Our
STAFF
We have assembled the Noe Valley Pediatrics team to provide excellent care for your children.
The front office is responsible for maintaining patient scheduling, check-in, check out and most specialist referrals.
Our friendly nursing staff is responsible for telephone triage and scheduling patients who call in for their assistance.
The medical assistants are responsible for assisting physicians in taking care of our patients, including lab tests, taking vital signs and administering vaccines.
We have five wonderful, caring pediatricians, who are all board certified by the Medical Board of California. You can learn more about each of them below.
Dr.
Elizabeth Retailleau
Born and raised in Pasadena, California, Dr. Elizabeth Retailleau received her Bachelor of Science degree in Human Biology, with a focus in healthcare for the under-served, from Stanford University. In order to understand how patients navigate and experience healing, she spent 2 years at the UCSF Cancer Resource Center supporting people living with cancer.
MORE
Dr.
Elizabeth Retailleau
Born and raised in Pasadena, California, Dr. Elizabeth Retailleau received her Bachelor of Science degree in Human Biology, with a focus in healthcare for the under-served, from Stanford University. In order to understand how patients navigate and experience healing, she spent 2 years at the UCSF Cancer Resource Center supporting people living with cancer. Committed to children’s health, she did her medical training at University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, followed by Pediatric Residency at Kaiser Oakland. For the next 8 years, she simultaneously practiced General Pediatrics at both Kaiser and at La Clinica de La Raza (a free community health clinic in the East Bay). During that time, she subbed at Noe Valley Pediatrics from time-to-time and discovered a warm, fun and supportive community to which she felt genuinely connected. She was thrilled to join the practice in January 2018.
Outside of medicine, Elizabeth keeps busy raising her two young sons with her husband in the Mission District. They love to explore museums, music, art and the amazing food scene of our city. They also love to travel – whether just up the coast or across the globe.
She is honored, grateful and amazed that her daily job is to support children and families, and to help them grow with health and grace. She looks forward to helping your babies grow, your children flourish and your families thrive.
Dr.
Sonya Samuel
Dr. Sonya Samuel was born in Palo Alto, California, and raised in Fremont, CA. Dr. Samuel received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychobiology from UCLA. She completed her medical training at St. George’s University, followed by Pediatric Residency at the University of Nevada School of Medicine, Las Vegas. After completing residency, Dr. Samuel completed her Sports Medicine Fellowship at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.
MORE
Dr.
Sonya Samuel
Dr. Sonya Samuel was born in Palo Alto, California, and raised in Fremont, CA. Dr. Samuel received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychobiology from UCLA. She completed her medical training at St. George’s University, followed by Pediatric Residency at the University of Nevada School of Medicine, Las Vegas. After completing residency, Dr. Samuel completed her Sports Medicine Fellowship at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.
After her training, Dr. Samuel worked at a private practice in Long Island, NY while her husband completed his training at Stony Brook University. She is excited to be back in the Bay Area to be around family, friends, and the great community that she grew up in.
Aside from Pediatrics, Dr. Samuel is a huge sports fan. She is an avid UCLA Bruin, Golden State Warrior and San Francisco Forty-Niners fan. She grew up playing tennis and basketball, and enjoys playing these sports with her husband and friends as well. She is looking forward to enjoying all the beautiful hiking trails and vistas in the area. In addition to outdoor activities, Dr. Samuel and her husband enjoy traveling and spending time with their families.
Dr. Samuel is excited to be part of the Noe Valley Pediatrics community!
Dr.
Matthew Custer
Originally from Minnesota, Dr. Custer moved to the Bay Area in 2021. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance from Bemidji State University in Minnesota and a Master’s Degree in Music Theory from the University of Iowa before deciding to pursue his MD from the University of Rochester with a focus in Medical Humanities. After completing his Pediatric Residency at UCSF, he loved the patient population so much that he decided to continue his practice in San Francisco. Please feel free to pass along your favorite live music or hiking recommendations during your next appointment!
Dr.
Melissa Sanchez
Dr. Sanchez was born and raised in the East Bay. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences with an emphasis in Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior from UC Davis. After receiving her M.D. degree from the American University of the Caribbean, she completed her Pediatric residency at Crozer-Chester Medical Center and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Through college and residency she has spent time working in underserved, low-income communities as well as teen clinic and college campuses as a health educator. In her spare time, you can find her cheering on the SF 49ers and the Golden State Warriors.