Harbor-UCLA Pediatrics News

Dr. Patricia Dickson Awarded Sizable Grant to Develop Stem Cell Treatments for Pediatric Neurodegenerative Disorders

Harbor-UCLA Pediatrics — Wed, 30 May 2012 17:49:15 +0000

Patricia Dickson, M.D., Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Medical Genetics, is co-principal investigator of a project that was just awarded a $5.5 million grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM). The aim of the project is to develop a stem cell based therapy for the treatment of children affected with mucopolysaccharidosis I (MPS I), a rare and fatal genetic disorder that causes neurodegeneration as well as defects in other major organ systems. She is working with lead investigator Philip H. Schwartz, Ph.D., senior scientist at the CHOC Children's Research Institute and managing director of the facility's National Human Neural Stem Cell Resource.

Remembering Dr. David L. Rimoin, Renowned Geneticist, 1936-2012

Harbor-UCLA Pediatrics — Tue, 29 May 2012 22:41:00 +0000

With great sadness, the Harbor-UCLA Pediatrics family mourns the sudden and tragic passing of David L. Rimoin, M.D., Ph.D., a former Chief of the Division of Medical Genetics at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. On Sunday, May 27, Dr. Rimoin passed away of pancreatic cancer which had just been diagnosed a few days prior. He was 75. Dr. Rimoin was the director of the Cedars-Sinai Medical Genetics Institute and a pioneer in researching skeletal disorders and abnormalities. He also played a pivotal role in developing mass screenings for Tay-Sachs and other heritable disorders. He will be missed and we honor him for his excellence in medicine and his tremendous kindness as a physician, a colleague, a mentor, and a friend.

Harbor-UCLA Pediatrics Faculty Member Dr. Frans Walther Receives Prestigious Gates Foundation Grant

Harbor-UCLA Pediatrics — Thu, 17 May 2012 20:53:28 +0000

On May 9, Frans Walther, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Medical Genetics, received a $100,000 Grand Challenges Explorations Grant award from The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Dr. Walther was one of 107 researchers to be awarded a new grant. The Grand Challenges Explorations initiative fosters projects that aim to improve the health of people in the developing world through innovative and unconventional ideas. If projects are successful in their first phase of research, they may receive additional funding of up to $1 million.

Harbor-UCLA Pediatrics Faculty Dr. Carol Berkowitz On AAP's "Healthy Children" Talk Show

Harbor-UCLA Pediatrics — Mon, 14 May 2012 23:42:05 +0000

On May 9, faculty member Carol Berkowitz, M.D. was a guest on AAP's "Healthy Children... The Talk Show for Parents." The internet radio show focuses on children's health issues and features top pediatricians and medical experts from around the world.

Dr. Berkowitz was a guest on two shows:
Coping With Perinatal and Postpartum Depression
National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day

Residency Graduation 2012 - "PediProm" - Saturday, June 16

Harbor-UCLA Pediatrics — Mon, 14 May 2012 20:00:04 +0000

The annual Department of Pediatrics Residency Graduation Dinner ("PediProm") will be held on Saturday, June 16, 2012 at the Portofino Hotel & Yacht Club in Redondo Beach.

5:00 p.m Reception (no host) / 5:45 p.m. Dinner & Program

For more details or to RSVP, contact:
Lisa Payne
lpayne@labiomed.org

Dr. Charles S. Grob Featured in New York Times Story: Facing Death With the Help of Hallucinogens

Harbor-UCLA Pediatrics — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:20:52 +0000

On April 20, Harbor-UCLA Pediatrics faculty member Charles S. Grob, M.D., was featured in a five page New York Times Magazine story about the therapeutic use of psilocybin ("Magic Mushrooms") and other hallucinogens to treat various conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, addiction, chronic pain, depression and terminal illness.

The article explains how Dr. Grob conducted his research and takes an in-depth look at the one of his patient's experience using psilocybin to help alleviate her symptoms of anxiety and depression as a result of end-stage cancer.

