spaces"

By Nirupama Madduri, MD, FAAP

May is Mental Health Awareness month. I read an op-ed in the New York Times by Dr. Seema Jilani, a pediatrician and Fulbright Scholar, which focused on how physicians feel uncomfortable disclosing mental health concerns.

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:

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

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.

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.

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.

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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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