Advocacy News
Don't Miss "The Painted Turtle: An Experience with Healing Potential" - 04/05/2012
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 Resident Shom Dasgupta, M.D., Publishes Paper on NGOs in Guatemala - 03/08/2012
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.
Support Kids Pursuing Careers in Science - Be a Judge @ 2012 LA County Science Fair! - 01/17/2012
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.” - 01/12/2012
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 - 01/04/2012
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.
Harbor-UCLA Pediatrics Alumni Interview: Pamela Riley, M.D., M.P.H., of The Commonwealth Fund - 12/14/2011
Pamela Riley, M.D., M.P.H., is a pediatrician with a longstanding commitment to improving the health of low-income, medically underserved populations. Dr. Riley received her M.D. from the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine and completed her internship and residency in pediatrics at Harbor–UCLA Medical Center. She received her M.P.H. from the Harvard School of Public Health as a Commonwealth Fund/Harvard Minority Health Policy Fellow.
Riley joined The Commonwealth Fund in July 2011 as Program Officer for the Vulnerable Populations program. The program is part of a health care delivery system improvement and innovation effort. Riley also oversees The Commonwealth Fund/Harvard University Fellowship in Minority Health Policy. The Harvard-based fellowship program seeks to develop physician leaders who will address the health needs of vulnerable populations.
Los Angeles Clippers Star Blake Griffin: A Slam Dunk Visit @ Harbor-UCLA Pediatrics - 12/08/2011
On November 29, Blake Griffin, power forward for the Los Angeles Clippers, made a special trek to Harbor-UCLA Medical Center to spend some time with pediatric patients.
NBA All-Star Blake Griffin is one of the league's brightest stars. As "the face" of the Los Angeles Clippers, he is one of the NBA's elite athletes. Earlier this year, Blake wowed audiences worldwide when he won the NBA's 2011 Slam Dunk Contest by jumping over a car! In addition to his fame for "The Blake Griffin Car Dunk," he was voted the 2010-11 NBA "Rookie of the Year."*
Blake's trip to Harbor-UCLA helped kick off the "Campaign of Giving" for the holiday season. The program was organized by Dr. Reza Babapour (Division of Dermatology) and Melissa Hebron (Director of Child Life Services) to help support the many families and children in need at the hospital.
Support Harbor-UCLA Pediatrics "Reach Out and Read" Program: Barnes & Noble Book Fair 12/10-12/15 - 12/06/2011
Barnes and Noble in Torrance continues to support our "Reach Out and Read" Program (ROR) with an in-store book fair on Saturday, December 10 and an online book fair from December 10 to December 15.
A percentage of all Barnes and Noble purchases (either at the Torrance store or online) will be donated to the Harbor-UCLA Pediatrics ROR Program. Any purchase counts - books, electronics, music - purchases do not have to be children's books.
Harbor-Pediatrics Alumna Dr. Beatrice Tetteh Advises on the Flu at 2011 AAP National Conference - 11/16/2011
Dr. Beatrice Tetteh completed her residency training in pediatrics at Harbor-UCLA earlier this year. At the AAP’s National Conference and Exhibition (NCE) in Boston last month, Dr. Tetteh was interviewed on the importance of the flu vaccine for families and newborns. Her segment garnered attention from a CNN radio affiliate in Sonoma County, KSRO, who requested a follow-up interview with her. In addition, her spot was featured in a national health news wire.
Steve Harris Memorial Charity Continues to Support Harbor-UCLA Pediatrics - 11/03/2011
On September 24, the Steve Harris Memorial Charity held its tenth annual charity event and auction. All funds raised by the Steve Harris Memorial Charity benefit the Department of Pediatrics Division of Hematology and Oncology.
This year the Steve Harris Memorial Charity expanded its longstanding effort to provide support for children receiving treatment at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center for cancer or hematological conditions by creating the Kids' Dreams Do Come True Charity.