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Three Physicians at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles Receive Certification in Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics

CONTACT:  Steve Rutledge at 9323) 361-4121

These physicians evaluate, counsel and treat children, adolescents and their families with a range
of developmental and behavioral difficulties

LOS ANGELES – Three physicians at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles have been board certified in Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics (DBP), bringing to five the number of pediatricians at Childrens Hospital board certified in DBP, according to Robert Jacobs, M.D., head of the Division of General Pediatrics at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles.

The three pediatricians at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles receiving DBP certification are: Gregory L. Smookler, M.D., FAAP, of Glendale; Cynthia A. Wong, M.D., of Los Angeles; and Larry Yin, M.D., MSPH of Yorba Linda.  They join Karen Kay Imagawa, M.D., and Douglas Vanderbilt, M.D., as DBP certified physicians at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles.

In 2002, the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) began certifying developmental-behavioral pediatricians via a comprehensive examination process.  Developmental-behavioral pediatricians evaluate, counsel and provide treatment for children, adolescents and their families with a wide range of developmental and behavioral difficulties.

According to the ABP, “Children’s development and behavior happen first and foremost in the context of the family.  Developmental-behavioral pediatricians seek to understand the family’s view of the problems and the effect of the child’s problems on the family.  They advocate for their patients by working closely with schools, preschools and other agencies involved with developmental care and education.”

Dr. Smookler is an attending physician in the Division of General Pediatrics and an associate professor of clinical pediatrics at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California.

Dr. Smookler received a bachelor’s degree in biology (1980) from St. Thomas College in St. Paul, Minnesota, and a medical degree (1985) from Far Eastern University in Manila.

He completed his internship (1986-87) and his residency (1987-89) at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in New Jersey.  He completed a fellowship in behavioral and developmental pediatrics (1989-91) at the Alfred I. DuPont Institute Children’s Hospital in Wilmington, Delaware.

Dr. Wong is a developmental-behavioral pediatrician for the Boone Fetter Clinic at the Institute of the Developing Mind at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, and an assistant professor of clinical pediatrics at the Keck School of Medicine.

Dr. Wong received a bachelor’s degree (1978), summa cum laude from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and a medical degree (1982), also from UCLA.

She completed her internship (1982-83) and residency (1983-85) in primary care pediatrics at UCLA.  Dr. Wong also completed a fellowship in developmental behavioral pediatrics (1985-86) at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles.

Dr. Yin is the medical director of the Boone-Fetter Clinic in the Institute of the Developing Mind at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, director of community services at the USC University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities and an assistant professor of clinical pediatrics at the Keck School of Medicine.

Dr. Yin received a bachelor’s degree (1986) from the University of California, Riverside, and a master’s degree in public health (1988) from the University of California, Los Angeles, prior to receiving a medical degree (1993) from St. Louis University.

He completed his internship (1993-94), residency (1994-96), as well as a year as chief resident (1996-97) at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles.

Founded in 1901, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles has been treating the most seriously ill and injured children in Los Angeles for more than a century, and it is acknowledged throughout the United States and around the world for its leadership in pediatric and adolescent health. Childrens Hospital is one of America’s premier teaching hospitals, affiliated with the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California since 1932.  The Saban Research Institute of Childrens Hospital Los Angeles is among the largest and most productive pediatric research facilities in the United States. 

Since 1990, U.S. News & World Report and its panel of board-certified pediatricians have named Childrens Hospital Los Angeles one of the top pediatric facilities in the nation.  Childrens Hospital Los Angeles is one of only 10 children’s hospitals in the nation – and the only children’s hospital on the West Coast – ranked in all 10 pediatric specialties in the U.S. News & World Report rankings and named to the magazine’s “Honor Roll” of children’s hospitals.