Steven J. Song, MD

Ever since I saw an electron micrograph of an immune cell reaching out and grabbing a bacterium with its pseudopod in an issue of National Geographic, I’ve been fascinated with the immune system. I’m a self-professed geek when it comes to all things immunology, and it was a natural fit for me to pursue a career in a related medical subspecialty.

I grew up in the suburbs of New York City, in New Jersey, the son of two immigrants from South Korea who moved the United States for a brighter future for their children. Unfortunately, my mastery of the Korean language only applies to matters of cuisine, but my parents’ passion for education was passed on to me. I was lucky enough to work my way up the Ivy League corridor for my schooling; I earned my B.S. in Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry at Yale University, stayed in New Haven for medical school, and completed my general pediatric internship and residency at Brown University in Providence, RI.

After finally admitting to myself that California offered so many of the things I love to do, I moved to Stanford University for my dual fellowship in Allergy/ Immunology and Pediatric Rheumatology. During my fellowship I was able to realize my dream of learning about the entire spectrum of immunologic disease, from severe combined immunodeficiency, through allergy and atopic disease, and rheumatologic and autoinflammatory diseases.

In my spare time, I enjoy cooking with my wife, who happens to be an allergist as well. I have taken great pleasure from learning about things like the Maillard reaction, and I am extremely grateful that my wife is a willing participant in such culinary experiments. I also love travel, looking at tropical fish from their perspective, hiking, and doing my best to avoid automobile traffic on Skyline Boulevard on my bicycle. Hurtling down a snowy mountain on my snowboard is my newest hobby – always with a helmet, of course – and I am slowly learning how to avoid careening off of cliffs.

After fellowship, while working in urgent care at Childrens Hospital of Oakland, I came upon an opportunity to join Bayside Medical Group as a subspecialist in both Allergy/ Immunology and Pediatric Rheumatology. I jumped at the chance to work with the physicians, nurses, and staff at this wonderful practice, and to bring my knowledge and passion for immunologic disease to my patients. I sincerely look forward to meeting you.