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Information about our
Clinicians:
David M. Millsaps MD FAAP, Brooke Lawrence Hata MD FAAP, Richard
Rheinbolt MD FAAP, Barbara Colosimo MD FAAP
William Elliott, MD FAAP,
Sommer C Clark MSN CPNP, Karen T. Leasure, MSN CPNP,
Lauren J. McFarland MSN CPNP, Evina L. Nonato MSN CPNP, Gretchen Weeks MSN
CPNP, Alexis M. Pagnatta, MSN CPNP,
Elizabeth Sheeks, RD MS LDN
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"The
Unifour Pediatrics Team"
click on
clinician's photo for details -or- click on name to the right.
Susan Huffman, CMPE
(Practice Administrator) |
and interactions with other associated pediatric providers.
David M. Millsaps, MD, FAAP
(Lead Pediatrician of Unifour Pediatrics PA)
Dr.
David M. Millsaps has continuously practiced primary care pediatrics in
the Unifour area for the past 39 years (since 1980) and maintains full admitting
privileges at Catawba Valley Medical Center
(as of October 2018, all 15
general pediatricians in the county stopped seeing patients at Frye).
Unifour Pediatrics (opened in 2005) is designed to provide
personal, comprehensive services, to allow for more innovative approaches
toward patient care, and allows for more personalized care and more time for detailed coordinated
management in complex clinical cases. We encourage you to read our
Guiding Principles
to gain an insight into the importance he places on excellence in service,
patient education, and continuity of medical care.
Undergraduate:
Duke University,
BS 1973
Medical School:
Duke University School of Medicine,
MD 1977
Pediatric Residency:
Carolinas Medical Center,
1977-1980
Board Certified:
American Board of Pediatrics
Fellow:
American Academy of Pediatrics
Pediatric Practice:
In general practice continuously since 1980 in the
Unifour area.
Professional Activities:
North Carolina Pediatric Society,
Legislative Committee, Liaison Committee,
AccessCare,
BCBS-NC Medical
Advisory Committee,
Catawba County Parenting Network,
and numerous other committees and organizations in the community and
state. He was named 2011
Physician of the Year by the Association of Home and Hospice Care of
North Carolina. Child advocacy involvement at NC and Federal levels, including
issues involving Medicaid, Health Choice and SCHIP legislation, budgeting
for children's needs, etc.
NC Alliance for Health,
EMR/EPM programs, and others. Extensive pediatric-specific continuous
medical education each year, well exceeding the requirements. Active core
participant in the Supporting Parents (PSP)
study of the National Institute for Children's Health Quality (NICHQ)
- Unifour Pediatrics was chosen as one of 18 practices nationwide for this
study, Co-chair, eClinicalWorks
EMR Pediatric Taskforce. Administrative activities at Unifour
Pediatrics, assisting Susan Huffman
(administrator). Webmaster,
UnifourPeds.com, Helps with
Unifour Pediatrics
PowerPoint presentations on waiting rooms.
Family:
Dr. Millsaps has been happily married for 40 years. His wife is
a school/pediatric nurse and they have three "grown" children (two
dentists and an attorney), and 4 granddaughters and 2 grandsons. They are members of
St. Luke's Methodist Church
in the Viewmont area. Dr. Millsaps and his wife live in northwest Hickory,
with a yellow Labrador retriever, a cat, and lots of fish.
Interests:
Hickory Rotary Club,
Project Wild
outdoor experiential learning program of Duke University,
scouting, etc.
Eagle scout,
Southeastern Cave Conservancy,
National Speleological Society,
Outdoor adventure sports,
kayaking,
rock-climbing,
caving,
cave rescue,
computers, photography, household projects, music, high tech gadgets,
aerial photography with
quadcopters,
travel,
Apple Chill Cloggers,
amateur radio, and more.
National Cave Rescue Commission.
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David Millsaps MD FAAP
Board Certified:
Fellow:
American Academy of Pediatrics

