It was also amazing to see how many regional child advocates were present, including representatives from First 5 SLO, the SLO County Department of Public Health, and even the mayor of San Luis Obispo. We discussed opportunities for collaboration on advocacy projects, town halls for pediatricians, and health education for our patients’ parents and caregivers.

We also discussed the challenges that pediatricians (especially those in private practice) are facing in San Luis Obispo. The message I was hearing there was very similar to what I’ve heard at previous chapter events; pediatricians are facing increasing struggles in working with health insurance providers, including inadequate payments and logistical challenges.

As I discussed in last month’s newsletter, the chapter is forming a pediatric council to help pediatricians and health insurance providers build stronger and more collaborative relationships, with the hope that we can work together to increase quality of care and address financial and logistical challenges.

I was excited to meet chapter members interested in participating in our pediatric council at the SLO event, but the chapter continues to need more volunteers from all seven counties. If you are interested, please contact our executive director, Tomas Torices, at [email protected].

The chapter’s continued goal is to host social events in each of our counties, so that you have the opportunity to meet with fellow pediatricians, child advocates, health officials, and legislators in your own regions. Stay tuned for updates on upcoming events in San Bernardino, Riverside, and Santa Barbara Counties.

I would like to call attention to another upcoming opportunity for CME and networking coming up next month. The Updates in Hospital Pediatrics conference, previously a virtual conference but now in-person for the first time, will be held at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles on November 10-11. This conference is meant for any pediatrician who cares for children in the hospital setting, including hospitalists, general pediatricians, and pediatric subspecialists. There will also be a networking reception at the conclusion of sessions on November 10. More information and the registration link are located further down in today’s newsletter. I hope to see you at the conference!

This month’s member spotlight features Dr. Nisha AbdulCader of San Luis Obispo, one of the amazing pediatricians I had the pleasure of meeting at the SLO event. In the Trainees Corner we have Dr. Sahar Panjwani of UCLA presenting a case of Encephalitis as submitted for the 2023 research awards. I would like to thank Dr. Akhila Vadivelan for submitting an article to highlight cancer awareness month.

Check out The Quorum for Dr. Kamaal Jones’s report on the 2023-24 legislative session. He has been working hard with the other three California chapters to promote our legislative advocacy priorities in Sacramento! If you are interested in legislative advocacy, please consider joining the chapter’s Advocacy Committee, which meets monthly to discuss bills and other advocacy issues.

Finally, I would like to welcome our new chapter members and encourage them to get involved by joining a chapter committee. Information about our committees and other resources are available on our website, aapca2.org. Your support makes the work of this chapter possible! 

Upcoming events in this month’s newsletter include:

• October 20 & 27 LACDPH Vaccine Sessions
• October 25 | Town Hall with Dr. Ken Saul
• Nov 10/11 | CHLA 4th Annual Updates in Hospital Pediatrics
• November 7 | LACDPH Pediatric Information Session
• November 16 | Tzield^TM Webinar. Potential to delay Stage 3 T1D
• Nov 29 | Moving Away From the Precipice (Wellness webinar)

Best wishes,

Grant Christman, MD, MACM, FAAP

October - Cancer Awareness Month!

Akhila Vadivelan, MD, FAAP

Pediatric Hematology Oncology Fellow, UCLA

Meeting those bald beautiful heads, with charming eyes and sunny smiles mark the beginning of my day. Sitting with them are their loved ones, smiling and supporting them through the hard days none the less they are anxious of the outcomes. Yes, I am talking about those kids with cancer! Read more ...

How many times have you seen a patient in your clinic with mental health concerns and discovered at the end of the visit that they were already seeing a therapist? Or had a family come into the ER who can’t remember what medications the child has been taking for asthma? In response to the crisis of inadequate access to crucial medical information, California has created a ground-breaking new framework requiring all medical providers and hospitals to share confidential health information through a Data Exchange Framework. The Data Exchange Framework (DxF) is an opportunity to create equitable and affordable health information exchange, so that patients, providers, and other healthcare entities can access the health information they need, wherever they are and whenever they need it.

AAP-CA2 recently received a grant from California Human and Health Services to inform and support pediatric health care providers and systems in this transformative set of policies and procedures that will allow us to share health records electronically in a private and secure manner.

