CME Lecture: AI in Pediatric Mental Health
October 8, 2025
Pediatrician Spotlight on Janine Young, MD, FAAP
Pediatrician Spotlight is a segment in Coastal Currents highlighting one of AAP-CA3’s Outstanding Chapter Members or programs.
Janine Young, MD, FAAP is the UCSD Division Chief of Academic General Pediatrics, Newborn Medicine, and Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics and arrived in San Diego three years ago to take on this role. Her research, clinical and education foci are in immigrant and refugee health, evidence-based laboratory screening of immigrant populations, health equity and addressing barriers to care.
Since she arrived, she’s partnered with Family Health Centers to start a UCSD AGP clinic at their City Heights location to see patients and teach residents and medical students. Prior to this, she was in Denver, CO where she was the Medical Director of the Denver Health and Hospitals Refugee Clinic, founder and director of the Denver Health Human Rights Clinic, and was a Medical Advisor to the Colorado State Refugee Services Program. She has been very fortunate to have been funded for the last 10 years by the MN Dept of Public Health/CDC Division of Global Migration to develop the CDC Domestic Refugee Screening Guidelines and CareRef as well as other clinical educational materials and QI for the MN Center of Excellence in Newcomer Health.
Get to know Dr. Young by reading her pediatrician spotlight!
AAP-CA3: What is your current job/professional responsibilities?
I am the UCSD Division Chief of Academic General Pediatrics, Newborn Medicine, and Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics and arrived in San Diego three years ago to take on this role.
AAP-CA3: How did you first get involved in the AAP?
I have been involved with AAP since residency and became more involved in Denver where I was on their AAP Board for CO and advised on immigrant and refugee health. I also co-founded the national AAP Council on Immigrant Child and Family Health and still review manuscripts for them when needed.
AAP-CA3: Why should pediatricians join the AAP and their AAP Chapter?
Currently, it is more important than ever for pediatricians to be involved in AAP locally and nationally. AAP has stepped up as an outspoken voice promoting science and medicine, the robust long-standing data on vaccines, as well as advocating for the rights of all children in the US whether US born or immigrant. It is essential to speak out and support children’s rights and health more than ever before.
AAP-CA3: What is your current role in the AAP-CA3 chapter?
I am a member. I have less time now than before, but am always happy to answer questions regarding immigrant health and health disparities.
AAP-CA3: What do you enjoy most about being a chapter member?
Access to the leadership team with questions and concerns that they can bring to the attention of the other CA chapters and/or national AAP.
AAP-CA3: How does the chapter support your passion?
The team has supported UCSD pediatric residents who are interested in immigrant health QI projects. I would love to see someone lead an Immigrant Health arm of the AAP-CA3 and I would be happy to advise that person.
AAP-CA3: Did you have a mentor who influenced you to become the physician that you are now?
My first mentors were physicians and nurses with whom I worked after my undergraduate years in South Africa. I worked as a medical assistant in an emergency room in Alexandra township outside of Johannesburg and started there 6 months after Nelson Mandela had been released from Robbin Island prison. Apartheid was still in effect and the doctors and nurses in Alex township were the most dedicated team I had ever seen, providing care to everyone with the respect that they deserved. The nurses taught me how to suture and I learned so much from them, the patients, and the community.
AAP-CA3: What do you like to do in your spare time?
Run, hike, swim, road bike—anything outdoors! Travel everywhere, read books in French and Spanish, and spend time with my family.