The Doctor Will See You Now
When Leslie Capron began taking her three children to a boutique pediatric practice in Irvine, the relatively small size of the practice did not seem problematic. As her children grew, however, their needs became more complex and nuanced.
“It felt like we had outgrown the practice,” recalled Capron. “We needed a place where there were more doctors of different genders with different backgrounds.”
A neighbor recommended Southern Orange County Pediatric Associates (SOCPA), one of the largest and oldest pediatric practices in Orange County. With SOCPA’s relatively large staff of eighteen pediatricians (including this writer’s husband), it seemed like the best fit for her family’s needs. And so Capron began taking her kids to SOCPA’s Lake Forest office, the closest SOCPA office to her home in Irvine.
Now that SOCPA has opened its first office in Irvine, Capron is thrilled to cut her commute time in half.
“As teenagers, my kids don’t go as often as they used to,” said Capron, “but I’m thrilled that I’ll go to appointments without getting on the freeway.”
Capron is just one of many very happy families in and around Irvine who can now easily access pediatric healthcare at SOCPA. As Irvine continues to grow as a healthcare powerhouse, the opening of SOCPA’s newest office allows for a closer connection between Irvine’s children and CHOC. Due to its membership in the CHOC Primary Care Network, SOCPA’s patients can easily access CHOC's specialized services when needed.
“One of the benefits of SOCPA’s, and truly all of our primary care practices' connection with CHOC, is better continuity of care,” said Anita Sankaran Piskun, Vice President, CHOC Primary Care. “Our pediatricians and CHOC specialists work together very closely.”
The benefit of SOCPA’s connection with CHOC results in better continuity of care. Piskun said that in the case of hospitalization for an injury or illness, the pediatricians at SOCPA and the specialists at CHOC work together closely.
“Our pediatricians and CHOC specialists can see all of the same information in the same medical record,” said Piskun. “They partner with families, so parents don't feel as though they have to manage everything on their own.”
Of course the vast majority of patients don’t need coordination with CHOC specialists, but they do need knowledgable and caring pediatricians that are ideally located close to home. SOCPA’s Irvine office is designed with convenience and accessibility in mind, catering to the needs of busy families. The office is equipped with modern medical tools and staffed by experienced pediatricians who are dedicated to providing compassionate care. By setting up shop in Irvine, SOCPA is responding to the increasing demand for pediatric services in the region, offering a closer, more convenient option for routine check-ups, immunizations, and other essential healthcare needs.
“We are always trying to meet our families where they’re at,” said Piskun. “There's a lot of growth in Irvine, which will likely attract more families to the city. Expanding our presence in that community gives those families access to quality pediatric care close to home.”
SOCPA Pediatrician Katherine Williamson is also excited to meet the needs of Irvine’s children.
“I’m excited to take care of kids and teens in the Irvine area. We know this area is growing in Orange County and we want to make sure our youth have great medical care and their parents have support. Our goal is to keep the community healthy and now our community includes Irvine.”
For those families, the Irvine office means shorter travel times and the ability to fit a SOCPA doctor visit into hectic schedules. Its location near Irvine Spectrum also adds to its appeal. In short, the new Irvine office is a win for local families, providing a convenient and trusted healthcare option close to home.
Learn more about SOCPA and it's new Irvine office here.