CAN EXECUTIVE BOARD

Shaping the Future of Neonatal Care in California

Executive Board

Denise Suttner, MD

PRESIDENT (2024-2026)
Rady Children’s Hospital/UCSD

Thomas K. Shimotake, MD

PAST PRESIDENT (2022-2024)
UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital

Meera Sankar, MD

Vice President
Stanford University

Christine Johnson, MD

Secretary
Stanford University

Rowena Cayabyab, MD

TREASURER
USC Keck School of Medicine

Alexis Davis, MD

AAP DISTRICT IX CHAIR
Stanford University

Regional Representatives - 2025-2028

Elena Minakova, MD, Northbay (NE)

Fatima Eskandar-Afshari, DO, Stanford (NW)

Jamie Overbey, DO, Rady/UCSD (SE)

Viviana Fajardo, MD, UCLA (SW)

Regional Representatives - 2024-2027

Dr. Steve McElroy, MD, UCD (NE)

Dr. Pui Lai, MD, Santa Clara (NW)

Dr. Ana Banerjee, MD, LL (SE)

Dr. Roxanne Arcinue, MD, CSHS (SW)

Regional Representatives - 2023-2026

Kristen Hubert, MD, East Bay NS(NE)

James McGuire, MD, UCSF (NW)

Kushal Bhakta, MD, CHOC (SE)

Fiona Baervelt Werthheimer, MD, LAC-USC (SW)

Elections for the 2026 Regional Representatives will be held later this year/ early next year and are only open to members of CAN. If you are already a member and would like to be considered, please reach out to our Secretary at clcjohns@stanford.edu. 

Beyond Medical Care: A Voice for Newborns and Families

We understand that a healthy newborn thrives in a healthy environment. That’s why we advocate for families, pushing for access to essential resources and supporting programs that educate the public about newborn health.