Faculty Members Named Southern California "Super Doctors" by LA Mag...Again!

Harbor-UCLA Pediatrics — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 18:59:53 +0000

Congratulations to the 14 Harbor-UCLA pediatric faculty members who were named as Southern California "Super Doctors" in the January 2012 issue of Los Angeles Magazine. The feature is a regular yearly survey that the magazine conducts, and Harbor-UCLA Pediatrics consistently shows a strong presence:

Harbor-UCLA Pediatrics Faculty Dr. Ruey Chang Designs Innovative Pulse Oximeter for Infants

Harbor-UCLA Pediatrics — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 23:47:49 +0000

Harbor-UCLA Pediatrics faculty member Ruey-Kang R. Chang, M.D., M.P.H., Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Division Chief of Pediatric Cardiology, has developed a new and improved pulse oximeter to help detect congenital heart disease in newborns. A pulse oximeter is a probe that is attached to the finger or the foot and measures oxygen in the blood. Low oxygen levels indicate the need for further testing to investigate possible heart-related problems.

The challenge with pulse oximeters currently in use lies in getting an infant to sit still long enough to properly attach the probe. Dr. Chang addressed this problem by designing a boot that can easily be slipped on. He says “Properly attaching the probe to an infant’s hand or foot takes a lot of time, and a lot of training. The pulse oximeter in the form of a boot can be easily attached over a baby’s foot – it’s trouble-free, and it saves time and money.”

Harbor-UCLA Pediatrics Faculty Dr. Lynne Smith's Landmark Study on Prenatal Meth Exposure Featured on ABC News & TIME

Harbor-UCLA Pediatrics — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 22:31:18 +0000

On March 19, Harbor-UCLA Pediatrics faculty member Lynne M. Smith, M.D, Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, co-authored an article titled "Prenatal Methamphetamine Exposure and Childhood Behavior Problems at 3 and 5 Years of Age" in the April issue of Pediatrics, the official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

In the first study of its kind, Dr. Smith, along with lead author Linda LaGasse, Ph.D., of Brown University, and other colleagues investigated behavior problems in children who were prenatally exposed to methamphetamine ("meth") at ages 3 and 5 years. The found that children whose mothers used meth during pregnancy were at higher risk for behavior problems such as anxiety, depression, and moodiness when compared to unexposed kids. At age 5 the exposed children had also developed more aggression and attention issues, they "acted out" and displayed symptoms of ADHD. This groundbreaking research was featured by several major news agencies — ABC News, TIME and USA TODAY.

Don't Miss "The Painted Turtle: An Experience with Healing Potential"

Harbor-UCLA Pediatrics — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 00:03:24 +0000

Don't miss the Pediatrics Grand Rounds Conference tomorrow, Thursday, 4/5/12 at 8:30 a.m. in the Parlow Library. Gina Jansheski, M.D., will be speaking on "The Painted Turtle: An Experience with Healing Potential."

Dr. Jansheski is the Medical Director of The Painted Turtle, one of Paul Newman’s family of Hole in the Wall Camps for seriously ill children. Located in the town of Lake Hughes, in the foothills of the Angeles National Forest, it is the only multi-disease camp and family care center of its kind on the West Coast. Through educational, therapeutic, safe, and fun summer camp and year-round programs, The Painted Turtle provides a life-changing experience to children whose daily struggles often diminish both their desire to be well and their ability to lead rich, productive lives.

Harbor-UCLA Pediatrics Presentations @ PAS 2012

Harbor-UCLA Pediatrics — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 17:30:58 +0000

The 2012 Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) is being held in Boston, MA from April 28 to May 1. This year, Harbor-UCLA Pediatrics will again have a strong presence at the well attended annual conference. See below for the presentations by staff, faculty and fellows. A (*) indicates an award-winning presentation.

For the complete meeting schedule, download the program guide.

