KIDZCARE - Key Persons
Andrea Penny - graduated from Frontier Nursing University with Masters in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner in 2019. Currently pursuing a Doctorate of Nursing Degree at Frontier Nursing University.
I am a certified Nurse Practitioner. Certified in Basic Life Support, Advanced Life Support, Neonatal Resuscitation. Prior to working as a Nurse Practitioner, I worked at Wake Medical Center as a registered nurse for 14 years, the last 9 in labor and delivery. I am a member of the AANP - American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, NAPNAP - National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners and AAP - American Academy of Pediatrics. I enjoy spending time with my family. I enjoy the beach, mountains, photography, and Carolina basketball.
Dr. Mathusek is originally from the Dominican Republic. She received her Medical degree (cum laude) from the Instituto Tecnologico de Santo Domingo in the DR. Dr. Mathusek completed her pediatric residency training at Lincoln Hospital and Mental Health Center in the Bronx, NY (affiliated to Weill Cornell Medical School) in 2012. She's been practicing pediatrics in several positions ever since, and has been in charge of medical students and residents in training. She is currently working on getting her degree from the American Board of Obesity Medicine, with a special interest in Childhood Obesity. She lives in Chapel Hill with her husband, three kids, and their pet fish named Koi. She enjoys reading, dancing, playing with her kids, and nature. She speaks Spanish as her native language. Her favorite phrase is from Dr. Seuss: "You have brains in your head, you have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose."
Job Titles:
- President & CEO KidzCare Pediatrics, PC )
Brittany Arnett grew up in rural Carlinville, Illinois surrounded by corn , soybeans, and woodland. She earned an athletic scholarship to Belmont University and played 4 years of Division I volleyball, leading two sports mission trips overseas to Zhitomer, Ukraine and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil during that time. After graduating with a major in Pre-Medical Biology and a minor in Chemistry, she met her husband and moved to Fort Lauderdale, FL. She subsequently attended Physician Assistant school at NOVA Southeastern University, graduating in 2011. After training in Pediatrics in South Carolina, the couple moved to Clayton, GA, bought a home, volunteered in the community, and ‘put down roots'. Brittany has since provided detailed, compassionate medical care to patients of all ages, but has always felt a calling to the Pediatric population. She loves the Georgia mountains and small town living, and enjoys spending time outside with her husband and toddler twins Luke and Lucy. Any remaining free time is spent with her Clayton Baptist church family, reading, and gardening in her flowerbeds. She can also regularly be found walking and running down some of Clayton's main streets. Brittany is excited to join the Kidzcare Pediatrics team in opening a new office in Clayton in June of 2017.
Job Titles:
- Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Caroline Taylor is a board-certified pediatric nurse practitioner. Caroline graduated from the University of Florida with her bachelor's degree in health education & behavior in 2013, and then from Duke University with her bachelor's of science in nursing (2014), along with her master's of science in nursing (2020). Prior to pursuing a career at KidzCare, she was a pediatric cardiac intensive care nurse at both the University of Virginia as well as Duke University, bringing 6 years of pediatric cardiac experience with her.
When Caroline is not working, you can find her at the gym or with her family and friends, spending time outside. Caroline also has a sheepadoodle named Waffles and loves all dogs! She looks forward to having the opportunity to provide your family with excellent, compassionate care.
Debbie Davis, PA-C grew up in Chapel Hill, NC and received her undergraduate degree in Human Biology from North Carolina State University (Raleigh, NC). She then completed her Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies at East Carolina University (Greenville, NC). Debbie graduated in 2016 and is now licensed by the North Carolina Medical Board. She is certified in Basic Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, and Pediatric Advanced Life Support. Debbie is also a member of North Carolina Academy of Physician Assistants & American Academy of Physician Assistants.
Debbie lives in Raleigh, NC with her 7-year-old Redbone Coonhound. She enjoys going to the beach, kayaking, hiking, attending concerts, and playing outside with her pup.
