UCLA Pediatric Endocrinology “ We are constantly advancing how we take care of children with diabetes and endocrine issues, while we work to shape the future by performing cutting-edge research and training the next generations of pediatric endocrinologists.” UCLA PEDIATRIC ENDOCRINOLOGY — WESTWOOD FACULTY Dennis Chia, MD Harvey K. Chiu, MD Anna Pawlikowska-Haddal, MD, PhD Fellowship Director Clinical Director, Thyroid Program General Endocrinology Growth Thyroid Nodules/Cancer Diabetes General Endocrinology General Endocrinology Gender Medicine Diabetes Diabetes Yung-Ping Chin, MD Xingxing Kong, MD, PhD Maureen Su, MD Growth Research: Brown Fat, Exercise General Endocrinology General Endocrinology Diabetes Diabetes Research: Endocrine Autoimmunity Steven D. Mittelman, MD, PhD Michael Yeh, MD General Endocrinology Director, Endocrine Surgery Program Diabetes Endocrine Surgery Research: Obesity and Cancer UCLA PEDIATRIC ENDOCRINOLOGY — MILLER CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL LONG BEACH FACULTY Griselda Alvarez, MD Rebecca Hicks, MD Erin Okawa, MD General Endocrinology Clinical Director, General Endocrinology Diabetes Miller Endocrine Program Diabetes Type 2 Diabetes General Endocrinology Congenital Hyperinsulinism Diabetes Roja Fallah, MD General Endocrinology Diabetes FORMER UCLA PEDIATRIC ENDOCRINOLOGY DIVISION HEADS Sol Kaplan Barbara Lippe Mitchell Geffner Pinchas Cohen Kuk-Wha Lee 1968 – 1987 1987 – 1994 1994 – 2001 2001 – 2012 2012 – 2016 Letter from the Division Chief I am pleased to present the growing Division of Pediatric Endocrinology at UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital. Since I joined the division in April 2017, we have recruited seven faculty members and a new diabetes educator, opened three research laboratories, launched a hyperinsulinism program and started a pediatric gender program. We are constantly advancing how we take care of children with diabetes and endocrine issues, while we work to shape the future by performing cutting-edge research and training the next generations of pediatric endocrinologists. In 2018, UCLA pediatric endocrinology began staffing the pediatric endocrine service at Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital in Long Beach, where four UCLA faculty members with expertise in all aspects of pediatric endocrinology provide inpatient and outpatient care. I am honored to be following in the footsteps of leaders in the field of endocrinology as the division chief of pediatric endocrinology at UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital. Steven D. Mittelman, MD, PhD Chief, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital Hyperinsulinism program Hyperinsulinism is a rare and complex disorder that causes moderate to severe PEDIATRIC ENDOCRINOLOGY hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels) in newborns and children. UCLA is one Steven Mittelman, MD, PhD of the few centers in the U.S. with a dedicated hyperinsulinism team. We also are Erin Okawa, MD the only center in Southern California, and one of just four in the U.S. able to NEONATOLOGY perform the specialized F-DOPA PET-CT scans that often are required during Meena Garg, MD the diagnostic evaluation of these patients. PEDIATRIC SURGERY Steven L. Lee, MD Daniel A. DeUgarte, MD RADIOLOGY Martin Aurbach, MD Theodore R. Hall, MD PEDIATRIC PATHOLOGY Jeffrey Goldstein, MD PHARMACOLOGY John Williams, PhD “Dr. Mittelman and his team did an amazing job with our Mia. They answered all of our questions with The F-DOPA scanner allows the team to kindness and clarity. They kept us informed and hopeful, but helped us maintain realistic expectations. differentiate between the diffuse and They were patient and caring during what was quite easily the hardest time of our lives.” focal forms of hyperinsulinism, helping to determine which patients will benefit the most from surgery. Photomicrograph of healthy pancreas (left) from a child with diffuse hyperinsulinism (center) and from a child with focal congenital hyperinsulinism (right). Insulin-positive cells stain brown. 4X magnification. Thyroid nodule clinic While thyroid nodules are rare in children, they are much more likely to be malignant in children than in adults. It is important for children with thyroid nodules or who are at risk of thyroid cancer to be evaluated at a high-volume center with expertise in advanced diagnostic and treatment techniques. The prognosis for children with thyroid cancer who receive early and appropriate treatment is excellent. Under the direction of Harvey K. Chiu, MD, UCLA’s pediatric thyroid program is one of the few in Southern California that specializes in the diagnosis, treatment and care of children with thyroid nodules. Dr. Chiu’s ability to perform ultrasound-guided biopsies and have the tissue analyzed by on-site pathology Harvey K. Chiu, MD