Oakland Bay Pediatrics is a place where the staff work together to meet the needs of their young patients.  Whether they are conducting a well-child exam, caring for a playtime injury, or an ill baby, they are pleased to answer any questions, offer encouragement, or dry young tears.

Oakland Bay Pediatrics specializes in the healthcare of infants, children, and adolescents.  Their goal is to provide their patients with the best possible medical care, and parents with preventative guidance, as they follow your child from birth to adulthood.

The clinic is part of Public Hospital District No.1, which consists of Mason General Hospital, MGH Ankle & Foot, MGH Eye Clinic, MGH Family Health, MGH Shelton Orthopedics, MGH Surgery Clinic, Oakland Bay Pediatrics, Mountain View Women's Health, and Shelton Family Medicine.

When things get busy, OBP teams up to make sure all kids needing same-day care are seen.  The staff is also available on-call nights and weekends, so that they can help parents determine whether their child needs to be seen immediately at the Hospital, the next day at the office, or can be treated at home. 

Some of the many things to see us for:

• Newborn care at MGH
• Comprehensive healthcare from birth to 18 years
• Well-child checks and immunizations:
  Curious about what vaccines your child needs? Information for immunizations from 0 to 6 years of age or immunizations from 7 to 18 years of age.
• Physicals (school and sports, annual)

Oakland Bay Pediatrics offers quality healthcare to kids from birth through eighteen. To make an appointment with any one of the Oakland Bay Pediatrics providers, please call (360) 426-3102.

Maria R. C. Ramirez, M.D.
Board Certified, Pediatrics

Maria Rowena Carreon Ramirez, M.D.

Dr. Ramirez joined the staff at Oakland Bay Pediatrics at Mason General Hospital in mid-July 2010. We are pleased to have someone of Dr. Ramirez’ abilities on staff,” said Terry Megiveron, director of outpatient clinics. “She joins a team of professionals who always put the patient first.” Dr. Ramirez completed her pediatric residency at Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Ohio, in June, 2010, and received her medical degree in 2000 from Medical School University of San Tomas, Philippines. She is board certified in pediatric medicine.

Roseann Rayos, M.D.
Board Certified, Pediatrics

Rose Ann Rayos, M.D.

Dr. Rayos is board-eligible in pediatric medicine and joined the medical staff at Oakland Bay Pediatrics in July 2012, after completing her residency at Children’s Hospital at Monmouth Medical Center. She graduated with a medical degree from the University of Santo Tomas Royal and Pontifical Catholic University of the Philippines in 2006.

Therese Pizanti, ARNP
Board Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

Therese Pizanti, ARNP

Therese Pizanti, a board-certified pediatric nurse practitioner, received her Bachelor of Science Nursing degree in 1985 from the University of San Francisco, CA.  Later, in 1988, she went on to further her education as a pediatric nurse practitioner while serving in the United States Air Force, finishing in 1990 with her board certification.

Your baby is due in the next few weeks, and worry starts to set in. Will I be a good parent? What will I do if my child gets sick? Who can I turn to for reliable advice? Rest assured, many new parents fret about such matters. So relax and do what you would normally do in a crisis – Go to Oakland Bay Pediatrics! Experts say it's a good idea to actively look for a pediatrician that is not only competent but is agreeable to you. After all, this person will be your healthcare soul mate.  You'll need to feel comfortable enough with this doctor to discuss your child's ailments, immunizations, thumb sucking, bed-wetting, and changes during puberty. For now, let's concentrate on how to choose a doctor that's right for you and your family.

The best time to start searching for a pediatrician is in the last few weeks of pregnancy before your expected due date, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Families who move or change insurance are encouraged to find a doctor well before the child needs a checkup or becomes sick.

To find a good doctor, it's always nice to get positive referrals from family and friends. If that fails, ask your OB/GYN or primary care doctor for suggestions. There are also printed guides on the topic. The AAP's Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5, and The Mother's Almanac by Marguerite Kelly and Elia Parsons are two books recommended by Philip Itkin, MD, FAAP, a pediatrician in private practice at the Omaha Children's Clinic.

Parents are also advised to check credentials, which are usually displayed on the practitioner's Profile Card or office wall. Appropriate training in pediatrics involves medical school and at least three years of residency in either pediatrics or family medicine. After that, many doctors take a test given by the American Board of Pediatrics or the American Board of Family Medicine, and if they pass, become board-certified. Websites for most insurance companies list the credentials of physicians in their plan.

Dental Disease in Children More Common than Asthma

Though preventable, dental disease is the most common chronic disease of childhood; it is five times more common than asthma. A child whose mouth is hurting may experience trouble sleeping, delayed speech development, have difficulty paying attention in school, and be at risk of further health problems. The medical staff at Oakland Bay Pediatrics is committed to preventing dental disease with their young patients. All physicians and medical staff were trained to do oral health screenings during well-child exams. The trainings were coordinated by Mason County Public Health (MCPH) and Washington Dental Service Foundation (WDSF).

"Medical providers usually see a child eight times or more by age three for well-child checks," according to MCPH educator, Heidi Iyall. "It is the perfect opportunity to provide oral health screenings to try and prevent cavities."

Oral health screenings are now recommended for all children by age one, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics and American Academy of Family Physicians.

Nurse Practitioner, Therese Pizanti said, "Oakland Bay staff loved the training! Oral health posters and educational materials have been added to all the Clinic rooms. Staff are talking to parents about their child’s oral health and making dental referrals during well-child exams. We are also looking at the possibility of providing fluoride varnish to help protect children’s teeth from cavities."

Call Oakland Bay Pediatrics today at (360) 426-3102 to schedule your child’s next well-child exam.