2026 October Edition

President's Message

Children cannot vote for themselves, but they will live with the consequences of the choices adults make today. That is why every pediatrician, health professional, parent, and adult who cares about the next generation should take this election seriously. Read More...

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We will soon begin the important work of revising our Strategic Plan, and we need to hear from you! Your feedback will guide us in improving Chapter resources and services to better serve your needs. Ten winners will each receive a $25 Amazon gift card.

Thank you for taking the time to complete the survey!



Mitchell R. Goldstein, MD, MBA, CML, FAAP - President

Kamaal A. Jones, MD, FAAP - Vice President

The deadline to complete this survey is Sunday, November 1, 2026, at 10 PM.

Name: Varsha Mona Puri (goes by Mona)

Practice location: CHLA General Pediatrics Division

Number of years in practice: 20 Years

I grew up in the bay area. Undergrad and medical school took me to Chicago for ten years. I went to University of Chicago for undergrad and Chicago Osteopathic school for medical school. But what shaped me was my two years off in between.

I worked as a Domestic Violence Supervisor at Apna Ghar (a South Asian Women DV shelter on the north side of Chicago) and traveled to rural Gujarat, India to work at Gram Seva Hospital where they branched out to local villages populated by landless laborers. They went into the community to provide early education, nutrition programs and monthly medical screenings. I really got to understand the concepts behind grassroots interventions and the power of prevention. Those experiences shaped my perspectives as I started my journey into medicine. 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!

I-PASS Simulated Handoff Curriculum for Second Year Medical Students

Joy-Marie Sharp, DO


We developed an I-PASS (Illness severity, patient summary, action list, situational awareness & contingency planning, synthesis by receiver) simulated curriculum for medical students at the end of their second year and implemented it in July 2025.

Read More...

Implementing the Pediatric Approach to Trauma, Treatment and Resilience (PATTeR) Program for Medical Students (Work in Progress)

Sofia Santos, BA

Trauma refers to an individual’s experience of harmful or life-threatening events that result in lasting adverse effects on their mental, physical, emotional, social, or spiritual well-being. Read More...

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

Please join Dr. Ariane Marie-Mitchell and colleagues in a conversation about assessing adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in pediatric practice, nurturing relational health in families, and coordinating care to promote healthy child development and prevent mental health problems. Our starting point will be to understand current AAP recommendations, and our goal will be to identify best practices that effectively improve child outcomes for our communities.

The 2026 California legislative session came to a close on August 31. During this webinar, climate advocates and Sacramento insiders will join us to explore which proposed climate policies did (and didn’t) become law and why. We will discuss the future impact of bills signed into law — including SB 913, SB 905, and SB 868 — as well as opportunities to continue working on vetoed bills, such as AB 1813.



Speakers will cover several key themes that emerged this session, including how to provide clean and affordable electricity, addressing Big Oil’s influence in the legislative process, the fate of climate investments through the Cap and Invest program, and how Governor Newsom’s potential 2028 presidential run is shaping policy outcomes during his final year in office. After presentations, there will be time for Q&A. Read More...

A Pediatrician’s Prescription for the Future: Vote for Climate Health

By Trisha Roth, MD, FAAP

For more than 55 years, I have called the Southern California coast home. As a pediatrician, mother of four, and grandmother to eleven, I have spent countless hours outdoors watching my children and grandchildren play sports and enjoying my own daily four-mile walks along the coastline. Read More...

On October 15th, the AAP-CA2 hosted a webinar presented by Clarity Pediatrics, entitled: Closing the Chronic Care Gap for Children with ADHD, Anxiety & Obesity.

This event featured a presentation by Alejandro Larrazabal, MD, FAAP, Co-founder and Chief Medical Officer of Clarity Pediatrics, where he is building a new model of care for children with chronic conditions. 

Thank you to all who attended. A full recording of the presentation can be viewed through the link below, or on the Chapter's official YouTube page. The presentation itself is also available and linked here.

Filling Your Cup

"When You Need Help With Pouring"

By Nirupama Madduri, MD, FAAP



We, as humans who are goal-driven, are hard-wired to do everything perfectly, before everyone, and better than everyone. We expect to be the best doctors, best parents, best home chefs, best researchers, and so on. In our offices, we take the utmost care to address every request in our inboxes, even if we could delegate to our staff. Burnout can be the consequence of trying to do everything ourselves. It feels like drowning in a turbulent ocean with no life jacket. Read More...

Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) operates an FASD Clinic through Project Heal, a trauma psychology program. They utilize the University of Washington 4 Digit Diagnostic Model to make diagnoses and provide relevant, strength-based feedback and recommendations to families. The clinic is interdisciplinary and includes physicians, psychologists, occupational therapists, and speech and language services, as needed. They are able to provide referrals to local resources or relevant internal specialty medical and behavioral health services. 

For questions, consultation, or referrals, please contact the CHLA FASD Clinic co-directors: Micah Orliss morliss@chla.usc.edu or Rosa Hernandez rmhernandez@chla.usc.edu.

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

CA DOJ Briefing Reviews Updated Immigration Enforcement Guidance for Health Care Facilities - (October 12, 2026)

The California Department of Justice (DOJ) has made a recent briefing on protecting patient privacy and responding to immigration enforcement at health care facilities available on demand.

