Robert L. Velarde, M.D.

Kindhearted, hard working and dedicated to children, Dr. Robert Velarde - known by his patients as "Dr. Bob" - has practiced pediatrics for more than 30 years. His goal is to help parents provide the best care possible for their children by teaching them about safety, nutrition and childhood stages. Caring and sympathetic, Bob holds a special place in his heart for premature babies who require special care. Watching his patients grow from infancy to young adulthood is one of the most rewarding parts of his job.

Doctor

Dr. Robert Velarde is a board certified pediatrician who grew up in the San Francisco Bay area and began practicing medicine in Eugene in 1975.

Committed to personal patient care, Bob opened his private practice 30 years ago. Prior to that, he was recruited by Sacred Heart Medical Center to establish its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to provide highly specialized medical care for premature and sick newborns. He served as Director of Sacred Heart's NICU for several years. Before its inception, he was one of three pediatricians and 45 physicians at the Eugene Clinic.

Bob attended Brown University in Rhode Island, where he received training in the care of sick and premature newborns (neonatology). He completed his three-year pediatric training at Harbor General Hospital, which is affiliated with the University of California, Los Angeles. He completed his medical degree at the University of California, and earned his undergraduate degree in honors humanities at Stanford University in California.

Father

A committed family man, Bob has been married to his high school sweetheart for over 40 years. They have two grown daughters and three delightful grandchildren. As a father, and now a grandfather, he understands and appreciates the pleasures and hurdles inherent in parenthood.

Outdoor Enthusiast/Photographer

Bob's love of the outdoors is fueled with hiking and skiing Oregon's picturesque mountains and foothills. He also has a passion for photographing people, especially children of all ages and cultures.

Fun Facts

What motivates Bob? The innocent smile of a 4-month-old child and the giggling of a 5-year-old when he finds animals in their ears! How does he relax? By playing with his grandkids and camping in the Cascades. His long-term plans? To keep teasing kids in his practice!