Dr. Pejman Katiraei, D.O.

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Get to know Pediatrician Dr. Pejman Katiraei, who serves patients in Santa Monica, California.

Dr. Katiraei, affectionately known as Dr. K, embodies a remarkable journey rooted in resilience, curiosity, and a profound commitment to holistic and integrative medicine. Born in Iran, he and his family fled their home to escape persecution, instilling in him a deep sense of morals, ethics, and values that would shape his life’s path.

From a young age, his insatiable curiosity fueled his desire to understand the intricacies of the world around him. This curiosity became the driving force behind his exploration and eventual specialization in holistic and integrative medicine.

Throughout his academic career, Dr. Katiraei’s academic journey began with distinction, graduating cum laude with a degree in Biology from UCLA. During this time, he demonstrated leadership by founding the UCLA Stroke Force, where he led a team of over 70 undergraduate students in educating the senior community about strokes.

Continuing his education, the doctor earned his osteopathic medical degree from Western University of Health Sciences, followed by a pediatric residency at Loma Linda University. Early in his training, he questioned conventional explanations for certain diseases and observed the variability in patient outcomes. This curiosity led him to complete a fellowship under Dr. Andrew Weil at the University of Arizona, where he delved into holistic medicine.

Passionate about his profession, Dr. Katiraei  is board-certified in pediatrics by the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP). The mission of the ABP is to advance child health by certifying pediatricians who meet standards of excellence and are committed to continuous learning and improvement.

Driven by the challenging cases he encountered, he founded and served as the Medical Director of the Loma Linda University Wholistic Medicine Clinic until 2014. Inspired to further expand his expertise, he pursued training through the Institute of Functional Medicine. he became a sought-after speaker, sharing his knowledge on various holistic topics with medical students, physicians, and healthcare professionals.

In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Katiraei faced his own health challenges, including anxiety, depression, and ADHD. These personal experiences became invaluable teachers, prompting him to explore his own biochemistry. 

Despite his clinical proficiency, his commitment to patient care led him to seek further knowledge. In 2012, he embarked on a fellowship in endobiogeny, a sophisticated study of how hormones and the nervous system interact to control health and disease. 

Pediatrics is the branch of medicine that involves the medical care of infants, children, and adolescents. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends individuals be under pediatric care up to the age of 21. Pediatric critical care specialists treat children from birth through the teen years. They choose to make caring for children who are very sick the core of their medical practice. Their advanced training and experience prepare them to give children in PICUs the unique medical care that they need.

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