2025 November Edition

You’ll find updates on the CAres Food Drive—an effort that speaks to our shared commitment to supporting families facing food insecurity—as well as a celebration of René Bravo, M.D.’s inspiring leadership as he steps into his role as CMA president. We’re also sharing important developments on immunizations, mental health support through Cal-MAP, and innovative programs such as HOPE Court and ENRICH-LAC that are helping children and families navigate complex systems with greater confidence. Be sure to check out our conversation with Nicole Webb, MD, FAAP on the newest episode of the California Pediatrics Podcast, now live. And for those interested in community-focused projects, CATCH grants are currently open—supporting pediatricians and trainees launching or expanding local initiatives that improve child health and access to care.

We also extend a warm welcome to our new chapter members. We’re thrilled to have you with us. If you’re looking to get involved, we invite you to join one of our committees or reach out to Tomas or me to explore where your interests—and your voice—can make the greatest impact within Chapter 2. You can find information about our committees and additional resources on our website, and we encourage all members to share ideas, questions, or feedback through our Member Input Form, which helps guide future board discussions.

As you explore this month’s issue, I hope you’ll take advantage of the many opportunities to engage—from advocacy efforts to mentoring trainees to participating in the educational offerings and upcoming events.

Thank you for your ongoing dedication to the children and families we serve. Your compassion, expertise, and unwavering commitment are what make this chapter so extraordinary.

Melissa Ruiz, MD, MPH, FAAP

We’re excited to announce the California CAres Food Drive, a statewide competition among California medical schools and pediatric training programs to help feed families in need. As SNAP and EBT benefits face ongoing uncertainty, it’s more important than ever for our community to come together and lend a hand. From November 17 through December 19, we’ll be collecting nonperishable food items for donation to local food banks and community organizations. Every contribution—big or small—makes a real difference in supporting families across our state.

The group with the greatest impact will receive a special award and be featured on the California Pediatrics Podcast!


Most Needed Items:

• Canned Soup
• Canned Meat
• Canned Vegetables
• Canned/Dried Fruit
• Rice, Pasta, & Cereal
• Protein Bars & Trail Mix
• Baby Food & Formula
  

Together, we can show that California’s pediatric trainees truly care, helping nourish our communities and spread kindness this holiday season. Thank you for your generosity and spirit of service! To learn more about donating, email sopt.districtix@gmail.com.

Make sure to tag the food drive on social media with the following:

• #CAres 
• #CaliforniaPediatricsPodcast

AAP-CA2 would like to congratulate San Luis Obispo pediatrician and area representative René Bravo, M.D., who has been installed as the 157th president of the California Medical Association (CMA), the largest and most influential state medical association representing more than 50,000 California physicians. Addressing hundreds of physician delegates and health care leaders at CMA’s annual House of Delegates meeting in Los Angeles, Dr. Bravo reflected on his journey from the working-class communities of southeast Los Angeles County to leading the House of Medicine in California. Watch the full video of his speech below!

René Bravo, M.D. CMA Address

The CATCH Call for Proposals is now open and will close on January 20, 2026. CATCH is also offering 3 'Office Hours' calls for grant applicants based on the success of last year's calls. The remaining calls will be held on the following dates:


• Thursday, November 20, 2025 at 7:30 pm Eastern/6:30 pm Central/5:30 pm Mountain/4:30 pm Pacific times

• Monday, December 8, 2025, at 7 pm Eastern/6 pm Central/5 pm Mountain/4 pm Pacific times

If you know of a potential applicant who is interested, please share this registration link:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CATCHOFFICEHOURS


• Training Session for 2026 Cycle Promotional and Support Resources: Please look for a meeting appointment to the 2026 cycle Feedback and Support (TA) training session for Monday, November 10th at 8:30 pm Eastern/7:30 pm Central/6:30 pm Mountain/5:30 pm Pacific times. This training - which will be recorded - provides updates for the 2026 cycle, tips and resources for supporting applicants, and reviews promotional materials. 
  
• Please confirm you can log into the Grants Application System - Survey Monkey Apply: We have added all new Facilitators to the Grants Application System (which is a third party system, Survey Monkey Apply).  Please try to login at https://grants.aap.org/ - using the email address and password associated with your AAP membership. IF you have an issue - and/or if you are prompted to create a new account - PLEASE stop and email us at CATCH@aap.org. Thanks!

Have you heard about H.O.P.E. (Help Our Parents Excel) Court and the amazing resources it's providing families? Learn all about this innovative court room program along with its history and evolution. You can read an article on program below, or watch the video above.


• HOPE Court Feature Article

Misleading claims that the cumulative number of vaccines on the childhood immunization schedule can overwhelm a child's immune system or cause other issues are inaccurate and dangerous.

Individuals making this claim often say children receive 80 or more vaccines throughout childhood, which is not true and sows fear among parents. The pacing and combination of vaccines is based on the times when vaccines will work best with children’s immune systems and when they are most vulnerable to the diseases that vaccines protect them from.  Learn More Here!

California Releases its Own Vaccine Recommendations

In anticipation of restrictive federal immunization rules, California Department of Public Health officials issued their own vaccination guidelines on September 17th. Gov. Gavin Newsom and state health officials released the recommendations as part of the state’s newly formed health alliance with Oregon, Washington and Hawaii, with leading medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. 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 six, hosts Melissa Ruiz, MD, FAAP and Eric Ball, MD, FAAP have a conversation with special guest Nicole Webb, MD, FAAP as she discusses her professional trajectory and irrevocable passion as an advocate for children.

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.

