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Dr. Cigal Shaham is excited to announce she moved to Robertson Pediatrics in Beverly Hills, on July 1, 2023. She previously worked at Roxbury Pediatrics from 2011 to mid-2017, and Miracle Mile Pediatrics from mid-2017 to mid-2023. This move will allow her patients to have access to the most modern, comprehensive care, provided at Robertson Pediatrics, with a larger variety of in-house laboratory tests and services, such as an on-site pediatric psychologist and a pediatric allergist, while still having quality, evidence-based medicine and preventative health services. Please see more about the move on my blog, and contact Robertson Pediatrics directly by clicking the link above to go their website or by calling the office 310-659-8687.

Dr. Shaham’s philosophy:

I love being a pediatrician! I grew up in West L.A., so I know all the fun family spots, as well as the schools and medical system, including attending LAUSD schools as both a child and mother. This has given me further insight into what my patients and their parents are going through, and extra knowledge of how to get the most out of the complicated US health system. I believe in forming meaningful relationships with families, and treating my patients like my own children. Watching kids grow and develop into their potential is very rewarding, and I am so lucky that parents choose me to be a part of their kids’ lives.

My job as a pediatrician is to help kids and parents reach that potential by optimizing wellness, avoiding problems, and screening for issues that can and should be stopped early. I work with parents and kids on managing behavioral challenges, optimizing school readiness and performance, nutrition, and safety.  Being a parent can be challenging these days.

The internet provides lots of helpful information. Sometimes it is so much information that parents feel confused or overwhelmed. Let me help. I work with parents to make parenting easier, not harder. I practice evidence-based medicine and follow established recommendations, but not every illness needs a test or medication. I believe that sometimes medicine is very important, but so is diet, mental health, exercise, and life balance. I believe in the everything in moderation, so although eating at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day is important (with an emphasis on healthy veggies over fruit), it’s also okay to occasionally get junk food. The key is making it a special treat instead of an everyday expectation. But as much as I give advice, I also try not to judge parents – I know how hard it is myself, and there is only so much you can do. Ultimately, I believe a parent knows best for their own child and is their best advocate. I like to take the time to give each patient the care and guidance they need to help them meet their full potential.

About

Dr. Shaham grew up in Los Angeles, California, graduating from the Hamilton High School Academy of Music. She spent many weekends accompanying her mother, who is a pediatric rheumatologist, to see kids at CHLA, giving her some extra insight into how medicine has changed over the past 40 years.

She received her Bachelor’s degree with honors from the University of California at Berkeley, majoring in Inter-Disciplinary Studies, Environmental Science. Afterwards, she obtained her Master’s degree in Regulatory Science from the University of Southern California School of Pharmacy. This led to a position in clinical research at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. While working there, Cigal realized research was not enough for her, and she decided to go to medical school. Dr. Shaham says, “I love medicine because it allows me to be a scientist, teacher, and detective every day, as well as help the next generation of children grow up healthy and happy.”

Dr. Shaham received her M.D. from the Ben-Gurion University Medical School for International Health in Collaboration with Columbia University Medical Center. Upon graduation, she was presented with the Dean’s Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Medical School for International Health. The school has an outstanding emphasis on clinical skills, as well as allowing her to work with diverse populations, including a short time in Ethiopia, and a senior project with the Bedouin community in Southern Israel.

Dr. Shaham’s internship and residency in pediatrics were completed at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, Westchester Medical Center,  New York Medical College, where she was their American Academy of Pediatrics Delegate.  She was honored to have received the Pediatric Residency Leadership Award in her 3rd year.

After completing her training, Dr. Shaham happily moved back to Los Angeles with her family, and obtained privileges at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where she sees newborn babies. She spent her first six years back in L.A. working with Dr. Kimberly Klausner and Dr. Guy Efron at Roxbury Pediatrics in Beverly Hills, before moving to Miracle Mile Pediatrics in central Los Angeles for another six years. Dr. Shaham is delighted to be moving her office back to Beverly Hills in July 2023, joining Dr. Sammy Kim at Robertson Pediatrics.

