Division of General Pediatrics/
University Affiliated Program

Division of General Pediatrics

The Division of General Pediatrics provides a comprehensive range of general pediatric outpatient diagnostic and treatment services beginning at birth and continuing throughout childhood and adolescence. In addition to providing a wide range of prevention and health maintenance programs, the division also oversees several multi- and interdisciplinary programs for Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) and Developmental Disabilities (DD). These teams of specialists address the assessment, treatment and rehabilitative stages of a variety of illnesses and injuries, ensuring that the finest and most comprehensive care is provided.

Description of Programs and Services

  • General Health Care

    The General Pediatrics Division provides comprehensive general health care from birth through childhood and adolescence, including complete physical examination and laboratory tests. Patients with illnesses and injuries of all types are welcome to visit the clinic for consultation and care. Admission for inpatient care at CHLA is available when higher acuity comprehensive treatment is necessary. Services include:

    - Care for acute and episodic illnesses for those patients who are followed by divisional staff;

    - Check-ups for school age children for camp, sports and yearly school exams;

    - Consultation with specialists;

    - Counseling and advice in raising the baby and child;

    - Developmental and behavorial assessment and intervention services;

    - Diagnostic services, evaluation of a wide range of childhood medical illness and problems;

    - Hearing screen;

    - Routine childhood immunizations;

    - Nutritional guidance for the new baby, growing child and also for under-weight and over-weight children;

    - Telephone triage;

    - Vision screen;

    - Well child evaluation and examination, including anticipatory guidance.

  • Spina Bifida/Myelomeningocele Program

    CHLA is one of the largest centers in Southern California for treatment of this congenital condition, the second most common major birth defect in this country. Care of children with spina bifida requires close teamwork. This team includes pediatricians, orthopaedists, neurosurgeons, urologists, social workers, nurses, physical and occupational therapists, nutritionists, orthotists and psychologists. Their combined efforts are necessary to deal with the complex multihandicapping problems of hydrocephalus, bowel and urine incontinence, development and problems of gait and ambulation. Essential psychosocial support services are provided for patients and families. Genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis of spina bifida also are available.

  • Behavioral/Developmental Pediatrics

    Consultation and assessment of patients with behavioral and developmental problems of childhood is available.


University Affiliated Program

The University Affiliated Program (UAP) is one of over 60 University Affiliated Programs in the nation. As an interdisciplinary center focused on training, research and the provision of service and technical assistance, the program promotes the health and well-being (independence, productivity and community inclusion) of children and adolescents with developmental disabilities and their families through enhanced service systems.

Description of Programs and Services

University Affiliated Program activities focus on creating community-based, family/person-centered, culturally-appropriate systems of care.
  • Clinical Services

    Clinical services are available through a variety of hospital-based interdisciplinary programs and community-based programs.

    - Diagnosis and Evaluation: diagnostic evaluation and treatment/intervention recommendations for children with developmental, behavioral and attention problems (including Attention Deficit Disorder-ADD and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder-ADHD);

    - Feeding Development: comprehensive assessment and treatment services for children with feeding, growth and nutrition problems;

    - Behavioral Pediatrics: developmental and psychosocial issues are approached from a family-centered perspective;

    - Community Mental Health: individual and group therapy for children and adults; HEALS program for victims of violent crimes, including non-accidental trauma, sexual molestation, and child neglect.

    - Learning Abilities Program: assessment of the impact of learning strengths and disabilities on school achievement and behavioral development; recommentations for behavioral and special education support and services;

    - Community-Based Programs: diagnosis, evaluation and treatment for infants, children and adults at several sites throughout Los Angeles County.

  • Technical Assistance

    UAP physician and non-physician faculty members provide technical assistance at the local, state, regional and national levels. Examples of the areas in which technical assistance is offered include:
    - Promoting advocacy
    - Building an interdisciplinary team
    - Developing federal/state grant applications
    - Developing culturally responsive systems of service delivery
    - Delivering family-centered care
    - Providing early identification and treatment
    - Promoting prevention

  • Information Dissemination

    University Affiliated Program physicians and other health care providers distribute information on best practices for and emerging issues which impact, children and adolescents with disabilities and their families, to local and state agency officials, policy-makers, service providers, individuals and their families, community organizations, researchers, university and other training programs and other UAPs in the national network.

  • Research

    UAP physicians, other health care providers and trainees engage in a variety of research projects which contribute to the knowledge base in the field of neurodevelopmental and related disabilities. This includes clinical, population-based and health/disabilities systems research.