DOJ has updated its guidance and model policies under SB 54, the California Values Act enacted in 2017, to address changes in federal immigration enforcement practices and additional requirements under SB 81 and SB 580. The materials provide model policies that health care facilities can implement to protect patient privacy and limit assistance with immigration enforcement to the fullest extent permitted by law. The guidance is not legal advice and is based on the laws in effect on July 1, 2026.

Health care facilities operated by state or local agencies must implement the updated model policies or equivalent policies by Jan. 1, 2027. Other California health care facilities are encouraged to adopt them as well.

The presentation and accompanying guide cover practical steps for facilities, including:

• Protecting patient information: Reviewing how sensitive information is collected, stored and shared and informing patients about their privacy rights.
• Responding to enforcement requests: Directing requests for patient information or facility access to designated administrators or legal counsel and documenting interactions with immigration authorities.
• Restricting access to nonpublic areas: Clearly identifying areas where patients receive care or discuss protected health information and establishing procedures for evaluating requests to enter.
• Caring for patients in civil immigration custody: Addressing officer presence during treatment, patient privacy, restraints, discharge planning and continuity of care.
  

The materials explain the distinction between administrative immigration documents and judicial warrants or court orders. They also address exceptions that permit officers to accompany patients in their custody for medical care and explain that this authority does not authorize additional immigration enforcement activity within nonpublic areas.

The updated guidance also includes a new frequently asked questions section addressing common concerns, including immigration authorities’ access to facilities, officers’ presence during treatment and continuity of care for patients discharged into immigration custody.

Physicians and facility leaders should review the materials with their legal counsel to assess applicable requirements, update policies and train staff on how to respond.

Watch the on-demand briefing, download the presentation slides and review the updated guidance and model policies.

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 latest 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.

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.

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."

In the newest episode, Dr. Jones sits down with Ayana Bradshaw, President and CEO of Access Matters, a Pennsylvania nonprofit which had $1.2 Million in teen pregnancy prevention grant funding suddenly cut by the Trump Administration. 

You can click on the video below or the button below to go 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:

The Lactation Education Pathway 2 (LEP2) Certificate prepares students to become trained lactation professionals who support breastfeeding and infant feeding across diverse communities. The program combines classroom instruction with supervised clinical training and prepares graduates to become eligible for the International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) examination, the global standard for lactation professionals.

Students complete didactic coursework and supervised clinical training focused on maternal and infant health, breastfeeding support, and equitable care.

The program is in need of additional IBCLC preceptors and clinical sites for students. They have a total of 3 students for this cohort that need placement. Preceptors must be IBCLC in good standing and the process involves students working alongside the preceptor during clinical hours to observe, actively engage, and practice lactation consultations under IBCLC supervision.

If you know an IBCLC who may be interested in supporting our students, please feel free to contact Asaiah via email at Asaiahharville1@cdrewu.edu.

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.

We were delighted to see so many of you in San Diego earlier this month during the AAP National Conference and Exhibition. The District IX reception gathered over 100 colleagues representing California, and the conference kicked off with our chapter and District leaders on the main stage during the opening plenary. Next year... Chicago!

For a full recap of this year's NCE, click here.

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.

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.

Don't miss the next AAP-CA2 Town Hall with Ken Saul, MD. This in-person event will take place on October 21. Make sure you RSVP!

Speaker: Sunny Ren, MS

Topic: What’s New With Genetic Testing?

Event Date: 10/21/26 @ 6:30PM

Location: Morton's The Steakhouse (6250 Canoga Avenue, Ste. 111 Woodland Hills, CA 91367)

RSVP via email to docksaul@aol.com or call: (805)-494-1948. You can download the official town hall flyer by clicking on the image below. We hope to see you at this exciting and informative event!

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 the California Child & Adolescent Mental Health Access Portal (Cal-MAP) for a FREE, full-day, in-person training designed to strengthen primary care providers’ skills in addressing pediatric mental health needs. Earn free CME/CE credit while gaining practical strategies for identifying and managing conditions such as anxiety, autism, depression, ADHD, substance use disorder, and more. More details and registration coming soon!

• Date: January 29, 2027
• Location: University of California, Riverside | Palm Desert Center 75080 Frank Sinatra Drive | Palm Desert, CA 92211
• Download Event Flyer

Returning to the Garland for 2027, next year’s Symposium will take place on March 13th. Make sure to save the date!

Conference Theme

“Caring for Children with Medical Complexities”

Caring for Cancer Survivors - Saro Armenian, MD


Life After the NICU - Mitchell Goldstein, MD, MBA, CML, FAAP


Caring for Transgender and Gender Diverse Patients in Pediatric Settings - Paula Whiteman, MD, FACEP, FAAP

More Than ADHD - Larry Yin, MD, FAAP

Diagnosing and treating mood disorders, severe anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive traits in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or profound intellectual disabilities.

Complex Care Management - What’s Working and What’s Not  

A conversation With the Parent of a Medically Complex Child - PedsRAP on Stage, with host Solomon Behar, MD, FAAP

And more!

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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