In 2023 Dr. Shaham expanded her medical knowledge and experience navigating the American healthcare system by joining R1RCM as a part-time Physician Advisor, helping nurses, physicians, and hospitals with quality and compliance.

Dr. Shaham feels lucky to have a wonderful, supportive husband, and a beautiful son, who teaches her something new each day. She is licensed by the Medical Board of California and certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and an active member of the Los Angeles Pediatric Society. She speaks fluent Hebrew and basic Spanish. Dr. Shaham spends her spare time doing crafts, learning Krav Maga, spending time with her family, reading fiction, wasting time on the internet, and exploring Los Angeles.

Blog

Starting Solids with Babies

New blog post on how to feed your infant from 6-12 months old, with a focus on allergens and the new recommendations.

Extra! Extra! I’m Moving to Robertson Pediatrics!

Starting July 1st, 2023 I’ll be working at Robertson Pediatrics in Beverly Hills!
This blog answers the questions people have been asking about the move.

March Viral Madness & Covid Update

COVID has had a significant impact on children’s lives, but the world seems to be moving on and returning to a pre-pandemic baseline. Still, there are many things we have learned from the pandemic, and should continue to do to keep ourselves, our children, and our communities safe from catching Covid-19, influenza, RSV, norovirus, adenovirus, …

FAQs

1) Why should we see you?

I have many years of experience in pediatrics, extra years studying pharmacy (with a Master’s of Science in Regulatory Science from The USC School of Pharmacy, with a focus on pediatric clinical trials), and am a mother myself, with both professional and personal experience navigating the tough world of subspecialty pediatric care, including DBP and early intervention therapists and schools in Los Angeles. I keep up to date with the latest medical research every day. I keep my practice small, so I can give my patients the time they need. I have time to answer questions, explain, teach, learn, and have fun. I personalize each patient’s care, because I get to know them and their medical history. I keep meticulous records, for comprehensive care and accuracy. The office I work in offers same-day appointments, so I can always see my patients when I am in the office, and there is another board-certified pediatric physician available to see my patients when I am out.

2) What services do you provide?

I provide all regular services offered at an outpatient general pediatrician practice. This includes regular well check exams for infants, children, and adolescents through college (up to age 21), sports clearance exams, surgery clearance exams, same-day sick visits, chronic medical problem management and coordination, including for behavioral health, basic tests for well and sick visits, and medications that may need to be given in the office (e.g. albuterol, ceftriaxone, or dermabond).

3) Which insurance plans do you take?

Robertson Pediatrics accepts most major PPOs, including Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, Blue Cross, and Blue Shield. To be sure you are covered, please check with your insurance if “Robertson Pediatrics” or “Samuel Sungwon Kim” is an in-network provider within your plan (sometimes the insurance plan will mention one of the physicians in the practice and sometimes it will mention the practice name, as long as it includes one of them, you should be covered), You can also call and speak to the office manager directly for more information. Or email info@robertsonpediatrics.com

The office does not take any HMO plans or Medicare/MediCal. If you have an HMO plan, or an out-of-network PPO, such as Oscar, you may be seen on a cash basis. Please call and speak to the office manager about prices.

4) Where can I see you, and when?

I see newborn babies at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, CA. If you give birth there, just tell the person checking you in that Dr. Cigal Shaham is your pediatrician (you may have to show them my name, as I have heard of people getting confused and paging a Dr. Shah instead) and they will call me. If you give birth at another hospital or birthing center, ask the pediatrician who sees the baby there when you should follow up with your pediatrician – it is usually about 2 days after discharge from the hospital. Then just call our office during regular business hours for an appointment. Please come in sooner if there are any concerns. I work with Dr. Sammy Kim who offers in-home follow-up visits for the first week after delivery.

