Care Beyond Medicine: Dr. Wendy De La Pena’s Journey in Pediatric Rheumatology

This story first appeared in the 2026 Fall edition of Leaps and Bounds.

Wendy De La Pena, MD, Chief of Rheumatology at Loma Linda University Children's Hospital, has spent 20 years doing what she loves most - caring for children.

Her calling to medicine

De La Pena knew from an early age that she wanted to pursue a career in medicine.

"My pediatrician growing up was my grandma's next-door neighbor, and he truly cared for his patients," says De La Pena. "Seeing that kind of compassion at a young age inspired both my sister and me to become doctors."

That same love for working with children led her to Loma Linda in 2000, where she began her pediatrics residency at Loma Linda University Health. During that time, she discovered that what she enjoyed most was building long-term relationships with her patients.

With the encouragement of a mentor, she found her calling in pediatric rheumatology - a field that allows her to care for children with complex, chronic conditions while forming meaningful, lasting connections with both patients and their families.

After spending several years completing her fellowship in pediatric rheumatology, she returned to Children's Hospital as an attending physician and has been there ever since.

Where purpose meets practice

Today, De La Pena serves as Division Chief of Pediatric Rheumatology and Medical Director of Pediatric Subspecialists.

Her days are spent diagnosing and treating children with rheumatic autoimmune conditions - diseases affecting the joints, muscles, and connective tissues - while guiding families through each step of their care.

For De La Peña, her role goes beyond medicine. It's about connection, reassurance, and making a lasting difference in the lives of children and their families.

"I go home every day and think, 'This is why I do what I do,'" says De La Pena.