MADERA, Calif. – When Dr. Sudhakar Reddivalam enters a room to see a patient at Valley Children’s, he’s reminded why he has dedicated more than three decades to pediatric pulmonology.
“When you come in here, you see those kids and try to help them to get better – and that’s a wonderful feeling,” he said.
Dr. Reddivalam, known to many simply as “Doctor Sudhakar,” serves as medical director of the pediatric pulmonology program at Valley Children’s. What began as a temporary stop in his medical journey eventually became a home – and the foundation for one of the nation’s top pediatric pulmonology teams.
“I was born in India. Family of seven children,” Dr. Reddivalam said. After completing medical school in South India, he moved to the United States, where he completed his pediatric residency on the East Coast.
Like many of his peers in medical school, he originally envisioned settling in Southern California – but a stop in in California’s Central Valley shifted everything.
“Then I met my wife here, and then I had three children who were born here, so this is my home. The 35 years went very fast.”
The pulmonology department at Valley Children’s is one of its busiest. Dr. Reddivalam says the team handles an enormous volume of patients with a wide range of respiratory challenges.
“We get a lot of calls. Our goal is not just to see them, but to give them the best quality of care,” he said.
The most common condition they treat is asthma, a common concern in Central California. The team also provides comprehensive care for children with cystic fibrosis – and is recognized by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation as a specialized center.
The team’s work extends beyond chronic diseases. They also care for critically ill patients, premature infants and children affected by valley fever — a condition particularly prevalent in the Central Valley.
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The department’s efforts have earned consistent national attention.
“We’ve been recognized by U.S. News & World Report for the last five years consecutively,” Dr. Reddivalam said. “We’re one of the top ranking pulmonology clinics in the nation.”
The accolades reflect both the clinical expertise and the team’s commitment to the children and families they serve.
Despite the demanding pace, Dr. Reddivalam – who will celebrate 35 years at Valley Children’s in July – says the rewards are immeasurable.
“The families are very happy and me and my colleagues are very happy,” he said, adding that hearing appreciation from those families leaves an impact on him and the team.
“You go home and it’s a nice feeling – we did something today, and it’s great,” he added.
To learn more about the pulmonology program at Valley Children’s, click here.
