February 25, 2026

by Dr. Plastic Picker

It was so odd yesterday. I saw this elegant tern last night. It landed on the deck/outside patio area of a bar/grill restaurant at Paradise Point Resort. This is a frequent site of HMO large meetings so I’ve been there ALOT. I like when our HMO meetings are there because it’s really close to where our family lives. But last night I was there because our youngest who is ALMOST 18 is learning how to swim, and we used resortpass.com to get access to their pool. For $20 we were allowed to use their pool and she wanted to practice swimming. We had a grand mini-adventure as she swam, and I walked a few laps in the evening. The place is mostly deserted and very quiet. But we were having a mini-adventure, and had dinner at their bar/grill dining option which was surprisingly full. We walked along their faux boardwalk/pier which was only like 20 feet long. But it felt like a middle-aged adventure with middle-aged conference goers. At least that is what my 17 year old said. But during that adventure, I saw an elegant tern standing upright at the dining seating area.

I had never seen an elegant tern that up close! And my eyes kept on following the tern. To the point, my daughter reminded me not to be odd. But what amazed me is that no one else was noticing the elegant tern! Here is some information on how they have come to nest more in the area. https://rewildmissionbay.org/2024/08/26/fresh-faces-in-mission-bay-building-a-lasting-sanctuary/ I had written on op-ed with one of my climate friends Prof Adam Aron. https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2024/08/29/opinion-fireworks-near-mission-bay-are-harming-animals/

And this is the same evening that I found out one of my most favorite people in the world, Ashley Teo, who is also one of my former patients got into medical school! She’s one of my OG premedical students. She’s been through so much of our different climate projects, and been there as we’ve tried to figure out things. She worked as part of the Youth Climate Art project. She tabled with I Love Your Wetlands! She came with me when I was interviewed by a documentary film maker regarding my work. I’m not sure whatever happened with that footage, but we had an interesting lunch at Fig Tree Cafe and filmed amongst the tomato plants in our backyard. She worked on the heat and youth sports project. She’s shown up at the H3SD Summit last year. But most importantly, I know her and she’s a wonderful student and a former patient. I remember her during her high school years as this beautiful and studious young girl, who was admitted at UCSD. And then so proud to see her find her path to medical school. She helped during the Kaiser Family Residency days, bringing breakfast and helping coordinate the lectures. OMG she’s done so much. And she 100% deserves and has earned her spot in medical school!

All the students I am working with are doing so wonderful this year. I’m inordinately proud of them. Lots of interviews and students helping each other. But we put the community and climate at the center. I’m so grateful that a deserving student like her has earned her spot!!!!

My mommy and pediatrician heart is really happy! My own two children are doing great in their professional and personal development. They’ve asked me to be more private about their lives so I’m learning boundaries. But I’m forever grateful to raise my own kids at the same time I decided to open my heart to a limited number/select number of talented prehealth students! It’s all volunteer with me so I get to choose who I work with!