Learn about how you can support the Data Exchange Framework initiative by accessing the documents below:

• Data Exchange Framework Initiative Updates
• State and Federal Efforts Promote Greater Health Information Sharing
• What is the Data Exchange Framework
• DxF Social Media Posts Examples

The Quorum

Updates on Mental Health Policy

By Kamaal A. Jones, MD, FAAP

Policy and Legislative Affairs Analyst

Tuesday October 10th, 2023 was recognized around the globe as “World Mental Health Day”. This year, the theme was “Mental Health is a Universal Human Right”. As you may recall, mental health is one of the 3 key focuses for our chapter ... Read more

tarting January 2024 there will be an increase in Medi-Cal payments to 87.5% of Medicare rates for primary care outpatient services in CA. The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has made public a list of codes chosen by the state for this targeted payment increase.

Please access the DCHS website to learn more, and be sure to review the Medi-Cal Targeted Rate Increase Codes List to verify the codes used in your practice are included.

Please contact the chapter if there are any missing codes for the services that you are providing. Our Chapter and District IX Government Affairs Committees will need to advocate immediately if any pediatric practice codes are left out.

Thank you to all who attended the San Luis Obispo Social on October 7th.

The AAP-CA2 San Luis Obispo County Chapter Social was held this past October 7^th at the rooftop of SLO Hotel, hosted by San Luis Obispo County Representative Dr. René Bravo, chapter president Dr. Grant Christman, and executive director Tomás Torices. Attendees included pediatricians along with members of their family, pediatric subspecialists, city and county officials, and representatives from First 5 San Luis Obispo. Erica A. Stewart, San Luis Obispo City Mayor expressed the imperative need for more physicians in the county. Dr. Penny Borenstein, Health Officer of the San Luis Obispo County Public Health Department, who by the way was named physician of the year in 2020, shared some of her experiences during the recent pandemic. This event was an opportunity for retired and currently practicing pediatricians to gather socially, and network professionally. This was the inaugural Chapter 2 social event in San Luis Obispo.

October Social Pedia Newsletter

In this issue:

• Updated COVID Vaccines & Flu Vaccine
• New resources just in time for lu and RSV season
• October is SIDS Awareness Month
• Learning Differences/ ADHD Awareness Month
• Halloween Safety
• Teen Driver Safety

View all the details, Here

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 [email protected] to schedule an event at your medical school / residency program!

Early Career Leadership Alliance (ECLA)

Introducing a New Leadership Training Program for ECPs! | Apply by 11/12

Dear SOECP Members,

The AAP Section on Early Career Physicians (SOECP) is thrilled to announce the launch of our leadership program designed to empower and inspire future leaders: Early Career Leadership Alliance (ECLA)!

What is the Early Career Leadership Alliance? 

 In line with Goal 3 of the AAP Equity Agenda, ECLA is a 2-year training initiative crafted to cultivate leaders and foster a community of leadership among physicians, with a particular emphasis on supporting our members that are underrepresented in medicine (URIM). Learn more and Apply ...

2023 AAP-CA2 Research Awards

The AAP California Chapter 2 sent out a call for abstracts on scholarly projects by trainees in the Southern California counties of Kern, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura. The accepted abstracts were showcased at the 2023 Advances in Pediatrics Virtual Symposium. We would like to recognize each finalist and their abstract in our chapter newsletter. Thank you to everyone who participated in this year's research awards.

Anti-CASPR2 Antibody Autoimmune Encephalitis in a 2-year-old Female with Elevated Mercury Levels and COVID-19

Sahar Panjwani, MD; Richard Kizzee, MD; Taylor Shannon, MD; Kelli Kaneta, MD (CHLA)

We present a case of a 2-year-old female with elevated serum mercury levels and acute COVID-19 who was admitted to our hospital with worsening chills, insomnia, full body rash (Fig 1), hand and foot swelling.. Read more

Reach Out and Read Expanding Collaboration and Common Causes!

By Delesa Barnes

Reach Out and Read Inland Empire Program Coordinator

Reach Out and Read Inland Empire (RORIE) advocates are no strangers to our mission to amplify early childhood literacy education and all of the benefits for families and caregivers that come along with intentionally engaging in reading with children starting at birth. Our latest efforts ... Read more.

Guidance on Protection from Seasonal Respiratory Viruses (October Update)  

Public health expects to see high levels of circulating respiratory viruses this fall and winter, including influenza, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Vaccines are the best protection for seasonal viruses. Providers have shared questions regarding vaccine cost and reimbursement, and we have tried to provide additional information below to address these questions.

Click Here for the October Update

Gary Anderson, MD, FAAP - Long Beach

Jackyln Chan, MD, FAAP - West Covina

Daniel Cho, MD, FAAP - Irvine

Julie DiMundo, DO, FAAP - La Canada

Nefretiti Garrison-North, MD, FAAP - Murrieta

George Segura, MD, FAAP - Los Angeles

Shigeo Sumida, MD, FAAP - Apple Valley

Stephen Treiman, MD, FAAP - Arcadia

District IX (The four AAP chapters in the sate of California) is seeking a pediatrician to hold the position of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Champion for the term 2024 - 2028. The application process is open now and will close on November 9 at 10 PM. The term for this position will begin January 1, 2024.

