Mario Solano, MD

Bio

I was born in Mexico and immigrated with my family to the central valley when I was eight years old.

As a youth, no other activity consumed more of my spare time than soccer. My high school team won the Tournament of Champions which, at the time, was equivalent to winning the state title. I also played soccer in college. My team (The University of the Pacific) beat Sonoma State 10 to 0, before they became the soccer powerhouse that they are today. I enjoyed playing the sport for many years, until injuring my knee in 1998. Nevertheless, I continued involvement in my favorite sport by coaching youth soccer from 1987 to 2002.

I was the first in my family to finish college and completed all my education in Northern California (Stockton, Davis and San Francisco).

During my pediatric residency at Kaiser San Francisco, I had the opportunity to do an elective at the Kaiser Permanente facility in Santa Rosa. I was immediately taken with the community and felt that Santa Rosa would be the perfect place to raise my family. We moved here in 1989 and have no intentions of ever leaving this wonderful community.

My Medical Specialty

More details about my specialty:

I have always enjoyed interacting with children. I find them to be remarkably spirited and resilient. Even when they are sad or uneasy, it isn't difficult to coax a smile or giggle with a silly joke or story.

While most of the time children are happy and healthy, preventative care is key to keeping them well and strong. As a pediatrician, preventative medicine is a big part of the care I provide to my patients.

Current projects or research:

I enjoy teaching. I am an Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of California Medical School at San Francisco. I help train medical students from Touro College and residents from the Sutter Family Practice Program.

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

My College Graduation with Daughter Danielle

Interests

Currently reading:
Why Can't You Read My Mind? By Jeffrey Bernstein, Susan Magee

My favorite book or author:
J. K. Rowling, she was able to get millions of kids excited about reading

Great movie:
The Help

Hobby Photos & Links:

I am under all that water, I think you can see my hand.

Family & Friends

People in my life:

I am happily married. My wife, Yolanda, works for Sonoma County as a planner, who now has a Law Degree. Some of our friends call us The Cosbys.

My children and people I care about:

I have three wonderful children. Danielle, my oldest daughter, is an organic chemistry professor at California State University at Bakersfield. Mario, my son, is a mechanical engineer who specializes in robotics. He is currently designing a very innovative system, to help transport patients. He is the only one that sort of comes close, to the medical field. Allison, my youngest daughter, is attending University California at Santa Cruz. She loves to write and she hopes to become a playwright, screen writer, novelist or journalist. Yes, she knows she has to get a day job.

Photos of my Family & Friends:

Family Picture

Napoleon, is my daughter's dog but guess who takes care of him? A talented pomeranian, he knows many tricks. The classic "play dead" is my personal favorite. While only seven pounds, he takes it upon himself to protect his sidewalk from anyone, including the occasional Rottweiler, Doberman and St Bernard.

Pet Photos:

Napoleon Our Family Dog

Travel

Favorite place in the world:

My favorite place to visit is Yosemite. It is only a few hours away and the views are breathtaking.

One of my recent trips:

While backpacking in Yosemite backcountry, the bears hit us twice and the only food they left us was pancake mix. We ate pancakes the last three days of the trip. My son, who was 10 years old at the time, made a spear in hopes of having venison for dinner.

A Photo of One of My Favorite Places:

Half Dome from the Yosemite Falls Trail

Other Links & Photos