RIVERTOWN PEDIATRICS Dr. Susan McWhirter | Dr, Kathryn Cheek | Dr. Jennifer Evangelista
2416 Capstone Ct. 706.327.1281
rivertownpediatrics.com
They are strikingly different in appearance and demeanor, but the female doctors at Rivertown Pediatrics share a love of children and a joy in their profession. The group’s only medical specialty is treating children
from birth to 19. The physicians and staff provide well-care in addition to treating acute and chronic illnesses. Doctors Kathryn Cheek, Jennifer Evangelista and Susan McWhirter treat patients both in the office as well as at The Medical Center and Doctors Hospital. They also participate in the Pediatric After Hours Program, which provides acute care at night, on weekends and holidays.
Kathryn Cheek, M.D. F.A.A.P.
“We are going to change the healthcare of Georgia’s children,” promises Dr. Kathryn Cheek. As the chair of the newly incorporated Pediatric Healthcare Improvement Coalition, she believes that by working together, the state’s children’s hospitals and providers have the potential to change Georgia’s dismal pediatric statistics. The only organization of its kind in the nation, the coalition intends to share data, treatment plans and outcomes. While Dr. Cheek sees serving on the state coalition as doing something bigger than her day-to-day job, she finds helping children and families immensely satisfying. Although no one in her family was a doctor, the young Kathryn often spent the night with the daughter of a family practitioner. He and his wife, who was his nurse, were often called to their backyard office. The girls would play outside and sometime watch the procedures. “I was fascinated,” Dr. Cheek says.
She went on to the University of North Carolina to get her bachelor’s degree in medical technology, and then while working in a lab in Augusta, got her medical degrees. A rota- tion on the pediatric floor opened her eyes to the rewards of pediatrics. “Kids are just remarkable. They are our future.” In addition to her successful career, Dr. Cheek and her hus- band, Ben, an OB/GYN, have reared three children.
CURRICULUM VITAE
•Doctor of Medicine: Medical College of Georgia •Pediatric Residency: Emory University Affiliated Hospitals •Pediatric Faculty: The Medical Center, Columbus •Numerous committee and board memberships
Jennifer Evangelista, M.D., F.A.A.P. Even though there were no doctors in her family, Jennifer Evangelista saw medicine as her calling as early as the 4th grade. After receiving her medical degree, pediatrics was not her first choice. While in training, she did that rotation first. “I fell in love with it. I wouldn’t want to do anything else,” she says. In particular Dr. Evangelista loves the relationships that are built with the children and their parents. “Children are resilient and tend to be trusting. They are a joy to treat and be with,” she explains. In particular she gets joy from the little moments like receiving pictures her patients draw for
JUNE 2013
her or hugs when she is out in the community. She is often out in Columbus working with military and intercity organizations. Most of those volunteer hours stem from CrossPointe Church where her husband, Brad, is pas- tor. With those activities and four children, Dr. Evangelista has recently cut her hours with Rivertown Pediatrics. She feels she is now able to get the best of both worlds. “I live a pretty blessed life.”
CURRICULUM VITAE •Doctor of Medicine: Mercer University School of Medicine •Pediatric Internship and Residency: University of Florida College of Medicine •Chief of Pediatrics: Doctor’s Hospital, Columbus •Numerous society memberships and professional appointments •Pediatric Faculty: The Medical Center, Columbus
Susan McWhirter, M.D.
Dr. Susan McWhirter is a big believer in education. Neither of her parents went to college, but they were determined all 10 children would graduate. From the time she was 14, Susan worked and saved for college. Her plan was to teach high school math. A teacher turned her on to biology and that led to medicine. She stayed an extra year as chief resi- dent since a big part of that position is teaching. Dr. McWhirter found her niche during her third year clini- cal rotations in pediatrics, and she continues to teach. “In my practice every day I get to teach families about their kids,” she explains. She particularly enjoys helping to empower parents to be better parents and helping teenag- ers get on the right path to be successful adults. “Coming to Columbus and working with this group was one of the greatest decisions I ever made,” says Dr. McWhirter. She explains that Rivertown Pediatrics has served as her family, helping to support her while she rears two children as a single mom. “The people who work here are happy. I don’t feel like it’s work and look forward to it every day.”
CURRICULUM VITAE
•Doctor of Medicine: Emory University •Pediatric Residency: Emory University Affiliated Hospitals •Pediatric Faculty: The Medical Center, Columbus •Numerous society memberships and professional accreditations •Chief of Staff: The Medical Center, Columbus
Dr. McWhirter Dr. Cheek Columbus and the Valley Dr. Evangelista 69
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