Please see the EDI Champion Role Description. Email us at [email protected] or call (818)422-9877 if you are interested.

Equity and Practice Transformation (EPT) Provider Directed Payment Program 

The California Medical Association (CMA) has been working closely with DHCS to assist independent practices to apply for the following programs:

EPT Grant

• Funds available for independent practices and community clinics to upgrade technology and upskilling staff to provide patience centered care and be successful in value based care contracts
• Deadline for application is 10/23/2023
• Funding maximums will be based on Medi-Cal lives and will be paid over 5 years; milestone completion required for payment
• More info and resources: https://www.cmadocs.org/newsroom/news/view/ArticleId/50263/DHCS-webinar-to-launch-the-Equity-and-Practice-Transformation-Provider-Directed-Payment-Program
• Contact us today at [email protected]

Data Sharing Agreement Grant

DSA Grant

• Funds available for installing/upgrading tech and staff training supporting data sharing agreement compliance and/or expansion of data exchange e.g. lab connections
• Round 3 opens October 16.
• Up to $50K for individual practices
• There is still about $40M of funding available
• More resources found on CMA DxF microsite

https://www.cmadocs.org/digital-health/dxf

• Contact us today at [email protected]

For more information, contact Jeff Nguyen, Sr. Director of Physician Services at CMA

(310) 773-5105   |   [email protected]   |   cmadocs.org

New Registry Requirement to Submit Immunization and TB Data 

AB 1797, a new California bill effective January 1, 2023, requires providers to enter immunizations and TB tests they administer, as well as a patient’s race and ethnicity, into a California immunization registry (CAIR OR RIDE/Healthy Futures).

This reporting requirement includes newly recommended immunizations, such as

• Nirsevimab to prevent severe RSV disease for infants and toddlers  

Many of your questions can be answered by visiting the AB 1797 Immunization Registry FAQs page.

Not Yet Enrolled? Enroll Now!

LACDPH 2023 Flu, RSV, & COVID Vaccine Updates Sessions 

You are invited to join our upcoming vaccine update sessions. 1.0 CEU credit will be provided. Trainings will be virtual using Microsoft Teams. 

Registration is required: 

• October 20, 2023, 1 PM Register 
• October 27, 2023, 1 PM Register

Join Dr. Ken Saul for another educational town hall, October 25th @ the Maggiano's in Woodland Hills. This event will include a discussion on the top issues effecting practicing Pediatricians today, including hot topics in Dermatology, Ophthalmology, ENT, and more! The featured speaker will be Dr. Jerome Sigua, a Senior Medical Science Liaison with US Medical Affairs.

Download Flier

Meeting Time: October 25th @ 6:30PM

Location: Maggiano’s - 6100 Topanga Canyon Blvd, Woodland Hills

CHLA DIVISION OF HOSPITAL MEDICINE

4th Annual Updates in Hospital Pediatrics (UHP)

In-Person Conference



November 10, 2023

8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

November 11, 2023

8:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Visit the Event Page

Click to view Flier

LAC DPH-AAP Pediatric Information Session 

Tuesday, November 7th at 12:00 pm.

In addition to a situation update on seasonal viruses, special guest presenter Dr. G. Kaliah Salas, PsyD, Mental Health Clinical Program Manager at Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (LACDMH), will be sharing a free screening tool available to primary care providers and presenting on the referral process for LACDMH. 1.0 CEU credit will be provided.  

Click here to register for the session 

Provention Bio invites you to attend a Webcast program titled TZIELD^TM: Potential to Delay Stage 3 T1D. This event will take place on November 16th @ 12:15PM! This event will give attendees more information about the drug TZIELD^TM. Learn more below!

Download Flier

Click To RSVP

Join us for an upcoming webinar with Dr. Thomas Demaria, a clinical psychologist who has worked in hospital, corporate and academic settings during his thirty-five-year career. Dr. Demaria will be presenting on "Moving Away from the Precipice through Enhanced Professional and Personal Wellness."

Learning Objectives:

1. Evaluate factors associated with professional burnout and fatigue

2. Identify the direct and indirect impacts of stress on patient care and practice management

3. Develop new professional and personal wellness strategies which enhance growth and satisfaction.

Download Flier

Click To RSVP

Please visit our website: aapca2.org

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

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