Families Managing Pediatric Diabetes Celebrate Local Support

Media Contact: Karina Rusk
831-759-1843

June 9, 2025 — Briany Gonzales was all smiles at the Salinas Valley Health/UCSF Madison Clinic for Pediatric Diabetes event. The ten year old Salinas girl was on a mission to visit each of the interactive activities set up at the special Dia de los Niños celebration.

“It’s a lot of fun,” said Briany Gonzales. “I was here last year too and I’m really happy I could come back again. I love the games, face painting and free toys.”

The event is the creative brainchild of the team at the Salinas Valley Health/UCSF Madison Clinic for Pediatric Diabetes. The staff wanted to create a welcoming, non-clinical, family oriented event to support their patients. They transformed the education cooking demonstration room at the Salinas Valley Health Diabetes & Endocrine Center in Salinas to a vibrant “Little Town” with the theme of "My Town: The Best Place in Town is Here," with each educational station designed as a shop, offering hands-on learning and interactive fun.

This unique afternoon allows families affected by pediatric diabetes to connect, learn, and play. Attendees have an opportunity to make personalized medical alert bracelets, decorate pill boxes, create and eat healthy snack boxes with guidance from registered dietitians, and learn how to build a balanced plate. Children also enjoy classic games like Connect 4, Plinko, and corn hole, and face painting by the clinic staff.

“This event brings our families together in a supportive environment,” said Dr. Allen Radner, Salinas Valley Health President/CEO.  “The partnership with UCSF allows us to provide exceptional pediatric diabetes care to our community so families don’t have to take time off school and work to travel to the Bay Area for the care they need and deserve. This annual event has become a favorite for our team and the many young patients we serve.”

Numerous healthcare partners and vendors supported the event, including experts on diabetes research, technology representatives from Omnipod and Tandem, and team members assisting families with MyChart setup and device integration.

Even more than the fun activities Briany and others enjoyed today, Briany’s mother and older sister expressed their appreciation for the dedicated staff and access they have to pediatric diabetes care close to home.

“It’s made a world of difference for us,” says Monse Gonzalez, Briany’s sister. “When Briany was first diagnosed, we had to go up to San Francisco for her doctor’s appointments. This clinic is perfect and the staff is great.”

The Salinas Valley Health/UCSF Madison Clinic for Pediatric Diabetes has served hundreds of pediatric patients since opening in 2018, and is committed to fostering community, empowering families, and providing high-quality, compassionate care.