Who we are

Provider update

Dr. Elisa Song returned from her maternity leave on March 1st, 2010, and is currently not accepting new patients.

Dr. Newmark is accepting new patients for consultations, sick visits, and well-care.

We are happy to welcome Dr. Donna Ruiz to Whole Child Wellness. She will begin accepting new patients for consultations, sick visits, and well-care beginning March 31st.

Kandice Stellmon, Certified Nutrition Consultant, returned from her maternity leave on November 7, and is now available again to assist in meeting your whole family’s nutritional needs.

We are sad to announce that Dr. Ann Wolf has left Whole Child Wellness because her family relocated away from the bay area. Dr. Sandy Newmark is taking over the care of Dr. Wolf’s patients, and he has reviewed each patient’s history with her. Dr. Wolf mailed each of her patients concerning her departure, but should you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to call our office.

Dr. Elisa H. Song

Elisa H. Song, MD founded Whole Child Wellness in 2005 with a mission to create a nurturing environment that integrates allopathic and natural medicine customized to each unique child, in order to help children thrive to their fullest potentials. Dr. Song has a special interest in providing integrative care for children with complex medical issues, including autism, asthma, autoimmune illness, eczema, food allergies/sensitivities, inflammatory bowel disease and other gastrointestinal disorders, and environmental illness.

Dr. Song graduated with distinction in political science from Stanford University, attended NYU School of Medicine and trained in Pediatrics at UCSF Medical Center. She earned a Master’s degree in public policy from UC Berkeley. Dr. Song has additional training in functional medicine/holistic nutrition, homeopathy & homeopathic detoxification, acupuncture, herbal medicine, and flower essences. She is board-certified in pediatrics and holistic medicine, and is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Song has been trained in the Defeat Autism Now! biomedical approach to autism. Additionally, Dr. Song provides training in integrative pediatric care to pediatric healthcare professionals through the Holistic Pediatric Association.

Dr. Song lives on the San Francisco Peninsula with her husband Peter Johnson, who is the office manager for Whole Child Wellness, and their daughter Kenzi. When Dr. Song is not caring for families at Whole Child Wellness, she enjoys yoga, running, scuba diving, wine tasting, cooking, and traveling to exotic places.

Dr. Sanford C. Newmark

Sanford C. Newmark, MD is a board-certified pediatrician who joined Whole Child Wellness in February 2009 after 23 years of experience as a pediatrician in Tucson. Dr. Newmark uses an integrative approach to pediatric care, combining the best of both conventional and alternative medicine to provide holistic well-child care and to treat children with autism, ADHD, chronic pain, gastrointestinal issues, allergies, asthma, and a variety of other problems. He has a special interest in behavioral problems such as ADHD and autism, and has been trained in the Defeat Autism Now! biomedical approach to autism. Additionally, he is board-certified in clinical hypnosis, using this mind-body technique to treat chronic pain, anxiety, and other conditions.

Dr. Newmark completed his medical school and pediatric training at the University of Arizona College of Medicine. After 14 years in practice, Dr. Newmark completed a 2-year residential fellowship in integrative medicine under the leadership of Dr. Andrew Weil through the Program in Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona. He was the first graduate of this program to be in general pediatric practice in the United States. For 5 years he was the director of the Center for Pediatric Integrative Medicine, a consulting practice in Tucson for children with a wide variety of medical issues. He is a faculty member of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine, Dr. Andrew Weil’s clinical, teaching and training program. Dr. Newmark writes and lectures frequently on autism and ADHD, and has authored 3 chapters in academic integrative medicine textbooks. He is currently writing a book for parents and families on the integrative treatment of children with ADHD. It is expected to be published in 2010.

Dr. Newmark is married to Dr. Linda Newmark, a psychologist, with whom he has two grown children.

Dr. Donna Ruiz

Donna Ruiz, MD is a board-certified pediatrician who joined Whole Child Wellness in March 2010 after 12 years of experience as a pediatrician in New Jersey. She relocated to the West Coast not only because of the sunshine, but also to work with like-minded physicians in delivering comprehensive care for her patients by integrating traditional medical practices with natural medicine, homeopathy, nutrition, acupuncture, and aromatherapy to promote the body's intrinsic healing capacity. Her passion lies in providing integrative care to children with chronic health problems who suffer from autoimmune disorders, allergies, asthma, atopic dermatitis, autism, and food allergies and intolerances. She believes that optimal health and balance can be achieved by empowering the patient and developing an integrative wellness plan suited to meet each patient's individual needs.

Dr. Ruiz received her MD from the University of Santo Tomas, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, in the Philippines and then completed her residency in pediatrics at UMDNJ – Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, as well as a fellowship in pediatric rheumatology at Cornell University Medical College in New York. She completed her acupuncture education through the American College of Acupuncture in New York City with additional clinical training at Chengdu University Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine in China, and has additional training in functional medicine/holistic nutrition, homeopathy, and herbal medicine. Dr. Ruiz has been trained in the Defeat Autism Now! biomedical approach to autism.

Dr. Ruiz lives in the heart of Napa wine country with her husband, Paul, who is a designer with an interest in sustainable architecture. When out of the office, she enjoys cycling, hiking, yoga, and fine dining.

Kandice Stellmon, Certified Nutritional Consultant

Kandice Stellmon is a Certified Nutrition Consultant and Natural Chef, specializing in pediatric nutrition. Her areas of focus include: food allergies and sensitivities, developmental disorders, weight management and well child nutrition. Kandice graduated from Bauman College of Holistic Nutrition and Culinary Arts. As a graduate of Bauman College, Kandice has a thorough understanding of holistic nutrition and truly enjoys guiding families towards optimal health. Being a chef as well as a nutritionist gives her the ability to not only teach her clients about healthy eating, but to also implement these ideas into their daily lives with delicious recipes and meal planning ideas! Kandice is a member of the National Association of Nutrition Professionals.

Kandice is excited to offer a variety of nutrition services to assist families in optimizing their health and meeting their nutritional needs. In addition to individual office visits, Kandice holds fun and interactive cooking classes focusing on delicious and wholesome recipes for children with various food sensitivities and restrictions, as well as group and individual detoxification and weight management programs.

Kandice lives on the San Francisco Peninsula with her husband Scott, her daughter Davi, and 2 dogs, Lola and Gunner. When she is not in the kitchen whipping up something delectable yet nutritious, she enjoys traveling and fine restaurants.

Our office staff

Peter, Office Manager
Peter is our office manager and all-around go-to guy. Before joining Whole Child Wellness to help his wife, Dr. Song, build the practice, he was at Oracle for over 11 years doing database and application consulting. He now runs Whole Child Wellness smoothly and efficiently, with a smile on his face. Peter is an avid ice hockey player, with his time on the ice only limited by his wife! When he’s not at the office or on the ice, he enjoys traveling, wine tasting, and scuba diving.

Cece, Receptionist
Cece has been with Whole Child Wellness since 2007, and we can’t imagine life without her! She keeps the office running smoothly, juggling the phones, patient flow, and all sorts of requests from the providers – all with humor, patience, and efficiency! Cece is the friendly voice who will answer all of your questions over the phone, and the friendly face that all of our kids love to greet. And can you believe it – she’s a grandma, too!

Kimberly, Receptionist
Kimberly joined Whole Child Wellness in early 2009. We are thrilled to have her join our family – first as a mom, and now as a receptionist. She knows the practice inside and out from first-hand experience with her twin daughters and son. Kimberly has a special interest in health and nutrition, and can give you all sorts of great tips on gluten-free, dairy-free living!