Administrative Assistant: 858-246-0046
Bretten D. Pickering is board-certified pediatrician, clinical professor UC San Diego. Dr. Pickering provides primary care for infants, children and adolescents through all developmental stages. Dr. Pickering is an expert in caring for medically fragile children with complex health care needs. He considers it a privilege to work with this unique population of patients and families. Dr. Pickering understands the difficulties families face in caring for children with special health care needs and enjoys helping them navigate through the complex medical systems in which they live.
Dr. Pickering is the Medical Director of the Special Needs Clinic at Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego. As the Medical Director, Dr. Pickering works with medical specialists to provide coordinated care aimed at maximizing the quality of life for children with complex and chronic medical conditions. As a clinical professor at UC San Diego School of Medicine, Dr. Pickering instructs medical students, residents and fellows. He also precepts fellows in Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics and Hospice/Palliative Medicine.
Education
- Undergraduate Education: Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry Westmont College
- Medical Education: University of Arizona, College of Medicine
- Residency: Pediatrics UC San Diego, School of Medicine
- Special Certifications: Board Certified, General Pediatrics
Area of Interest
- Children with Medical Complexity
Publications
- Stein MT,
Pickering
BD Reviewing,Van Cleave J et al. Acad Pediatrics 2015 Oct 30 "Primary Care Offices vs. Specialty Clinics for Care of Children with Chronic Conditions." NEJM Journal Watch, November 12, 2015.
- Houkom K,
Pickering BD, Sawyer M, Stein MT:
Significant weight loss with cognitive and communication limitations in an adolescent.
Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 2012; 33(8) 676-8.
- Wilson JT, Helms R,
Pickering BD, Donahue L, Brown RD:
Acetaminophen controlled-release sprinkles versus acetaminophen immediate-release elixir in febrile children.
Journal of Clinical
Pharmacology
and Therapeutics 2000; 40: 360-369
- Stein MT,
Pickering
B, Mazzella CB, Tanner L:
Challenging Case: Parental refusal to immunize a 2-month-old infant.
Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 2000; 21(6):432-436.
- Eichenfield LF,
Pickering
B, Fallon-Friedlander S:
Cotton swab culture method for the diagnosis of tinea capitis.
Arch Pediatric Adol Med 1995; 149:126-127.
Teaching
- Clinical Preceptor for medical students and residents in UCSD Academic General Pediatrics Clinic
- Clinical Preceptor for medical students, residents and fellows in UCSD Special Needs Clinic
Advocacy
- Member, Committee on Children with Disabilities for American Association of Pediatrics
- Member, Advisory Committee for Anderson Dental Center
Service
- Committee, UCSD Pediatric Intern Selection
- Committee, UCSD Residency Review
- Committee, RCHSD Infection Control
Leadership
- Section Chief, Academic General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, July 2011-present
- Interim Division Chief, General Academic Pediatrics/Adolescent Medicine Department of Pediatrics, University of California C San Diego, May 2006-2011
- Medical Director, Special Needs Clinic, Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, July 2002-present
- Director, Pediatric Primary Care Clinic, UCSD Medical Center, San Diego, October 1993-present
- Director, Pediatrics Inpatient Service, UCSD Medical Center, San Diego, 1997-1999
- Medical Director, Episcopal Community Services, San Diego, 1989-1993