From: Paula + Mark Goodwin

When we think of the first few days, weeks, and months following our arrival home from Alta Bates hospital after the birth of our oldest and first born son, Ross on Nov. 9th, 1986, it’s rare when we don’t recall a visit with Elmer at Berkeley Pediatrics. We were brand new parents with a brand new baby and had really no idea what we were doing, who to listen to, and how to care for Ross – what to worry about, what not to worry about, and who to talk to - candidly and honestly about this brand new world we had entered. Elmer chuckled and told us our kids would not starve, will eat when they’re hungry, that everything goes in their mouth first, not to worry…it’s a baby’s major sense organ after all! Elmer dispensed his vast knowledge with humor, clarity, and care.

Thank goodness we found Elmer as our first pediatrician for the first of our three children. Elmer took excellent care of Ross and excellent care of his parents! We still recall at the end of our well visits when Elmer sent Ross, now a toddler, out of the exam room to the play area by himself and give his full attention to us, ask how we were doing, questions we had, problems, joyful moments, etc...We decided early on that Elmer was the only voice we would listen to amidst the sea of opinions, thoughts, and feelings that family members, our friends, or other new parents would offer about raising children. Thank goodness we had Elmer to ask and to look after us. His wise counsel, curiosity, genuine interest in our well-being and our children’s well-being will always be remembered with gratitude and love. He gave us a solid foundation as new parents with a new baby, which in turn contributed to a solid foundation for our growing family in the years and decades that followed. Thank you Elmer, we love you! Love, Paula + Mark