Mission: Unifour Pediatrics is a
physician-owned primary care pediatric practice established to provide
quality comprehensive healthcare services to infants, children, adolescents
& college-age youth.
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Brooke Lawrence Hata, MD, FAAP
(Pediatrician, Unifour Pediatrics PA) Currently
on extended leave
Dr. Brooke Lawrence Hata
joined us in 2008, moving to Hickory from Durham, NC, where she practiced primary care pediatrics
since 2005 with University Pediatrics at Highgate (part of the UNC Health
Care System). She is native to North Carolina, raised in the Asheville
area, and has become an integral part of the Unifour
community, with energy, talent, and commitment toward high quality care, a
pediatrician who is a bright and caring
individual who shares our ideals and will enhance our practice. We encourage you to read our
Guiding Principles to gain an insight into the importance
she places on excellence in service, patient education, and continuity of medical care.
Undergraduate:
Wake Forest University, BS
1995,
Magna Cum Laude
Medical School:
Duke University School of Medicine, MD 2001
Pediatric Residency:
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill,
2001-2004 (Chief
Resident and Associate Clinical Professor, 2004-2005)
Board Certified:
American Board of Pediatrics.
Fellow:
American Academy of Pediatrics.
Associate Clinical Professor:
Department of Pediatrics, .
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill,
2004-2008
Pediatric Practice:
In general pediatric practice continuously 2005-2008 in the Durham, NC area with
University
Pediatrics at Highgate (part of the UNC Health Care System). During
that time, she continued to serve as an Associate Clinical Professor of
the Department of Pediatrics at the
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Dr. Hata starting here at Unifour Pediatrics
in January 2009, and has been well received by our patients and their
families, and by our staff. Special interests include developmental pediatrics, preventive care, international
health, teaching, adolescent medicine, and medical student education.
Professional Activities and Honors:
North Carolina Pediatric Society.
American Medical Association. Christian
Medical and Dental Association, Publications in
Contemporary
Pediatrics and
Gastroenterology.
Missionaries of
Charity, (Calcutta, India), Camp
Hollymont for Girls (camp physician),
UNC-CH (Associate Clinical Professor),
Camp Firefly (for pediatric
hematology/oncology patients),
Shelter for H.O.P.E Medical Clinic,
Tenwek Hospital (Bomet, Kenya),
St. Francis Inn (soup kitchen),
City of Joy Scholar
(Calcutta, India),
William Louis Poteat Scholarship,
Albert Schweitzer Fellow,
Jefferson Award (outstanding achievement and commitment to community
service), Excellence in Teaching Award for Residents, UNC-CH, Outstanding
Teaching Resident for Pediatrics,
NC Children's Hospital
Resident Award, Past service as: pediatric rehab technician
Mission Memorial Hospital,
Camp Hollymont for Girls (head
counselor and waterfront director),
The Asheville School
(Instructor/Coach), Department of Digestive Health (UNC-CH,
Clinical Research Assistant), ... others. Extensive
pediatric-specific continuous medical education each year, well exceeding
the requirements.
Family:
Married to
Jonathan A. Hata
MD, a surgeon with
Hickory Surgical since
2008. They have a three beautiful children, and live in central Hickory. As you can gather from the activities
listed above, Dr. Hata has been, and will continue to be, involved in
community and international activities. Dr. Hata is currently on an
extended leave with her family.
Interests:
Hiking, camping, swimming, reading, and community service.

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Brooke Hata MD FAAP
Board Certified:

