EAST BAY PEDIATRICS - Key Persons
I first came to East Bay Pediatrics as a parent. Every visit with my new baby, I asked whether there was an opening for a new pediatrician here because I could tell that this practice had everything I wanted: great physicians, skilled staff, and stability. I love being able to see children grow and develop while helping parents go through both the trials and tribulations of parenthood. I want to see my patients grow up then have children of their own. Now, as the managing partner, I hope to see this practice continue to grow and thrive for many years to come.
I grew up in Menlo Park, where my family still resides. In order to learn more about my heritage and about Traditional Chinese Medicine, I majored in East Asian Studies during my undergraduate education at Princeton University. After completing medical school at University of California, San Diego, I came back to the Bay Area to complete my pediatric residency training at Children's Hospital and Research Center Oakland. I considered pursuing an endocrinology or rheumatology fellowship but realized that my heart is in primary care where I can take care of all aspects of a child's life.
I am an active member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, with recent leadership roles in the Section on Young Physicians and the Committee on Membership. My daughter Eleanor and my son Jordan attend the Piedmont schools where I head the student community service program. I swim early in the mornings with the Oakland Barracudas. My husband Tan and I are finally getting better at home gardening, but mostly love playing with the keiki (children, in Hawaiian).
Dr. Christina Vo gave an interview to our medical group Brown & Toland. View her thoughts on Health Needs During the COVID-19 Pandemic here: Dr. Christina Vo: Navigating Your Child's Physical and Mental Health Needs During the COVID-19 Pandemic | Brown & Toland
I began working at East Bay Pediatrics in January 2015, but this was not my first introduction to the practice. East Bay Pediatrics was my pediatric office as a child - from birth until college-- and Dr. Oken was my pediatrician. I now bring my children here and have come full circle to be a member of this incredible team. I couldn't be happier. I love being a pediatrician and having the opportunity to connect with families during pivotal times in their lives. It is so rewarding to watch my patients grow and assist them in the different stages of their development, from infancy through adolescence.
I grew up in Pleasant Hill, where my parents still live. I then headed east for college, studying English at Wake Forest University in North Carolina. I attended medical school at the University of Southern California, where my first introduction to medicine occurred at the LA County Hospital. I am grateful every day for the foundation that wonderful teaching hospital provided to me. After four years in Los Angeles however, I was ready to head home to Northern California. I completed my pediatric residency training at UCSF, followed by six years living and working in San Francisco. I now live in Moraga with my husband and two young sons. I love living in this beautiful town and in the same community in which I work. I'm sure I'll be seeing many of you at the park or Trader Joe's!
I have enjoyed working at East Bay Pediatrics since 2002. I see medicine as a way to learn to live a healthier happier life no matter what your circumstances. I grew up outside of Boston and my family always challenged me to think outside the box. I am an international adoptee, sister to a wonderful person with mental health struggles and autism, and a patient who has always relied on holistic and traditional medicine. Seeing my patients grow into the people they are meant to be is one of the greatest joys of my work.
I attended Harvard College studying English, Columbia College of Physicians & Surgeons for medical school, and the University of Massachusetts for residency. My special interests are adoption, developmental issues, and integrative medicine.
I live in Moraga with my husband Paul Espinas who is a pediatrician at Kaiser Hayward. My two girls Clementine and Mia love exploring nature, swimming and gymnastics, and all animals. I get to see my patients everywhere like the gym, swim meets, the grocery store, and the school garden - it's so fun!
I was born on the East Coast and attended college in Boston, MA. I married my wife, Judith, prior to starting medical school at UCSF. After graduation, I entered a training program in pediatrics at H.C. Moffitt Hospital and completed that training as chief resident at SF General Hospital.
I had decided to become a primary care pediatrician because of an interest in preventative medicine, the opportunity to develop long term relationships and the satisfaction of teaching families how to grow well. I started a partnerships with another pediatrician and shortly thereafter, we merged to form the current East Bay Pediatric Medical Group. This practice has grown from three male pediatricians to its current composition of three men and seven women in two locations.
As a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, I have had many opportunities for growth and leadership - including teaching at 3 campuses of the UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital as a clinical professor and President of the Medical Staff and Chairman of the Board at Alta Bates Herrick Hospital.
I come to work because it still is an enjoyable challenge. At East Bay Pediatrics, I have counsel with eight other superb pediatricians and a talented staff who are committed to service and communication. My current interests are learning how to be a better grandparent, cycling, reading, and traveling with my wife. We have two happy and successful children, Erik and Kelly. I am very fortunate and still enjoy learning.
I started working at East Bay Pediatrics in November 2000. Since that time I have developed wonderful relationships with my patients. I love talking to my young patients and hearing everything they have to say - from the hilarious to the profound. I always write down the funny things they say so I can laugh about it with them when they are older. I also treasure the relationships I develop with their parents and enjoy guiding them through the challenging journey of parenthood, starting with that first incredible moment of meeting the newborn in the hospital.
I attended Harvard University for college, and went to medical school at the University of California, San Francisco. I completed my residency at the University of Washington in Seattle. From 2007-2008 I was the chair of the Pediatrics department at Alta Bates Hospital. My clinical interests are newborn care, behavioral issues, and chronic illnesses.
I was born at Alta Bates Hospital and was raised in Walnut Creek. My husband Mike and I live in Piedmont with our daughters, Mina and Evie. I enjoy reading, cooking, and yoga.
Practicing pediatric medicine has been more rewarding than I ever imagined. My most cherished moments of being a pediatrician involve knowing that I have helped my patients on their journey of maintaining good health while supporting their growth and development as they mature from newborn babies to young adults.
Over the course of my pediatric career, what I admire most about our practice is our commitment to providing compassionate pediatric focused medical care for our patients. When I joined the practice in 2001, I was extremely proud and humbled at the opportunity to return to my roots and contribute to the community in which I grew up. As a native Californian, born and raised in the Bay Area, I knew East Bay Pediatrics was where I wanted to share my passion for improving the health and well-being of children.
Prior to joining the practice, I completed my undergraduate education at the University of California at Berkeley and graduated medical school at the University of Illinois in Chicago. After a strong desire to return home, I completed my pediatrics residency training at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Oakland, California. Since joining East Bay Pediatrics, I have been honored to serve on several national committees for the American Academy of Pediatrics where I have developed professional experience in planning and moderating many national and local continuing medical education conferences for pediatricians across the country.
Dr. Rhea retired in 2004 from East Bay Pediatrics and remained active in the teaching of residents at Children's Hospital Oakland until his passing on October 6, 2014. Dr. Mary Jones retired from East Bay Pediatrics in 2014 in order to lead Katie's Rett Clinic at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland.