Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery

CHOC Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery is here to guide your family through your child’s surgery with expertise and compassion. We are the largest group of pediatric surgeons in Orange County, which allows us to respond to your needs quickly and provide one-on-one care at every step.

All of our pediatric surgeons are fellowship trained. That means we have extra training in the unique anatomies of children and use the latest, most minimally invasive techniques. We operate in a way that lessens the effects on a child’s growth and function, and ensures the shortest recovery possible—so kids can get back to being kids.

What We Treat

We specialize in general and thoracic surgery for children of all ages, from babies as small as 400 grams to young adults up to 19 years old. We surgically treat a wide range of pediatric conditions, including but not limited to:
Transport team in the hallway with a gurney

SURGERY GUIDES
Our comprehensive guides to the surgery process are intended to help patients and their caregivers feel confident and prepared for an upcoming surgical procedure.

Our goal is to make your child’s surgery as worry-free as possible.

When your child has surgery at CHOC, an entire support team is oriented around them and your family. Our child life specialists are always at the bedside, explaining surgery in age-appropriate terms and limiting the stress that it can bring. You can be comforted to know that everything we do is tailored to children, from our pediatric-trained staff, to our custom equipment and operating rooms, to our pediatric guidelines for anesthesia and pain management. All of this takes place in one of the safest children’s hospitals in the nation according to The Leapfrog Group.

Learn more about having surgery at CHOC.

Contact Us

Our surgeons are available to provide immediate consultations and second opinions to families and referring physicians. We see patients at the following locations. Our main office is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m., and we respond to after-hours phone calls within 24 hours. Call us today at 714-364-4050 to discuss your child’s surgical needs.


Exterior view of CHOC Orange Clinic
CHOC Clinic – Specialty Care

Building: CHOC Clinic | 1201 W. La Veta Ave. | Orange, CA 92868 | 888-770-2462

Exterior view of CHOC Children's Commerce Tower
CHOC Specialists Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery

Building: CHOC Commerce Tower | 505 S. Main St., Suite 225 | Orange, CA 92868 | 714-364-4050

Map showing location of CHOC Children's Health Center Mission Viejo
CHOC Health Center, Mission Viejo

26691 Plaza, Suite 130 | Mission Viejo, CA 92691

Map showing location of CHOC Children's Health Center Corona
CHOC Health Center, Corona

854 Magnolia Ave - #101 | Corona, CA 92879 | 888-770-2462

Map showing location of CHOC Children’s Specialty Center, Newport Beach
CHOC Specialty Center, Newport Beach

500 Superior Avenue - Suite 140 | Newport Beach, CA 92663

Meet our Surgeons

Gholizadeh, Maryam MD

Specialty: Pediatric Surgery
Appointments: 714-364-4050
Office: 714-364-4050

Dr Maryam Gholizadeh is a board-certified pediatric surgeon who performs general and thoracic surgeries on infants, kids and teens at CHOC.

Guner, Yigit S. MD

Specialty: Pediatric Surgery
Appointments: 714-364-4050
Office: 714-364-4050

Dr. Yigit Guner is a board-certified pediatric surgeon who performs general and thoracic surgeries on infants, kids and teens at CHOC.

Reyna, Troy M. MD

Specialty: Pediatric Surgery
Appointments: 714-364-4050

Dr. Troy Reyna is a board-certified pediatric surgeon at CHOC, specializing in pectus excavatum, hernias and hyperhidrosis.

Yu, Peter T. MD

Specialty: Pediatric Surgery
Appointments: 714-364-4050

Dr. Peter Yu is a board-certified pediatric surgeon at CHOC, performing all types of general surgery and specializing in neonatal surgery, perinatal counseling, pediatric laparoscopic surgery and hernia surgery.

Awan, Saeed MD

Specialty: Pediatric Surgery
Appointments: 714-364-4050
Office: 714-364-4050

Dr. Saeed Awan is a board certified pediatric general and thoracic surgeon who treats children and teens at CHOC in Orange County.

Gibbs, David L. MD

Specialty: Pediatric Surgery
Appointments: 714-364-4050
Office: 714-364-4050

Dr. Gibbs is a pediatric surgeon, also serving as director of trauma services at CHOC and division chief of pediatric surgery.

Hill, Melisa NP

Specialties: Pediatric Surgery, General Surgery
Appointments: 714-509-3575
Office: 714-509-3595

Melisa Hill a nurse practitioner who specializes in pediatric surgery for infants, kids and teens at CHOC Hospital in Orange, CA.

Kanamori, Lauren NP

Specialties: Pediatric Surgery, General Surgery
Appointments: 714-509-3575
Office: 714-509-3263

Lauren Kanamori is a nurse practitioner who specializes in pediatric and general surgery for infants, kids and teens at CHOC Hospital in Orange.

John, Rebecca NP

Specialty: Pediatric Surgery
Appointments: 714-364-4050
Office: 714-364-4050

Rebecca John is a nurse practitioner who specializes in pediatric surgery for infants, kids and teens at CHOC Hospital in Orange.

Maginas, Mary NP

Specialty: Pediatric Surgery

Mary Maginas is a nurse practitioner who provides care for kids and teens at CHOC Hospital in Orange.

Goodman, Laura F. MD

Specialties: Pediatric Surgery, Thoracic Surgery
Office: 714-364-4050

Dr. Goodman is a pediatric general and thoracic surgeon who performs surgery on infants and children at CHOC Hospital in Orange

Shaul, Donald B. MD

Specialty: Pediatric Surgery
Office: 714-364-4050

Dr. Shaul is board certified in pediatric surgery and specializes in colorectal conditions in infants, children and teenagers.