CHOC Center for Children’s Health – Primary Care
We know parents want the best pediatric care for their child, from someone they know and trust. That’s why CHOC Center for Children’s Health – Primary Care is here to partner with families every step of the way, with expert pediatricians, personal attention and compassion, and access to an entire children’s health system when needed.
CHOC Center for Children’s Health – Primary Care
CHOC Center for Children’s Health – Primary Care is a Rady Children’s Health (formerly CHOC) primary care practice located on the second floor of the Joe C. Wen & Family Center for Advanced Care at UCI Health in Irvine, California.
We care for infants, children, and teens across Irvine, Newport Beach, Tustin, and surrounding areas throughout Orange County.
Working collaboratively with UCI Health under one roof, our team offers something most pediatric primary care offices can’t: same-day, same-building access to radiology, lab work, and pediatric rehabilitation services for qualifying patients.
Why Irvine Families CHOC Center for Children’s Health – Primary Care
- The best of two health systems, together — Our physicians come from both Rady Children’s Health and UCI, bringing a depth of collaborative expertise that no other pediatric practice in Irvine can offer.
- Everything in one building — Labs, radiology, rehabilitation, and specialty care are all available on-site for qualifying patients. Fewer trips, less coordination, more time for your family.
- Physicians who get it personally — Dr. Uhm lives with an autoimmune disease himself and brings that firsthand understanding of what it means to be a patient to every visit. His holistic approach combined with Dr. Petrovich’s decade-plus of building deep family relationships means your child is seen as a whole person, not just a chart.
- A space designed to welcome everyone — Step off the elevator and you’ll immediately feel it: a bright, thoughtfully designed environment built to make families from all backgrounds feel at home.
Care Beyond Regular Hours
As part of Rady Children’s Health, we give our patients access to trusted care even when our office is closed.
Call our 24/7 Nurse Advice Line at 1-844-GET-CHOC for free guidance from pediatric experts, who can also set up a virtual physician visit when needed. For in-person care of non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries, Rady Children’s Health offers pediatric urgent care in Irvine and Orange.
Our Pediatric Services in Irvine
Our Jamboree Road office offers full-spectrum pediatric primary care, with same-building access to advanced services.
Well-Child Visits & Developmental Screenings
AAP-aligned wellness checks tracking growth, milestones, behavior, and emotional health from newborn through young adulthood
Childhood Immunizations
On-schedule, AAP-recommended vaccines, including back-to-school, college, and travel updates
Same-Day Sick Visits
Reserved daily slots for fevers, ear infections, strep, asthma flare-ups, stomach bugs, and other urgent concerns
Sports, School & Camp Physicals
Thorough physicals that meet IUSD, TUSD, and local athletic, club, and travel sports requirements
Newborn & Infant Care
Hospital follow-ups, feeding and lactation support, weight checks, and first-year guidance for new parents
Adolescent & Teen Care
Confidential visits, mental health screening, and well-being support for tweens, teens, and young adults
Chronic Condition Management
Ongoing care for asthma, allergies, ADHD, eczema, and other long-term conditions, with seamless access to Rady Children’s Health and UCI specialists
Same-Building Radiology (for Qualifying Patients)
When imaging is needed, qualifying patients can have radiology completed in the same building, allowing for fewer separate appointments and faster results
Same-Building Lab Services (for Qualifying Patients)
Lab draws and routine screenings are available on-site for qualifying patients, streamlining diagnosis and follow-up
Pediatric Rehabilitation — PT, OT & Speech
Rady Children’s Health physical, occupational, and speech-language therapy, including specialized neurodevelopmental rehabilitation, all within the same UCI Health — Irvine campus
Conditions & Concerns We Care for and Prevent
Common reasons families visit our Irvine office include:
- Fevers and ear infections
- Strep throat
- RSV
- Asthma and breathing issues
- Eczema and skin rashes
- Seasonal and food allergies
- ADHD and behavioral concerns
- Sleep and feeding questions
- Growth and developmental screenings
- Sports injuries
- Follow-up after hospital stays
- Routine preventive care, with same-building imaging and lab support for qualifying patients when it’s needed
Well-Child/Routine and Sick Visits
Immunizations
Screenings
Physicals
Management of Chronic Conditions
Behavioral Services
Adolescent and Teen Medicine
Pediatricians
CHOC Center for Children’s Health – Primary Care is unlike any other pediatric practice in Orange County, and that starts with who’s behind it. Our physicians come from both Rady Children’s Health and UCI Health, practicing together under one roof at the Joe C. Wen & Family Center for Advanced Care, a new facility that opened in April 2024.
For qualifying patients, radiology, labs, rehabilitation, and specialty services are available in the same building, leading to fewer trips, less coordination, and more peace of mind.
Dr. Nick Uhm brings a holistic, whole-child approach to every visit (informed in part by his own lived experience as a patient). Dr. Petrovich brings over a decade of building the kind of deep family relationships that make pediatric care truly feel like a partnership.
Dr. Nick Uhm, Pediatrics
“Starting from your newborn visit and all the way into young adulthood, I will focus on building a long-term relationship and trust with you. My holistic approach will not only provide excellent medical care, but also emphasize a strong foundation for mental health.”
