Our Team
SCOPE is guided by a passionate and experienced team of professionals who are committed to creating a meaningful network within Southern California to enhance the well-being of children with diabetes, metabolic and endocrine disorders. Our leadership team is selected by a rigorous process of peer nomination and elections to ensure that the diverse interests of our members and their institutions are well-represented.
Priyanka Bakhtiani, MD
CHLA/USC
President
Rebecca Hicks, MD
UCLA/Miller
Former President
Ajanta Naidu, MD
UCI
Secretary
Juliana Austin, MD
CHLA/USC
Treasurer
Fellows & Education Committee
The Education Committee is responsible for organizing poster sessions, and oral scholarly activities by fellows and other trainees, along with advice and encouragement for determination of career paths.
Chair
Himala Kashmiri, DO - CHOC/UCI
Term 2023 - 2025
Members
Clement Cheung, MD, PhD - CHLA/USC
Erin Okawa, MD - UCLA/Miller
Rachel Zipursky, MD - CHLA/USC
Himala Kashmiri, DO
Networking & Social Media Committee
The Networking and Social Media Committee is involved in new product discovery, networking, website and social media connections within the organization.
Chair
Danielle Manshadi, MD - CHLA/USC
Term 2023 - 2025
Members
Amrit Bhangoo, MD - CHOC/UCI
Joshua May, MD - Kaiser Permanente
David Geller, MD, PhD - CHLA/USC
Bahareh (Michelle) Schweiger, MD - Cedars-Sinai
Danielle Manshadi, MD
Scientific Sessions & Didactics Committee
The Scientific Sessions and Didactics Committee is responsible for planning didactic activities, case discussions by national experts, poster/ abstract presentations from faculty and practitioners.
Chair
Rebecca Hicks, MD - UCLA/Miller
Term 2023 - 2025
Members
Daina Dremaine, MD - CHOC/UCI
Sena Orsdemir, MD - Loma Linda
Alan Cortez, MD - Kaiser Permanente
Mitchell Geffner, MD - CHLA/USC
Dennis Chia, MD- UCLA
Rebecca Hicks, MD
Advocacy & Lobbying Committee
The Advocacy and Lobbying Committee organizes lectures, workshops and local initiatives directed at patient/ pediatric endocrinologist advocacy and lobbying as well as community outreach activities.
Chair
Swati Elchuri, MD, FAAP, BCMAS - CHLA/USC
Term 2023 - 2025
Members
Jennifer Yee, MD - Harbor UCLA
Nikta Forghani, MD - CHOC/UCI
Mary Beth Patterson, MD - UCSD/Rady
Griselda Alvarez, MD - UCLA/Miller
Swati Elchuri, MD
