Find a Top Pediatrician Near Me in Murrieta, CA – Book an Appointment Instantly

All kids deserve access to outstanding pediatric care, and for many families in and around Newport Beach and Tustin, California, Romit Kar, MD, of Kar's Pediatrics is the provider of choice. Patients and parents love working with Dr. Kar and enjoy his warm, personable nature. He has that special ability to make those in his care feel at ease.  

Preventive health is a central focus at Kar’s Pediatrics. Newborn care and well-child exams provide the routine screenings needed to identify potential areas of concern. They also serve as a setting for parents to receive science-based advice on any health topic of choice. Immunizations are available according to the guidelines set out by national health authorities. 

When illness or injuries arise, the team at Kar’s Pediatrics truly shines. Sick visits focus on accurate diagnostics and getting kids on a path toward relief as quickly as possible.

Parents also have access to care for childhood obesity, allergies, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and more. No matter what challenges a family might face, Dr. Kar is here to provide compassionate, personalized care. 

The best way to learn more about all that Kar’s Pediatrics has to offer is by booking a time to come in and meet the team. Online scheduling is available, and visits can also be set up by phone.

Dr. Kathy Zelken is returning as an aesthetic medicine provider after a hiatus since the birth of her daughters. She has served as the medical advisor of the Zelken Institute for Aesthetic Medicine since it was established in 2016. She has worked tirelessly in the background to ensure the highest level of excellence and quality in all aspects of patient care. She has had a keen eye for artistry since childhood, starting from being a classically trained artist. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of California Berkeley with a major in Molecular and Cell Biology and a minor in Art History. During medical school at the University of Texas Southwestern, she published papers with world-renowned plastic surgeon and former editor-in-chief of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery journal (the top journal in the field), Dr. Rod Rohrich. Her meticulous nature, extraordinary calmness, and friendly demeanor gained from close to a decade of working as a board-certified pediatrician in Orange County and doing some of the most delicate procedures on tiny babies will put the most anxious patients at ease. She is thrilled to help patients map out a comprehensive treatment plan to achieve their individual aesthetic goals and explain various nonsurgical procedures in detail. Her patients love her and seek her out for neuromodulator and facial contouring injections, skin rejuvenation, laser treatments, and so much more.

Dr. Romit Kar, a distinguished physician renowned for his commitment to patient care, has been honored with the prestigious Orange County Physician of Excellence award from 2020 to 2025.  He is double boarded in pediatrics and Obesity medicine. With a robust background in Pediatrics and a passion for promoting holistic health, Dr. Kar is now embarking on an exciting new venture: the launch of a comprehensive weight loss clinic. This innovative clinic aims to empower individuals on their weight loss journeys through personalized plans, nutritional counseling, and supportive community resources, all grounded in Dr. Kar's evidence-based approach to health and wellness. His dedication to improving lives and fostering sustainable change sets the stage for a transformative experience for his patients.

Anuradha Setlur, MD, FAAP, is a board-certified pediatrician and pediatric critical care physician dedicated to delivering expert, family-centered care to children experiencing serious or life-threatening medical conditions. She brings a compassionate, thoughtful approach to every patient she treats at South Counties Pediatric Critical Care Medical Group, with offices in Fountain Valley, West Covina, and Long Beach, California.

Dr. Setlur earned her medical degree from St. George’s University and completed her pediatric residency at New York Medical College. She then completed a fellowship in pediatric critical care at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Thomas Jefferson University in Wilmington, Delaware, gaining specialized experience in managing complex pediatric illnesses and intensive care treatment.

As a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics (FAAP), Dr. Setlur remains committed to ongoing education and best practices in pediatric medicine. Her clinical expertise spans the full spectrum of pediatric critical care, and she works closely with multidisciplinary teams to deliver coordinated care tailored to each child’s unique needs.

Dr. Setlur is known for her calm presence, medical insight, and dedication to both patients and their families. She is proud to serve children throughout Los Angeles and Orange counties as part of the expert team at South Counties Pediatric Critical Care Medical Group.

Alireza Fathi, MD, FAAP, is a board-certified pediatrician and pediatric critical care physician at South Counties Pediatric Critical Care Medical Group, with offices in Fountain Valley, West Covina, and Long Beach, California. Dr. Fathi has extensive experience caring for critically ill children. He is committed to providing expert, evidence-based care to young patients and their families throughout Los Angeles and Orange counties.

Dr. Fathi earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from St. George’s University School of Medicine and graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science from the University of California, Irvine. He completed his pediatric residency at Miami Children’s Hospital and went on to complete a fellowship in pediatric critical care at San Diego Children’s Hospital.

