Specialty Pediatrics Facility Sacramento Medical Center Department of Pediatrics - Hospital and Specialty Care Address Kaiser Morse Avenue Hospital 2025 Morse Avenue Sacramento CA 95825 Telephone Advice (24 hours)/Messages: 916-614-4060 E-mail your doctor

My Specialty and Why I Chose It

I have always wanted to work with children. I became interested in becoming a pediatrician by observing my own children’s visits to their pediatrician when they were very young. It seemed to me that being a pediatrician would be exciting, challenging, and rewarding. I have found this to be very true. As a pediatrician, I feel privileged to be able to evaluate and treat the children I see and I strive to make a positive impact in their lives.

My Practice Philosophy

I enjoy interacting with patients and their families. I firmly believe in preventive health care and a healthy lifestyle. I feel that I can help parents get their babies off to a good start here in the well baby nursery.

My Tenure With Kaiser Permanente

I grew up in Southern California and received a bachelor’s degree from California State University, Northridge in 1983. I married and had 3 children before I decided to pursue a career in medicine. My husband’s work led our family to Kentucky and then Texas where I received my medical degree in 1993 at UT Southwestern Medical School in Dallas. At that point, my family was eager to return to California. I did my residency in pediatrics at UC Davis Medical Center.

I have been with Kaiser Permanente since 1998. I was a clinic pediatrician until September 2007 when I took a position as the director of the well baby nursery at the Kaiser Permanente Sacramento Medical Center. It was a difficult choice to make, leaving my clinic practice and all of the families I had come to know so well over the past 10 years, but I love seeing all of the babies and their families every day. I have even had the wonderful experience of seeing my previous patient's families come through the well baby nursery with a new baby.

Why I Like Practicing Medicine at Kaiser Permanente

My first experience with Kaiser Permanente was as a pediatric resident. I liked what I saw. I appreciated the fact that the physicians strived to give excellent care, had the freedom to practice medicine the way they wanted to, but also had educational conferences regularly to keep their medical education up-to-date and were involved in teaching medical students and residents. I am very proud to be a physician at Kaiser Permanente, an organization that has received so many awards for outstanding medical care.

Professional Interests & Affiliations

• Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

On a Personal Note

My duties as a full-time physician here at Kaiser Permanente still allow me time to enjoy the things I like to do outside of work, such as spending time with my family, reading, and tending to my vegetable garden and yard. Our pets are also an important part of our home life. My husband and I are members of P.A.W.E.D (People for Animal Welfare in El Dorado County). My husband volunteers for this organization, working to find adoptive homes for unwanted dogs. We have two sons in medical school and a daughter who plans to become a registered nurse.

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My Credentials

Medical school	University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, TX
Internship	UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA
Residency	UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA
Board certification	Pediatrics, American Board of Pediatrics

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