Fellow:
American Academy of Pediatrics

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Richard Rheinbolt, MD, FAAP
(Pediatrician, Unifour Pediatrics PA)
Dr. Rheinbolt grew up on a farm in Ohio, showing his
Shorthorn cows at the county fairs. He completed his high school and undergraduate training in Arkansas, then married and finished his medical training while he and his wife prepared to fulfill their dream of taking God’s Word and healthcare to the Third World. The family served as medical missionaries for over twenty years in Guatemala and Mexico, interspersed with advanced training in pediatrics, public health, and Biblical studies. For the last 7 years, the Rheinbolts have enjoyed their home and work in the beautiful mountains and foothills of Western North Carolina. We encourage you to read our
Guiding Principles to gain an insight into the importance he places on
excellence in service, patient education, and continuity of medical care.
Dr. Rheinbolt maintains full admitting privileges at Catawba Valley Medical Center
(as of October 2018, all 15
general pediatricians in the county stopped seeing patients at Frye).
Undergraduate:
Harding University, BA 1965
Medical School:
University of Arkansas School of Medicine,
MD 1969
Pediatric Residency:
University of Texas at San Antonio, 1969-1970,
University of Oklahoma, Children’s Memorial Hospital, 1974-1975,
Texas A & M School of Medicine, Scott & White Hospital, 1975-1976
Graduate school:
Harvard School of Public Health, MPH 1986.
Lincoln
University, Lincoln, Illinois, Master of Theology 2017
Preventive Health Residency:
Palm Beach
County Public Health Department, 1995-1996
Board Certified:
American Board of Pediatrics
American Board of Preventive Medicine
Fellow:
American Academy of Pediatrics
American
College of Preventive Medicine
Pediatric Practice: : Dr. Rheinbolt and his family lived and worked in
Guatemala with the
Mayan Indians 1970-1985 providing medical care on coffee farms and in mountain villages. After further training in Boston, he developed a medical outreach in Mexico City with the urban outcasts. Since returning to the USA in 1993, Dr. Rheinbolt has practiced pediatrics in urban and
rural areas, specializing in preventive care.
Family: Karen, Dr. Rheinbolt's wife of 48 years, and a Registered Dietitian, have worked together to improve the quality of life of children throughout their career. The
Rheinbolts have four children and 10 grandchildren. Renee Uribe, her husband and 3 children are missionaries in
Bogota,
Colombia. Joel, his wife and 3 children have a business in
Lima,
Peru. Robin, with his wife and daughter, are settled in
Guatemala. Josh, an Ophthalmologist, and his family live closer to home in
Davidson. Dr. and Mrs. Rheinbolt worship with the
Hickory Church of Christ.
Interests: Dr. Rheinbolt enjoys sports, traveling, spending time with his grandchildren and
speaks fluent Spanish and Maya Quiche.
He reads extensively in history, theology, biography and culture. He enjoys mentoring high school and college students. Dr. Rheinbolt preaches, teaches, and counsels in churches in the USA and abroad.

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Richard Rheinbolt MD FAAP
Board Certified:

Fellow:
American Academy of Pediatrics


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Barbara Colosimo, MD, FAAP
(Pediatrician, Unifour Pediatrics PA)
Dr. Barbara Colosimo
joined us in 2015, moving to the Hickory area from Tampa,
Florida, where she practiced primary care pediatrics for many years in a
thriving practice. She has a total of 21 years of experience in outpatient
pediatric and newborn care. Barbara is personable and caring, and an
outstanding pediatrician, and we are delighted to have her with us as an asset to
our pediatric medical home.
She delivers excellent care and establishes lasting
relationships with families. She has energy, talent, and commitment toward high quality care, a
pediatrician who is a bright and caring
individual who shares our ideals and will enhance our practice. We encourage you to read our
Guiding Principles to gain an insight into the importance
she places on excellence in service, patient education, and continuity of medical care.
Dr. Colosimo maintains full admitting privileges at Catawba Valley Medical Center
(as of October 2018, all 15
general pediatricians in the county stopped seeing patients at Frye).
Undergraduate:
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI,
BA 1990.
Medical School:
Medical College of Wisconsin,
Milwaukee WI,
MD 1994.
Pediatric Residency:
University of South Florida,
Tampa, FL, 1997.
Board Certified:
American Board of Pediatrics
Fellow:
American Academy of Pediatrics
Pediatric Practice: : 17 years of experience in outpatient
pediatric and newborn care, primarily in the Tampa Florida area. With Unifour Pediatrics since July 2015,
with plans to stay in the Hickory area permanently.
Professional Activities: American Academy of
Pediatrics, local and state medical societies and functions, medical
staff and CME activities, etc.
Family:
Dr. Colosimo lives in
the Hickory area with her husband and two teenage boys, both of
which are active in athletes, including baseball, football, and
basketball. Husband Dean has a pasta sauce business, and is a also a
PTA certified tennis instructor. Dr. Colosimo grew up just outside
Detroit.
Interests: Dr. Colosimo enjoys golfing, gardening, reading and puzzles. Community involvement.

