2025 September Edition

This was not a voluntary decision; it was made in response to political pressures and the threat of jeopardizing funding to residency programs. In a world where we know representation matters and culturally concordant care improves outcomes, this step backward in medical education is deeply troubling and disheartening.

As a residency program director, I am reminded daily why this work matters. It is a privilege to witness trainees grow into confident, skilled physicians — navigating both high points and challenges along the way. Being part of their journey reinforces the importance of finding our “why” in the midst of busy schedules and constant demands. That sense of purpose not only sustains momentum but also helps protect us from burnout. As does our involvement in the AAP. Thank you for being here.

This month's newsletter brings exciting highlights! Check out the new pediatric hair study offering fresh insight into child health, and don’t miss our EDI Corner with practical tips to make equity and inclusion part of everyday care. We’re also featuring an eye-opening wildfire article that connects directly to the upcoming Pediatric Health in a Burning Planet conference. The Sanofi-hosted in-person diabetes lectures start next month — be sure to register! 

And with the AAP National Conference (NCE) right around the corner, we can’t wait to see you. Please join us at the District Networking Event just before the President’s Welcome Reception to meet leadership from all four California Chapters and District. Stop by our table and say hello!

I’d also like to extend a warm welcome to our new chapter members! We invite you to get involved — whether by joining one of our chapter committees or reaching out to Tomas or me to explore where your passion and voice can make the greatest impact within Chapter 2. You can learn more about our committees and access other resources by visiting our website. And as always, we encourage you to share your thoughts, questions, or ideas through our Member Input Form, which helps guide discussion at future board meetings.

Your support and engagement are what make the work of this chapter possible—thank you for being part of it.

Melissa Ruiz, MD, MPH, FAAP

Wellness influencers and anti-vaccine advocates falsely assert that receiving the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is as dangerous as contracting measles itself.

Extensive research demonstrates that the MMR vaccine is safe and significantly reduces the risk of contracting measles, a disease that can lead to severe complications and death. Learn More Here!

The American Academy of Pediatrics Releases Its Own Evidence-Based Immunization Schedule

Schedule includes updated AAP recommendations for vaccines for fall respiratory viruses

ITASCA, IL— As respiratory virus season approaches, the American Academy of Pediatrics has published an evidence-based immunization schedule that includes updated guidance for influenza, RSV, and COVID-19 immunizations for children and adolescents from birth to age 18. Read more

Wildfire at the Urban Interface:

Protecting Children's Health in an Era of Growing Firestorms

Sarah Ann Keil Heinonen, DNP, APRN, CPNP-AC/PC; Beth A. Smith, PT, DPT, PhD; Derek Corpus, MBBS; Christopher Landon, MD

Over the past decade, California has endured some of the most devastating wildfire seasons in its recorded history. The destruction is measured not only in acres burned and homes destroyed, but also in the invisible toll of smoke inhalation, displacement, and toxic exposure — effects of which weigh heavily on children. Read more...

This educational survey aims to assess pediatric general practitioners’ (GPs) knowledge of Black hair health and their ability to recognize traction alopecia and central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA) in Black pediatric populations. Your responses will contribute to valuable research that seeks to improve education and awareness in this area.

Before beginning, you'll be asked to review and agree to a brief consent form. After providing consent, you'll answer a few short screening questions to confirm your eligibility. If eligible, you'll then continue to the main survey, which will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. You can access the survey flyer here.

If you have any questions about this study, please email us here.

Have you listened to the latest episode of the California Pediatrics Podcast?

Streaming on Amazon Music/Audible, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Spotify and YouTube...

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.

Episode 4 - Medical-Legal Partnerships in Pediatric Residency

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.

EDI Corner - Dismantling Biases Within Pediatrics

By Jeanne Delgado, MD, FAAP

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Champion

School is officially back in session for our patients. For pediatricians, this may mean increased clinic visits to complete school forms or increased urgent and emergency care visits for illnesses as children start to gather again.

No matter what the healthcare environment, it’s important to make sure the space where children and guardians receive care feel open, safe, and trustworthy. Today’s newsletter will examine the biases within healthcare systems that can lead to worse outcomes for communities and how to ensure your work environment and practices are without any biases. Read More.

The Member Spotlight is written to highlight our chapter membership. Chapter members can submit personal narratives about themselves with a focus on how they maintain their physician wellness in the face of everyday struggles and challenges. Authors may also choose to highlight a practice, volunteer activities, QI projects, etc. The purpose of the spotlight series is to encourage and foster unity and support within the chapter.

Please complete THIS FORM to be considered for a future Member Spotlight in the AAP-CA2 Newsletter!

Filling Your Cup

“An Attitude of Gratitude “

By Nirupama Madduri, M.D

In a world where we are confronted by long work days, clinic notes, inbox messages following us, and never-ending family obligations, it may be difficult to see a glimmer of light at the end of a long, dark tunnel. Like every aspect of mindfulness, having a practice of gratitude is essential. Gratitude is essentially a practice of finding the positive aspects of our lives. Read More.

AAP-CA2 Legislative Contacts Form

As part of our AAP-CA2 Advocacy Committee, we're calling for members interested in advocacy to consider serving as legislative key contacts for the chapter with their local elected officials!

