Brandon Pham, MD
Co-Founder
Dr. Pham is a physician specializing in ophthalmology. He was born and raised in Southern California. He studied Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics at UCLA, where he was a Barry Goldwater Scholar, and earned his MD from Stanford. He is passionate about medical education for students of all ages. In his free time, Dr. Pham enjoys traveling, playing tennis, and performing card magic tricks.
Betty Nguyen, MD
Co-Founder
Dr. Nguyen is a physician specializing in dermatology. She was born in Southern California but spent much of her childhood in Georgia, where she grew up on a chicken farm. Dr. Nguyen studied Biology at UCLA, where she was a Gates Millennium Scholar, and earned her MD from UC Riverside on a full-tuition scholarship. Outside of work, she is a certified yoga instructor and licensed scuba diver. Dr. Nguyen also enjoys journalistic writing and cycling.
Our Story
We are physicians, authors, and educators teaching real medical concepts in a way that is fun, engaging, and easy to understand. We launched MD for Kids with a simple desire to share our love of medicine with children around the world. Since then, our company has grown into something far bigger than we could have ever imagined, reaching over 100,000 readers across more than 20 countries. To all our readers, supporters, and followers, thank you for believing in us. This is only the beginning!
Our Collaborators
John Mongan, MD, PhD
Co-Author of Radiology for Kids
Dr. Mongan is a life-long Californian. He studied Chemistry at Stanford and earned his MD and PhD from UC San Diego. He is currently a radiology professor at UC San Francisco, specializing in abdomen and ultrasound. In this role, he teaches medical students, residents, and fellows. His research focuses on computers and artificial intelligence in radiology. Outside of work, he fills his time with his family, travel, and reading.
Jake Goodman, MD, MBA
Co-Author of Psychiatry for Kids
Dr. Goodman is a physician specializing in psychiatry. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania but spent most of his childhood in Kennesaw, Georgia. He studied Biological Sciences at the University of Georgia, where he also earned his MBA. He then earned his MD from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is passionate about creating educational videos on social media that improve mental health literacy. Dr. Goodman enjoys traveling, gardening, and playing soccer.
Michelle Palvolgyi, MD
Co-Author of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation for Kids
Dr. Palvolgyi is a physician specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation. She was born and raised in California and studied Physiological Sciences at UCLA, where she also earned her MD. She completed physical medicine and rehabilitation residency at UC Davis in Sacramento and is currently practicing in Northern California. She likes to teach and is involved in resident medical education. Outside of work, Dr. Palvolgyi enjoys figure skating, jogging, cycling, skiing, and spending time with her family.
Roland Palvolgyi, MD
Co-Author of Urology for Kids
Dr. Palvolgyi was born in Vietnam and raised in California. He studied Physiological Science at UCLA, where he also earned his MD. After medical school, he completed his residency in urology at UC Davis in Sacramento. Currently, he is a board-certified urologist in Northern California specializing in endourology and men’s health. He is involved in resident medical education and loves to teach. Outside of work, he enjoys tennis, cycling, and family game nights.
Tim Jenkins, MD
Co-Author of Gastroenterology for Kids
Dr. Jenkins was born in Louisiana and grew up in Tennessee. He received his MD from Harvard and completed his internal medicine residency and gastroenterology fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital. Currently, he is the area medical director and chief of staff for the Kaiser Permanente San Bernardino County Service Area in California. In his free time, he enjoys distance running, biking, swimming, and hiking.
Bill Dorfman, DDS
Co-Author of Dentistry for Kids
Dr. Dorfman, nicknamed “America’s Dentist,” is one of the world’s leading dentists. Known for creating smiles for many Hollywood celebrities, Dr. Dorfman is most well recognized for his appearances in ABC’s Extreme Makeover and CBS’s The Doctors. He has received 21 Lifetime Achievement Awards and holds two Guinness World Records titles. Outside of work, Dr. Dorfman enjoys spending time with his three daughters, traveling, and staying physically fit.
Martin Pham, MD
Co-Author of Neurosurgery for Kids
Dr. Pham is a physician specializing in neurosurgery. Born and raised in California, he studied Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology at UCLA and earned his MD at Northwestern University. He is currently a neurosurgery professor at UCSD, specializing in spinal surgery, and continues to teach and train surgeons. In his free time, he enjoys reading, woodworking, and traveling with his family to show his kids how to live a kind and grateful life.
Dana Leonard, MD
Co-Author of Orthopedic Surgery for Kids
Dr. Leonard was born and raised in Massachusetts. She studied Geosciences at Hamilton College in Upstate New York and worked in medical research after college before earning her MD from Stanford. Currently, Dr. Leonard is an orthopedic surgery resident physician at Harvard in Boston, Massachusetts. Outside of work, she enjoys painting, skiing, and stand-up paddle boarding
Lauren Michelle, MD
Co-Author of Ear, Nose, & Throat Surgery for Kids
Dr. Michelle is a physician specializing in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery (ENT). She was born and raised in Southern California. She studied Journalism at Benedictine College and worked for several years after college in marketing and photography before completing a post-baccalaureate pre-med program at California State University, Fullerton. She earned her MD/MBA dual degree at UC Irvine. In her free time, Dr. Michelle enjoys photography, Peloton, trying new coffee shops, and spending time with her husband and three children.