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Barbara Collisimo MD FAAP
Board Certified:

Fellow:
American Academy of Pediatrics
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William "Will"
E. Elliott, MD, FAAP
(Pediatrician, Unifour Pediatrics PA)
Dr. "Will" Elliott joined us in 2016, moving to
the Hickory area from Jackson, Mississippi, where he practiced primary care pediatrics
for many years in a thriving practice. He has a total of 10 years of experience in outpatient
pediatric and newborn care. Will is personable and caring, and an
outstanding pediatrician, and we are delighted to have him with us as an asset to
our pediatric medical home.
He delivers excellent care and establishes lasting
relationships with families. He has energy, talent, and commitment toward high quality care, a
pediatrician who is a bright and caring
individual who shares our ideals and will enhance our practice. We encourage you to read our
Guiding Principles to gain an insight into the importance
he places on excellence in service, patient education, and continuity of medical care.
Dr. Elliott maintains full admitting privileges at Catawba Valley Medical Center
(as of October 2018, all 15
general pediatricians in the county stopped seeing patients at Frye).
Undergraduate:
Davidson College, Davidson, NC, BA
1996.
Wolfson College, Cambridge, England,
attended 1995
Medical School:
University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS,
MD 2000-2004.
Pediatric Residency:
University of Mississippi
Medical Center, Jackson, MS, 2004-2007.
Board Certified:
American Board of Pediatrics
Fellow:
American Academy of Pediatrics
Pediatric Practice: : 12
years of experience in outpatient pediatric and newborn care,
primarily in the Meridian Mississippi area. With Unifour Pediatrics
since July 2016, with plans to stay in the Hickory area permanently
Professional Activities: American
Academy of Pediatrics, local and state medical societies and
functions, medical staff and CME activities, etc.
Family:
Dr. Elliott lives in the Hickory area with his wife and two children,
both of which are active and engaged. His wife is a Hickory High
School teaching health sciences and is also an RN. Dr. Elliott grew
up in Mississippi, but most of his extended family now lives in the
Hickory area.
Interests: Dr. Elliott enjoys golfing and activities with his school-age children.

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(to be announced) MD FAAP
Board Certified:

