I am a wife, mother, grandmother, and board-certified pediatrician with expertise in child development, developmental delays, and child behavior issues. As a child developmental behavioral specialist, I have over 20 years of experience providing comprehensive developmental evaluation, developmental screening, and guidance for families navigating developmental concerns or behavioral challenges.

I am passionate about evaluating and caring for adopted children, foster care families, and families formed in “non-traditional” ways. I also serve families with children who have developmental problems, behavior concerns, or complex educational needs, offering insight into their strengths and areas of growth.

My education and training is extensive and diverse. I graduated with honors from Wharton High School in Wharton, TX. I earned an Associate’s Degree in Biology with honors from Southwestern Christian College (SwCC) in Terrell, TX. I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Biology pre-med from the University of Texas at Austin. I earned my medical degree from Meharry Medical College School of Medicine in Nashville, TN, completed my Pediatric Residency at Children’s Hospital of Michigan/Wayne State University, and completed my fellowship in Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics at Children’s Hospital of Boston/Harvard Medical School. I also earned a Master’s in Public Health from the Harvard School of Public Health.

Throughout my medical career, I have engaged in community outreach, health education, and pediatric training across the United States and internationally. I have worked in Senegal, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Guyana, Belize, and Pakistan, and have taught thousands of pediatricians, medical students, and healthcare professionals worldwide.

My philosophy in patient care is grounded in mutual trust, respect, and collaboration. My style includes humor, empathy, and recognizing parents and guardians as the experts on their own children. I strive to help families understand their child’s unique developmental profile—whether related to developmental issues, developmental delays, or child behavior problems—and support them with evidence-based recommendations, including individualized Parent Coaching when appropriate.

I love the families I serve and celebrate the gifts, strengths, and goodness within every child.

When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with the animals on our small family farm, reading (I read more than 55 books and 20 comics in 2022!), dancing, jamming to ‘70s Soul and ‘90s Hip Hop, cooking, baking, knitting, making body butters, and taking occasional naps. My theme song is “September” by Earth, Wind, and Fire, and I identify as Wonder Woman.

I look forward to working with you and your family.