Welcome to Episode 16 of the Allergy mom podcast, an interview with my personal hero, Dr. Inderpal Randhawa (affectionally known as Dr. R by his patients), the Medical Director of Pediatric Pulmonary, Clinical Immunology & Allergy at the Miller Children’s Hospital (one of the top 50 programs nationwide in the U.S.) and CEO of the nonprofit Southern California Food Allergy Institute, whose Tolerance Induction Program (TIP™) is providing true food freedom to those with severe allergies.
He is a leading clinical academic scientist with five board certifications in transplant immunology, allergy, pulmonology, pediatrics, and internal medicine.
How Dr. R began working with Allergies:
Early in his career, Dr. Randhawa began to question conventional protocols for the treatment of life-threatening food allergies. Distressed by watching parents suffer the loss of their children to fatal allergic reactions, he purposed to find innovative solutions and change the status quo. His early experience in lung transplant immunology coupled with his collaboration with national allergy and immunology specialists, led him to develop the safe, innovative solutions now offered through Southern California Food Allergy Institute.
About Southern California Food Allergy Institute:
Southern California Food Allergy Institute is the largest food allergy treatment center of its kind, dedicated to providing innovative and safe treatment for the six million children in the United States who suffer from food allergies.
Unlike OIT (Oral Immunotherapy), the nonprofit’s Tolerance Induction Program (TIP™) uses trillions of data points to create customized treatment plans for each child. Their allergies are mapped out to form an individualized program that builds tolerance to the unique proteins each child is allergic to, all before introducing their most anaphylactic allergen. This ensures patient safety, and over time, alters their immune system to not react to their allergens.
To date, TIP™ has treated over 12,000 children with a 99% success rate, giving people a life of food freedom when they can eat whatever they want, whenever they want, without fear of reaction.
Important Links:
- Southern California Food Allergy Institute Website – https://www.socalfoodallergy.org/
- Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/socalfoodallergy/
- Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/SoCalFoodAllergy
- YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/c/socalfoodallergy
- Newsletter – https://socalfoodallergy.us11.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=ee9ea9d2f42548fc8d851cd42&id=7a8f26223b
On a personal note:
I’m contacted ALL the time to ask if I would recommend this program. My answer is unequivocally yes! This program is life-changing and potentially life-saving. I am happy to answer any questions or share my personal opinions and insights anytime if you would like to know more about how we experienced the program. As a clinical social worker, psychotherapist, I also offer counselling to families dealing with food allergies, contemplating treatment options, and past or present patients in the program. It can be really helpful to speak with someone who “gets it”.
There are no words to adequately thank Dr. Randawha for the gift of food freedom that we are experiencing as a result of the Tolerance Induction Program. From the bottom of my heart, thank you, thank you, thank you. Forever and always, I will be indebted to you for the work you are doing.
Topics Discussed in this Episode:
- How Dr. Randhawa became involved in the world of Food Allergies
- What’s the difference between OIT and TIP?
- Food freedom
- Why is this program not available elsewhere? Why not peer-reviewed? (Quick answer – it’s hard to be peer-reviewed when you don’t technically have peers!)
- How the program works and why it works
- How do we make the program more accessible to others?
- Which allergens are hardest to treat? (The answer surprised me!)
- What’s the best age to start the program?
- What is the current average number of visits? # of current patients? How long is the wait list? What is the current average age of a patient?
- Does Puberty affect remission (for boys) – also want to know about this for girls (menstruation and pregnancy)
- Will there be any new locations opening – east coast? If yes, where?
- Advice for people who can’t do the program?
- How can people support the work you’re doing to make this more accessible for other families?
- Covid vaccine for 5 year olds? -Child in the program – near graduating and she’d like to know your thoughts.
- Advice on vaccines or any preference for which one to get for our kids?
- Mental Health and allergies
Stay Tuned:
That is Episode 16! Thanks for listening! Be sure to subscribe to the podcast if you haven’t already!
Click here to listen on iTunes, Spotify, or Google Podcasts:
iTunes – Click Here
Spotify – Click Here
Important Announcements:
I am clinical social worker and psychotherapist in private practice. As a regulated health professional, I offer counselling in person and via online face-to-face, virtual counselling services. You can schedule a complimentary consultation to find out more or to ask any preliminary questions you may have here: https://calendly.com/choosinghealth/complimentary-consult-call?month=2020-10
Connect with me over on Instagram, @the_allergymom. It would also mean so much if you would leave a rating and review at any podcast platform that you’re listening on. Please send me a message to let me know if you have any constructive feedback for the show and/or content suggestions for upcoming episodes! I want this resource to be the best that it can be for you!
My one-on-one counselling appointments for individuals and/or families are on sale for 20% off – Book your first session now at http://theallergymom.com/contact/ to get started. If you’re looking for practical or emotional support following a new diagnosis, support with a particular issue or on-going counselling, I am here for you! Mention the code THEALLERGYMOMHELPS in your message to obtain this discount!
I offer FREE 30 minute phone consultations as well to answer any questions you may have about counselling. You can book yourself into my calendar here:Book your Free Consultation Call
Where you can find me:
The Allergy Mom (Melissa Scheichl)’s LinkedIn
How you can work with me:
- One-on-One Allergy Counselling– Get 20% when you book an appointment today!
- Share your story (On an upcoming Blog Post and/or Podcast Interview)
- Brand and Organization Consulting – If you’re an allergy-aware business and need support to make your offering the best it can be for those suffering with Allergy, Asthma, Eczema or related health issues, I am available for consulting and can connect you with the people who can really inform your decision making, those who are affected every day! The patients! Contact me today to discuss!