I see patients in person at Robertson Pediatrics, 150 N. Robertson Blvd. Suite 307, Beverly Hills, CA 90211. Dr. Sammy Kim will see my patients if I am not in. I also offer telemedicine (video conferencing) visits for some problems, so you can be seen from the comfort of your own home, with a video appointment. Those visits are best for issues that do not require an in-person exam. If your child is coughing, having breathing problems, having abdominal pain, or similar issues, it is very important to bring them in for a full in-person exam, which is available with same-day appointments Monday through Friday.

5) What do I need to do before the first appointment?

It would be helpful to have your child’s medical records transferred before the first appointment so that I can review them. If you can’t have all the records sent over in time, please fax or mail the vaccine records. Any records you send ahead of time will be very helpful, so I can review them before your appointment and be prepared. If you are transferring from an office with a patient portal, log on to that and download their immunization records, growth charts, last check-up, and last problem-based visit notes. There may be a category in the portal to download a summary of your child’s chart as well. You can usually download these files in PDF form and e-mail them to the new practice. Please let Robertson Pediatrics know that I am your primary pediatrician, so I will be given your files to review and update the electronic medical record.

6) How do I transfer records between my old pediatrician and you?

Complete medical records require a signature for moving over (due to HIPAA) and there is a cost to print, copy, and mail the records (as per California law). Ask the administrative assistants at your old office for the form to sign to transfer records, or we can have you complete a form in our office and fax it for you.

7) What is the full contact information for your office?

Robertson Pediatrics

150 N. Robertson Blvd. Suite 307

Beverly Hills, CA 90211

Office phone 310-659-8687

Fax number 310-659-2420

http://robertsonpediatrics.com

8) What about e-mail?

I can be reached at ShahamMD@gmail.com for non-urgent issues with which you don’t mind being on an open platform. You can also email me via Cedars at cigal.shaham@cshs.org. If your child is sick, or has an urgent issue, please call the office to speak to me or the on-call provider quickly. If you have a school form or other office-related matter, please email the office directly. Please include your child’s name and date of birth in all emails, as well as a phone number where you can be reached, in case a follow-up call is needed. Keep in mind that phone calls from the office sometimes appear as a blocked number. Thanks to everyone in advance for not abusing this privilege.

9) Social Media Connections

My Blog (try scrolling through “old” posts to see more topics)

Instagram

Facebook Page

Links and Resources

The Office

Robertson Pediatrics

Medication Dosage Charts

Acetaminophen Dosing Chart
Ibuprofen Dosing Chart

Information on Medications for Mothers while Breast Feeding

LactMed

Children’s Health Information

Kids Health
Healthy Children

CDC Travel Information (where to look if you’re going on a trip)

Traveler’s health

Vaccine Information Links

Vaccines.gov
ShotByShot
Vaccine Education Center

Crisis Hotlines & Information in the USA:

Emergencies (to call the police/an ambulance/the fire department): 911
Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
Crisis Text Line: Text “DESERVE” TO 741-741
Lifeline Crisis Chat (Online live messaging)
Self-Harm Hotline: 1-800-DONT CUT (1-800-366-8288)
Essential local and community services: 211, https://www.211.org/
Planned Parenthood Hotline: 1-800-230-PLAN (7526) 
American Association of Poison Control Centers: 1-800-222-1222
National Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependency Hope Line: 1-800-622-2255
National Crisis Line for Anorexia and Bulimia (eating disorders): 1-800-233-4357
LGBT Hotline: 1-888-843-4564
TREVOR Crisis Hotline: 1-866-488-7386
AIDS Crisis Line: 1-800-221-7044
Veterans Crisis Line
TransLifelinehttps://www.translifeline.org – 877-565-8860

Science Blogs

Skeptical Raptor
Science Based Medicine

Blogs by Other Pediatricians

Kid’s Health
Quest for Health
KCKidsDoc
The Pediatric Insider

My Popular Blog Topics

Private Parts & Body Talk

Coughs, Colds, and Croup

Vomiting & Diarrhea

Sunscreen

Car Seats & Car Safety

Wheezing, Inhalers & Spacers

Eczema & Sensitive Skin

Traveling with Children

Swallowing Medications

Getting Ready for Camp

Vaccine Science Made Simple

Vaccine Information – extensive resource list