Dr. Cynthia Panowicz has been in practice as a pediatrician in the area for the past 25 years. She graduated with M.D. degree from University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in Pennsylvania after receiving her undergraduate degree from Washington College in Chestertown, MD. She completed pediatric residency in 1996 from Pitt County Memorial Hospital along with East Carolina University in Greenville, NC. She is fellow member American Academy of Pediatrics.
Along with husband and 2 sons, she lives in Bostic, NC. Dr. Panowicz enjoy going to the beach, the outdoors, and spending time with her family.
Dr. Panowicz is new to Kidzcare and started at the Boiling Springs, NC office in September 2021. She enjoys seeing infants to teenagers with a variety of concerns and looks forward to watching them grow and develop over the years.
Dr. Dori has practiced pediatric medicine in the Research Triangle area since 1998. She is originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She attended college at Grove City College, Grove City, PA where she studied Chemistry and was active in the Flag Line/Marching Band and her sorority. After 4 years in graduate school and 3 years doing medical research, Dr. Dori decided that medical school was the way to go. She attended St. Louis University School of Medicine in Missouri and did her pediatric residency at the Children's Hospital of Iowa/University of Iowa (2 years) and at UNC Children's Hospital. (1 year). Dr. Dori and her husband, a private practice endocrinologist in Raleigh, have college-age twins, a son, and a daughter, who were born when she was in medical school. When her children were younger, Dr. Dori volunteered as a Girl Scout troop leader and classroom parent. As she has done over the last 8 years, she spends time every summer volunteering as a camp physician at Camp Seafarer for Girls.
Because of personal experience with her children, Dr. Dori has a strong interest in providing medical care to children and adolescents with complex medical histories or chronic medical conditions. She believes that with the right medical care anything is possible. She also has interest and experience in managing ADD/ADHD, asthma, behavioral issues, and day-to-day illnesses that children face.
Dr. Genevieve Faison-Alston grew up in rural Kenansville, North Carolina. Since she was young, she knew she wanted to serve others through the practice of medicine. Dr. Faison-Alston earned a full academic scholarship at Fayetteville State University where she graduated with honors with a B.S. degree in Biology. She then obtained her Doctor of Medicine degree at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, SC, and subsequently returned to North Carolina to complete her residency in pediatrics at East Carolina University in Greenville, NC. Since 2000, Dr. Faison-Alston has been board certified in pediatrics and has worked in community pediatrics in Anson and Wake counties. In January 2020 she joined KidzCare Pediatrics. She enjoys building lasting relationships with her patients and families she serves and looks forward to continuing and building those bonds at KidzCare Pediatrics. In her free time, Dr. Faison-Alston loves DIY projects and gardening. She loves spending time with her family and stays very active with her 2 teenagers, cheering them on in their various activities including softball, track, football, and basketball.
Dr. Jasna Torrez is a native of Belgrade, Serbia. She attended the University of Belgrade Faculty of Medicine from 1991 through 1999 and graduated with a Doctor of Medicine degree. Dr. Torrez continued her medical education at the University of Belgrade from 1999 to 2002 and obtained a master's degree in Medical Science in Neonatology.
In 2007, Dr. Torrez moved to the United States to study the English language and to prepare for and take the USMLE exams. After passing the USMLE exams, Dr. Torrez attended the Medical School at the University of Hawaii pediatric residency program from 2008 to 2011. She completed her pediatric residency program 3rd year at the Jersey Shore University Medical Center and graduated in June of 2015.
Dr. Torrez has been licensed to practice medicine in the state of North Carolina since February 2016. She is a member of the American Board of Pediatrics and will be taking her Pediatric Board exam in October of 2016. Dr. Torrez is also certified in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP), and BLS for Healthcare Provides.
Dr. Torrez has been employed with KidzCare Pediatrics since 2016 and lives in Fayetteville with her daughter.
