Rafael Gonzalez, MD

Board certified in general pediatrics by the American Board of Pediatrics, Dr. Rafael Gonzalez joined Valley Children’s Specialty Medical Group as a gastroenterologist in October 2025. In addition to general pediatric gastroenterology, Dr. Gonzalez’s focus is in interventional endoscopy.

After earning his medical degree from the University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Dr. Gonzalez completed a pediatric residency at Valley Children’s Healthcare and then pursued a fellowship in pediatric gastroenterology at Stanford Healthcare, where he also served as a fellow physician researcher.

Dr. Gonzalez’s research has been published in multiple peer-reviewed publications. He has presented at national conferences, including the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Annual Meeting and the Western Medical Research Conference. He is a fellow of the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition.

Dr. Gonzalez has demonstrated a strong commitment to service across multiple areas, including clinical and administrative service and institutional initiatives. Notably, he founded the Resident Diversity Council at Valley Children’s during his residency, reflecting his dedication to fostering an inclusive environment. In addition to his institutional contributions, Dr. Gonzalez has provided both local and national service through aiding organizations and has been involved in teaching and mentoring. He has a deep passion for serving the Spanish-speaking population of the San Joaquin Valley.

Dr. Gonzalez enjoys outdoor activities, including camping and golfing, as well as listening to music. He loves cooking and spending time with his wife, daughter and golden retriever, Hei Hei.