MADERA, Calif. – Dr. Ria Peralta, a pediatric resident at Valley Children’s, has been awarded a $2,000 Resident Community Access to Child Health (CATCH) Grant from the American Academy of Pediatrics for a project aimed at preventing childhood anemia.
Dr. Peralta received the recognition alongside Dr. Carmela Sosa, medical director of the Guilds Center for Community Health and associate residency program director, for their initiative, “Iron Strong Kids: Preventing Childhood Anemia.”
The CATCH Grant program is a nationally recognized and competitive initiative that supports community-based efforts designed to improve pediatric health outcomes. Dr. Peralta was among 48 fellows and residents selected nationwide and one of seven recipients from California.
Each year, only a small number of pediatric residents and physicians are chosen for projects that show strong potential to benefit underserved communities.
“This achievement reflects Dr. Peralta’s dedication to advancing child health through prevention and community engagement, as well as the outstanding mentorship and guidance provided by Dr. Sosa,” said Valley Children’s Residency Program Director Dr. Vini Vijayan. “We are incredibly proud of Dr. Peralta for this accomplishment and look forward to the positive impact her work will have on children and families in our community.”
The “Iron Strong Kids” project focuses on preventing anemia through education, early identification and community engagement. The project aims to train caregivers and parents to improve prevention and early identification of iron deficiency and anemia in young children.
Approximately 1-2% of children between 1 and 5 years old are impacted by iron-deficiency anemia, but the rate climbs to 3-4% among children living in poverty who have less access to nutritional food and preventative health screenings, according to the project.
“This is a project that meets our patients and families where they are,” said Dr. Sosa, who has mentored four CATCH Grants since 2021. “Not only are we holding our education sessions where people live, but the program materials will be developed based on the foods that are accessible and culturally relevant to the families we are serving.”
To learn more about the “Iron Strong Kids” project, click here.
For more information about the pediatric residency program at Valley Children’s, click here.
