Meet the physicians, Drs. Barry Behrstock, Bette Carlson, Peri Gunay, Alison Mann, Kristin Pelinka, Jeffrey Taylor, and Alyse Baron each of whom are in private practice for themselves. Please take a few moments to learn about these experienced pediatricians and their staff.

We consider it both a joy and a responsibility to provide medical care for children. We are parents ourselves who strive to be understanding and available to the families we are privileged to serve. We are pleased that you are considering or have chosen one of us as your child's primary medical provider and are confident that you will be pleased with the quality of care and service we provide to you and your family. Not only have we received advanced medical training in pediatrics, we continually pursue ongoing education to stay abreast of the latest in child health care.

A vital part of our service to children begins with our dedicated staff who works hard to manage and maintain a professional, caring and supportive environment for our patients. Your child's health is important to all of us, and we look forward to providing you with the excellent medical care your child deserves.

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Bette Carlson, M.D., F.A.A.P.

Costa Mesa, CA Pediatrician

Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine

While training at Chicago Medical School and Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, Dr. Carlson developed special interests in high-risk newborns, nutrition, critical care, and adolescents.   She began her private practice in 1996, and has enjoyed being an active member of the Hoag Hospital Medical Staff as well as part of the Pediatric Department ever since.  She is an affiliate of CHOC Children's Hospital in Orange County and a physician-member of the Memorial Care Medical Foundation. She is an experienced mother, and an extensive community volunteer. To learn more about Dr. Carlson, click here.

Hoag Health Center
1190 Baker Street, Suite 103
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Phone: 714.668.2525
Paper FAX:  714.668.2530
Fax for patient medical information, ONLY :  949.999.8106

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Peri Suzan Gunay, M.D., F.A.A.P.

Costa Mesa, CA Pediatrician

Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine

After her east coast education at Harvard, Dartmouth, and Brown Universities, Dr. Gunay completed her pediatric training at Northwestern University in 1989. As a Hospital Pediatrician at CHOC Children's Hospital in Orange County for 6 years, she became familiar with many serious pediatric conditions.  However, she has felt more reward from her private pediatric practice in affiliation with Hoag Hospital. She has interests in behavior, development, ADHD, and craniofacial conditions. She is a past Chair of the Pediatrics Department at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach, is a physician-member of the MemorialCare Medical Foundation.  She has served in leadership positions in Greater Newport Physicians (GNP), and is also an active member of the American Academy of Pediatrics. To learn more about Dr. Gunay, click here.

Hoag Health Center
1190 Baker Street, Suite 103
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Phone: 714.668.2525
Paper FAX:  714.668.2530
Fax for patient medical information, ONLY :  949.999.8106

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Alison Metherell Mann, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.A.P.

As the second of three children, Dr. Mann was born at Hoag Hospital and raised in Orange County, California. She attended UCLA where she graduated with a BA in Economics with an international emphasis. She received her M.D. from Tulane University School of Medicine, as well as a Masters of Public Health (MPH) in Tropical Medicine from Tulane School of Public Health. Dr. Mann completed her Pediatric Internship and Residency at the USC/Keck-Los Angeles County Medical Center. She is board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. From 2002-2019 she had a private practice in Pediatrics located in Encino and recently moved back to Orange County with her family to practice in Costa Mesa.

Dr. Mann's hope is to provide excellent medical care with compassion and respect for each child and their family. Above all, she wants patients and their families to feel comfortable with her, the staff, and the office setting. Dr. Mann lives with her wonderful husband Darren and twin boys Christopher and Mark who enjoy hiking with their rescue dogs, Wrigley and Rex. They also spend time gardening and socializing with friends. Another activity in which she participates is “voluntourism” – international volunteer medical work as part of her vacations.

Hoag Health Center
1190 Baker Street, Suite 103
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Phone: 714.668.2525
Paper FAX:  714.668.2530
Fax for patient medical information, ONLY: 949.999.8106

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Kristin Pelinka, M.D., F.A.A.P.

Costa Mesa, CA Pediatrician

Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine

After attending Duke University and UCLA School of Medicine and completing her medical residency at Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Dr. Pelinka returned home to become a staff physician at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach, the same hospital where she was born. Dr. Pelinka has been practicing pediatrics for over a decade, while also learning about parenting first-hand from her own two children. Her medical passions include child development, behavioral issues, special needs children, international medicine and volunteerism, as her family and she has served for several years at The Painted Turtle Camp, a camp for kids with life-threatening illness. Dr. Pelinka views her medical practice as a true vocation and calling, as opposed to just a job.

Hoag Health Center
1190 Baker Street, Suite 103
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Phone: 714.668.2525
Paper FAX: 714.668.2530
Fax for patient medical information, ONLY : 949.999.8106

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Jeffrey Taylor, M.D., F.A.A.P.

Costa Mesa, CA Pediatrician

Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine

Following his training at the University of California at San Diego and the University of California at Irvine, Dr. Taylor began private practice and has been affiliated with Hoag Hospital Pediatrics for since 2001 where he is currently serving as the Chair of the Department. He has also held other key leadership roles within Hoag Pediatrics and Greater Newport Physicians (GNP) and is a physician-member of Memorial Care Medical Foundation. Newborn care is his favorite aspect of pediatrics. As a father of two sons and twin daughters, he has learned many parenting tips and techniques that have greatly complimented his formal education. These personal anecdotes make well-child visits much more relaxed, personal, and enjoyable. To learn more about Dr. Taylor, click here.

Hoag Health Center
1190 Baker Street, Suite 103
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Phone: 714.668.2525
Paper FAX: 714.668.2530
Fax for patient medical information, ONLY: 949.999.8106

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Alyse M. Baron, M.D. FAAP

Costa Mesa, CA Pediatrician

Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine

Dr. Alyse M. Baron, M.D. FAAP, is board certified in pediatrics and a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She joined our practice in 2023. Dr. Baron graduated cum laude, earning her bachelor’s degree in Microbiology and a minor in Chemistry at the University of Arizona. She then earned her medical degree and completed her residency in pediatrics at the University of Arizona, College of Medicine.
Dr. Baron has published numerous research projects in the field of pediatric cardiology and has a special interest in congenital heart disease.

Other areas of focus for Dr. Baron include child literacy, early childhood development, child safety issues, and child abuse prevention. Dr. Baron, a native of Southern California, has been practicing in Orange County over 20 years.
In her spare time, Dr. Baron loves to spend time with her husband, three children, and two Goldendoodles. Dr. Baron looks forward to caring for your amazing families as she would care for her own.

SPECIAL INTERESTS:
Long-term care of childhood cancer survivors, congenital heart disease, LGBQT ally, and early childhood development.

Hoag Health Center
1190 Baker Street, Suite 103
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Phone: 714.668.2525
Paper FAX: 714.668.2530
Fax for patient medical information, ONLY: 949.999.8106