Dr. Maria grew up in the Bay Area with a house full of animals and a single mother who blazed trails, worked hard, and threw impromptu dinner parties for anyone in need a good meal. Her father was steady, liked to river-raft and laughed easily; her grandfather knew higher math and could fix anything. She went to a beautiful school with marble staircases and views of the Bay and was told from an early age by nuns who meant business that she had a responsibility to help people.

She found her place in Pediatrics, where something cute happens every day and real things happen in real time to real people. Running her own practice with 24/7 access is gruelling. She embraces every patient encounter and grumbles at the paperwork. But most of all she feels like the luckiest person for getting to know all the wonderful families who are a part of Lafayette Pediatrics.

Maria lives in a very old house in Oakland with her five rescue dogs and a pig. Her children have grown up and scattered to Chicago and Maui, so hugs from your little ones are always welcome!