Division of General and Emergency Pediatrics Presentations
Division Chief, Carol Berkowitz, M.D.

Carol Berkowitz, M.D., Professor of Pediatrics
Co-Chair Child Abuse & Neglect Platform Session
Workshop speaker:
—Special Interest Group: Women in Medicine and Race in Medicine "Mid-Career: Plateau or Steppe to Success"
—"Women and Minorities in Academia: Not Just Surviving but Thriving"

Harbor-UCLA Pediatrics Intern Class of 2012 Announced!

Harbor-UCLA Pediatrics — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 17:07:36 +0000

The Harbor-UCLA Department of Pediatrics is excited to announce the Intern Class of 2012.

Welcome and congratulations to all!

	Regan Carey, M.D. University of Pittsburgh
	Maria Chang, M.D. SUNY Upstate
	Tiffany Jean, M.D. Northwestern University

Don't Miss the 9th Annual LA BioMed Legends Event on May 10

Harbor-UCLA Pediatrics — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 23:32:56 +0000

The 9th Annual LA BioMed Legends 2012 event will take place on Thursday, May 10 at the Trump National Golf Club in Palos Verdes. For more information download the invitation.

For their distinguished service and contributions to LA BioMed, Harbor-UCLA and beyond this year’s honorees are:

John E. Buster, M.D.
Keh-Ming Lin, M.D., M.P.H
Albert F. Parlow, Ph.D.

2012 LA BioMed Young Investigator:
Michele Berk, Ph.D.

Hors d’oeuvre reception @ 6:30 p.m.
Dinner @ 7:30 p.m.

$175 per person

For information, please contact:
Lisa Bosnich @ lbosnich@labiomed.org / 310.222.4240

"Spring Forward" This Sunday March 11 - Set Your Clocks For Daylight Savings Time

Harbor-UCLA Pediatrics — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 19:32:50 +0000

On Sunday, March 11, 2012 at 2:00 a.m., Daylight Savings Time starts in the United States.

Don't forget to set your clocks, iPhones, iPads, iPods, Androids and Blackberries (if they don't already set themselves) - one hour FORWARD.

Harbor-UCLA Pediatrics Resident Shom Dasgupta, M.D., Publishes Paper on NGOs in Guatemala

Harbor-UCLA Pediatrics — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 01:11:04 +0000

Dr. Shom Dasgupta is a second year resident in the Department of Pediatrics. Since 2007, Dr. Dasgupta has served as a fieldworker and staff physician for the non-profit organization Wuqu' Kawoq, which focuses on healthcare, language revitalization, clean water, and the treatment of malnutrition in Guatemala, one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere.

Recently Dasgupta published an article based on his experience working with Wuqu' Kawoq. As the senior author of "Beyond Development": A Critical Appraisal of the Emergence of Small Health Care Non-Governmental Organizations in Rural Guatemala, Dasgupta examines the contributions of NGOs to health care as well as the problems caused by a proliferation of NGOs with overlapping efforts and different policies.

Dr. Marianne Gausche-Hill Develops First Survey to Assess Hospital EDs' Pediatric Readiness

Harbor-UCLA Pediatrics — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 00:10:22 +0000

Since Marianne Gausche-Hill, M.D., was the first U.S. physician to complete a sub-specialty training program in pediatric emergency medicine and is the Director of the Pediatric Emergency Medicine (PEM) Fellowship Training Program at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, she is the go-to expert when it comes to caring for children in emergency situations. Before the PEM Felloshwip Program at Harbor-UCLA, there were no real guidelines for the triage and transport of children in trauma centers and emergency rooms.