  • Interdisciplinary Leadership Training

    - Preservice interdisciplinary provider training at graduate and post-graduate levels in 10 core disciplines. Training includes university course work, practice and internship opportunities. The Leadership and Education in Neurodevelopmental Disorders (LEND) program focuses on leadership training, systems change, policy development and clinical excellence.

    - Inservice (Outreach) training to providers, agency personnel, administrators, consumers and families. Examples of such training include workshops and inservices, presentations, university extension courses, continuing education and short courses on specific topics related to developmental disabilities.

  • Areas of Special Program Emphasis

    - Individual, Family and Community Capacity Building
    Promotes activities which assure quality of life for children and adolescents with developmental disabilities and their families through active consumer/family involvement in the home, the systems of training and service, the community at large and policy-making bodies.

    - Prevention and Early Intervention
    UAP physicians and other health care providers seek to foster an enhanced quality of life for the infant, toddler and young-child who is at risk, has a developmental disability or has a special health care need. Preventive intervention strategies seek to broaden individual patterns of resilience within the context of child, family and community supports. Effective preventive intervention includes proactive outreach, early identification of child and family needs, enhancement of intra-child and parental resources, and provision of quality community resources to support the infrastructure of the family.

    - Cultural Competence
    Cultural competence is a theme which runs throughout every program and service of the UAP. Being located in one of the most diverse cities in the nation offers the opportunity to create new and effective means to promote cultural awareness, responsiveness and competence within systems of service delivery at the local, state and national level.

PHYSICIANS


Los Angeles County + USC Medical Center

OTHER HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS

  • Sonia K. Aller, Ph.D.
  • Elaine Angone, R.N.
  • Marion Taylor Baer, Ph.D., R.D.
  • Angela Bissada, Psy.D.
  • Elaine M. Blyler, M.S., R.D.
  • Anita Britt, Ph.D.
  • Anne Bradford Harris, M.S., R.D.
  • Carin Bujold, M.P.H., R.D.
  • Irma Castaneda, Ph.D.
  • Robert Colegrove, Jr., Ed.D.
  • Cecile M. Falk, Ph.D.
  • Craig Gerlach, L.C.S.W.
  • Fran Goldfarb, M.A., C.H.E.S.
  • Dena Herman, M.P.H., R.D.
  • MaryAnn Hession, Ph.D.
  • Chana Hiranaka, M.Ed., O.T.R.
  • Sabra Hitchcock, Ph.D.
  • Bradley O. Hudson, Psy.D.
  • Diane Kellegrew, Ph.D., O.T.R.
  • Alice Kibele, Ph.D.
  • Susan Knox, Ph.D., O.T.R.
  • Aura Kuperberg, Ph.D.
  • Mary Lawlor, Ph.D., O.T.R.
  • Cheryl Mattingly, Ph.D., O.T.R.
  • Yolanda Montoya, L.C.S.W.
  • Diane Parham, Ph.D., O.T.R.
  • Marie Kanne Poulsen, Ph.D.
  • Linda Radford, Ph.D.
  • Donna Redman-Bentley, Ph.D.
  • Yvonne Sininger, Ph.D.
  • Kathryn Smith, M.S.N.
  • Toni Solano, M.B.A.
  • Anne Warner, R.D.
  • Barbara Yoshioka Wheeler, Ph.D.
  • Jason Williams, Psy.D.
  • Hope Wills, R.D.

HOW TO CONTACT US

The Division of General Pediatrics welcomes your inquiries. To contact us you can:


E-mail us at

rjacobs%smtpgate@chlais.usc.edu

Call us directly at
(323) 669-2110

Or Fax
(323) 663-6707

Write to us at
Division of General Pediatrics
Childrens Hospital Los Angeles
4650 Sunset Blvd., #76
Los Angeles, CA 90027-6062

Parents who wish to make appointments should call (323) 669-2534 for General Pediatrics or (323) 669-2384 for the Spina Bifida program.


The University Affiliated Program welcomes your inquires.


E-mail us at

rjacobs%smtpgate@chlais.usc.edu

Call us directly at
(323) 669-2300

Or Fax
(323) 953-0439

Write to us at
Center for Child Development
and Developmental Disabilities (CCDDD)
Childrens Hospital Los Angeles
4650 Sunset Blvd., #53
Los Angeles, CA 90027-6062

For patient appointments, please call the UAP clinic at (323) 669-4656 for CCDDD or (323) 669-2350 for Community Mental Health services.

Physicians who wish to contact a faculty member, consult about a patient or refer a patient can also call 1-800-ASK-PACE (1-800-275-7223). Please note, this service is for physicians ONLY.


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION





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