Southern Orange County Pediatric Associates provide care to infants, children, adolescents, and young adults up to age 18.
Our Doctors
Our staff is dedicated to providing the best possible healthcare for our young patients. Each of our physicians are board-certified and provide personalized care in a warm and friendly environment. Every one of our pediatricians and pediatric nurses has received extensive education, training, and experience in caring for children from infancy to teenage years and pre-adult.
Paulina Avendano, MD, FAAP
Dr. Avendano has been with SOCPA since 2007. She is currently providing care Tuesday and Friday in our San Clemente office located in the community of Talega.
Eric Ball, MD, FAAP
Dr. Ball has been with SOCPA since 2006. He is currently providing care Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday in our Ladera Ranch office.
Regina Brown, MD, FAAP
Dr. Brown has been with SOCPA since 1989. She is currently providing care Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday in our Lake Forest office
Terence Chu, MD, FAAP
Dr. Chu has been with SOCPA since 2001. He is currently providing care Monday through Friday in our Lake Forest office.
Cynthia Dimalanta, MD, FAAP
Dr. Dimalanta has been with SOCPA since 2014. She is currently providing care on Tuesdays and Thursdays in our Rancho Santa Margarita office.
Lauren Dwinell, MD, FAAP
Dr. Dwinell has been with SOCPA since 2003. She is currently providing care Tuesday and Friday in our San Clemente office located in the community of Talega.
Gregory Kennedy, MD
Dr. Kennedy has been with SOCPA since 2019. He is currently providing care Monday through Friday in our San Clemente office located in the community of Talega.
Kenson Lo, MD, MPH, FAAP
Dr. Lo has been with SOCPA since 2013. He is currently providing care Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday in our Ladera Ranch, Rancho Santa Margarita and Talega offices.
John Mersch, III, MD, FAAP
Dr. Mersch has been with SOCPA since 1982. He is currently providing care Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in our Ladera Ranch office.
Stephen Tang, MD, FAAP
Dr. Tang has been with SOCPA since 2001. He is currently providing care Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in our Rancho Santa Margarita office.
Margaret van Blerk, MD, MPH, FAAP
Dr. van Blerk has been with SOCPA since 2008. She is currently providing care Monday and Wednesday in our San Clemente office located in the community of Talega.
Jenna Timboe, MD
Dr. Timboe has been with SOCPA since 2017. She is currently providing care Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in our San Clemente office located in the community of Talega.
Katherine Williamson, MD, FAAP
Dr. Williamson has been with SOCPA since 2012. She is currently providing care Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday in our Ladera Ranch office.
Rosette Yson-Zaragoza, MD, FAAP
Dr. Yson-Zaragoza has been with SOCPA since 2005. She is currently providing care Monday through Friday in our Rancho Santa Margarita office.
Our Nurse Practitioners
Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (PNPs) are very special healthcare providers who are dedicated to improving children’s health. PNPs have advanced education in pediatric nursing and healthcare and they serve children and families in an extensive range of practice settings. Working with pediatricians and other healthcare providers, PNPs have been enhancing the healthcare of children for over 30 years.
Judi Leonard, MSN, CPNP
Judi Leonard has been with SOCPA since 2008. She is currently providing care Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday in the Lake Forest office.
Melody Mitchel, MSN, CPNP, CNS
Melody Mitchel has been with SOCPA since 1997. She is currently providing care Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday in the Ladera Ranch and Lake Forest offices.
Anneke Sager, MSN, CPNP
Anneke Sager has been with SOCPA since 1999. She is currently providing care Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in all SOCPA offices.
Lisa Walpert, MSN, FNP
Lisa Walpert has been with SOCPA since 1999. She is currently working Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday in the Rancho Santa Margarita office.
PNPs serve as pediatric healthcare providers for sick and well children of all ages. PNPs offer a variety of services including:
- Provide health maintenance care for children, including well exams
- Perform routine developmental screenings
- Diagnose and treat common childhood illnesses
- Provide anticipatory guidance regarding common child health concerns
- Perform school physicals
Many parents choose a PNP as their child’s provider knowing they will receive individualized quality healthcare!
