Our Pediatric Experts
Southern Orange County Pediatric Associates (SOCPA) has been caring for infants, children, and young adults across South Orange County since 1977. With offices in Ladera Ranch, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente, and Irvine, we’ve spent nearly five decades growing alongside the communities we serve, and we’ve never stopped adding to what we offer families.
Our team of board-certified pediatricians sees patients from their very first newborn visit up to age 20, and they bring far more than routine pediatric care to every appointment. From our Travel Health Specialist to prenatal consultations, from no-charge phone nurse advice to after-hours care at our Ladera Ranch office, this practice was built to have thought of everything, so you don’t have to.
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Paulina Avendano, MD
Dr. Paulina Avendano, MD, FAAP, is a board-certified pediatrician at Southern Orange County Pediatric Associates in San Clemente, California, specializing in the health and well-being...Dr. Paulina Avendano, MD, FAAP, is a board-certified pediatrician at Southern Orange County Pediatric Associates in San Clemente, California, specializing in the health and well-being of children. Practicing since 1995 and at SOCPA since 2007, she provides comprehensive, family-centered care for infants, children and teens. She also works per diem at Kids Doc in Mission Viejo since 2004. Dr. Avendano is particularly passionate about family education, helping parents understand their child’s symptoms and illness, and promoting preventive care such as immunization and breastfeeding. As a member of the Rady Children’s Health Primary Care Network, Dr. Avendano is part of a nationally recognized pediatric health system to deliver coordinated care and streamline access to specialty care and additional services when necessary. Dr. Avendano grew up between Santiago, Chile; Montreal, Canada; and Fountain Valley, California, and is fluent in Spanish and French. “What I enjoy most about pediatrics is interacting with children and families. A lot of pediatrician’s time is spent on teaching, and I take this role seriously. I enjoy helping parents understand their child’s symptoms or illness and also making parents aware of the importance of things like immunizing and breastfeeding. I also aim to make the child and parent laugh or at least smile by the end of the visit.”Read More + -
Eric H Ball, MD
Dr. Eric Ball, MD, FAAP, is a board-certified pediatrician who has been practicing at Southern Orange County Pediatric Associates for over 20 years. Outside of...
Read More +Dr. Eric Ball, MD, FAAP, is a board-certified pediatrician who has been practicing at Southern Orange County Pediatric Associates for over 20 years. Outside of the office, Dr. Ball is involved in local, state, and national medical leadership. He serves on the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Orange County Medical Association.
Dr. Ball is passionate about all aspects of child health from birth until age 21. He is particularly interested in immunization policy, childhood nutrition, and the diagnosis and management of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. He also enjoys the procedural aspects of pediatrics, from suturing wounds to ear piercing in the office.
Dr. Ball is recognized as a leader in the field of pediatrics. He has been named Orange County Pediatrician of the Year by the American Academy of Pediatrics-Orange County, as well as Physician of the Year by the Orange County Medical Association. He has made more than a dozen trips to Sacramento and Washington, DC to advocate for issues related to the health of all children.
Dr. Ball is also the Vice President of the California Immunization Coalition and leads a monthly state-wide webinar series educating California physicians on vaccines and vaccine-preventable diseases. He served on the California Surgeon General’s committee on the implementation of screening for Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) in primary care practices.
Outside of work, he enjoys running, reading about history, spending time with his wife and two children, and playing with their two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.
"I became a pediatrician because I am passionate about preventative medicine and keeping kids healthy. The greatest privilege of my life is being able to work with families to ensure that their children thrive and grow into healthy and happy adults.”
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Terence J Chu, MD
Dr. Terence Chu, MD, FAAP, is a board-certified pediatrician at Southern Orange County Pediatric Associates in Irvine, specializing in the health and well-being of children....Dr. Terence Chu, MD, FAAP, is a board-certified pediatrician at Southern Orange County Pediatric Associates in Irvine, specializing in the health and well-being of children. Practicing at SOCPA since 2001, he provides comprehensive, family-centered care for infants, children and teens. Dr. Chu is particularly passionate about teaching and guiding patients and families, preventing illness and injury, and building relationships that last throughout a child’s entire childhood. As a member of the Rady Children’s Health Primary Care Network, he is part of a nationally recognized pediatric health system to deliver coordinated care and streamline access to specialty care and additional services when necessary. Outside the office, Dr. Chu enjoys family time with his wife, Heather, and their two children, walking/running with his dog, hiking with his wife and kids, swimming laps, and working out on his own or with his family. I am lucky and blessed to help take care of kids and their families. It is so very rewarding to be able to watch different patients grow and change throughout their childhood, to help teach and guide patients/families, and to treat and prevent illness and injuries. I am now having the thrilling opportunity to see patients who graduated from my care now bringing their own children back to me. Pediatrics has really come full circle.Read More + -
Amy Conrad, MD
Dr. Amy Conrad, MD, is a pediatrician at Southern Orange County Pediatric Associates in Irvine and Ladera Ranch, California, specializing in the health and well-being...
Read More +Dr. Amy Conrad, MD, is a pediatrician at Southern Orange County Pediatric Associates in Irvine and Ladera Ranch, California, specializing in the health and well-being of children. Practicing at SOCPA since 2023, she provides comprehensive, family-centered care for infants, children and teens.
As a member of the Rady Children’s Health Primary Care Network, Dr. Conrad is part of a nationally recognized pediatric health system to deliver coordinated care and streamline access to specialty care and additional services when necessary. -
Cynthia Dimalanta, MD
Dr. Cynthia A. Dimalanta, MD, is a board-certified pediatrician at Southern Orange County Pediatric Associates, primarily in the Rancho Santa Margarita office. She joined SOCPA...
Read More +Dr. Cynthia A. Dimalanta, MD, is a board-certified pediatrician at Southern Orange County Pediatric Associates, primarily in the Rancho Santa Margarita office. She joined SOCPA in 2014 and provides comprehensive, family-centered care for infants, children and teens.
Dr. Dimalanta is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
A Southern California native, Dr. Dimalanta has a passion for caring for children in her community. Outside the office, she enjoys traveling with her husband, yoga, being a plant mama and trying all things "crafty"; currently knitting and crocheting are her go-to hobbies.
“The trust that parents give to pediatricians in caring for their children is so special. I truly take that to heart as I build a relationship with families, educating parents and patients alike, and helping them through well-visits and illnesses. I love being a part of their growth.”
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Lauren B Dwinell, MD
Dr. Lauren Dwinell, MD, FAAP, is a board-certified pediatrician at Southern Orange County Pediatric Associates in Irvine and Ladera Ranch, California, specializing in the health...Dr. Lauren Dwinell, MD, FAAP, is a board-certified pediatrician at Southern Orange County Pediatric Associates in Irvine and Ladera Ranch, California, specializing in the health and well-being of children. Practicing at SOCPA since 2003, she provides comprehensive, family-centered care for infants, children and teens. Dr. Dwinell is particularly passionate about guiding families through every stage of childhood and into adulthood. As a member of the Rady Children’s Health Primary Care Network, she is part of a nationally recognized pediatric health system to deliver coordinated care and streamline access to specialty care and additional services when necessary. Dr. Dwinell is affiliated with the American Academy of Pediatrics and participates in ongoing research focused on improving outcomes for children.Read More +
