I became a Pediatrician after the very personal experience of having a special needs child and experiencing the difficulties of navigating a complicated and often unsympathetic medical system. Regional Center services and support were well integrated into my life. I returned to school to complete pre-med requirements, after having been a credentialed elementary school teacher, and entered medical school. After residency, the majority of my work had been caring for underserved populations in both County and Community Clinic-type settings. So, here I am!