Hi! My story starts as a little girl with a blind grandfather, who was a brilliant, respected man that made his impairment into a gift and lived his days as a role model to his family and community. I dreamed about becoming a doctor to help people and save lives - and maybe someone's vision - because of him. Along the way, I fell in love with taking care of babies and children, with a special interest in their growth and development into people of our future. I realized early on that supporting new moms and families by providing education and expectations made a significant difference. When I had my first child as a pediatric resident (and my second right after training), I learned how one's life and identity transform radically. I also appreciated the challenges that appear in unexpected ways and was even more motivated to guide families through this unchartered territory. As a Pediatrician, with a more recent focus in Breastfeeding and Lactation Medicine, and as a dedicated educator and mentor to our future physicians, I am now bringing 25 years of experience, in different settings and institutions, into my practice. Devoted to the wellness of youth and the invaluable experience of summer camp on child development, I am also currently serving as the Chief Medical Officer of Tamarack Camps in Bloomfield Hills, MI, providing a safe and healthy overnight camp experience to as many children and families as possible, respectful of financial ability.
Beyond my professional life, I met the love of my life at Tamarack Camps, as a young staff member entering college, and we married during my medical school years. He is an academic physician (hence the multiple relocations) and a loving, husband and father. I have adored being a mother, cherishing every stage of parenthood, including my own trials and tribulations with having babies while establishing a career, trying to breastfeed, and balancing the responsibilities of work and home life. The ride can be challenging, and I have seen firsthand how powerful it is to have a close relationship with a medical provider through the process. With innumerous families from my practices and two "grown" children of my own, I intimately understand the struggles and joys that come with raising a family. On my free time, I enjoy cooking, traveling with family and friends, running, and yoga. Over the last decade, I have also become a "weekend warrior cyclist”, as my husband likes to refer to us, mostly to spend more time with him.
Throughout my career, I have recognized a real gap in care for the postpartum "DYAD" and a more recent concerning rise in postpartum mental health, maternal complications, and infant mortality. Driven by my passion for nurturing healthy beginnings, my mission is to empower families as they navigate the journey into parenthood, the post-partum experience, breastfeeding, and the intricate path of raising compassionate and resilient individuals. When we made the move 'HOME' to Michigan, I started Raise and Shine MD to fill a need and hopefully set the stage for personalized attention during these pivotal months-years to be more widely available. I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to guide and support you through the 4th trimester and beyond, helping you to RAISE good humans!
If you are interested in my education and path to Raise and Shine MD, here it is... Education and Training
Undergraduate Studies – University of Michigan. Ann Arbor, MI. (BA, 1990-1994)
Medical School – University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI. (MD, 1994-1998)
Residency in Pediatrics - Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, Case Western Reserve-Cleveland, OH (1998-2001)
Board Certified, Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics (FAAP, 2001-Present)
Board Certified, North American Board of Breastfeeding and Lactation Medicine. (NABBLM-C, ABM, 2023-present)
Attending Pediatrician
Lifespan Coastal Waterman Pediatrics, Brown University - Providence, RI (2015-2023)
Moore Pediatrics & Associates, (now Green Tree Pediatrics), University of Michigan & St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor - Chelsea, MI (2005-2015)
CHOP Primary Care Practices, Kids First Indian Valley, University of Pennsylvania - Souderton, PA (2003-2005)
University Primary Care Practices, Rainbow Northeast, Case Western Reserve University - Willoughby, OH (2001-2003)
Academic Appointments
Assistant Professor, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
Clinical Instructor - University of Michigan Medical School
Clinical Instructor - Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia - University of Pennsylvania