2026 September Edition

President's Message
A Call To Action

That short window makes it particularly important that physicians, nurses, public-health professionals, researchers, professional organizations, and others who care about evidence-based pediatric care understand what is being proposed and consider making their voices heard. Public input is an important component of democratic government and sound public health policy. However, public input is meaningful only when there is a genuine commitment to allowing that input to influence the outcome. Read More...

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Name: Gabrielle Pina, M.D.

Practice location: Loma Linda University Children’s Health

Number of years in practice: 9 Years

I am a proud product of the Inland Empire, born and raised in Moreno Valley, California. I attended Baylor University in Waco, Texas, before earning my medical degree from Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine.

I am deeply passionate about advocacy, diversity, equity, and inclusion—particularly creating pathway and mentorship programs for students who may not otherwise envision themselves in medicine. As someone who personally benefited from these opportunities, I understand how transformative it can be when someone opens a door, offers encouragement, and helps you recognize what is possible. 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!

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!

Impact of a Plan of Safe Care Navigator Program on Neonatal-Maternal Separation and Foster Care Placement Among Infants With Prenatal Substance Exposure

Simrina Desar, MD



Pregnant individuals with substance use disorders experience high levels of surveillance by healthcare systems and child welfare agencies, often leading to neonatal-maternal separation. By age 1 year, 75% of infants with prenatal substance exposure have at least one child protective services report, 34% have a substantiation, and 20% experience out-of-home placement. Read More.

Early Phototherapy Exposure and the Development of Atopic Dermatitis in Children

Ayah Samara, BS

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder that affects up to 20% of children. While phototherapy has been studied as an effective treatment option for those with an inadequate response to conventional management, this study investigates the association between phototherapy exposure... 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

AAP-CA2 executive director Tomás Torices met with pediatric residents and medical students at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in August during their noon meeting, with simultaneous broadcast to other UCLA sites via Zoom. These in-person events are great opportunities for chapter leadership to convey current advocacy efforts, while meeting with residents who are passionate about advocating for children and the practice of medicine. We would like to thank Laelle Peterson, MD and Emma Burdekin, MD, FAAP for their leadership in pediatric advocacy.

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!

Filling Your Cup

"A Small Escape"

By Nirupama Madduri, MD, FAAP



Our lives can be the repetitive wheel of wake up, work, work, sleep, maybe eat.  Sometimes, if we are lucky, we can even exercise or watch television.  Living in Los Angeles can be very loud, with little quiet surprises.  When I have a chance, I make a little trip to the Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF) Lake Shrine, in Pacific Palisades. 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.

News Article

CMA-Sponsored Bill to Address Rise in E-bike Injuries Heads to Governor’s Desk - (August 19, 2026)

Sacramento, CA—Sacramento, CA—The California state legislature has passed Assembly Bill 2346, a critical piece of legislation sponsored by the California Medical Association (CMA) aimed at modernizing e-bike safety laws and protecting children. The bill, authored by Assemblymembers Lori Wilson and Marc Berman, advanced out of the state legislature today and now heads to the Governor's desk for a final signature.

As electric bicycles have surged in popularity across California, physicians have witnessed an alarming increase in e-bike-related injuries, particularly among youth. AB 2346 addresses this growing public health concern by implementing common-sense safety regulations designed to keep young riders safe on the road.

“Physicians across California are seeing firsthand the devastating impact of e-bike accidents on our youth,” said CMA President René Bravo, M.D. “By establishing clear, modern safety standards, AB 2346 allows us to better protect our children from preventable, often life-changing injuries. We urge the Governor to sign this vital legislation into law to ensure that increasing use and popularity of e-bikes does not come at the cost of a children’s health and safety.”

AB 2346 adopts many of the policies recommended in a state-mandated study by San Jose State University’s Mineta Transportation Institute. If enacted, the bill would do the following:

• Grant local authorities more flexibility for setting e-bike speed limits on bike paths and trails.
• Impose a statewide speed limit of 10 mph on sidewalks.
• Require e-bike distributors and retailers to provide consumers with education materials on California e-bike laws and consumer advisories, including a recommendation that riders aged 15 and younger should not ride at a speed greater than 15 miles per hour.
• Beginning in 2029, require all e-bikes sold in California to have an integrated or detachable light and all class 2 e-bikes to be equipped with speedometers.

AB 2346 won broad, bipartisan support in the legislature, passing 39-0 with one abstention in the Senate and 77-0 with three abstentions in the Assembly. CMA sponsored AB 2346 in response to member physicians’ concerns about the frequency and severity of e-bike injuries in emergency departments, trauma centers and children’s hospitals. 

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.

Be sure to register for the upcoming conference, details in the upcoming events section below.

The AAP partnered with the FrameWorks Institute to develop 5 evidence-based recommendations to help physicians, advocates, and others effectively build understanding of and support for child and adolescent vaccinations.

The framing recommendations are designed to be used flexibly and can be adapted for different audiences, speakers, and messages. The recommendations include:

1. Talk about the benefits of vaccination for the wider community.
2. Talk about improving vaccination access as a preventive public health measure.
3. Talk more about the long-term child wellbeing that vaccines promote.
4. Use a computer updates metaphor to explain how the immune system improves its performance through vaccination.
5. Use a literacy metaphor to explain how the immune system learns how to respond to viruses through vaccination.

The full report is available to download, as well as a FrameWorks Quick Start Guide to Reframing Childhood Immunizations, which offers strategies for using talking points, sample letters to the editor, and social media messaging to reframe the conversation and communicate effectively about vaccinations.

Have you listened to the newest episode of the California Pediatrics Podcast? In Episode 14 of California Pediatrics, hosts Yasmine Choroomi, MD, FAAP and Elizabeth Volpicelli, MD, FAAP present the winners of the California Cares Food Drive competition, and have a conversation on food insecurity in pediatrics with special guest Aashna Patel, MPH, MD.

This podcast series is funded by a Healthy People 2030 grant from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). A collaborative effort of the four AAP chapters in California (AAP-District IX). Produced by Tomás Torices, MD.

Visit our page for direct links.


This is the Video version (Apple Podcasts and YouTube). Audio only is available on all podcast platforms.

Addressing Food Insecurity in Pediatrics (Ep. 14)

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.

Medi-Cal is Broken. But We Can Fix It

By Robert Vinetz, MD, FAAP (Lead co-author of AAP Leadership Conference Resolution #16)

Medi-Cal (like virtually all Medicaid programs) is broken…wasteful…even harmful in some ways. As pediatricians, we know that because we feel it in our practices every day. It’s this way because insurance companies, financial middlemen, are literally siphoning the lifeblood and the spirit of caring out of our system of health care. They’re doing it by systematically putting their profit before patient care. But it doesn’t have to be that way. We can fix Medi-Cal. Read More.

Legislative Session Achievements Review

AAP-CA took positions on 57 bills, with 56 supported bills passing the legislature and 44 reaching the governor's desk, resulting in an 80% success rate. Three Tier 1 bills are currently at the governor's desk: Read more...

Make a Plan to Vote Kids This Fall Campaign season is now in full swing across the country—so now is the time for pediatricians and child health advocates to make a concrete plan to vote, and encourage families, caregivers, and voting-age youth to do the same.

In a new AAP Voices post, "Know the stakes. Know your plan. Get Out the Vote.", the chairs of the AAP Committee on State Government Affairs (COSGA) and the Committee on Federal Government Affairs (COFGA) highlight 3 important priorities for this election season: understand the stakes for child health, make a voting plan, and encourage others to get out the vote.

Midterm elections are especially important because offices at every level of government are on the ballot—including all 435 seats in the US House of Representatives, 35 seats in the US Senate, 36 gubernatorial races, more than 6,100 state legislative seats, and numerous state executive/constitutional and state supreme court seats. AAP advocates are encouraged to use Election 2026: Vote Kids resources to check voter registration deadlines and voting options in their states, share nonpartisan messages with colleagues, families, and communities, and remind eligible voters that elections outcomes shape the policies affecting children’s health and well-being. As fall advocacy conversations and election activity accelerate, Vote Kids offers timely way to keep children’s needs front and center at the ballot box. Please reach out to the AAP State Advocacy team with any questions.

What's Happening: The White House recently issued an Executive

Order (EO) declaring the US Department of Health and Human Services

(HHS) should adopt a significantly altered childhood vaccine schedule. In

response to the EO, HHS recently issued a request for information (RFI)

seeking public comment on whether categories currently used in federal

vaccine recommendations are adequate and what considerations should

be relied upon in setting vaccine recommendations.

Why It Matters: AAP is concerned that the RFI may be used to support unscientific changes to the US federal vaccine infrastructure that will have lasting consequences for children and for pediatrics.

Take Action: HHS is accepting public comments through Sunday, September 20, 2026. Review the background information (AAP login required) from the AAP, as well as information on how to add your voice to the public comments.

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."

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:

On Monday, August 17, 2026, the CDC released a report showing declining vaccination rates among kindergarteners in the US. In response, AAP President Andrew D. Racine, MD, PhD, FAAP, issued a statement, writing that, "What today’s data show is that over 92 percent of kindergarteners in the United States are vaccinated. When it comes to vaccination rates, however, anything less than achieving an A+ grade is not good enough." AAP News also published an article emphasizing the decline in kindergarten measles vaccination rates last school year as measles cases surged. Access the talking points document that addresses common concerns regarding the decline in kindergarten vaccination rates.

