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
Loma Linda
President
Rebecca Hicks, MD
CHOC
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 - 2027
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
Marwan Bakhach, MD - Kaiser Permanente
Term 2026 - 2027
Members
Danielle Manshadi, MD - CHLA/ USC
Amrit Bhangoo, MD - CHOC/UCI
Joshua May, MD - Kaiser Permanente
David Geller, MD, PhD - CHLA/USC
Bahareh (Michelle) Schweiger, MD - Cedars-Sinai
Marwan Bakhach, 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
Lily Chao, MD- CHLA/USC
Term 2026 - 2027
Members
Sena Orsdemir, MD - Loma Linda
Alan Cortez, MD - Kaiser Permanente
Mitchell Geffner, MD - CHLA/USC
Dennis Chia, MD- UCLA
Lily Chao, 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
Jennifer K. Yee, MD- The Lundquist Institute
Term 2026 - 2027
Members
Swati Elchuri, MD, FAAP, BCMAS - CHLA/USC
Nikta Forghani, MD - CHOC/UCI
Mary Beth Patterson, MD - UCSD/Rady
Griselda Alvarez, MD - UCLA/Miller