Dr. Jennifer Brown graduated from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, and completed her pediatric residency at NC Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem (Bowman Gray School of Medicine). She began her pediatric career in Fort Pierce, FL. She later moved to Franklin, NC, where in the midst of practicing general pediatrics and raising her own family, she began advocating for abused and neglected children.
Dr. Brown was privileged to help start Kids Place; Macon County's Child Advocacy Center in 1991. She also became a regional trainer for the NC Child Medical Evaluation Program and served on the NC Pediatric Society Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect. She has taught on the subjects of abuse and neglect locally, state-wide, and internationally. (Presenting at conferences in Seoul, Korea and Skopje, Macedonia).
She is a published author of a children's book called "Hooray! It's a Duck Day" as well as articles on subjects such as child abuse, ADHD, and miscarriage. The last several years she worked in the public health system on the East Coast of North Carolina. She returned to Western NC in the spring of 2017 and joined Kidzcare Pediatrics as a board-certified general pediatrician last fall. In her free time she enjoys writing, art, gardening, and spending time with her four children and grandson.
Dr. Jennifer Engel, MD completed her undergraduate training at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, PA. She then completed her Medical Degree and Masters of Medical Science degrees at the American University of the Caribbean in St. Maarten, NA in 2000.
Dr. Engel then went on to the Pediatric Residency Program at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, NJ. She has been Board Certified in Pediatrics and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics since 2003. After finishing her training, Dr. Engel joined her mother-in-law's pediatric practice, where they worked together for many years serving the children of Monmouth County, NJ. Dr. Engel moved to the Charlotte area in 2017 due to her husband's re-location for his work. She joined Kidzcare Pediatrics in 2020, where she cares for kids in the Charlotte location.
Lisa Parker, MD graduated from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine after obtaining her undergraduate degree from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska where she grew up. She completed her Pediatric Residency at Blank Children's Hospital in 1995 and then worked for four years at Reynolds's Army Community Hospital in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Since 1999, Dr. Parker has been employed by various pediatric practices in NC. She joined KidzCare Pediatrics in January 2017. Dr. Parker enjoys building relationships with patients and parents. She works towards making a difference in their lives through encouraging healthy lifestyle habits, preventing disease and accidents, and becoming a trusted resource for families. In her free time, Dr. Parker likes reading, walking and spending time outdoors, and having fun with her family and friends.
Dr. Nataliya Yatsenko was born and raised in Ukraine where she obtained her medical degree from Dnepropetrovsk State Medical Academy in 1999. She finished her Pediatric Internship in Kiev Postgraduate Medical Academy in 2000. She devoted her first years in practice to the young orphans at Ukranian Orphan House. After moving to the US, she completed her Pediatric Residency at Gesinger Medical Center in Danville, PA in 2009. During her Residency, Dr. Nataliya took an interest in Environmental Medicine, studying and researching the impact of the evolving world on children's health and development.
Dr. Nataliya enjoys seeing children and young adults of all ages with a variety of concerns. She has a special interest in Preventitive care and gladly shares her knowledge and support with families, helping to raise healthy, happy children. After moving to NC in 2015, she joined our team of doctors and other medical professionals at Kidzcare Pediatrics in September of 2016. Dr. Nataliya is married and has one child of her own. She enjoys running, cycling with her husband and son, traveling and reading.
Dr. Robert Goldbach received his undergraduate degree from Saint Vincent College and medical degree from Hahnemann University in Pennsylvania. He completed his pediatric residency at William Beaumont Army Medical Center in El Paso Texas in 1990. He worked for 4 years at Blanchfield Army Community Hospital in Kentucky while with the 101st Airborne Division. He spent seven months of that time with the 2/327th Infantry Battalion during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He has been board certified in Pediatrics since 1991.
Dr. Goldbach comes to KidzCare Pediatrics from UNC Peds North. Before joining UNC, Dr. Goldbach worked in a private practice in North Carolina for 4 years. Dr. Goldbach is very committed to providing quality pediatric care.
Dr. Robert Little opened the Burlington location in 1985 as a solo pediatrician. He graduated from the University of NC at Chapel Hill School of Medicine and completed his residency in Pediatrics at the University of NC Hospital. He merged his practice with Pediatric Associates in 2012 to continue providing excellent care to his patients. The KidzCare Pediatrics PC - Burlington consists of a separate waiting area for newborn and older children, 4 kid-friendly exam rooms, and a separate triage unit that allows easy patient movement. Our Burlington office serves patients from across NC including Burlington, Graham, Mebane, Gibsonville, and Greensboro.
Dr. Sarah Cheema is an experienced and qualified Pediatrician, previously serving the communities of Annandale and Alexandria, VA. She obtained her medical degree from the Allama Iqbal Medical College; Pakistan. After numerous research and observership positions in North Carolina including the Mariam Clinic, Medical Alliance Ministry and University of North Carolina, and in Pakistan including The Children's Hospital and Jinnah Hospital, she decided to pursue her passion of working with children and trained in Pediatrics at Texas Tech University of Health Sciences Center in El Paso, Texas. She has worked for several years in Northern Virginia and has now moved back to North Carolina; where she had started her journey.
A devout mother of five, Dr Cheema recognizes the special care and attention that children need and exercises her professional and maternal insight with her patients. She is multilingual in English, Hindi and Punjabi allowing patients from a variety of backgrounds to comfortably communicate with her. Her extensive travel has also allowed her to be sensitive to various cultures and is able to understand the needs of patients from different backgrounds. Caring for children is her passion. She believes that a visit to a Pediatrician should be warm and friendly and ensure an environment of comfort, diligence, discussion, and education. She also believes in building a relationship with the Patient/Parent by listening and creating a partnership to maintain and improve lifelong health.
She has recently been recognized In the Washingtonian's top Doctors 2019 magazine and also as a Top Female Doctor in the City of Annandale, Virginia 2019.
Thomas Blackstone, MD, FAAP attended college and medical school at Ohio State University. He served as a naval flight surgeon stationed at Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station from 1970 to 1972.
He went on to a pediatric residency at Columbus Children's Hospital, serving as chief resident in 1975. Dr. Blackstone practiced thirteen years in Mansfield, Ohio, and four years in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, before making his home in Wilmington. His clinical interests include ADHD and infectious diseases.
Dr. Blackstone has served as Chair of Pediatrics at New New Hanover Regional Medical Center and has served on the boards of Wilmington Health Access for Teens, Coastal Physicians Alliance, and Cape Fear Hospital.
Tom lives in Wilmington with his wife Marilyn and has four children and four grandchildren. When not in his garden, Tom enjoys jogging, swimming, and biking. He and Marilyn have done missionary work in Haiti and the Dominican Republic and attend Port City Community Church.
Marrissa Pelletier, MD Graduated from State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY. She is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics and a member of the American Medical Association. She has been practicing for 4 years and has a special interest in newborn care, adolescents, well child visits and counseling and is fluent in Spanish. She and her husband reside in Franklin, NC with their 5 children ranging from 4 - 8 years of age. She is new to our group and is employed in our Franklin office, which is in the Western North Carolina Mountains.
Marrissa Pelletier Graduated from State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY. She is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics and a member of the American Medical Association.
She has been practicing for 5 years and has a special interest in newborn care, adolescents, well child visits and counseling and is fluent in Spanish. She and her husband reside in Franklin, NC with their 5 children.
In 2004, Ms. Dang graduated in Masters of Medical Science, Certified Physician's Assistant from Methodist College in Fayetteville, NC.
Ms. Dang is a certified American Red Cross CPR provider and North Carolina Medical Board PA License since 2005.