Vaccine Related Resources

Communicating About Vaccines

The AAP partnered with the FrameWorks Institute to develop 5 evidence-based recommendations to help physicians, advocates, and others effectively build understanding of and support for child and adolescent vaccinations.

Immunization Fact Sheets for Families

The new Immunization Facts for Families resources are designed to help clinicians facilitate immunization conversations. The influenza fact sheet is now available to download. New fact sheets will be available soon.

Vaccine Confidence Campaign

Each toolkit within the Vaccine Confidence Campaign contains a set of key messages, social media graphics and copy, and related resources to share.

How to Spot Misleading Health Claims

This parent handout, developed by AAP in partnership with the Center for Unbiased Science and Health, is a simple resource to help families navigate today's flood of online health information.

Neonatology Today is the only peer reviewed monthly journal that is available free to Neonatologists, Perinatologists, Neonatal Nurses, Neonatal Respiratory Care Specialists, Parents and anyone interested in the Neonatal Perinatal space.

The mission of Neonatology Today is to provide peer reviewed publications, timely news, and information to Neonatologists and Perinatologists as well as other members of the neonatal/perinatal community regarding the care of newborns and the diagnosis and treatment of premature and/or sick infants.

Fun Fact: Did you know? AAP-CA2 President Dr. Mitchell Goldstein is the Editor in Chief for Neonatology Today.

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.

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.

September is FASD Awareness Month! By Danielle Shaw, MD

September has been designated as FASD Awareness Month. September 9th is International FASD Awareness Day representing the 9 months of gestation. What are fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) and why are they important? Read More...

Last week, Meta agreed to a landmark settlement with 47 states and territories requiring they pay up to $17.1 billion in penalties and make major platform changes over claims it endangered children with addictive social media platforms. Many of these proposed changes match what teens told us they want if they could design their ideal platform, including feeds that prioritize connection over engagement, tools to block and report harmful content and unwanted contact, and settings that encourage breaks and balanced used. Of course, how they are ultimately implemented will be critical." 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.

On September 23rd and 30th, you have a chance to attend two virtual events hosted as part of the AAP-CA3 San Diego Pediatric School Health Conference! 5.5 CME and MOC Part 2 is available upon completion of the event. These CME accredited events will cover:


• Psychogenic Seizures
• GI Issues
• Justice Involved Youth
• Measles & Immunizations Update
• Restrictive Eating & GLP1s
• Staff Wellness/Green Spaces Social Determinants of Health
• Tijuana River Pollution Effects on School Kids

Download the event flyer here, and register below. You can also access the agenda's for night 1 & 2 here.

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.

Don’t miss this Clarity Pediatrics webinar covering the connection between mental health and obesity.

ADHD, anxiety, and overweight/obesity are increasingly part of everyday pediatric practice. But recognizing the problem is often the easy part. What do you do next when you have limited time and access to evidence-based treatment is hard to access? Clarity Pediatrics will translate current AAP and AACAP guidance into practical strategies you can use in your next patient visit.

We’ll cover how to spot less obvious signs of ADHD and anxiety, start sensitive conversations about weight and health, explain treatment options in ways that engage families, and determine when to treat, monitor, or refer. You’ll also get a rapid review of the evidence behind behavioral parent training for ADHD, parent- and teen-focused interventions for anxiety, family-based treatment for overweight and obesity, and the role of medication across all three conditions. You can register for this event using the button below.

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.

Join AAP-OC and Clarity Pediatrics for a webinar on Evaluation & Treatment of Children & Adolescents with Obesity. This webinar will take place on November 18th at 6:30pm with Alesandro Larrazabal, MD, FAAP, and will include CME credit. Learning Objectives for the event are below:

1. Describe the epidemiology and multifactorial pathophysiology of pediatric obesity as a chronic disease
2. Apply AAP 2023 BMI classification criteria and identify appropriate screening labs and comorbidities for each tier
3. Counsel families using person-first language and recognize the clinical impact of weight stigma on health outcomes
4. Know the treatment pathways for the BMI classifications
5. Identify FDA-approved pharmacotherapy options for pediatric obesity
6. Determine when to refer for metabolic/bariatric surgery

You can register for this event through the button and link below or by clicking on the flyer.

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 open now!

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

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.

Early Needs Response for Infant and Child Health - Los Angeles County (ENRICH-LAC) helps families access services for early childhood development and early intervention. Family Partners (FPs) in pediatric clinics help parents and caregivers navigate and get healthcare, mental health, behavioral, and educational resources for their children with developmental delays or disabilities or special health care needs.

As part of this program, excellent resources, brochures, and educational materials have been created. You can access all the resources from this program here!

• 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

Please visit our website: aapca2.org

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

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