Diane Tanaka, MD

Medical Director, Teenage and Young Adult Health Center

Medical Director, Homeless Adolescent and Young Adult Wellness Clinic

Medical Director, My Voice Transition Program

Attending Physician

Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics (Clinician Educator), Keck School of Medicine of USC

Diane Tanaka, MD is the Medical Director of the Teenage and Young Adult Health Center at the Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine. In addition, Dr. Tanaka is the Medical Director of the Homeless Adolescent and Young Adult Wellness Clinic and the My Voice Adolescent Transition Program. The Homeless Adolescent and Young Adult Wellness Clinic provides medical care, mental health services, and case management of adolescents and young adults experiencing homelessness in the Hollywood area. The My VOICE Transition Program prepares adolescents and young adults with chronic health conditions to move from child-centered to adult-oriented health care systems.

Clinical Interests

Menstrual disorders Substance Use and Abuse Contraception Identification and treatment of sexually transmitted infections Pregnancy prevention for teens and youth.

Education

Medical School

University of California, Davis

Internship

Cedars Sinai Medical Center; Pediatrics Internship

Residency

Cedars Sinai Medical Center; Pediatric Residency

Fellowship

Children's Hospital Los Angeles; Adolescent Medicine

Accomplishments

Certifications

Pediatrics; American Board of Pediatrics;Adolescent Medicine (Pediatrics); American Board of Pediatrics

Professional Memberships

American Academy of Pediatrics;Society for Adolescent Medicine

Awards

Outstanding Physician, Region IX

USC Bio Link

Publications

Candidal Vulvovaginitis - A Review ---Enuresis - Chapter 27, pages 565-575, Adolescent Health Care A Practical Guide (2002)

PubMed Link

Publications on PubMed

Research

I'm currently investigating the prevalence and profile of Hollywood homeless and runaway youth who are using crystal methamphetamines and associated health risks and comorbid mental health issues. From this preliminary research, I would like to expand the focus of the research to look at a more diverse population of youth. The purpose of this research is to determine which youth are currently using crystal methamphetamines and are they at increased risk for health problems and what are the associated mental health issues? I'm also interested in investigating risk behaviors, including substance use and abuse, amongst chronically ill populations. I am also involved in providing gynecologic care to young women who have received organ transplants.