Along the same lines, Dr. Gausche-Hill teamed up with fellow Harbor-UCLA pediatric emergency medicine specialist Kate Remick, M.D., to deploy a statewide, web-based survey that will help assess the pediatric emergency readiness of hospital emergency departments (EDs). Rolled out in California on Jan. 6, 2012, the project is the first statewide survey of its kind and represents a massive quality improvement initiative that will help hospital EDs optimize the emergency care they provide to children of all ages, from newborns to teenagers. Working with numerous agencies at the local, state, and national level, Drs. Gausche-Hill and Remick hope to coordinate the participation of hospitals nationwide in the near future.

Harbor-UCLA Pediatrics Faculty Dr. John Torday: Trailblazer in Evolutionary Biology

Harbor-UCLA Pediatrics — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 21:24:45 +0000

Earlier this month, Dr. John Torday, Professor of Pediatrics and Obstetrics/Gynecology, spoke at the UCLA Department of Medicine Grand Rounds as part of "Evolutionary Medicine Month." For more details visit the UCLA CTSI.

Evolutionary medicine is an emerging field which combines the disciplines of evolutionary biology, anthropology, zoology and human medicine to create new paradigms for investigating and understanding human disease.

Dr. Torday's talk, "Exploiting Evolutionary Biology to Advance Medicine: Back to the Future," focused on the theme that an individual's health is not merely the absence of disease, but the active maintenance of evolutionarily-acquired and conserved cell–cell molecular communications, the failure of which denotes disease, and the maintenance or restoration of which constitutes health and healing. In particular, Dr. Torday used laboratory data to emphasize how evolutionary mechanisms and concepts can be exploited for the safe and effective prevention and treatment of chronic lung disease.

Harbor-UCLA Pediatrics Faculty Member Dr. Kalantar-Zadeh Receives UCLA CTSI Award

Harbor-UCLA Pediatrics — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 21:51:59 +0000

Last month, Kamyar Kalantar-Zadeh, M.D., M.P.H., Ph.D., Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics, was selected for a UCLA CTSI Recognition Award.

He was recognized for his article "Role of Nutritional Status and Inflammation in Higher Survival of African American and Hispanic Hemodialysis Patients" published in the American Journal of Kidney Diseases in 2011. Dr. Kalantar-Zadeh will receive a plaque from the UCLA CTSI and an invitation to present his work in a public forum. Click here for article abstract.

LA BioMed and Harbor-UCLA are part of the UCLA Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI). Many investigators participate in the CTSI, an academic-clinical-community partnership designed to accelerate scientific discoveries and clinical breakthroughs to improve health in Los Angeles County.

Harbor-UCLA Pediatrics Child Health Research Center Grand Opening Snapshots

Harbor-UCLA Pediatrics — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:22:42 +0000

The Child Health Research Center (CHRC), a joint project of the Department of Pediatrics at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and LA BioMed, had its Grand Opening Ceremony on Monday, January 30.

The ceremony included an informal building tour, refreshments and remarks by Dr. Adam J. Jonas, Chair of the Department of Pediatrics; David Meyer, President and CEO of LA BioMed; and May Vlaming, Project Manager for Shangri-LA Construction. In addition, the Daily Breeze featured a brief story on the opening.

Harbor-UCLA Pediatrics Alumni Interview: Linton Yee, M.D., of Duke University

Harbor-UCLA Pediatrics — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:51:20 +0000

Harbor-UCLA Pediatrics Resident Alumnus Dr. Linton Yee is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Hospital and Emergency Medicine at Duke University. At the 2011 Annual Duke University Spring Faculty Meeting, Dr. Yee was awarded a Master Clinician/Teacher Award. The award honors individuals with exemplary records of accomplishment and service in clinical care and teaching.

After graduating from the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School Of Medicine in 1988, Yee completed his residency in pediatrics at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in 1991 and his fellowship in pediatric emergency medicine at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles in 1994.

In addition to Duke University School of Medicine’s emphasis on education, the Harbor-UCLA experience played a key role in the decision to join the faculty at Duke in 2007. Joseph St. Geme, Jr., M.D.– the father of Duke’s current Chair of Pediatrics – had hired many of the pediatric faculty at Harbor-UCLA, whom Yee considered to be instrumental in his training.

Harbor-UCLA Pediatrics to Open Child Health Research Center on Jan. 30

Harbor-UCLA Pediatrics — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 22:32:01 +0000

About a year ago, Dr. Adam J. Jonas, Chair of the Department of Pediatrics, initiated the construction of a new facility at Harbor-UCLA that would emphasize advances in pediatric research. The Child Health Research Center, a joint project of the Department of Pediatrics at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and LA BioMed, is now complete.

The Child Health Research Center is an 8,000 square foot facility that will serve as a hub for translational science and community genetics services. It is the first phase of a Department of Pediatrics program to bring new research efforts to Harbor-UCLA that will integrate with other research programs already on campus. The second phase of the program has begun with the recruitment of new investigators whose research will enhance existing campus efforts and grow the UCLA Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) at LA BioMed. The new facility will also serve as home for the regional portion of the State of California Newborn Screening Program, bringing service to the community.

Harbor-UCLA Pediatrics Faculty Member Dr. Tom Kallay Presents The Simulation and Skills Center - OPEN HOUSE Jan. 25

Harbor-UCLA Pediatrics — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:42:53 +0000

Several years ago, Dr. Tom Kallay, Assistant Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, undertook the renovation of an existing Harbor-UCLA space. With the aim of fostering the education of all healthcare professionals on the Harbor-UCLA campus using the latest in medical simulation techniques,
The Simulation and Skills Center was born.

Please join Dr. Kallay for The Simulation and Skills Center OPEN HOUSE:
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Refreshments @ Noon
Building B-4 North

Support Kids Pursuing Careers in Science - Be a Judge @ 2012 LA County Science Fair!

Harbor-UCLA Pediatrics — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:07:32 +0000

The 62nd Annual Los Angeles County Science & Engineering Fair is set for March 29-31, 2012. Harbor-UCLA Pediatrics faculty member Dr. Kenneth Zangwill has been a judge and a supporter of the fair for several years.

Join Dr. Zangwill in encouraging young adults to pursue careers in science by judging at the Los Angeles County Science Fair, the longest running regional science fair in the western United States. A rewarding experience for both scientists and science students in Southern California, this mentorship opportunity is open to engineers, researchers, physicians, teachers, and other enthusiasts with science knowledge. Watch this great video to see what it's all about.

Judging only requires a one-day commitment: Friday, March 30 (7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.).

Dr. Lance Sieger, You’ve Got Mail! Former Patient Says “Thanks for Saving My Life, I’m Becoming a Doc.”

Harbor-UCLA Pediatrics — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 18:23:09 +0000

Lance Sieger, M.D. is a Professor of Pediatrics and the former Division Chief of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at Harbor-UCLA. A well-known figure on campus, Dr. Sieger has worked at Harbor for many years. With a warm smile and a cheerful attitude, Sieger is an upbeat and friendly guy with a tough job. He specializes in treating children with devastating cancers and blood disorders like leukemia, lymphoma and sickle-cell anemia.

In October 2011, Sieger received a remarkable email. The note concerned a letter from a medical student at nearby Charles R. Drew University of Medicine, a young man named Hai Hoang. Hai had asked for help tracking down Sieger to deliver an important message.

Eighth Annual Christmas Toy Run Raises Thousands for Harbor-UCLA Pediatrics

Harbor-UCLA Pediatrics — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 20:24:44 +0000

The Eighth Annual Christmas Toy Run took place on Sunday, December 4. The Toy Run is a yearly charity motorcycle and classic car ride through the streets of Los Angeles culminating in a toy giveaway at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. The donations benefit sick children who cannot be home for the holidays due to hospitalization.

This year the celebration was bigger and even more grand. Over 100 motorcyclists turned out to show their support for Harbor-UCLA pediatric patients. Each rider donated a toy and approximately $8,000 was raised for Child Life Services.