2024 marks Mission Pediatrics’ 40th anniversary. Ruby red is the color traditionally celebrating the 40th. Mission pediatrics began in 1984 as “Xavier Gonzalez, MD” in Perris, California. Dr. Gonzalez was a pediatric pioneer in the community by providing outstanding medical care and heavily encouraging literacy programs for kids. Together Xavier and his wife, Suzy, a NICU nurse, built the business to the largest solo practice vaccine supplier in the state of California. They expanded to Riverside and worked in collaboration with four hospitals. By 1999, Xavier decided to retire, and the practice was acquired by a new owner who changed the name to Riverside Mission Pediatrics Medical Group of the Inland Empire Incorporated. Whew! The name changed again to Riverside Mission Pediatric Medical Group Incorporated when Dr. Watson joined in 2003. At that time Dr. Gonzalez worked with Dr. Watson, teaching him the tricks of the trade. Dr. Watson later simplified the name to Mission Pediatrics, Inc, but not without controversy. Apparently the state of California felt the name was too similar to Dr. Duke Kim’s practice in Mission Viejo called Mission Pediatric Medical Clinic. So, Dr. Watson contacted Dr. Kim who was so bothered that the state would interfere with the name change that he personally wrote a letter to the state asking them to give Dr. Watson the name. Dr. Kim was tired of state bureaucracies that impeded private practices. The state granted the name change. The name “Mission” originally was derived from the Mission Medical Group IPA which was involved with the practice. It in turn was named after the iconic Mission Inn in Riverside. Over the years, we have demonstrated that we are “Mission Driven” and seek to connect with the community by providing delightfully different pediatric healthcare. We put the “health” and the “care” back into healthcare. Join us in celebrating this milestone year together.