All CHLA Blog Posts
Published on September 1, 2016
I love watching “The Big Bang Theory,” specifically the character Sheldon. He makes me laugh when he knocks on a door and says the name of the person he is visiting, and then repeats this action three times. He displays traits of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). I will... Read More
Published on August 30, 2016
Surgery for hip dysplasia leaves Leana Vardanian pain-free and ready for a bright future.
For Leana Vardanian, the first moment she knew something was terribly wrong came in sixth grade, when she stood up from her desk at school and immediately fell to the floor. Her left leg... Read More
Published on August 24, 2016
At what camp can you be a Jedi one day and a wizard the next, and all while improving strength, coordination and motor skills? Handy Heroes Therapy Camp!
This therapeutic summer day camp at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is a unique camp—in fact, it’s the only camp of... Read More
Published on August 18, 2016
All parents face tough questions from their children, but Cynthia Harkins has had to answer some particularly poignant questions from her son, David.
“He asked me once if he really has half a heart,” Cynthia recalls. “I told him that, for some people, this is the easiest... Read More
Published on August 15, 2016
Back to school season is here, and that means the activities of fall sports are just around the corner. So, we spoke to Tracy Zaslow, MD, FAAP, CAQSM, medical director of the Sports Medicine and Concussion Program at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, to get the top six things... Read More
Published on August 12, 2016
More than 200 Children's Hospital Los Angeles physicians are recognized in Pasadena Magazine's Top Doctors issue for 2016! Many of the honorees are members of the Children's Hospital Los Angeles Medical Group and are academically affiliated with the Keck... Read More
Published on August 12, 2016
Summer is ending and that means no more late nights, sleeping-in, or spending hours playing video games. Instead, it’s time to head back to school where days are filled with classroom lectures and homework.
Sounds dreadful, right? It doesn’t have to. In fact, with a... Read More
Published on August 11, 2016
Here in Southern California, we have the privilege to escape the summer heat by heading out to the beach, lake, or any large body of water. While these activities are fun, it’s important to note that fun is only maximized when safety is involved! So, here are the top three tips... Read More
Published on August 5, 2016
Teens Create a Campaign and Sex Ed Booth in Hollywood Schools
Written by Maria Sipin
The Hollywood Coalition for Healthy Youth student leaders at a local Hollywood high school launched a social media marketing pilot project. This campaign wasn’t focused on getting... Read More
Published on August 5, 2016
Social Work Student Reflects on Internship Experience and Racism and Violence as Public Health Issue
Written by Karli Santos, MSWc, May 23, 2016
It was always clear that the professional trajectory of my life was going to lead me to work for and with youth, and... Read More
Published on August 5, 2016
Three knee surgeries followed by a meniscus transplant sidelined the young soccer player for 2 ½ years. He’s now on the verge of returning to the field.
From inside her son’s examination room at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Teresa Torres could hear orthopaedic surgeon... Read More
Published on August 4, 2016
Every time 6-year-old Zayden Rainey comes to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, something magical happens: He grows a little taller.
It happens quickly—in less than two minutes—but no hocus-pocus or magic spells are involved. Even better, there’s no surgery. Instead, David... Read More
Published on August 2, 2016
Dieter Stelling is back in the swim, thanks to the specialized skills of the Children's Orthopaedic Center's Hip Preservation Program.
Dieter Stelling feels right at home in the ocean, where he loves to dive and snorkel, exploring marine life. Out of the water, he prefers... Read More
Published on July 28, 2016
Until the day her family got a surprise phone call from Mitch Seruya, MD, Heather Murillo had been at a loss.
Murillo’s youngest daughter, Stella Carrillo, had brachial plexus palsy—also called Erb’s palsy—a condition that rendered her unable to use her left arm. The... Read More
Published on July 21, 2016
Lying in the back seat of his parents’ car on July 3, 2012, 13-year-old Nathan Newman had no idea just how much his life was about to change.
Up until that summer, when his headaches started, he’d always been happy and healthy. Sports were his life, and he played on club... Read More
Published on July 12, 2016
A few years ago, I wrote a blog about helping teenagers cope with chronic illness, especially when it means they have to take medications or do daily monitoring tasks like checking blood sugar or doing breathing treatments. It is not easy and as teenagers start to transition... Read More
Published on July 12, 2016
Since Elise Martinez was 2 years old, she was debilitated by a condition that could not be properly diagnosed. It caused severe impaction in the bowels, arthritis and malnutrition. The many pediatric specialists she saw before coming to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles... Read More
Published on July 5, 2016
The topic of poop is a touchy subject for most and sometimes people think it is taboo to talk about. But poop, also called stool, can tell you a great deal about what’s going on with your child’s gastrointestinal (GI) tract, so it’s important to discuss with your child’s... Read More
Published on June 30, 2016
Nasoalveolar Molding Brings Great Success for Babies With Cleft Lip and Palate
In honor of National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month in July, I would like to highlight a special program here at CHLA called the NAM Program, which stands for... Read More
Published on June 29, 2016
During the Super Bowl 2015 a controversial insurance ad played with a young boy telling the viewers about all the things he was not able to do, because he didn’t grow up, because he died in an accident. Social media erupted with people complaining that the ad was a “downer... Read More