Fellow:
American Academy of Pediatrics
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Sommer C. Clark, MSN CPNP
(Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner)
Sommer C. Clark, MSN (see photo in right margin) joined Unifour Pediatrics the Summer of 2006 as a pediatric nurse practitioner. We have been delighted to have her as part of the practice, and to share her wealth of knowledge and talents with our staff, patients and their parents. She brings with her strong academic credentials and recommendations as well as excellent clinical skills, judgment, and knowledge of the subject matter. She also coaches soccer (and has played and coached soccer at a university level), has coached her children’s various sports teams, is active in church and other community activities, and serves as a strong advocate for children in a variety of ways. Our Unifour Pediatrics staff, patients and families, and other health care facilities have all found her to be a delight to work with.
Undergraduate: Elon University, BS 2001
Nursing School: Virginia Commonwealth University, BSN 2004
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program:
Virginia Commonwealth University, MSN PNP 2005.
Certified:
The Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB), CPNP 2006
Fellow: National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP)
General Pediatrics: In practice since 2006.
Activities:
Member of Denver United Methodist Church. Numerous committees and organizations in the community. Extensive pediatric-specific continuous medical education each year, well exceeding the requirements
Family:
Sommer resides in Denver, NC with her family.
Her husband is a teacher and baseball coach in the area.
Interests:
Elon University,
Child Development, Athletics, Traveling with Family
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Sommer C.
Clark CPNP
Board Certified:
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
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Karen Thomisee Leasure, MSN CPNP
(Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner)
Karen Thomisee Leasure, CPNP (see photo in right margin)
joined Unifour Pediatrics in
September 2010 as a pediatric nurse practitioner. We are delighted to have
her as part of the practice, and to share her wealth of knowledge and
talents with our staff, patients and their parents. She brings with her
strong academic credentials and recommendations as well as excellent
clinical skills, judgment, and knowledge of the subject matter.
Undergraduate:
Goddard College,
BA Individualized Studies, 2005
Nursing School:
Emory University,
BS Nursing 2007.
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program:
Emory University, MSN PNP 2008.
Certified:
The Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB),
CPNP 2008
Fellow: National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP)
Pediatrics: In practice since 2008. Previously
practiced with Cabin Creek Health
Systems, a rural community health center in West Virginia. While at Cabin
Creek she provided general pediatric care as well as adolescent health care at
two school-based health centers. Interests include adolescent health care,
preventative and public health, asthma, infectious disease and child
development.
Activities:
Professional memberships in
NAPNAP and
Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society. Extensive pediatric-specific continuous medical education each year, well exceeding the requirements.
Published articles about migrant health care delivery in
Public
Health Nursing and Journal
of Transcultural Nursing.
Fuld Fellow,
Emory University; Leadership in Service Award; Arun Mohan and Carmen Patrick
Student Award (HealthSTAT). During
her time at Emory, Karen worked with the
Lillian Carter Center
for International Nursing, the Center
for Research on Maternal and Newborn Survival and the
Family Farm Worker Health Program. She has made numerous trips to Haiti with
health care teams (Mission MANNA,
Children's International Lifeline)
and plans to continue to support health care efforts in the country.
Family: Karen lives in Morganton with her husband,
and three children.
Interests:
Former photojournalist. Enjoys traveling, hiking and being outdoors,
organic gardening, cooking and spending time with family.

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Karen T. Leasure,
CPNP
Board
Certified:
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
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Lauren J. McFarland, MSN CPNP
(Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner)
Lauren J. McFarland, CPNP (see photo in right margin)
joined Unifour Pediatrics in
2015 as a pediatric nurse practitioner. We are delighted to have
her as part of the practice, and to share her wealth of knowledge and
talents with our staff, patients and their parents. She brings with her
strong academic credentials and recommendations as well as excellent
clinical skills, judgment, and knowledge of the subject matter.
Undergraduate:
Gardner-Webb University,
BSN, 2012
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program:
Emory University School of Nursing, MSN PNP
2014.
Certified:
The Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB),
CPNP 2015
Fellow: National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP)
Pediatrics: Extensive pediatric nursing experience
prior to becoming a pediatric nurse practitioner.
Activities:
Professional memberships in
NAPNAP and
Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society.
Extensive pediatric-specific continuous medical education each year, well
exceeding the requirements.
Family: Lauren lives in the Shelby NC area with her
husband, her daughter, and their dog Bella.
Interests:
Enjoys Giants baseball, sports, baking, traveling and spending time with
her family.

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Lauren McFarland,
CPNP
Board
Certified:
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

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Evina L. Nonato MSN CPNP
(Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner)
Evina L. Nonato, CPNP (see photo in right margin) joined
Unifour Pediatrics in 2015 as a pediatric nurse practitioner. We are
delighted to have her as part of the practice, and to share her wealth of
knowledge and talents with our staff, patients and their parents. She
brings with her strong academic credentials and recommendations as well as
excellent clinical skills, judgment, and knowledge of the subject matter.
Undergraduate:
University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill (UNC-CH),
BSN, 2007
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program: Duke
University, Durham, NC, MSN PNP 2014.
Certified:
The Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB),
CPNP 2014
Fellow: National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP)
Pediatrics: Extensive pediatric nursing experience
prior to becoming a pediatric nurse practitioner. She grew up in the Raleigh
area.
Activities:
Professional memberships in
NAPNAP and
Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society.
Extensive pediatric-specific continuous medical education each year, well
exceeding the requirements.
Family: Evina lives in Hickory with her dog Bianca
Interests:
Enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with my friends and family.
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Evina Nonato,
CPNP
Board
Certified:
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