As of 2005, she is affiliated with North Carolina Association of Physician Assistants and American Associate of Physician Assistants.
Ms. Dang is employed with us from 2008.
Dr. O'Neill, MD, FAAP joined Kidzcare Pediatrics in January 2020. She is a practicing Pediatrician at our Franklin and Sylva locations. Dr. O'Neill graduated from University of South Carolina School of Medicine Columbia in 1990 and has been in practice for 28 years. She completed her residency at Palmetto Richland Memorial Hospital. She is board certified in Pediatrics.
Peter Rice grew up in Kentucky. He attended the Univ. of Louisville for his undergraduate and was planning to attend Medical School when he was given the opportunity to go to Stanford University for graduate school, where he received a Ph.D. in biophysical chemistry.
After attending Stanford University, he then attended the University of California Irvine medical school and received his Medical Degree in 1995. He is board Board Certified in Pediatrics and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
During his well-child and sick visits, he discusses with his patients and their parents the importance of reading and encourages the exploration of nature outdoors. He also encourages them to take their time with school while also taking some chances along the way to find their interests of what they truly enjoy. Whether that be automotive repairs, hiking in state parks, mountain biking, or spending quality time in a library, to which Peter has had the opportunity to experience them all. He is excited to be working with KidzCare Pediatrics in Western North Carolina.
Dr. Ravali Janagama received her medical degree from Gandhi Medical College, India. She moved to the United States and received her Master's Degree in Environmental and Public Health at East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina. She completed her Pediatric Residency at Vidant Medical Center/Brody School of Medicine, Greenville, North Carolina in 2013.
After her training, she worked as a Pediatric Hospitalist for 5 years in Eastern North Carolina and in Roanoke Chowan Community Health Center. She moved to Raleigh to be close with her family and started working with Kidzcare, Sanford location from September 2018.
She is board certified in Pediatrics. She enjoys working with kids. Her special interests are Asthma, ADHD and Newborn care. In her spare time, she loves to cook, travel and do Yoga.
In 2013, Mrs. Rushton graduated in Masters of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from East Carolina University in Greenville, NC. Mrs. Rushton is certified in Basic Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, and Pediatric Advanced Life Support. She is affiliated with North Carolina Academy of Physician Assistants and American Academy of Physician Assistants.
She became a North Carolina Medical Board PA licensee in 2014. Mrs. Rushton is employed with us since April 2014.
Sharon received her BS degree in Biology, pre-med from Fairleigh Dickinson University. She then received her Medical Degree (MD) with Honors from Ross University; Internship and Residency in Pediatrics at Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, NJ. Post-doctorate Clinical and Research Fellowship in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine at Robert Wood Johnson and St. Peter University Medical Centers New Brunswick, New Jersey. Four years as Associate Medical Director of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at University Hospital in Newark, NJ. Twenty-five years as Medical Director of Sub-Acute Transitional Care Unit at Children's Specialized Hospital in New Brunswick, NJ.
She designed the Specialized Care unit in the treatment of newborn opioid withdrawal, with research publications and National Recognition. She also developed specialty care with publications and state-wide recognition for children requiring long-term ventilation, hyperalimentation, and spinal cord disease. She designed therapy programs for children with metabolic and neurodevelopmental disorders such as Autism Spectrum, Feeding disorders, Retinopathy. And she was the director for the largest post-cardiac, liver and intestinal transplant program in the country. She provided medical care for children in the outpatient medical home and long-term care facility utilizing telemedicine. Dr. Burke comes to Kidzcare with tremendous clinical knowledge and expertise and a passion for all children, from newborn to young adult. In her words, "children are my life, and Kidzcare has allowed me to live in a beautiful community providing care for God's most precious among us."
She is President of the Brunswick Forest Women's Book Club, which provides reading bags for the children of Kidzcare; she sings with the Wilmington Choral Society. She lives happily with her husband John and their 90-pound rescue Labrador named Shadow.