Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA)

Congratulations to the 11 CHLA specialties that were ranked as one of the best in the nation by U.S. News and World Report! 🎊 Your unwavering dedication to excellence in pediatric care continues to shine, and we couldn’t be more proud. Together, we’re giving kids the best care, every day. 🌟

This Thanksgiving, a dozen CHLA staff members went above and beyond by giving back to the community. They joined hundreds of dedicated volunteers at Hollywood Food Coalition's Annual Thanksgiving Community Dinner, serving a warm, seated turkey meal to 300 individuals experiencing homelessness or food insecurity. The evening was filled with live music, festive cheer, and the spirit of togetherness, bringing comfort during a time that can often feel isolating. We’re proud to see CHLA’s team members commitment to care, both inside and outside of the hospital.

This #Thanksgiving, we’re feeling extra grateful for moments like this. After battling cancer, this California kid is back where he belongs—on the beach and ready to catch some waves. 🏄♂️ ✨ In his own words, Cole shares #gratitude for "all the doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, Radiology and Neurology, and everyone who came together to heal me." Cole’s journey is a testament to resilience, teamwork, and the incredible care provided by CHLA. Here's to many more sunny surf sessions ahead! Learn more about Cole's story: https://bit.ly/4gUFEDY.

A big thank you to Kevin Fiala from the Los Angeles Kings for bringing so much joy to CHLA! 🏒 Kevin made playtime unforgettable by joining our patients for some epic video and board game battles. He ended his visit with a heartwarming moment with Nurse Sue, a longtime Kings fan and CHLA employee of 32 years. Like Kevin, she is a proud Swiss!

CHLA's Dr. Shahab Asgharzadeh and Dr. James Amatruda are spearheading efforts to map the tumor environments of rare childhood cancers. Their work, supported by a $5.6 million NCI grant, aims to uncover how specific cells contribute to treatment resistance and recurrence, focused on enhancing therapies for children with Wilms tumor, neuroblastoma, and rhabdomyosarcoma. CHLA was the only pediatric center in the country selected to be part of the NCI Human Tumor Atlas Network. Read more: https://bit.ly/3YqzgMn.

A special day celebrating our friend and partner Jamie Lee Curtis and My Hand In Yours. Their incredible generosity and impact are now visible to all with the naming of our nursing station. Thank you for all that you do for CHLA! 💙

New innovations in pediatric epilepsy care are giving children brighter futures! From minimally invasive surgeries to personalized treatment plans, CHLA experts Dr. Virendra Desai and Dr. Sucheta Joshi are at the forefront of transforming epilepsy care. Learn more about these advancements and how they are reshaping the journey for young patients: https://bit.ly/3CsKetp.

Thank you to Chris Pine and his father, Robert Pine, for bringing the magic of storytelling to CHLA! 🌟 Patients and families enjoyed two unforgettable Literally Healing "Stories Under the Stars" reading sessions where Chris shared his heartwarming new book, When Digz the Dog Met Zurl the Squirrel: A Short Tale About a Short Tail, spreading joy and imagination to all attendees. They were joined by Buffy, one of CHLA's beloved therapy dogs, who reminded everyone of the healing power of four-legged friends. 🐿️ 🐾 Literally Healing at CHLA gifts patients and families more than 80,000 books annually. To learn more about this innovative reading program, visit https://bit.ly/3rSuc2i.

CHLA kicked off the 2024 Youth & Wellness Prioritization Summit this week at Inner-City Arts in the heart of vibrant Downtown LA! This dynamic event brought together nearly 100 community leaders from diverse sectors to network, collaborate, and drive the future of health and wellness for children, youth, and young adults in LA County. Participants engaged with CHLA’s Community Health Needs Assessment data and took part in an interactive prioritization process to address the most pressing needs in our communities. The summit featured a powerhouse keynote panel of community leaders, including: Moderator: Cristin Mondy, RN, MSN, MPH, Regional Health Officer, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Panelists: • Education: Alberto M. Carvalho, LAUSD Superintendent • Youth in Policy: Joshua Elizondo, LA County Youth Commissioner • Early Childhood Development: Kiran Saluja, MPH, RDN, Executive Director, PHFE WIC (a program of Heluna Health) • Pediatric Specialty Care: Lara Khouri, MBA, MPH, Executive VP & COO, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles • Primary Care: Ilan Shapiro, MD, SVP, Chief Health Correspondent & Medical Affairs Officer, AltaMed • Health Plan: Alex Li, MD, Chief Health Equity Officer, LA Care It was an inspiring day of connection and collaboration as we work together to build a healthier future for the youth of LA County!

CHLA’s Dr. Alan Wayne is leading efforts to expand access to life-saving cell and gene therapies for children with rare diseases. Through the Access 4 Kids initiative, Dr. Wayne and pediatric leaders are developing new funding and partnership models to ensure these innovative treatments reach young patients in need. https://bit.ly/3Uu1vbS