at the patient’s initial visit makes UCLA’s program unique. Dr. Chiu also uses a Clinical Director, Thyroid Program needle-less device to induce anesthesia, minimizing stress and pain in children. Dr. Chiu is board certified in both pediatric and adult endocrinology and has extensive experience managing thyroid nodules and cancer. He has performed nearly 300 thyroid biopsies. Michael Yeh, MD Director, Endocrine Surgery Program Dr. Yeh is an expert in minimally invasive parathyroid surgery, thyroid cancer and adrenal tumors, including Patients can get an ultrasound done by a trained endocrinologist during their initial visit. pheochromocytoma and adrenocortical carcinoma. He has published more than 100 scholarly articles and book chapters. While thyroid nodules are usually benign, up to 20 percent can be a sign of thyroid cancer in children. Ultrasound-guided biopsies are more accurate than standard techniques and help make the right diagnosis while avoiding unnecessary surgery. Gender clinic for children “ We are committed to helping families learn their options and make the Our mission is to deliver compassionate, inclusive and equitable care to support our diverse LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, best possible choices for Queer/Questioning) community. their child. We understand The UCLA Gender Health Program was created in 2016 under the leadership of that parents and children Amy Weimer, MD, and Mark Litwin, MD. The goal of this patient- and family- may be at different places centered program is to individualize patient care, looking at gender in the context in their exploration of of the whole person. As a program with a strong foundation in primary care, gender and understanding gender services are an important part of the full of options. We want them care we provide. to know that they can come Our program brings in just to learn more as together a multidisciplinary an important first step. team to provide We will work together with comprehensive and compassionate care in the whole family to move a safe and welcoming forward with their own environment for gender- individual plan.” diverse patients of all ages. The team includes — Dr. Amy Weimer specialists from primary care (internal medicine and pediatrics), plastic surgery, vocal surgery and speech Anna Pawlikowska-Haddal, MD, PhD therapy, endocrinology, gynecology, urology, psychiatry, and behavioral health. Dr. Haddal works closely with the gender Care coordinators assist patients with navigating their care. The UCLA Gender health team to manage and guide the Health Program has cared for hundreds of patients, helping them to reach their hormonal therapies that many patients need. goals of living their authentic lives. Amy Weimer, MD UCLA and UCLA Health have a strong Dr. Weimer completed her dual residency tradition of supporting the rights of in internal medicine and pediatrics at all individuals. UCLA Health has Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and served been recognized by the Human Rights as chief resident in internal medicine. She Campaign Foundation as an “LGBTQ became deeply interested in health care for transgender and gender-diverse patients and Healthcare Equality Leader.” We founded the UCLA Gender Health Program. specialize in providing sensitive, safe She is committed to providing excellent care and compassionate care to all patients for transgender and gender- diverse patients who come through our doors. of all ages, as well as improving the education of physicians and physicians-in-training on To further this mission, UCLA Health formed an Equitable Care Committee (ECC) transgender health. to support its LGBTQ Health Initiative. The ECC includes executive leadership, physician champions and workgroups that strive to address issues pertaining to Mark S. Litwin, MD LGBTQ patients and their families, including but not limited to issues involving Dr. Litwin, chair of UCLA Urology, did his access to health care, family visitation, workforce cultural competency on LGBTQ surgical training at Harvard and specializes issues, community engagement and quality of health care. in urologic oncology. A former board member of the Gay & Lesbian Medical The UCLA Gender Health Program has been an integral part of fulfilling this mission, Association, he created and directs IMPACT, and the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology is proud to contribute to this effort and a state-funded program that provides free provide sensitive care to all our patients. medical care statewide for low-income, uninsured men with prostate cancer. Improving child health through research UCLA is one of the leading research institutions in the world and receives more than $1 billion in extramural research funding every year, making it the nation’s 9th largest research university. Our division benefits