CHLA Highlights at the 2025 American Academy of Pediatrics Conference
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA), one of the nation's top pediatric academic institutions, will once again take center stage at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) 2025 National Conference and Exhibition, held this year from September 26–30 in Denver. With a broad spectrum of clinical presentations, research insights, and educational workshops, CHLA faculty will share their latest contributions to advancing pediatric care across disciplines—from mental health and sports medicine to neonatal transport and trauma-informed obstetrics.
The AAP conference, the largest gathering of pediatric professionals in the country, offers a five-day platform for general pediatricians, subspecialists, and advanced practice providers to connect and engage with the evolving science and policy shaping children’s health. CHLA will be represented by a diverse lineup of physicians and researchers, each focused on solving complex clinical challenges and improving real-world outcomes for children and families.
Exploring the Impact of Adversity on Birth Outcomes
Dr. Molly Easterlin will present new data on the intergenerational effects of trauma, specifically examining how maternal exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) may influence preterm birth risk in their infants. Her findings, presented on Saturday, September 27, bring critical attention to the long-lasting physiological toll of trauma and the importance of trauma-informed care in obstetric and pediatric practice.
Reevaluating the Routine: Optimizing Sports Physicals
In a Monday session tailored for general pediatricians, Dr. Ryan Kelln will lead a clinical update on preparticipation physical evaluations (PPEs). With youth sports participation at an all-time high, Kelln’s talk will offer practical, evidence-based strategies for making PPEs more comprehensive and preventative in nature, ensuring that athletes not only meet eligibility criteria but also receive meaningful health screenings.
Standardizing Neonatal Transport for Safety and Quality
On Sunday, neonatologist Dr. Rebecca Martinez-Hannon will discuss variability in neonatal transport procedures across institutions participating in the Children’s Hospital Neonatal Consortium. Her research underscores the need for greater consistency in transport protocols to optimize outcomes for critically ill newborns—particularly during the high-risk transition between referring hospitals and tertiary care centers.
Strengthening Mental Health Training in Pediatric Residency
As the mental health crisis among children and adolescents deepens, Dr. Christine Mirzaian will share results from a curriculum intervention designed to bolster behavioral health training within pediatric residency clinics. Her presentation, also on Sunday, evaluates pre- and post-curriculum data to demonstrate how structured education can boost resident confidence and competence in addressing mental and behavioral health concerns.
Navigating Conflict and Legal Risk in Pediatric Practice
In a session that merges medicine with systems-level risk management, Dr. Alan L. Nager and licensed clinical social worker Alana Epstein will present a strategic framework for navigating conflict in healthcare settings. With litigation pressures growing, particularly in pediatric emergency medicine and behavioral health, their session on Saturday offers tools to proactively mitigate legal risk through effective communication and conflict resolution.
Responding to School Shootings and Disasters
Dr. David J. Schonfeld, a national leader in pediatric trauma and disaster preparedness, will deliver two important sessions. On Saturday, he will explore the role pediatricians can play in preparedness and response to mass school shootings—an increasingly relevant concern in child advocacy. On Sunday, he will pivot to provider wellness, offering a deep dive into how pediatricians can maintain resilience before, during, and after public health emergencies and disasters.
A Rare Case with Broad Lessons
Dr. Archana Sivanandam will present a compelling case study of a medullary abscess in an immunocompetent pediatric patient—a rare and diagnostically challenging presentation. Her poster, scheduled for Saturday, reminds clinicians to maintain a broad differential when addressing neurologic complaints, even in otherwise healthy children.
Managing Pediatric Back Pain in a Multidisciplinary Framework
Rounding out the CHLA roster, Dr. Tyler Tetreault will explore one of the more common but often under-discussed issues in pediatric clinics: back pain. His two-part session, taking place on Monday and Tuesday, advocates for a team-based approach that integrates orthopedics, physical therapy, behavioral health, and primary care to address the multifactorial nature of pediatric musculoskeletal pain.
In addition to individual presentations, CHLA attendees will be available throughout the conference at Booth 639, offering an opportunity for colleagues to learn more about the hospital’s ongoing research, education, and collaborative initiatives.
With this year’s slate of research and expert insights, CHLA continues to advance its mission of improving child health through innovation, advocacy, and a steadfast commitment to academic excellence. For pediatricians navigating the complex clinical and social challenges of modern practice, CHLA’s contributions to AAP 2025 offer both direction and inspiration.