S.DAMAN PAUL, MD, FAAP, DIRECTOR Dr. Paul writes, “I was born in New Delhi, India, where I attended the All India Institute of Medical Sciences. I then moved to the U.S., where I did my residency at the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit and at the Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Wayne State University School of Medicine. Shortly after, I became certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and became a Fellow (F.A.A.P.). This was followed by a series of international studies, resulting in my certification by the Canadian Board of Pediatrics and by the Conjoint Board, the Royal College of Physicians and Royal Collage of Surgeons of Ireland. Back in the States, I became boarded by the American Board of Family Practice and the American Board of Quality Assurance. But my passion is pediatrics, which I have been practicing in the Chicago area since 1971. In addition to my long career as a pediatrician, I am also the dad of three grown-up sons. Over the past few years, my wife, Janet, and I have fallen in love with San Diego and, as a result, used my extensive experience of running three pediatric offices in Northwest Indiana to establish Children’s Clinic La Jolla, Inc. My desire is to create a family-oriented practice where I can continue to provide children with a full range of healthcare services."

ALISA J. LAWRIE, MD, FAAP Dr. Lawrie writes: “I grew up in the San Diego area and attended Torrey Pines High School. I went to college at Stanford and then to medical school at the University of Colorado where I met my husband Tom. I did my pediatric residency at the University of Iowa. After three years of snow and cornfields, we were thrilled to return to sunny San Diego. I am a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and have been practicing pediatrics for four years at the Naval Medical Center San Diego. I am looking forward to continuing to serve San Diego families, military and civilian, at Children's Clinic La Jolla. My husband and I were thrilled to have our first child in March, 2005. Being a mother is certainly the hardest but best job I have ever had. In my free time (what free time!), I enjoy walking on the beach, body boarding, reading and skiing.”

GRETCHEN C. GAINOR, MD, FAAP A native of San Diego, Dr. Gainor attended Decatur Elementary, Muirlands Middle School, and graduated from La Jolla High School. She also lived in Connecticut and Maryland during some of her elementary and high school years. As an undergrad, she attended the University of Colorado, Boulder. A desire to help children led her to medical school at the University of Pittsburgh. In 1995, Dr. Gainor completed her pediatric residency at the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford University. She then worked in the Pediatric Acute Care Clinic at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. In 2001, Dr. Gainor returned to La Jolla with her two daughters, where they currently attend Bird Rock Elementary School. Actively involved in the Bird Rock community, Dr. Gainor is a Girl Scout leader for both of her daughters’ troops. Dr. Gainor is Board Certified in Pediatrics and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. As a pediatrician, she is especially interested in promoting healthy growth and development in children and in the prevention of disease and accidental injury. She is very excited about bringing pediatric care to the community she loves.

KAREN A. MCGOWAN, MD, FAAP Dr. McGowan is known by her colleagues for her gentleness, her ability to put both her patients and their parents at ease, and her tireless dedication to her patients. Married to a high school biology teacher and the mother of two young daughters, Dr. McGowan has a special interest in medical genetics and in acting as an advocate for developmentally challenged children. This is attested to by her appointment as a liaison to the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Council on Children with Disabilities. Her impressive training includes an undergraduate degree in biochemistry and cell biology from the University of California San Diego, which was followed by medical school at the U.C.L.A. School of Medicine where she graduated with Honors. Dr. McGowan did her residency back at U.C.S.D., where she received a special award for patient advocacy. Upon completing her residency, Dr. McGowan was recruited for a Fellowship in Biochemical Genetics at the U.C.S.D Medical Center. She is board certified in pediatrics and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics (F.A.A.P.). An experienced clinician, Dr. McGowan has been a pediatrician for the North County Health Services in San Marcos, CA, as well as at the Scripps Clinic Medical Group in Santee. Dr. McGowan is greatly looking forward to forming long-term relationships with her patients and their families.