When thousands of pediatricians, researchers and health care leaders gather in San Diego this October for the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference & Exhibition, experts from Rady Children’s Health will be there to share their knowledge and contribute to conversations about the future of pediatric care.
More than 25 physicians, nurse practitioners and specialists from across Rady Children’s Health and its academic partners will take the stage throughout the conference, presenting on topics spanning pediatric diabetes, hypertension, sleep disorders, neonatal care, sports medicine, child abuse prevention, ophthalmology and more.
Their participation offers an opportunity to share knowledge, exchange ideas and connect with colleagues from across the pediatric community. With AAP taking place in San Diego this year, we’re especially excited to welcome pediatric professionals to our hometown.
Explore the Full List of Rady Children’s Speakers at AAP 2026
With experts participating in sessions throughout the conference, there are plenty of opportunities to learn from the Rady Children’s Health community.
Friday, October 2
Justin T. Hamrick, MD: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Chief, Pediatric Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology, Rady Children’s Health/CSSD
Progress in Pediatric Surgery: Discovery and Multidisciplinary Collaboration
Daniel Lesser, MD: 1–5 p.m.
Pediatric Pulmonologist, Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego
Beyond the Lower Airways: Evolving Frontiers in Pediatric Pulmonology
Jason Qian, MD: 1–5 p.m.
Assistant Professor, UC San Diego/Rady Children’s Hospital
The Primary Care Guide to ENT Conditions from Ear Infections to the Stuffy Nose
Aviya Levy, MD, MS: 2:30–3:30 p.m.
Assistant Professor, Rady Children’s Hospital/UC San Diego
Red Flags and Red Herrings in Children with Joint Pain
Shoba Narayan, MD: 4–5 p.m.
Pediatric Nephrologist, Division Chief and Medical Director of Dialysis, Rady Children’s Health of Orange County
Diagnosis and Management of Pediatric Hypertension
Saturday, October 3
Brendon Mitchell, MD: 8 a.m.–noon
Assistant Clinical Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego
The Pediatric Injury Playbook: Updates in Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
Alison K. Wolf, CPNP, IBCLC: 8 a.m.–noon
Nurse Practitioner, UC San Diego Health
Algorithms and Attachment: Breastfeeding Medicine in the Age of the Influencer
Donny Suh, MD: 9-10 a.m.
Chief and Professor, University of California at Irvine; privileges at Rady Children’s Health of Orange County
Pediatric Ocular Emergencies You Can’t Afford to Miss
Linda Hill, MD: 1–5 p.m.
Distinguished Professor, UC San Diego
Approaches to Advance Care and Support for Immigrant Children and Families
Aviya Levy, MD, MS: 2–3:30 p.m.
Assistant Professor, Rady Children’s Hospital/UC San Diego
Hands-On Rheumatology Lab: MSK and Skin Exam
Johanna Chang, MD: 2–3:30 p.m.
Clinical Professor, UC San Diego
Hands-On Rheumatology Lab: MSK and Skin Exam
Anna Cymbaluk, MD: 2–3 p.m.
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Attending Pediatric Endocrinologist, UC San Diego School of Medicine/Rady Children’s Health
Advances in Treatment of Pediatric Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes
Sunday, October 4
Jasjit Singh, MD: 7:30 a.m.-8:30 a.m.
Assistant Division Chief, Infectious Diseases, Rady Children’s Health of Orange County
Evaluation and Management of Pneumonia
Robin Steinhorn, MD: 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
Senior Vice President and Associate Dean, Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego and UC San Diego
Women in Neonatology (WiN)
Karen Van Hoesen, MD: 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
Professor Emeritus, Emergency Medicine; Co-Director, San Diego Center of Excellence in Diving, UC San Diego Health Sciences
Pediatric Sports Medicine: Where Science Meets the Surf
Kathryn Pade, MD: 8 a.m.–noon
Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Rady Children’s Hospital/UC San Diego
Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) Fundamentals Course
Romeo Ignacio, Jr., MD: 8 a.m.–noon
Clinical Professor, UC San Diego/Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego
From Pavement to Policy: Addressing Pediatric Street Injuries
Mike Kwon, MD: 8:30–10 a.m.
Associate Professor, Rady Children’s Hospital/UC San Diego
Casting and Splinting Lab
Rakesh Bhattacharjee, MD: 9–10 a.m.
Pediatric Pulmonologist, Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego
Counting Sheep or Chasing Screens: Untangling Behavioral Sleep Problems in Children
Mary E. Patterson, MD: 1–4 p.m.
Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, UC San Diego/Rady Children’s Hospital
Demystifying Endocrine Puzzlers in Your Practice
Puja Singh, MD: 1–4 p.m.
Assistant Professor, UC San Diego/Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego
Demystifying Endocrine Puzzlers in Your Practice
Lauren Hennein, MD, FAAP: 1–4:20 p.m.
UC San Diego/Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego
Pediatric Ophthalmology for the Pediatrician
Nikta Forghani, MD: 2–3 p.m.
Pediatric Endocrinology, Medical Director, Pediatric Diabetes Program, Rady Children’s Health of Orange County
Evaluation and Management of Menstrual Disorders in Teens
Shalon M. Nienow, MD: 2–3 p.m.
Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics and Division Chief of Child Abuse Pediatrics, UC San Diego School of Medicine
Case-Based Guide to Recognizing Child Physical Abuse
Ruth Bol, DDS, MPH, FICD: 2–3:30 p.m.
Pediatric Dentist; Dental Operations and Residency Consultant, Rady Children’s Hospital
Hands-On Oral Health Lab: Fluoride Varnish and Silver Diamine Fluoride
Mike Kwon, MD: 2–3:30 p.m.
Associate Professor, Rady Children’s Hospital/UC San Diego
Casting and Splinting Lab
Kathryn Pade, MD: 3–7 p.m.
Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Rady Children’s Hospital/UC San Diego
Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) Critical Competency Course
Manju Hurvitz, MD: 4–5:30 p.m.
Pediatric Pulmonologist, Rady Children’s Hospital/UC San Diego/Naval Medical Center San Diego
When It’s Not the Lungs’ Fault: Unmasking Functional Respiratory Disorders in Children
Ami Doshi, MD: 1–5 p.m.
Vice Chair of Faculty Development & Wellness, UC San Diego
From Platitudes to Practice: The Science of Resilience and Wellbeing
Monday, October 5
Pia S. Pannaraj, MD: 8–10 a.m.
Professor of Pediatrics, UC San Diego
Meet the Red Book Committee
Ruth Bol, DDS, MPH, FICD: 9–10 a.m.
Pediatric Dentist; Dental Operations and Residency Consultant, Rady Children’s Hospital
Preventing and Responding to Dental Trauma in the Pediatric Office
Johanna Chang, MD: 5–6 p.m.
Clinical Professor, UC San Diego
Biologics and Beyond: Pediatric Care for the Immunosuppressed Child
Tuesday, October 6
Julie Jaffray, MD: 9–10 a.m.
Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, UC San Diego/Rady Children’s
Abnormal Bleeding Patterns
See You in San Diego!
AAP 2026 brings together pediatric professionals from across the country to exchange ideas, share expertise and advance the health and well-being of children.
For Rady Children’s Health, having the conference in San Diego provides an exciting opportunity to showcase the physicians, specialists and academic partners who are helping advance pediatric care every day.
We look forward to connecting with colleagues, sharing knowledge and welcoming the pediatric community to San Diego.
For more information about the conference, visit: https://aapexperience.org/