Founded by Elisa and Marc Stad in 2020, Stad Center was inspired by a mission to make every pediatric medical journey as free of pain, trauma, and emotional distress as humanly possible. Today, we're an interdisciplinary and rehabilitative inpatient and outpatient clinic renowned for our groundbreaking model of whole-child care.
There is no question that our modern pharmacology, surgical techniques, and technologies are truly exceptional at treating disease. Yet the way children experience illness and treatment physically, mentally, and emotionally has remained largely unaddressed—and heartbreaking.
We’re changing that with every child who steps through our doors.
Pediatric pain has a history of being poorly assessed and undertreated, in large part because formal training in pain prevention and management has been scarce. Recognizing an urgent need for change, Stad Center’s medical director, Dr. Stefan Friedrichsdorf, has worked tirelessly to teach, train, and establish proven pediatric pain management protocols in hospitals from Brazil to Malaysia. He continues that important work today.
Our close-knit, multidisciplinary team of world-class pediatric pain specialists, palliative care experts, and integrative medicine practitioners works in concert to tend to each child’s well-being—physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Stefan J. Friedrichsdorf
MD, FAAP
Pediatric pain and palliative medicine specialist
Karen Sun
MD
Pediatric hospitalist
Lisa Purser
RN
Patient care manager
Andrea Postier
PhD, MPH
Pediatric pain and palliative care researcher
Alicia Heilman
BSN, BA, RN
Assistant unit director
Thomas McNalley
MD, MA
Pediatric palliative care and rehabilitation medicine physician
Robyn Adcock
DACM, LAc, MS
Pediatric acupuncturist
Barbette Murphy
RN
Comfort promise program manager
Visit ucsfbenioffchildrens.org to learn more.
Stad Center for Pediatric Pain, Palliative & Integrative Medicine
Ron Conway Family Gateway Medical Building
1825 Fourth St., Fifth and Sixth Floors
San Francisco, CA 94158
Phone 415-353-1328
Stad Center for Pediatric Pain, Palliative & Integrative Medicine
UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland
747 52nd St.
Oakland, CA 94609
Phone 510-428-3885, ext 4129
Stad Center for Pediatric Pain, Palliative & Integrative Medicine
2401 Shadelands Dr.
Walnut Creek, CA 94598
Phone 925-979-4000
Visit ucsfbenioffchildrens.org to learn more.
Stad Center for Pediatric Pain, Palliative & Integrative Medicine
Ron Conway Family Gateway Medical Building
1825 Fourth St., Fifth and Sixth Floors
San Francisco, CA 94158
Phone 415-353-1328
Stad Center for Pediatric Pain, Palliative & Integrative Medicine
UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland
747 52nd St.
Oakland, CA 94609
Phone 510-428-3885, ext 4129
Stad Center for Pediatric Pain, Palliative & Integrative Medicine
2401 Shadelands Dr.
Walnut Creek, CA 94598
Phone 925-979-4000