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Gretchen E. Weeks, MSN CPNP
(Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner)
Gretchen
Weeks,
CPNP (see photo in right margin) joined Unifour Pediatrics in April 2018 as a pediatric nurse practitioner. We are delighted to have
her as part of the practice, and to share her wealth of knowledge and
talents with our staff, patients and their parents. She brings with her
strong academic credentials and recommendations as well as excellent
clinical skills, judgment, and knowledge of the subject matter.
Undergraduate Nursing Program:
Georgia Regents University (Augusta),
BS RN 2013 (Summa Cum Laude).
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Primary Care Program:
Georgia State University (Atlanta),
MSN PNP 2017.
Certified:
The Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB),
CPNP 2018
Fellow: National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP)
Pediatrics: ,
Experience as a pediatric registered nurse with children with chronic heart conditions
prior to becoming a pediatric nurse practitioner. Awarded the
DAISY Award for Extraordinary
Nurses. Also certified through the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board as a Certified
Pediatric Nurse and through the American Heart Association as a Pediatric Advanced Life Support provider.
Activities:
Professional memberships in the
Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society,
and in the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners
(NAPNAP).
Extensive pediatric-specific continuous medical education each year, well
exceeding the requirements.
Family: Gretchen lives in the Gastonia NC area with
her husband.
Interests:
Enjoys staying active, watching (and singing along to) live musicals,
going to the opera, and world traveling with her husband.

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Gretchen E. Weeks,
CPNP
Board
Certified:
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
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Alexis "Lexi" Pagnatta MSN CPNP
(Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner)
Alexis
"Lexi" Pagnatta, CPNP (see photo in right margin) joined
Unifour Pediatrics in 2019 as a pediatric nurse practitioner. We are
delighted to have her as part of the practice, and to share her wealth of
knowledge and talents with our staff, patients and their parents. She
brings with her strong academic credentials and recommendations as well as
excellent clinical skills, judgment, and knowledge of the subject matter.
Undergraduate:
University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill (UNC-CH), BSN, 2015
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program: Duke
University, Durham, NC, MSN PNP 2018.
Certified:
The Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB),
CPNP 2019
Fellow: National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP)
Pediatrics: Extensive pediatric nursing experience
prior to becoming a pediatric nurse practitioner. Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care experience at Duke University Health System prior to becoming a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. Certified as a Pediatric Nurse and as a Pediatric Advanced Life Support provider.
Activities:
Professional memberships in
the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) and
Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society.
Extensive pediatric-specific continuous medical education each year, well
exceeding the requirements.
Family: She grew up in the Charlotte area. Lexi
lives in NW Hickory.
Interests:
Enjoys staying active, hiking, traveling, watching college and professional sports, and spending time with friends/family.
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"Lexi" Pagnatta,
CPNP
Board
Certified:
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

