I am a wife, mother, grandmother, and board-certified Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician. I am an expert in caring for child development, developmental delays, developmental disabilities and behavior disorders in children, adolescents, and young adults with over 20 years of experience. I am passionate about evaluating and caring for adopted children and their families and foster care families.

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

Throughout my medical career, I have engaged in community outreach and health education across the United States. I have participated in medical missions caring for patients in Senegal (West Africa), Haiti, Dominican Republic, Guyana (South America), Belize,  and Pakistan. I have taught and trained thousands of pediatricians and other healthcare professionals around the world. I have trained and taught thousands of medical students, residents, and fellows throughout my career. I also hold leadership positions in multiple national professional medical organizations and help develop national policy standards for patient care that is equitable, high quality, and grounded in scientific evidence.

My philosophy in patient care is mutual trust, respect, and collaboration. My style of patient interactions is to use humor and express empathy. I may be an expert in child development, developmental disabilities, and behavior disorders, and I view parents/guardians as experts in their children. We can work together to help children function to the best of their abilities. I love the families I serve and see the gifts, talents, and goodness of their children.

When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with the animals on our small family farm, hanging with my family, reading books (I read more than 55 books and 20 comics in 2022!), dancing, jamming to ‘70s Soul music 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.