Episode 6 - Dr. Webb - Using Our Voice to Advance Child Health

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: Rajesh Donthi, MD, FAAP

Practice Location: Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, Division of Hospital Medicine

Years In Practice: 21years 

My wife and I moved to LA 11 years ago from Columbus, Ohio, at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, where I had done my residency, 2 years of Chief residency, and was an Associate Program Director for the categorical Pediatric Residency and Program Director for the Dually-accredited AOA/ABP Osteopathic Pediatric Residency. 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!

EDI Corner - Gratitude for Diversity 
By Jeanne Delgado, MD, FAAP

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Champion

The importance of gratitude has been at the forefront of wellness. And while we are entering the month where gratitude is celebrated with Thanksgiving, it is also important to remember that it is Native American Heritage month. Read More.

Filling Your Cup

"Compassionate Listening During the Holidays"

By Nirupama Madduri, M.D

As the final months of the year approach, the nights are longer, our patient lists expand exponentially, and the phone calls never stop. Everyone is coughing, febrile, and congested. Our children’s sporting events are never-ending. Read More.

November Update




Please join the Department of Health for our upcoming Pediatric Immunization Information Session hosted by the Vaccine Preventable Disease Control Program at the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. The session will include updates from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health on infant botulism and respiratory vaccines dashboard. The event will also feature a guest presentation by Hohui “Eileen” Wang, MD, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist and Clinical Associate Professor at UCSF, on Autism and Vaccines: What the Science Says.

This event will take place Wednesday, December 10^th, 12–1PM PT. You can register through the button below.

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 are excited to share with an outstanding advocacy training opportunity that may be of interest to pediatric residents/fellows or medical students at your institution. Trainees for Child Injury Prevention (T4CIP) is a group of trainees from across the country committed to child injury prevention that develops outreach materials and strategies for one-day national advocacy campaigns. This core group of trainees reaches out to other trainees and training programs asking them to participate in each Day of Action. They also share information on social media and through community partnerships and engagement.

Being part of T4CIP enables trainees to participate in and/or lead a national advocacy campaign focused on increasing injury prevention awareness and creating safer environments for children. They are encouraged to build their leadership, advocacy, and communication skills and develop new relationships with peers and mentors. Nationally known pediatric injury prevention experts are available to mentor and support participating trainees. During the past five years, 361 trainees from 139 institutions from 37 states have participated in the program.

T4CIP is sponsored by the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, and the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Pediatric Trainees, Council on Injury, Violence, and Poison Prevention, and AAP Media and Outreach.

Trainees at all levels across the country are encouraged to participate in T4CIP. For more information and to apply, please visit: https://www.t4cip.org/potential-applicants.

The application period for the 2026 cohort is open through November 30, 2025. We would appreciate your assistance in forwarding this information to trainees and colleagues in your institution and networks. We look forward to their applications. Please email Laura.Dattner@NationwideChildrens.org with any questions.

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 abstract below!

Assessing Early Literacy Promotion Training and Behaviors Across a Pediatric Residency Program - Melissa Coward, MD, PharmD (UCLA)


Literacy promotion is an essential component of primary care pediatric practice. The Reach Out and Read (ROR) model is an evidence-based literacy promotion intervention, endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, that increases positive attitudes towards reading, improves parent-child interactions, improves home literacy environments and improves receptive and expressive language. Read Full Abstract.

AAP-CA2 executive director Tomás Torices met in October with medical students and members of the Pediatric Interest Group at California University of Science & Medicine (CUSM) in Colton, San Bernardino County. This state-of-the-art facility inaugurated its first class of medical students (with its first white coat ceremony) in July 2018. Led by co-presidents/second year medical students Rachel Leonard and Aidan Yong, this group is excited about pursuing a career in pediatrics. Most recently, Rachel and Aidan have plans of joining the California Pediatrics Podcast team.

These in-person events are great opportunities for chapter leadership to convey current advocacy efforts, while meeting with trainees who are passionate about advocating for children and the practice of medicine.

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 Webpage
• ENRICH-LAC Brochure
• ENRICH-LAC Provider Handout

Free services for pediatric practices. Enroll and refer patients at no cost to you - at no cost to them!

Imagine a hypothetical scenario. A stressed mom brings in her daughter to see you for new severe anxiety since the birth of a new baby sister weeks ago. The patient briefly stopped eating due to fear that she might vomit and make the baby sick. She has intense tantrums and has been resistant to going to school. She has started writing letters expressing guilt and feeling lost and asking for help. Her weight is stable, and she is without self harm or suicidality. She has started weekly therapy, but her anxiety seems to be getting worse. You are considering starting an SSRI but are wondering if it might be too soon.  

You have a few minutes in between patients, should you:  

1. Avoid calling Cal-MAP because you have not had a chance to use an evidence-based rating scale for this patient’s anxiety.
2. Avoid calling Cal-MAP because you don’t have enough time to consult with the Cal-MAP psychiatrist.
3. Avoid calling Cal-MAP because you have not had a chance to register with Cal-MAP yet.
4. CALL Cal-MAP for a consultation. 

The scenario above is a great example of when to reach out and utilize Cal-MAP!

We've provided a Q&A linked through the button below, which we hope will convince you to use Cal-MAP for a free, prompt, provider to provider consultation for your patients with mental health concerns. Here is the Cal-MAP phone number so you can write it down and keep it handy: 800-253-2103. You can also sign up for the consultation service and educational resources at Cal-MAP.org. Or, for more educational resources and webinars from Cal-MAP, head over to the program's trainings schedule page.

Check out the most recent issue of the AAP Center of Excellence on Social Media and Youth Mental Health newsletter.

This issue includes details on early childhood development and screen time, an early childhood toolkit for dealing with social media, along with other relevant mental health content and details. 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.

Upcoming Events

December 13 - Pediatric Health on a Burning Planet: Assessment, Action, and Advocacy

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.

Members-At-Large

Area Representatives

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