Board-certified pediatrician
I am a western MA native and proud descendant of Irish and Polish immigrants who grew up in the tiny Franklin County village of Turners Falls. I was privileged to be cared for by the late Dr. William Buchannan of Greenfield, who personified the medical home model of pediatric care long before the term was formally defined, impressing upon me the powerful positive impact that a caring physician could have in the life of a child, and inspiring my early interest in pediatric medicine.
I graduated Magna Cum Laude from Boston College in 1993 with a BS in Biology and in 1998 with a medical degree from the University of Massachusetts in Worcester, during which time I developed an interest in the care of medically underserved communities and international maternal and child health.
To enhance my regional medical training with a more national perspective, I completed my pediatric residency at Primary Children’s Medical Center in Salt Lake City, UT, finishing in 2001. I devoted the next 16 years to full-time general pediatric practice in both Utah and Boise, Idaho, and raising my own family. I worked for Intermountain Healthcare from 2007-2017, where I provided care for a socio-economically and ethnically diverse urban patient population. I developed a practice interest in the care of medically complex children, and a commitment to quality improvement and patient safety initiatives, assuming administrative and leadership roles at both office and organizational levels.
Despite the deep satisfaction of my early career, I had always hoped to one day return home to my extended family and the cultural and scenic beauty of western Mass. In 2017, with my eldest child about to enter high school, I finally found an opportunity to return with my young family to settle in the Springfield area. While practicing locally for the past 5 years, I have searched for a practice environment well aligned to my professional interests, philosophy, and experience, and am thankful and optimistic that I have found my own medical home among the highly regarded provider team at NAP.
I practice with a prevention–focused, integrative, and personalized approach to care. I believe deeply in the importance of trust, mutual respect, and a meaningful doctor-patient relationship to achieve optimal health outcomes, and partners with patients and families to educate, support and empower them on their path towards maximal health and wellness. I continue to have a practice focus on the care of children with special health care needs, especially those with chronic developmental, mental, and behavioral health conditions. I am passionate about improving access to quality mental health care and support for our youth and families and excited and deeply grateful for the opportunity to be among the newest members of the growing NAP family.
Education
- Undergraduate: Magna Cum Laude, Boston College, B.A., Boston, MA,1993
- Medical School: University of Massachusetts Medical School, MA 1998
- Residency: Pediatrics, University of Utah School of Medicine, 1998 – 200
Memberships and Certifications
- Board Certified by the American Board of Pediatrics
- American Academy of Pediatrics
- Massachusetts Medical Society
- American Medical Association
Interests
- Medical: International Maternal and Child Health, children and youth with special healthcare needs and behavioral health
- Non-medical: hiking, camping, reading and gardening