About Me
I am a Developmental Behavioral Pediatrician (DBP) and retired United States Air Force Colonel. I have served as a subject matter expert in Autism for the Defense Health Agency, the Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, the Assistant Secretary of Defense, and for past USAF Surgeon Generals.
My 25 year military career accomplishments culminated in my final assignment selection as the Chief of Pediatric Subspecialty Services (over 13 subspecialty divisions) at the President’s Hospital (Walter Reed National Military Medical Center). I hold an academic appointment of Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at Wake Forest School of Medicine and the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.
My recent research focus has been on the risk factors, co-morbid conditions and epidemiology of autism in children. My initial research was on Rous Sarcoma Virus, as a similar platform to understanding Human Immunodeficiency Virus, back in the 80s. My clinical research helped pinpoint the appetite dichotomies experienced in with Prader Willi Syndrome due to leptin and ghrelin secretion.
My passion and clinical focus is on children with special health care needs, more specifically those children with neurodevelopmental disabilities such as Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida, Muscular Dystrophies, Prematurity, Stroke as they relate to developmental delay/disability, Intellectual disability, and educational issues as well as complex medical management for ADHD, behavioral disorders, and Autism.
I am a member of several professional societies including the American Academy of Pediatrics - Fellow, Council of Children with Disabilities, Section on DB Pediatrics, Section on Uniformed Services, NCPeds/North Carolina Chapter, Chapter East; the American Academy of Cerebral palsy and Developmental Medicine; and the Society of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics.