Dr. Kalen Hendra is a pediatric pulmonologist who cares for children with acute and chronic respiratory conditions, including asthma, aerodigestive disorders and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (a chronic lung disease associated with premature birth). She is passionate about caring for underserved populations and children with complex medical conditions. Her own experiences with childhood asthma, including the care she received at what is now UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland, are part of what drew her to pulmonology. She strives to provide her patients and their families with the same excellent care.
Hendra's research focuses on bronchopulmonary dysplasia in low-birth-weight Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) infants. During her fellowship, her work highlighted differences in health outcomes for various AANHPI populations and emphasized the importance of separating out data from distinct cultural groups.
Hendra earned her medical degree at Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine. She completed a residency in pediatrics at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland, followed by a fellowship in pediatric pulmonology at Stanford Medicine.