Gateway Pediatrics warmly welcomed Michelle Valenzuela M.D., FAAP to the practice in April 2008. An AZ native, Dr Valenzuela ("Dr. V") pursued her undergraduate studies at the University of AZ, graduating Magna Cum Laude. Her medical school training was also at the University of AZ and she graduated with honors in 2002. Dr. V trained in Pediatrics at the combined Phoenix Children's Hospital/Maricopa Medical Center Residency program. Since her graduation from residency in 2005, Dr. V worked in a private Pediatric practice in AZ. Married with two young children, Sophie and Dallas. Dr. V brings fresh enthusiasm and energy to our practice. Dr. Sudha and Dr Valenzuela share similiar philosophies, including their ardent advocacy of breastfeeding and immunizations. Dr. V is fluently bilingual and has an ever expanding following of Spanish speaking families.

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 on Mondays, especially suited for working parents. Every effort is made to ensure that Dr. V and/or Neva are available for appointments if Dr. Sudha is unavailable in the office. Neva also provides after hours telephone triage when Dr. Sudha is out of the office.

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.

Lisa Scott RN has extensive hospital based experience at Chandler Regional Medical Center working in labor and delivery. She currently teaches “Baby your Baby” and CPR training classes at Chandler Regional and Mercy Gilbert Medical Centers. She answers triage calls from parents in our office and also works with Dr. Sudha on Thursday evenings. In addition, Lisa teaches the baby and child care basics class at the bi monthly “Meet the Doctor Visit” in Gateway Pediatrics. Lisa has two grown daughters and brings her own successful parenting experiences to work at Gateway Pediatrics.

Monika Creasy (Davis) LPN also answers triage calls from parents and is the back office nurse manager. Monika moved to AZ from West Virginia and quickly gained a wealth of Pediatric experience at Gateway Pediatrics. Monika supervises the back office nurses, orders all medical supplies and vaccines, trains MA externs, and schedules "Meet The Doctor" visits for office tours with parents. She also helps room patients and administer vaccines as well as assist Dr. Sudha in minor outpatient procedures such as wound care, suture removal, freezing warts, draining abscesses etc. Monika would like to become an RN or NP.

Gina Zimmerman LPN works primarily in the back office helping room patients and administering vaccines. Gina usually calls parents back with X-ray and lab results. Lisa, Monika and Gina all participate in taking care of prescription refills. Gina worked in a Pediatric practice before joining us in 2008. Gina has a young daughter Jade, who was born prematurely. Gina therefore has a special affinity for premies!

We have two well trained Medical Assistants in our office Desiree Martinez and Diane Rico.

Desiree is in charge of entering all administered vaccines into the online AZ state immunization registry (ASIIS), and creating the recall list to ensure patients are vaccinated in a timely manner. Her efforts are a huge part of our continued success in winning the Daniel T Cloud Award from TAPI (The AZ Partnership for Immunization). Desiree has two young daughters Lanessa and Devanee and is currently expecting her third child.

Diane joined us in 2009. Diane trained with us as an extern and we were pleased to hire her after successful conpletion of her MA program. Diane is interested in becoming an RN. She has a young daughter Cynthia. Diane has also been trained to input immunization data into ASIIS.

Our front desk is ably staffed by Khrista Jackson who is the front office supervisor.  Khrista is an enthusiastic learner and is currently enrolled in classes working towards a nurse practitioner degree. Khrista works on scheduling specialist appointments for patients, obtaining prior authorizations and referrals. She manages the schedules of the front office staff, coordinates scheduling appointments for children with special health care needs, and is also the unofficial "social secretary" for Gateway Pediatrics!

Beverly Carter (“Grandma Bev”) who joined our practice in 2006 is our primary referral coordinator. Bev worked in a large multispecialty practice for many years in Missouri prior to moving to AZ. She spends much of her time calling specialist offices, chasing after insurance authorizations, and scheduling appointments for our patients. Certain specialty appointments are especially hard to get and Bev can be counted on to schedule such appointments in a timely manner. With grown children, several grandchildren ( and a few cats) "Grandma Bev" is well known fixture at Gateway Pediatrics.

Lynette Holland and Sophia Contreras joined Gateway Pediatrics in 2008 and primarily work the front desk, answering patient phone calls, scheduling appointments, directing nurse triage calls etc. They take pride in customer service and efficiency. Lynette has grown children and grandchildren and lived in Sierra Vista before moving to the Valley.  Lynette now helps Khrista in coordinating social events such as staff birthdays etc. Sophia has a young daughter Adelina.

Karla Valdez first began working with us as a file clerk when she was a high school student. Currently enrolled in community college, Karla plans to pursue a career in health care. Karla is fluently bilingual.

Beginning as a patient of Dr. Sudha, Katherine Klein also started working as a file clerk at Gateway Pediatrics. Katherine is now an undergraduate student at ASU planning to pursue a degree in Molecular Biosciences and Bio Technology. Katherine also helps Dr. Sudha with the technological part of Gateway Pediatrics such as managing email communication.

Nicole Williamson works part time at the front desk. Current file clerks include Tannesha Clarke and Brittany Sanborn.