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Future Pediatricians
and CPNPs to be added
We plan to add additional pediatricians (full-time or part-time) as the practice grows. We will take our time to carefully select those individuals who not only have excellent clinical skills and
judgment, but those who also possess qualities consistent with
our vision and philosophy of pediatric care.
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American Academy of Pediatrics
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Elizabeth E. Sheeks, RD,
MS, LDN
(Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist)
Elizabeth Sheeks, a
Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist joined us in January 2009, working part-time (at
least 3 days/month), primarily seeing medically fragile infants and toddlers. Elizabeth Sheeks recently retired after 29 years of working as a nutritionist for the State of North Carolina,
primarily with the
DEC/CDSA.
She has worked exclusively with children with special health care needs for the past
25 years. Prior to that, she worked in public health and WIC.
She brings our practice considerable knowledge and experience in working
with the specific nutritional problems of newborns, infants and toddlers.
Her particular interest and expertise is in the area of nutrition
and feeding problems of children with special health problems, such
as premature infants, gastro-esophageal reflux, dysphasia, swallowing
dysfunction, and "special needs" children. Again we have taken our time to carefully select individuals who not only have excellent clinical skills and
judgment, but those who also possess qualities consistent with
our vision and philosophy of pediatric care.
Undergraduate: University of North Carolina at Charlotte, BS Biology, 1976
Graduate Studies:
Winthrop University, MS Foods and Nutrition, 1978,
with concurrent ADA educational requirements.
Registration:
American Dietetic Association, since 1979.
Licensure:
North Carolina Dietetic Association
- Dietitian/Nutritionist.
Practice Experience: Elizabeth has provided
evaluation and medical nutrition therapy to children with special health
care needs for the past 15 years,
primarily with the DEC/CDSA.
She has worked previously as a NC
Public Health Dietitian, provided consultation to domiciliary homes in an 18 county region,
and has worked as a NC
Nutrition Program Consultant. She has also provided consultation to local public health nutrition programs in 9 county region,
and was a county WIC/Nutrition
Director.
Activities: Extensive pediatric-related continual
nutritionist education each year, far exceeding the state requirements.
Family: Elizabeth and her husband Kelly (both NC natives) live in Statesville with their two dachshunds, Cash and Godiva.
Interests: Orchids (Elizabeth is an accredited judge with the
American Orchid Society), travel, cooking, hiking, jewelry making, gardening
.

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Elizabeth Sheeks LDN
Register/Licensed:
Pediatric Dietitian

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Susan H. Huffman, CMPE
((Practice Administrator, Unifour Pediatrics)
Susan
Huffman has served as Practice Administrator of Unifour Pediatrics since
its inception on 2005, and an integral part of organizational and concept
design dating back to 2004. With exceptional management skills, she has
helped us to gather and nurture talented clinicians and staff as we continue
to grow. The renowned excellence as a practice administrator have thrust
her into statewide leadership positions, including
Chair, Practice Managers Section,
North
Carolina Pediatric Society 2014-2016, and
Board
Member, North Carolina Pediatric Society 2014-2016. As medical
practices have undergone numerous complex regulatory changes in the past five years,
Susan has skillfully lead us through such complexities as
electronic
medical records (eClinicalWorks),
Meaningful Use,
Patient Centered Medical Home,
BQPP, and many
other government-mandated requirements and
quality-outcome-based insurance and government programs. Since 2015 we are now recognized and fully certified as a
Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) - Certification Level 3,
the highest level currently available through the National Committee for
Quality Assurance (NCQA). We are now recognized and fully certified as a
Blue Quality Physician Program (BQPP) - Certification Level 3, the highest
level currently available through the Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS-NC). Throughout the country, all these tedious time-consuming changes have
been stressful to clinicians, patients, staff, and patients, often leading
to the
demise of independent primary care practices and
primary-care clinician shortages ... but Susan's management skill and
hard-working multiprocessing efforts have prevented us from becoming part of
that statistic, and, in fact, we are thriving and growing!.
Susan is an active
leader is community service, and is active member and past president of
the Rotary Club of Hickory.
Susan has helped us to become the only practice in the county to fully
participate in the Reach Our and
Read program, and the vast majority of our patients participate in the
Dolly Parton Imagination Library
program. Again we have taken our time to carefully select individuals who not only
have excellent clinical skills and judgment, but those who also possess
qualities consistent with
our vision
and philosophy of pediatric care.
Undergraduate:
University of North Carolina at Charlotte,
BA English/Education, 1980
Board Certification: through the
American College of Medical Practice Executives (ACMPE) as a
Certified Medical Practice Executive (CMPE), 1995, with
concurrent CMPE educational requirements
Practice Experience: Practice administrator in the
Unifour area since 1985, and Practice administrator of Unifour Pediatrics
since 2005.
Activities
and Leadership: Extensive
pediatric-related practice administrative activities.
Chair, Practice Managers Section,
North
Carolina Pediatric Society 2014-2016. Board Member, Board Member
North
Carolina Pediatric Society 2014-2016. Active member and past
president Rotary Club of Hickory,
Participated in Catawba County
Maternal Mental Health Counsel. Serves on
NC Pediatric Society Medicaid Reform Task Force. Serves on
CCPN Quality Committee. Team Participant in
NICHQ project: Pediatrics Supporting Parents. Member of
Western Piedmont Medical Professionals,
NCMGMA.
MGMA (Medical Group Management
Association).
Family:
Susan and her husband Bob, both from Hickory, raised twin daughters who currently reside in
Hickory and Charlotte. Bob and Susan live in Hickory with their
sweet dog Katy, and love to babysit their grandchildren and "grand-dogs".
Interests:
Travel, Aerobics (high intensity
dance fitness), reading, and roller coasters
.

