UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital

We can always count on music to lift our spirits! Our Music Therapy Program acts as a major pillar of support for our kids and their parents during their healing and recovery. Earlier this month, the Children's Music Fund a nonprofit run by UCLA Mattel Allergy & Immunology Specialist, Raffi Tachdjian, MD ran an instrument drive to support the program. Join us in thanking Dr. Tachdjian and the Children's Music Fund for their support. Our Music Therapy Program is philanthropically funded and can always use additional support. Learn more here --> https://ucla.in/2lrCgoz

Join us in celebrating this adorable stocking stuffer. Please welcome baby Dominic into the world. "It's the best Christmas present I've ever had and will ever have. I don't think you can top having a Christmas baby. I feel very blessed and excited, says Lucy di Nallo, mother to the newborn. In a year where most are frustrated by having to virtually celebrate with loved ones, Aparna Sridhar, MD and staff describe the joys of working through the holiday, There is something s...pecial about working during holidays and delivering holiday babies. It feels magical. It is just so amazing to see the families welcome their most awaited gift for the holiday season! While we miss being with our own family, we all very much enjoy being together with our work family. UCLA Health offers comprehensive resources for expecting mothers. Visit the UCLA Birthplace for more information: https://www.uclahealth.org/birthplace/

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and Santa sure didn’t miss any stops! Our kids got to visit with the man himself just in time for the holidays through our direct line to the North Pole. Happy Holidays, everyone!

It doesn’t feel like Christmas without my father, says Priscilla Zubia, 20, the youngest of five siblings who lost their father, Jose Zubia, to COVID-19 in November. Intensive care physician Thanh Neville, MD, is the medical director for the 3 Wishes Program at UCLA Health, an initiative in which health care workers implement final wishes for dying patients. With the help of local philanthropists, Dr. Neville was able to help the Zubias feel "less alone" during their time of greatest need. Read the full story here. https://ucla.in/2KAc8ZN

Despite restrictions, we’re still rockin’ around the Christmas tree and bringing holiday cheer to our patients and their families this year! Some true holiday spirit was shared at our most recent (virtual) coffee house thanks to a lineup of fantastic musicians who joined in for this Music Therapy program. Although we’re missing the presence of these special guests in person this year, that didn’t stop us from having a jolly old time with everyone. Check out some highlights here and learn more about all our holiday activities at https://ucla.in/2FbIRiB

Ariana Grande and Dalton Gomez sent their elves to spread some holiday cheer to our kids and their families. Their generosity saw to it that our kid’s holiday wish lists were granted and that the delivery came with surprise pizza and meal deliveries. Thank you, Ariana, Dalton and all of our supporters for your continued support this holiday season. If you’d like to join in on their kind gesture, visit here: https://www.amazon.com//1QS8DSQL2DGA2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_ep_ws

Kids and schools aren’t the main vectors for COVID-19, according to Dr. Nava Yeganeh, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital. Learn more. https://lat.ms/2HhDQZH

We knew it all along, but now it's official: the Los Angeles Dodgers are the best in baseball! Congratulations to all of the players, coaches and staff, from all of us at UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital.

The holidays may have more plexi than parties this year, but that didn’t stop the beat (or the smiles) during this sing-along! Our young patients enjoyed plenty of music and holiday cheer thanks to our Music Therapy program’s folks.

The road to reopening Disneyland starts with science. UCLA Health’s Dr. Timothy Brewer explains how other park reopenings are models for COVID-19 do’s and don’ts. https://lat.ms/37led4R

With many COVID-19 restrictions still in place, how are families of would-be ghouls and goblins supposed to celebrate Halloween? Our experts share tips for a safe and memorable Halloween night. https://ucla.in/31eqWm5

UCLA Health’s Mattel Children’s Hospital sends a huge congratulations to our very own Dr. Peter Szilagyi, who was recently appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom to join the COVID-19 Scientific Safety Review Workgroup. Leading with data and science, this group will ensure the safe and efficient distribution of a COVID vaccine when it becomes available. Congratulations, Dr. Szilagyi!

Congratulations to our nurses at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center for their fourth consecutive Magnet designation!

That’s a wrap! Party on the Pier - Home Edition was one to remember. We want to offer our deepest gratitude to all of this year’s amazing sponsors. Without your support, our virtual event would not be the same. As always, we're looking forward to celebrating the efforts of everyone at UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital. We'll see you again next year! #MattelPOP... Mattel UCLA Health

Halloween isn’t canceled, but it will look a little different this year. UCLA Health epidemiologist Dr. Anne Rimoin reminds us that viruses don't rest on vacation, and shares tips for safely celebrating during the pandemic. https://lat.ms/3d55Qv0

We're extremely grateful that our friends from UCLA Athletics will be continuing their 13-year tradition of supporting our kids at the annual Dribble for the Cure event. This Sunday, you can virtually participate by visiting: http://pcrf-kids.org/dribble-for-the-cure/ We hope to see you there!

Missed out on your tickets to this year’s Party on the Pier? Don’t worry! You can still do your part to support the kids at UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital by becoming an official supporter of this year’s event. Visit the link to show your support for our kids and their families: partyonthepier.ucla.edu Mattel... UCLA Health See more

Should your family make holiday travel plans this year? "It's kind of a case-by-case process, says Dr. Otto Yang, a UCLA Health infectious disease expert. Learn more. https://bit.ly/3353d9r

Today is your LAST DAY to purchase tickets to this year's (virtual) Party On The Pier, in support of UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital. Don't miss out on seeing your favorite celebrity guests and a chance to enjoy live music and more all from home! We have tons of surprises up our sleeves, including a special Event Kit from Mattel (included with every ticket purchase), filled with exclusive activities and toys! Purchase your ticket at the link below and join the movement as... we continue our work at UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital. We can't wait to see you! #MattelPOP http://partyonthepier.ucla.edu/

What exactly... is a "learning pod"? Are they safe? Do they help? What every parent should know about these "micro-schools", with UCLA Health pediatrician Dr. Carlos Lerner. https://bit.ly/35VEaHr

There are only a few days left to snag your tickets to Party on the Pier! Order by the September 30th deadline and receive a special Event Kit, filled with Mattel toys, gender-inclusive activities and secret prizes in time for the party! This year’s special guests include Rico Rodriguez and Raini Rodriguez (Modern Family, Jurrasic Park: Camp Cretaceous), Vanessa Lachey and Nick Lachey, and former UCLA gymnast Katelyn Ohashi.... Enjoy a special musical performance by JD McCrary (who you might recognize as the voice of Simba) and a dance tutorial by Phil Wright from Disney Fam Jam, plus surprise guests from the Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles Lakers. Don’t miss out on #MattelPOP! Circle October 18 on your calendars for the biggest (virtual) Party on the Pier! Buy your tickets today: http://partyonthepier.ucla.edu/

Special thanks to BuzzFeed FYI today, talking about our AI friend Robin! Robin is an AI-powered robot with tons of interactive features and the ability to pick up on emotion, quickly becoming a companion for our kids at UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital during a tough time. Check out the video and visit the link to learn more about Robin!... www.uclahealth.org/welcome-robin-the-ai-robot