Sharon Henderson, MD

Bio

I was born and raised in a small farming town in southern Maryland. I spent my childhood chasing chickens and turkeys in my backyard. At a young age, I started helping my dad grow vegetables. My interest in gardening has continued to bloom and now I grow my own fruits and vegetables.

I've always believed that parents know their children better than anyone. Growing up, I always wanted to be a doctor; but, it was my mom who predicted that I would become a pediatrician. Being a pediatrician is both a privilege and a great responsibility. Assuring the healthy growth and development of children is the foundation of my practice. I focus on health maintenance, including timely vaccinations and safety. I also emphasize identification of worrisome symptoms and appropriate treatment when illness occurs.

Here are some of my tips to stay healthy:
1. Wash your hands frequently - I can't stress this one enough!
2. Eat 5 servings of fruits & vegetables a day. Try to include a variety of colors from the rainbow.
3. Make healthy food choices - limit snacks & processed foods. Eat 3 servings of dairy a day to get adequate calcium and vitamin D (or take supplements). Don't forget to include protein - lean meats, nuts (they make a great snack for older kids), eggs and low mercury sustainable fish.
4. Exercise at least 1 hour on most days. Limit TV and screen time (computers, text, video games) to 1 hour a day.
5. Get enough sleep!
6. Wear sunscreen, even when it's cloudy, minimum SPF 15. Reapply frequently. Wear a hat & clothing with SPF protection.
7. Drink lots of water. Avoid juices, soda and caffeinated beverages.
8. Be friendly to the earth - a healthy earth keeps us healthy. Buy reusable bags, recycle as much as possible, conserve energy and water. When buying food, support local farmers and buy organic if you can.

I am delighted to be part of your healthcare team at Kaiser Permanente. I joined Kaiser Permanente in 2003 after moving to Santa Rosa with my husband, who is a native of Sonoma County. We have three children, Alex, Nicholas and Ella. Having my own children has made practicing pediatrics even more rewarding.

I work part time in the department of pediatrics, sharing my practice with Kristin Steuerle, MD.

My Medical Specialty

More details about my specialty:

I received my undergraduate degree in Microbiology from the University of Maryland and headed to Johns Hopkins University to complete my Masters of Science in Biochemistry before settling into medical school at the University of Maryland. As class president all four years, I was selected to give the commencement address at graduation. It was truly a honor that has remained one of my fondest memories. My internship was at Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio. I finished residency at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford.

My specialty interests and affiliations within my field:

I am board certified in Pediatrics and a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
I serve as the pediatric asthma champion for Santa Rosa.

Current projects or research:

I am Santa Rosa's subinvestigator for the Center of Vaccine Research. We are always conducting trials for new vaccines and I help monitor the studies.

Great health resources that I refer to:

Websites:
1. American Academy of Pediatrics:
www.aap.org
2. Centers for Disease Control:
www.cdc.gov

Books:
1. 'Super Baby Food' by Ruth Yaron (it was first recommended to me by a patient)
2. 'The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth' by Jonny Bowden, PhD, CNS
3. 'Raise a Smarter Child by Kindergarten' by David Perlmutter, MD, FACN
4. 'Solve Your Child's Sleep Problems" by Richard Ferber, MD

Photos from My Training Years or of Practicing Medicine in My Field:

Medical School Graduation Speech

Interests

My favorite book or author:
The Lorax by Dr. Suess

Hobby Photos & Links:

Alex with fresh picked carrots

Nicholas picking peppers

My boys with our best layer, Pepper

Family & Friends

People in my life:

My husband, Joe, is a fifth-generation Sonoma County native. His family has been growing grapes for over 100 years and the vineyard is currently producing pinot noir. When I met him, he was working as an engineer but now he stays busy in the hospitality industry.

My children and people I care about:

My first son, Alex, was born in July 2004. Nicholas arrived in May 2006, followed by Ella in August 2008. It's so much fun to watch them grow and learn. Every day brings a new discovery.

An interesting story about my family or friends:

My love for traveling probably started with my parents. Growing up, we always took a big vacation every summer. Most of the time, we went camping in National Parks. Even though I have my own family now, we have continued the tradition of taking an annual trip together. Since my kids were born, we've enjoyed visiting Sequoia & Yosemite National Parks together.

Photos of my Family & Friends:

My family in Hawaii

Family vineyard

Ella

Alex & Nicholas

Biking in scenic Yosemite Valley

2 dogs: a yellow lab, Maddie, and a black lab mix, Shadow
2 cats: Sage and Ginger

Pet Photos:

Maddie & Shadow

Travel

An adventure I've had:

In 2002, my husband's friend got married in Rio de Janerio. We used this as a good excuse to visit Brazil. We walked on the beaches, strolled the famous mosaic sidewalks and hiked in the mountains. We saw many marvelous things. We met a giant sloth in the rainforest and dodged hummingbirds that were as big as doves and sounded like helicopters. Perhaps the most impressive thing was seeing the Cristo Redento (Christ the Redeemer) statue in person.

Favorite place in the world:

Hawaii -- or any place that's sunny, warm and has a beach! There's nothing better than feeling sand between my toes, listening to the roar of the waves, and gathering sea shells on the sea shore.

My kids are big fans of Disneyland, so we make frequent trips to the happiest place on earth, too.

Travel Photos:

Cristo Redento in Brazil

A Photo of One of My Favorite Places:

My family with our Disney friends

Sunset on Maui