Dr. Nadine Burke Harris presented today at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center during Pediatric Grand Rounds to a full room (standing room only) of pediatricians, nurse practitioners, physicians assistants, public health professionals and allied medical staff.  

With the show of hands, many of us in the room were familiar with ACEs science and the health impacts of toxic stress. With ease, Dr. Burke Harris dove into great detail of our bodies response to toxic stress and the multitude of behavioral and physical manifestations it shows up in the clinic setting, the school setting and at home.

Founder and CEO of the Center For Youth Wellness, Dr. Burke Harris is internationally known for her work caring for families in the Bayview Hunters Point neighborhood, bringing in trauma-informed, science led, multidisciplinary approach to care.  Universally screening all patients and families of ACEs and other screening questions including deportation, bullying, and racism. 

She shared the exciting news of the passage of Assembly Bill (AB) 340.  This will require the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), in consultation with the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) and other partners, to convene an advisory working group to update, amend, or develop, if appropriate, tools and protocols for screening children for trauma.  

As the hour long session ended, we were gifted with a showing of a PSA from StressHealth.org.  The energy in the room was palpable.  It was hopeful, energized and excited.  Slight concern with the future of operationalizing and additional screening tool, but interest to continue the conversation and reach across the "isles" were evident.  As a professional in public health and prevention, I couldn't have been more happier.

PSA LINK: The Things We Carry- Stress Health PSA

KidsData.org - Childhood Adversity and Santa Clara County

Dr. Nadine Burke Harris' Ted Talk - viewed over 4.5 million times

PHOTO: Public Health Nurses and Dr. Nadine Burke Harris (L-R Charisse Feldman PHN Manager, Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, Grace Jiao PHN III, Jane Capili PHN III & Rhoda Blankenship, MCAH Director)