Dr. Fathi currently serves as Vice Chief of Staff and Associate Director of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Miller Children’s Hospital. He also contributes to medical education as an Assistant Clinical Professor and remains dedicated to training the next generation of pediatric healthcare providers.

His clinical interests include pulmonary hypertension in children with congenital heart disease and the use of hypertonic saline in treating pediatric head trauma. Dr. Fathi’s approach to care emphasizes precision, compassion, and ongoing communication with families and care teams throughout a child’s hospital stay.

He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics (FAAP) and is known for his leadership, teaching, and commitment to improving outcomes in pediatric critical care.

Dr. Fathi proudly serves patients at South Counties Pediatric Critical Care Medical Group, where he brings advanced expertise and deep compassion to every case.

Kyu Seo Kim, MD, is a board-certified pediatrician and pediatric critical care physician with additional expertise in clinical informatics. He is dedicated to delivering precise, data-informed, and compassionate care to critically ill infants, children, and adolescents at South Counties Pediatric Critical Care Medical Group, with offices in Fountain Valley, West Covina, and Long Beach, California.

Dr. Kim earned his undergraduate degree in Chemistry from Duke University and completed his medical education at Emory University School of Medicine. He went on to complete both his pediatric residency and pediatric critical care fellowship at Rady Children’s Hospital, University of California San Diego, where he gained comprehensive experience in managing complex and life-threatening pediatric conditions.

In addition to his clinical training, Dr. Kim completed a fellowship in Clinical Informatics at Oregon Health & Science University. His background in informatics enhances his ability to integrate advanced technologies and evidence-based data into patient care, improving outcomes and optimizing communication across healthcare teams.
Dr. Kim is known for his calm, methodical approach and his commitment to patient safety and quality improvement. He collaborates closely with families, hospital staff, and referring physicians to ensure every child receives individualized, coordinated care.

At South Counties Pediatric Critical Care Medical Group, Dr. Kim applies his dual expertise in critical care and informatics to provide advanced, responsive care for hospitalized children and their families.

Zacharia Reda, MD, FAAP, FCCP, is a board-certified pediatrician with additional certifications in pediatric critical care medicine and hospitalist medicine. He provides expert care to patients at South Counties Pediatric Critical Care Medical Group, with offices in Fountain Valley, West Covina, and Long Beach, California.

With over 35 years of experience serving families throughout Los Angeles and Orange counties, Dr. Reda is known for his deep commitment to high-quality, compassionate care for critically ill children.

Dr. Reda completed his pediatric residency at LAC/USC Medical Center and a prestigious pediatric critical care fellowship at UCLA. He has held leadership roles at several prominent hospitals, including serving as Director of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at UCI—Fountain Valley Hospital and Associate Director of the PICUs at Miller Children’s Hospital, St. Vincent Medical Center, and Valley Presbyterian Hospital.

Respected by his peers, Dr. Reda has been consistently recognized as one of the best pediatric critical care doctors in Orange County, California, and across the nation. He has been named among the “Best Doctors in America” for Pediatric Critical Care for 16 consecutive years.

Dr. Reda has a special clinical interest in ventilator management, pediatric pulmonary medicine, and asthma care. He is passionate about advancing the field through education and has trained medical students, residents, and fellows as an Associate Clinical Professor at UCI and through teaching roles at UCLA.

He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics (FAAP), the American College of Chest Physicians (FCCP), and a member of the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine.

Dr. Reda brings unmatched experience and dedication to every patient he serves at South Counties Pediatric Critical Care Medical Group.

Princella Olalo, MD, FAAP, is a board-certified pediatrician and pediatric critical care physician with specialized expertise in the care of critically ill and cardiac pediatric patients. She is passionate about providing high-quality, evidence-based care to children and families at South Counties Pediatric Critical Care Medical Group, with offices in Fountain Valley, West Covina, and Long Beach, California.

Dr. Olalo earned her medical degree from Michigan State University and completed her pediatric residency at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, where she also served an additional year as Chief Resident. She went on to complete her pediatric critical care fellowship at UC Davis, gaining extensive training in advanced life support, respiratory management, and multidisciplinary intensive care.

Dr. Olalo previously served at Stanford Children’s Hospital in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU), where she cared for infants and children with congenital heart disease and other complex cardiac conditions. Her experience in this highly specialized environment enhances her ability to provide expert care for critically ill children requiring cardiac support and monitoring.

A Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics (FAAP), Dr. Olalo is known for her thoughtful bedside manner, clinical precision, and dedication to family-centered care. She works closely with families, specialists, and primary care providers to ensure clear communication and continuity of care throughout a child’s hospitalization.

At South Counties Pediatric Critical Care Medical Group, Dr. Olalo brings compassion, leadership, and deep clinical expertise to every child she treats across Los Angeles and Orange counties.