On April 24, LuskinOIC hosted an educational conference featuring UCLA residents and visiting professor Dr. Vish Talwalkar. Dr. Talwalkar, an expert in pediatric orthopaedics from Shriners Hospitals for Children and the University of Kentucky, delivered a lecture on “The Quest for Value in Pediatric Spine Surgery.”
Residents Dr. Eric Chang, Dr. Daniel Chiou, and Dr. Paul Walker also presented their innovative research aimed at improving surgical outcomes and patient care. This annual conference is crucial for advancing LuskinOIC’s mission of providing equitable, patient-centered care, fostering knowledge, collaboration, and new ideas to enhance treatment for children with musculoskeletal disorders.
Dr. Mike Russell, an orthopaedic surgeon and ortho-oncology fellow at UCLA, is passionate about improving global health through his work, and is currently training and serving patients at LuskinOIC. With six years of orthopaedic training, including a residency at the University of Iowa, Dr. Russell is committed to addressing healthcare disparities. His motivation stems from a transformative visit to Haiti post-earthquake where he witnessed the severe lack of orthopaedic care available to those in need. This experience highlighted the urgent need for high-quality surgical care in remote and under-resourced regions, solidifying his dedication to the field.
Dr. Russell’s next venture involves moving to Malawi, Africa, to join Cure International, a faith-based organization dedicated to rectifying healthcare injustices in the developing world, particularly in orthopaedics. In Malawi, he will focus on neglected trauma and congenital deformities, working primarily with children who lack access to surgical care. Dr. Russell plans to eventually establish a pediatric ortho-oncology practice and aims to move beyond the current standard of amputation due to the lack of prosthetic devices, and instead, build a limb-salvage practice to significantly improve patients’ quality of life.
Throughout his career, Dr. Russell has been influenced by the mentorship of Dr. Bernthal at LuskinOIC, where the commitment to providing high-quality care to under-resourced populations in Los Angeles has inspired him. His experiences with patients suffering from severe conditions without access to proper care have driven his mission. As he prepares for this new chapter, Dr. Russell emphasizes the importance of embracing one’s passions, despite challenges, and he is eager to contribute to lasting change in global healthcare through his work with Cure International and continued partnerships with institutions like LuskinOIC and UCLA.
LuskinOIC celebrated a spectacular night at the Stand for Kids Gala supporting its mission to advance health equity for every child in Los Angeles and beyond, ensuring no child is turned away for lack of insurance.
LuskinOIC Stand For Kids Gala, on Saturday, June 8, 2024 will benefit LuskinOIC’s mission of advancing health equity for every child in Los Angeles and beyond.
Stay connected, Stay informed!
Join the LuskinOIC Newsletter for news, updates, stories, and more!
Knowing When to Seek Care for Your Child: A Guide from LuskinOIC
As a parent, your top priority is keeping your child safe and healthy. But when your child is sick or injured, it can be hard to know what level of care they need. Should you call your pediatrician, visit urgent care, or head straight to the emergency department?
When to Call Your Pediatrician or Visit Urgent Care
For non-emergencies, your child’s pediatrician or a pediatric urgent care center is often the best place to start. If your child’s doctor isn’t available—such as during evenings or weekends—urgent care can provide fast, effective treatment. Contact your pediatrician or visit urgent care if your child has:
A fever lasting more than 3 days
A fever over 102°F for more than 2 days in an infant, without a clear cause
Symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, dry cough, runny nose)
Minor injuries like sprains, strains, or swelling
Cuts that may need stitches
Minor burns
Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
Bladder or urinary tract infections
Cold symptoms, coughs, or sore throats
Earaches or sinus pain
Skin concerns like rashes or irritation
You may also have access to virtual urgent care for non-emergency issues, allowing your child to be seen by a provider from home. Check if pediatric virtual urgent care services are available in your area.
When to Go to the Emergency Department
If your child is seriously injured or ill—especially if the condition may be life-threatening or needs immediate attention—take them to the emergency department (ED). Seek emergency care if your child:
Is extremely drowsy, hard to wake, or behaving unusually
Is experiencing severe or constant pain
Has trouble breathing, or is breathing rapidly or deeply
Has a suspected broken bone, a visibly deformed limb, or a lot of swelling and pain
Has a deep or large cut, a cut that won’t stop bleeding after 10 minutes of pressure, or a wound on the head, chest, or abdomen
Sustains a head injury that causes vomiting, confusion, a severe headache, or loss of consciousness
Falls from a significant height
Ingests a harmful substance or medication
If your child is alert, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222
If your child is unresponsive, having trouble breathing, or has collapsed, call 911
Is under 2 months old and has a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher (call your doctor first)
Has a high fever along with a stiff neck or headache
Has a fever along with a widespread purple or red rash
Shows signs of severe dehydration (no wet diapers, sunken eyes, dry mouth, weakness, or inability to drink or respond)
Your child’s health matters. When in doubt, trust your instincts—and don’t hesitate to seek care. LuskinOIC is here to support your family with trusted pediatric expertise every step of the way.
Monthly Newsletter
Get the latest updates, news, and insights delivered straight to your inbox.
