Our Doctors and Providers

Dr. Ashok Jain, MD, FAAP, MBA, CPE

Dr. Ashok Jain graduated from Kasturba Medical College, one of the top medical schools in India in 1993, and completed his post-graduate residency in pediatrics at New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY. In 1998, he moved to Mount Sinai Hospital in Chicago to serve as Chief Resident in Pediatrics and became Board-Certified in Pediatrics in 1998. He joined Northwestern University-Children’s Memorial Hospital as a Fellow in Pediatric Cardiology in 1999. From 2000-2003 he provided healthcare services to underserved children in Indiana and North Carolina.

Dr. Jain received his MBA from Fayetteville State University in 2004. He opened his first pediatric practice, "Hope Mills Pediatrics," in August 2003. Eighteen months later, Dr. Jain branched out and added a second practice, North Side Pediatrics, and since then, has continued to open new pediatric practices. Currently, Dr. Jain operates 20 pediatric practices that employ more than 160 people.

In 2006, Dr. Jain launched the India Foundation, a philanthropic organization. The foundation has raised funds for Project Drishti, which provides eyeglasses or cataract surgery to needy patients in India and is also working to build a school in Rajasthan, India. The foundation has established a program to provide dance therapy to treat special needs children in North Carolina. Dr. Jain has personally contributed more than half a million dollars to support the foundation and its objectives of providing healthcare to the needy through its affiliates Shri C. R. Jain Charitable Trust Owned Hospital, Samarthanam Trust for Disabled, Project Drishti, and Dr. Solanki Eye Hospital. The foundation has also contributed to many not-for-profit healthcare and educational initiatives for needy in the US, Nepal, and India.

In May 2007, Dr. Jain moved to Bangalore, India, to build and open MedSol (formerly Indus Westside) Hospital. The 200-bed for-profit hospital opened its doors in January 2010 and features state-of-the-art technology, six operating rooms, 45 critical care beds, and serves medical, trauma, surgical, cardiac, pediatric, neonatology, and burn patients. Complete cardiac surgery, infertility/IVF, minimal access bariatric surgery, and transplant surgery are just a few of the many programs the hospital offers.

Dr. Jain became a Board-Certified Physician Executive by the Certifying Commission in Medical Management in 2011.

Dr. Jain has received many honors and awards. In 2005 he was inducted into the Eugene S. Mayer Honor Society for Community Services at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine for community service in India and the US. In 2010 he was awarded the national Medallion for Entrepreneurship Award by the Beta Gamma Sigma International Honor Society. In 2011 Dr. Jain was named a leading ‘Mover and Shaker’ at the Triangle Business Convention. In January 2013, he was nominated for North Carolina Small Business Person of the year Award. In 2015 he received a Certificate of Achievement from North Carolina Medical Society Foundations -Kanoff Institute of Leadership College for his leadership and service to the population of NC. In 2016, Dr. Jain Group Kidzcare Pediatrics was recognized as Business of the year by NC Small Business Technology and Development Corporation.

Kidzcare Pediatrics has received numerous Awards from NC State Medicaid and National awards as Patient-Centered Medical Home - level 3 (highest recognitions) from National Committee on Quality Assurance (USA) for excellent quality health care services under Dr. Jain's clinical and management leadership.

http://www.kidzcarepediatrics.com/in-the-news/

Over the next five years, Dr. Jain plans to continue the growth of pediatrics practices in North Carolina and neighboring states by building child-friendly infrastructure, enabling and empowering professionals to deliver excellent healthcare services to children, improve access to care, create local employment opportunity, and contribute to the local economy.

Cynthia Panowicz, MD

Dr.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.

Sharon A. Burke, MD

Dr. Burke 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 and lives happily with her husband John and their 90-pound rescue Labrador named Shadow.

Thomas Blackstone, MD

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 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.

Mytrang Dang, PA-C

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 the North Carolina Association of Physician Assistants and American Associate of Physician Assistants.

Ms. Dang is employed with us from 2008.

Robert Goldbach, MD

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.

Marissa Pelletier, MD

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.

Samantha Rushton, PAC

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 the American Academy of Physician Assistants. She became a North Carolina Medical Board PA licensee in 2014. Mrs. Rushton is employed with us from April 2014.

Dori Thomas, MD

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/the 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. Prabesh Bajracharya

I graduated from Manipal College of Medical Sciences in 2005. I finished my Pediatric residency from Penn State Children's Hospital, Pennsylvania, in 2012. I joined the Children's Hospital of Michigan for Pediatric Nephrology and graduated in 2015.

Debbie Davis, PA-C

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 the 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. Nataliya Yatsenko, MD

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 Ukrainian Orphan House. After moving to the US, she completed her Pediatric Residency at Geisinger 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 Preventative 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. Sarah Cheema

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 the 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 communicate with her comfortably. 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.

 

Andrea Penny, FNP

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.

Genevieve Faison-Alston, MD

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.

Peter Rice, MD, FAAP

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.

Caroline Taylor

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.

Dr. Coyle

Dr. Coyle received his Doctor of Medicine degree from Oral Roberts University School of Medicine in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1989. He did his Internship and Residency at the University of Maryland Medical System in Baltimore, Maryland from 1989-1992. He joined a private practice in Catonsville, Maryland in 1992 and maintained hospital privileges at St. Agnes Hospital a Johns Hopkins affiliate where he supervised Johns Hopkins pediatric residents on rounds. After 4 years of practice in Maryland he moved to Cleveland, TN and joined a large multi-specialty group and practiced pediatrics there for 25 years before leaving in early 2021 to join Kidzcare Pediatrics. Dr. Coyle served as Chief of Pediatrics at Bradley Memorial Hospital in Cleveland, Tennessee from 1998-2000. He and his wife have four children, one grandchild and are expecting their second grandchild in July 2022. Dr. Coyle enjoys spending time with his family and also swimming, fishing, hiking, sailing and playing golf. He and his wife are pictured below.

Brittany Coggins, PA-C

Brittany Coggins, PA-C, who is originally from La Plata, MD, received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Howard University, DC, in 2015. She recently completed her Master of Science in Public Health and Master of Physician Assistant Practice in 2021 at Campbell University in Buies Creek, NC. She is certified in Basic Life Support and Advanced Cardiac Life Support. Brittany is also a member of the North Carolina Academy of Physician Assistants & American Academy of Physician Assistants. She enjoys nature, kayaking, and spending time with family and friends.

Dr. Jennifer Engel, MD

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.

Chelsea N. Boyd, CPNP

Chelsea grew up as a military child and lived in Florida, Hawaii, and North Carolina. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a minor in Public Health in 2015. She completed her Masters of Science in Nursing at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston in 2021. She plans to also complete her doctoral degree in the future.

I am a certified pediatric nurse practitioner with PNCB. Certified in Basic Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support. I have always loved medicine and caring for children. I started as a certified nursing assistant in high school and knew I wanted to work in healthcare. Prior to working as a nurse practitioner, I worked at Atrium Health: at Jeff Gordon’s Children’s Hospital and Levine Children’s Hospital as a PICU, medical-surgical nurse, and on an Epilepsy specialized unit. I have also worked in public health school systems and volunteered during the pandemic giving vaccines to the community. I worked as a travel nurse and have spent time at MUSC children’s hospital emergency, Moses Cone hospital pediatrics and NICU unit, and Cape Fear pediatric’s unit. I am a member of the NAPNAP - National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners and AAP - American Academy of Pediatrics.

I enjoy the beach, traveling, being physically active, hiking, kayaking, fashioning, and spending time with my family and 3 dogs.