June 23, 2026
Meet the members of our Board and staff, and get to know the people behind our mission! These blog and social media posts give you an inside look at the incredible individuals who guide our mission and shape the work we do. Next up we have Arthur Jaffe, MD, Professor of Pediatrics at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. He has been a Board Member for many years and is one of OPS’s most dedicated supporters. His commitment to Oregon’s children runs deep—his name is on our conference room door! We asked Dr. Jaffe to share more about what drives his passion for pediatrics, his connection to OPS, and a few things you might not know about him. Read on to get to know more about Dr. Jaffe.
Question: If you played professional baseball, what would be your walk-out song (title and artist, if possible)?
Answer: Ode To Joy, Ludwig van Beethoven
Question: What do you love about being a part of OPS?
Answer: Advocating for excellent care for children, families, and for the health professionals who serve them.
Question: What book are you reading right now?
Answer: Whatever the newest novel by Louise Penny, Dan Silva, or Neal Stephenson is.
Question: If you weren’t doing your current profession, what would you do?
Answer: Traveling to some exotic location to bask on a beach, probably in South America.
Question: What are your hopes and dreams for OPS in the future?
Answer: To have all pediatricians in Oregon be actively engaged advocating for kids and themselves all over the State.
Question: What’s your favorite children’s book?
Answer: Dr. Seuss’ ABC. “Big A, little a, what begins with A? Aunt Annie’s alligator, A A A…”
Question: What children’s issue are you really passionate about?
Answer: Advocating for a rational immunization philosophy; letting kids be kids, not medicalizing every personal quirk, but really providing outstanding primary, secondary, and tertiary mental health care.
Question: What’s your favorite children’s movie?
Answer: Encanto
Question: What was your favorite subject in school? Why?
Answer: Typing class: it was the only thing of value I learned in high school.
Question: What are your hobbies?
Answer: Following the Yankees. Travel. Reading fiction. Trying to re-learn the violin in my dotage.
Question: What is your favorite part about your job?
Answer: Teaching the residents! It’s such a joy.
Question: What did you want to be when you were growing up?
Answer: When I was 4, I wanted to be our neighborhood trash collector, who came by on a horse and wagon and rang a bell to announce his presence. I went from that to wanting to be a pediatrician; no alternative options ever arose.
Question: What was your favorite afterschool snack?
Answer: PB&J
A big thank you to Dr. Jaffe for sharing his time, his perspective, and his passion for Oregon’s children. His longtime dedication to OPS and the pediatric community is something we don’t take for granted, and we’re grateful to have him in our corner.
Inspired by Dr. Jaffe’s commitment to the work? There are plenty of ways to get more involved with OPS — whether that’s joining a committee, attending an upcoming event, or simply connecting with a community of providers who share your values. Contact us.
