CAREN VANCE, MD, CCMS

Caren Vance, MD, CCMS, has been a practicing pediatrician at Castro Valley Pediatrics since 2000. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from UCLA, a Doctor of Medicine from UC Davis School of Medicine, and completed her Pediatric Residency at Children's Hospital Oakland. She is a Fellow of the AAP, a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, and a Certified Culinary Medicine Specialist. Dr. Vance is the co-founder of Live Your Medicine, LLC (LYM), a company that partners with community-based organizations with pediatricians and health coaches to mitigate the impacts of toxic stress in under-resourced communities. LYM's intensive hands-on play-based program for whole families teaches families how to incorporate life skills in their daily routines, such as nutrition, movement, mindfulness, and emotional regulation. These life skills are stress reducers that can help children and families thrive. Dr. Vance and Dr. Rhew were awarded the AAP CATCH Grant and Cooking Matters/Share Our Strength Grant to create and deliver an innovative, intensive pediatric wellness program to mitigate the effects of toxic stress.