CPMC Pediatric Services Is Offering Great Care In A New Location

This Patch article is sponsored by Sutter Health.

CPMC Pediatric Services has a rich history of caring for the children of San Francisco and the Greater Bay Area.

Learn more about their exceptional services, as well as their recently relocated Pediatric Emergency Room, in this exclusive Patch one-on-one interview with Vincent Tamariz, M.D., pediatric medical director of the emergency department, California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC) Van Ness Campus in San Francisco.

Patch: How long have you been doing business in town?

Dr. Tamariz: California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC) has a long history of caring for the children of San Francisco and the Greater Bay Area. The Pediatric Emergency Room—the first free-standing department in the city—opened more than 10 years ago at the California Campus.

After a decade of providing excellent pediatric emergency care, we have solidified our reputation with our families and the pediatric primary care community. We have built a history with our families, and our patient base has grown to include the entire city of San Francisco and beyond. Many patients come to us across the bridge from the North Bay and up from the Peninsula.

On March 3, 2019, Sutter’s CPMC Adult and Pediatric emergency care relocated to the new Van Ness Campus hospital, at 1101 Van Ness Ave. The Pediatric Emergency Room patient drop-off entrance is at 1260 Franklin St., SF (between Geary and Post). Caretakers may also use the ample underground parking (entrance on Post Street between Franklin and Van Ness) and take the elevators directly to the Emergency Department.

CPMC’s Pediatric Emergency Room at the new Van Ness Campus provides:

• Short wait times.
• Attending physicians certified in pediatric emergency care.
• Specialists in pediatric injuries and illnesses.
• Equipment designed for children and their unique needs.
• Child Life specialists to soothe your sick child.
• Access to top-ranked pediatric specialists in many fields, including pediatric surgery, orthopedics, plastic surgery, inpatient pediatric ward and pediatric intensive care services.
• A large, completely separate waiting/playroom for children and families.

Pediatric Care at the CPMC Van Ness Campus includes:

• Child Life specialists to help children cope with illness, distress or hospitalization. Specialists are available for children having outpatient surgery, radiology treatments and care in the specialty center or emergency room.
• Access to the new Pediatric Specialty Care clinics across the street at 1100 Van Ness Ave.

Patch: If you had to sum up your business to a stranger in five words or phrases, what would those be?

Dr. Tamariz:

• World-class pediatric emergency care with access to the highest-quality specialist and inpatient care.
  • Fellowship-trained, experienced pediatric emergency physicians. (No interns or residents see patients.)
• Central location: Most accessible Pediatric Emergency Room for nearly half the city and Marin.
• Brand-new, state-of-the-art facility. CPMC Van Ness Campus hospital opened in March 2019.
• Dedicated Child Life program.
• Short wait times (average 10 mins), overall short length of stay (average one hour).

Patch: What’s been the biggest challenge or most difficult moment you’ve faced in your job?

Dr. Tamariz: In 2019, CPMC’s pediatric emergency care moved from the California Campus (now closed) to the brand-new Van Ness Campus. This relocation has been a major transition for our patients who are used to seeing us at the California Campus. We are eager to share this news in the community:

1. CPMC Pediatrics ER has not closed but reopened at a new location at 1260 Franklin St., between Geary and Post.
2. CPMC’s emergency room still offers the same exceptional and integrated patient care.
3. Our ER offers the latest in medical care and equipment.
4. We now offer a newer child- and teen-friendly environment for families.

Patch: What’s the most satisfying part of your job?

Dr. Tamariz: For me, it’s knowing that any young patient who comes to our emergency department will receive some of the best pediatric care available in the Bay Area. We approach care from all angles, and we’re strong in all those angles.

Patch: How does your business or organization distinguish itself from others?

Dr. Tamariz: When your child arrives at CPMC’s pediatric ER at the Van Ness Campus, your child will find pediatric specialists for many types of injuries and illnesses including pediatric orthopedics, plastic surgery, infectious disease, and pediatric intensive care among others. Child Life specialists are also available to provide comfort and emotional support. We also have a warm, child-friendly environment with appropriate toys, books and Posey, our therapy dog.

Patch: Do you have any events coming up in your community? If so, tell us about them.

Dr. Tamariz: Yes, CPMC will sponsor the SF Bay Area Birth & Baby Fair, an event for new and expecting mothers and families, at the Golden Gate Club in San Francisco. The event is specifically for women who are currently expecting, adopting, fostering or who have become a mother in the past year. Sutter Health is also a sponsor at the Bay to Breakers on May 31 in SF.

Patch: How can Patch readers learn more about your work and business?

Dr. Tamariz: Visit our website to learn more about our pediatric emergency care, or follow us on Facebook or Instagram.