As the state level legislative season progresses, there will be opportunities to contact state senators and assembly members when bills come up for consideration in committees or on the floor. We need to develop a core group of members who are ready to call or email their legislators when opportunities arise, and accompany pediatric residents on their annual local legislative visits. 

If you would be interested becoming a key contact, please fill out the form below with the requested information! Thanks again for your support of the chapter's advocacy efforts. 

Legislative Contacts Form

The latest in pediatric medicine.

High yield. High entertainment.

AAP-CA2 members may now Subscribe to PedsRAP with a 15% Discount.

Be sure to use the link by clicking the button below in order to have the discount applied at checkout:

We'll Come To Your School or Hospital

Dear Medical Schools and Pediatric Residency Programs in AAP California Chapter 2, 

Are you interested in learning more about local advocacy efforts? Do you want to hear more about getting involved in AAP California Chapter 2? If yes, then please consider inviting our chapter leadership to your local pediatric interest group meeting, pediatric residency noon conference, or any other gathering. Our chapter leadership wants to connect with the trainees in the area so reach out to chapter2@aapca2.org to schedule an event at your medical school / residency program! 

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.

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 checkout 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

September 19 - 22 - Society for Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Annual Meeting

Come to the Society for Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Annual Meeting, in San Diego, for an incredible educational experience! Many presentations are of strong relevance to primary care pediatrics, including sessions on parenting support, behavior management, genetics for non-geneticists, and misinformation in social media. Pre-meeting symposia (separate registration) run on Sept 19 & 20 (Friday & Saturday), and the main meeting from Sept 20 - 22 (Saturday - Monday). 

More detailed program and registration information can be found at https://sdbp.org/annual-meeting/.

September 26 - 30 - AAP National Conference

The AAP National Conference is right around the corner. If you are attending, we are excited to see you there! Please join us during the District Networking Event immediately prior to the President’s Welcome Reception. Meet leadership from all four California Chapters and District. Please visit our table!

When: Friday, September 26, 5:30-6:30pm (MDT)

Where: Colorado Convention Center, Meeting Room Level, Room 301/302

October - "Let’s Talk About Diabetes" Dinner Lecture Series - Registration Open

Next month, Sanofi will be presenting a lecture series entitled "Let's Talk About Diabetes", featuring Swati Elchuri, MD. Please note the Ventura and Santa Barbara engagements have been removed and are being reorganized for another date.

A rundown of the events and registration links are below!

Long Beach – Tuesday, October 14

Topic: Let’s Talk About Diabetes

Speaker: Swati Elchuri, MD

Location: Ruth Chris Steak House | 6:30

Register Here

El Segundo – Tuesday, October 21

Topic: Let’s Talk About Diabetes

Speaker: Swati Elchuri, MD

Location: Fleming’s | 6:30 PM

Register Here

For more information, email Heather.Wilhite@sanofi.com or Franchesca.Quevedo@sanofi.com.

October 13 - 14 - Pediatric Emergencies in the Community: Interprofessional Simulation Workshop 

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles invites you to join Pediatric Emergencies in the Community: Interprofessional Simulation Workshop, October 13–14, 2025, at the CHLA Las Madrinas Simulation Center.

This CME/CE-accredited, two-day course offers high-fidelity pediatric emergency simulation, procedural training, and interprofessional team practice. You can learn more by downloading the official event flyer. Registration can be accessed through the button below.

October 24 - 6th Annual Updates in Hospital Pediatrics

6th Annual Updates in Hospital Pediatrics

In-Person Conference

October 24, 2025

8:00 AM – 5:30 PM

This one-day event held at CHLA will feature experts in the field of PHM presenting an instructive and interactive program aimed at increasing knowledge and skills related to the practice of inpatient pediatrics. Presenters will provide a well-rounded, accessible program that includes lectures, case-based learning and live Q&A. A networking reception will follow the talks on October 24th at 5:30pm.

• Register Here
• Download Event Flyer
• Submit Abstracts (Deadline September 8th)

For additional information, contact mmclane@chla.usc.edu or mtrost@chla.usc.edu.

October 29 - Town Hall With Dr. Ken Saul

Don't miss the next AAP-CA2 Town Hall with Dr. Ken Saul. Details are below, make sure to save the date!

Event Date: 10/29/25 @ 6:30PM
Location: Hilton Woodland Hills, Ballroom (6360 Canoga Ave. Woodland Hills, CA 91367)

Topic: New Options to Prevent RSV
Speaker: TBA

To RSVP, email Kenneth Saul, MD at docksaul@aol.com, or call 805-494-1948.

November 14 - 16 - AAP-CA's 46th Annual Las Vegas Seminars

46th Annual Las Vegas Seminars

Date: November 14 – 16, 2025

Caesars Palace Hotel, Las Vegas

Up to 16 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™ Available

We personally invite you to attend this year’s Annual Las Vegas Seminars at the beautiful Caesars Palace Las Vegas! This meeting is the largest regional Pediatric Conference in the country, thanks to the continued support and participation of individuals like you. The usual attendance at our conference is between 500-600 practitioners representing Pediatricians, Family Practitioners and Allied Health Professionals from all parts of the United States and some foreign countries. You can access the official brochure here.

We’re excited for your return to the comradery of combining in-person interactions with friends, colleagues, and faculty with continuing medical education, and we are excited to welcome you back!

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.

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Please visit our website: aapca2.org

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

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