Bretten Pickering - Division of Academic General Pediatrics - UC San Diego Department of Pediatrics

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