Dr. Laura E. Petrovich, Pediatrics
“I enjoy watching my patients grow and forming strong bonds with my patients and their families.”
Dr. Pei Lin Chang, Pediatrics
Dr. Chang is a pediatrician who treats babies, children and teens in Irvine, CA.
Dr. Candice Taylor Lucas, Pediatrics
Dr. Taylor Lucas is a pediatrician who treats babies, children and teens in Irvine, CA.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are your office hours?
We are open Monday through Friday, 7:30 am to 6:00 pm. Our extended hours make it easier to fit appointments into your family’s schedule.
Where are you located?
We are located at 19200 Jamboree Road, Suite 2000, Irvine, CA 92612, inside the Joe C. Wen & Family Center for Advanced Care at UCI Health – Irvine.
Walking into a new medical office for the first time can feel a little nerve-wracking, especially when it’s tucked inside a big campus with multiple buildings and specialties. Add a little one (or two) to the mix, and it can feel like a lot before your visit even starts.
To make things easier, here’s exactly where to go when you arrive, so you can walk in feeling prepared instead of lost:
- Pull into the medical campus and turn right. You’ll see our building straight ahead: the Joe C. Wen & Family Center for Advanced Care.
- Keep going past it to the blue parking garage right next door. Don’t forget your ticket on the way in as we will validate it for up to two hours of free parking. Just make sure you park in the BLUE structure, since it’s the only one we can validate.
- Once you’ve parked, take the elevator or stairs back down to the ground floor.
- Follow the sidewalk straight ahead into the Joe C. Wen & Family Center for Advanced Care.
- As you walk in, you’ll see elevators on your left. Take them up to the second floor.
- You’ll know you’re in the right place the moment you spot our colorful floor. Our front desk coordinators will be just to your right, ready to help you get signed in for your appointment.
What should I bring to my child’s appointment?
Please bring:
- Insurance card and required co-pay
- Photo ID for the parent or guardian
- Immunization records (especially for new patients)
- A list of current medications, vitamins, or supplements
- Any completed new patient forms
Are you accepting new patients?
Yes! We welcome new patients from newborns to teenagers. Call (949) 898-6000 to get started.
Do you see newborns?
Yes. We care for children from birth. If you’re expecting, we encourage a prenatal visit so you can meet your child’s doctor and feel confident and prepared from day one.
Do you still follow traditional vaccination guidelines?
Yes — absolutely and without exception. Our practice follows the vaccination schedule set by the AAP. These guidelines are developed by some of the world’s leading pediatric health experts and are based on decades of scientific research.
We want to be transparent about this: our commitment to the recommended vaccine schedule is not political. It is medical. Vaccines are among the most thoroughly studied interventions in the history of medicine, and the schedule is carefully designed to protect children at the ages when they are most vulnerable.
We also understand that in today’s world, it can be hard to know who or what to trust. If you have questions, doubts, or things you’ve read or heard that concern you, we genuinely want to hear them. Our door is open for those conversations — always kindly, always without judgment. Your child’s safety is our shared goal.
What do I do if my child gets sick after hours?
We partner with Rady Children’s Health to offer several options when our office is closed:
- 24/7 Nurse Advice Line: Call 1-844-GET-CHOC for free, round-the-clock guidance from pediatric healthcare experts. This line can also connect you to a virtual physician visit when needed.
- Pediatric Urgent Care: For non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries that need in-person evaluation, Rady Children’s Health has urgent care locations available in Irvine and Orange.
- Emergency: If your child is experiencing a life-threatening emergency, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room immediately.
When should I use urgent care vs. the emergency room?
Urgent care is appropriate for non-life-threatening situations such as:
- Ear infections, sore throats, or minor infections
- Minor cuts, sprains, or injuries
- Fever in children over 3 months who are otherwise stable
- Vomiting or diarrhea without signs of severe dehydration
Go to the ER or call 911 for situations such as:
- Difficulty breathing or turning blue
- Seizures or loss of consciousness
- Severe allergic reactions
- Head injuries with confusion or repeated vomiting
- Any fever in a baby under 3 months old
Not sure? Call 1-844-GET-CHOC and a pediatric nurse will help you decide.
Can you provide referrals to specialists?
Yes. As part of the Rady Children’s Health Primary Care Network, and with twelve pediatric specialty clinics available on-site, we can connect your child to specialist care quickly and keep all providers in close communication.
How do I request my child’s medical records?
Call us at (949) 898-6000. Records requests require a signed authorization from a parent or legal guardian and typically take a few business days to process.
Who do I contact with a billing question?
For billing questions, please call (949) 898-6000 during business hours and our team will connect you with the right person to help.
Contact Us
CHOC Center for Children’s Health – Primary Care is located inside the Joe C. Wen & Family Center for Advanced Care, at UCI Health – Irvine.
Call us today to schedule an appointment for your child.
Scheduling Hours
Monday – Friday
7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
19200 Jamboree Road
Suite 2000
Irvine, CA 92612
