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Dr. Sudha Chandrasekhar (better known as “Dr. Sudha”) completed her medical training in India. She has a Masters in Public Health (Maternal and Child Health) from the School of Public Health, University of Hawaii.  She also successfully completed the Interdisciplinary Infant Specialization (IIS) at the University of Hawaii. Dr. Sudha completed a 3 year Pediatric Residency at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix, AZ, serving as Chief Resident in her 3rd year of Residency. She is Board Certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics (F.A.A.P). She was in private practice in Wyoming and Oregon before returning to AZ to start her Fellowship training.

In addition to her training in general Pediatrics, Dr. Sudha has a unique background and special interest in the area of Child Abuse and Neglect. Beginning her work in this field in Oregon, she underwent an advanced year of Fellowship training in Forensic Pediatrics at the Child Help Children's Center in Phoenix, AZ. She served as a Faculty member at St. Joseph's Hospital .


Dr. Sudha is an ardent advocate of breastfeeding. Gateway Pediatrics is the only Pediatric practice in the Valley with an in house Lactation Consultant, Paulie Gatchell. Dr. Sudha herself is an certified International Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). Getting certified as IBCLC requires passing an examination and going through a rigorous screening process. She is the only Pediatrician in the Greater Phoenix area who is also an IBCLC.

Dr. Sudha therefore brings a rich and varied experience to Gateway Pediatrics.

Dr. Sudha served on the Multidisciplinary Peer Review Committee at Chandler Regional Medical Center for 3 consecutive years. She is currently the only Pediatrician and Board Certified Lactation Consultant serving on the Breastfeeding Task Force at Chandler Regional Medical Center. She is also a member of several professional organizations including the American Academy of Pediatrics, Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine and Maricopa County Medical Society. 

Dr. Sudha is married and has two sons.  She has an avid interest in reading, writing, classical music and gardening. Dr. Sudha has contributed medical articles for publication in various journals and magazines. Read articles

 
   
 
 
Neva has been working as a Nurse Practitioner in Pediatrics for over 20 years and brings her enormous experience to Gateway Pediatrics. Neva worked as a lead clinician at CIGNA Medical Group for many years where she developed several teaching tools for parents, was consistently rated highly in patient satisfaction scores and was well known for her patience and communication skills with parents. She is also well experienced in counseling breastfeeding moms, honed from many years of rounding on moms and babies in the hospital. She is a valuable adjunct support to Paulie in our office for breastfeeding moms. Neva is also available for evening appointments once a week, especially suited for working parents. Every effort is made to ensure that Neva or Carolyn are available for appointments if Dr. Sudha is unavailable in the office.
 
   
 
 
Gateway Pediatrics is pleased to welcome Carolyn Smeltzer Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) to our practice! Carolyn joined us in March 2011. Carolyn earned her undergraduate degree in Nursing (BSN) from Eastern Kentucky University and her MSN at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing (Nashville, TN). Her extensive past experience includes work in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Pediatric pre anesthesia evaluations and post surgical follow up, as well as Forensic Pediatrics (Child Abuse and Neglect). All of these areas involve close attention to detail, establishing empathy and rapport with patients and families, and effective communication skills. Carolyn joined us from another Pediatric practice in the East Valley. She works in our office full time. Carolyn is married and has a set of twins. So she comes armed with plenty of hands on experience as well!! We are delighted to have her join our family!
 
   
 
 
Gateway Pediatrics proudly announces the addition of Dorothy Rzewnicki CPNP to our practice on July 1, 2011. Dorothy Rzewnicki is a Board Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner specializing in Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. Dorothy has extensive experience in this specialty, having worked for 8 years with Dr. Daniel Kessler at the Arizona Child Study Center at St. Joseph’s Hospital. She can provide detailed assessments and help families of children with special health care needs such as ADD, ADHD, Autism, Aspergers Syndrome, Down syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Learning Difficulties/Disabilities, etc. She is also adept in counseling families with medically based behavioral issues such as bed wetting, chronic constipation, oppositional defiant disorder, sensory integration issues, feeding aversion etc. She has a special interest in children placed in medical foster and adoptive care. Dorothy will be available for consultation 3 days a week.
 
   
 
 
Paulie is a superbly trained RN who has worked in Pediatrics her entire career spanning over 30 years. Dr. Sudha had the privilege of working closely with Pauslie for 5 years in Oregon before moving to AZ. Dr. Sudha's love for and interest in breast feeding came from Paulie. Paulie was a pioneer in becoming certified as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and has worked with breast feeding mothers for over 20 years. Paulie is available at Gateway Pediatrics twice a week for Lactation Consultation and support to all breastfeeding moms and babies. In addition, Paulie is available via telephone for breastfeeding advice when she is not in the office. Please note there is an cancellation fee of $25 for appointments cancelled with less than 24 hours notice.
 
   
 
 
We are pleased to welcome Sandy Sexton RN, CPNP, and CLEC to our practice! Sandy joined Gateway Pediatrics in March 2012. Dr. Sudha and Sandy have known each other since 1991 when they both joined the Pediatric Residency program at St. Joseph’s hospital, Dr. Sudha as an intern and Sandy as an RN. Sandy has worked as an RN at the Pediatric Ambulatory Care Center (PACC) since 1991, helping train scores of Pediatric interns and residents in the outpatient Pediatric clinic. Three years ago, Sandy became a Board Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and continues to work at PACC in that capacity. In addition, Sandy also became a Certified Lactation Education Counselor (CLEC) supporting breastfeeding mothers and babies.  Her desire to become an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) draws her to Gateway Pediatrics. Sandy will be training two days a week in our office with Paulie Gatchell RN, IBCLC and plans to take the certifying examination in July 2013. Sandy will also assist Dr. Sudha in making rounds at Chandler Regional Medical Center (CRMC) to work with breastfeeding moms. Sandy is fluently bilingual, a skill that will undoubtedly come in handy!! She is married with a daughter, who is currently a graduate student at U of A. Welcome aboard, Sandy!!