Advocacy News
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.
Monday, October 3 is Child Health Day - 09/29/2011
On the first Monday of October every year, maternal and child health professionals across America remind us that nothing is more important the health of our children.
On this 83rd annual celebration of Child Health Day, HRSA (Health Resources and Services Administration) reminds us that maternal and child health programs are available to help children lead healthy lives everyday.
Click here for more information.
Harbor-UCLA Pediatrics Alumni Interview with Guillermo Diaz, M.D. - 08/22/2011
Guillermo Diaz, M.D., is originally from Brooklyn, N.Y. and attended medical school at the UCLA School of Medicine. After completing his pediatric residency at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Dr. Diaz joined the faculty at QueensCare Family Clinics as a general pediatrician and has recently become their Chief Medical Officer.
QueensCare Family Clinics (QFC) provide quality primary healthcare to any patient in need, regardless of their ability to pay. QFC is one of the largest clinic providers in the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services’ Community Partners Program. QFC’s six neighborhood locations are located in the most densely populated areas of Los Angeles, which report more low-income residents, higher rates of chronic disease, and greater exposure to unhealthy environmental factors.