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Susan Huffman CMPE
Certified Medical Practice Administrator


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Neonatology and Pediatric Acute Care Specialists, nc
(not part of Unifour Pediatrics, but provide hospital pediatric coverage)
Sam Wellman, MD FAAP and David Berry, MD FAAP
- Inpatient pediatric hospital care - ER consultations -
- Premature and sick newborn care - Back-up full-term nursery care.
Dr. Sam Wellman, MD FAAP ...
pediatric hospitalist/neonatologist:
Dr. Wellman has been in the Unifour area since the early 90s as a board-certified neonatologist, already very experienced before he came to the area. He had been a general private practice pediatrician before entering the specialty of pediatrics known as neonatology, which involves pediatric intensive care of sick and premature infants. He has also continued his interest in the hospitalized older pediatric patients, and our patients continue to benefit from his wealth of knowledge and experience with pediatric patients in emergency room and hospital settings.
Dr. David Berry, MD FAAP ... pediatric hospitalist/neonatologist:
Prior to coming to the Hickory area, Dr. Berry spent many years as a well-respected Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center (Brenner Children's Hospital) in Winston-Salem. Dr. Berry is a board-certified neonatologist and board-certified pediatrician, and is a very skilled and dedicated hospital-based physician. He has continued his interest in hospital pediatric patients from newborn through college-age. Our patients benefit greatly from his wealth of knowledge and experience with pediatric patients in emergency room and hospital settings. David's kindness, knowledge, technical abilities, and patient-care excellence, have won him special awards from the hospital nursing staff.
For more information about neonatal transports see
this link for CVMC.

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Dr. Sam Wellman
Pediatric hospitalist
(We admit to
his service)
Dr. David Berry
Pediatric hospitalist
(We admit to
his service)
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After-Hours/Night Telephone Coverage:
The clinicians of Unifour Pediatrics staff provide "urgent care office visits" in the late afternoon/after-hours (on an as-needed basis). We will close this "after hours office" when the last patient is seen (so call early ... before
3:30-4:00PM). We provide after-hours telephone care/support - Telephone (828) 328-1118.
FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE PHONE TO REACH A ANSWERING PERSONEL
DIRECTLY. No not leave a message on on phone system, as this is
not for urgent calls and will not answered until the next weekday at a
minimal.
If the telephone system fails
in our office, you can reach us by calling the answering service directly
at 800-420-4778, or calling Catawba Hospital switchboard (828-326-3000),
and have them locate us.
Print out this PDF document for
Helpful Information on Telephone Calls and Office Visits, Day-time and After-hours.
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Weekend/Holiday/Vacation Coverage for Unifour Pediatrics
at the Unifour Pediatrics Office ... by Unifour Peds Providers
Unifour Pediatric
pediatricians and pediatric nurse practitioners and associated Unifour Pediatrics staff provide will usually be seeing sick "urgent care" patients at the Unifour Pediatrics office location starting at 8:00 Saturday, Sunday and most holidays, and ending whenever the last patient has been treated. You will need to call early, not after the office has already closed for these "urgent hours".
We usually provide two clinicians in the office on these days.
Telephone (828) 328-1118. We urge you to call at 8AM for appointments. Print out this PDF document for
Helpful Information on Telephone Calls and Office Visits, Day-time and After-hours.
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"The
Team"
click practitioner for details |