Tamara A Charity Brown
MD, FAAP
Tamara Charity-Brown, MD is a physician owner at Associates in Pediatrics. She brings almost 20 years of experience in the field of Pediatrics. In addition to her medical expertise, she is the mother of four children and brings a practical side to helping parents raise healthy, happy, chiloren.
Dr. Charity-Brown is a proud “Double Hoo”. She graduated of the University of Virginia with an Echols Interdisciplinary degree with concentrations in biology, environmental science, and women’s studies. She completed her medical degree at the University four years later. Dr. Charity-Brown then moved to Richmono, Virginia to start her Pediatric residency at Virginia Commonwealth University Medical College of Virginia. In her practice, she focuses on newborn care and breastfeeding, ADHD, and asthma.
Dr. Charity-Brown has been married for over twenty years to Carlos Brown, with whom they have four children ranging in age from college to elementary school. In her free time, she enjoys travel, Pinterest browsing, and spending time with family. She serves on several boards in the community that focuses on improving the lives of young people in the Richmond community and beyond.
Caitlin Donlan
CPNP
Caitlin Donlan, CPNP, joined Associates in Pediatrics in April 2023. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing degree from Old Dominion University in 2022 and previously earned undergraduate degrees from Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing and Roanoke College. She has more than 10 years of experience working with children in various healthcare settings, including acute care at St. Mary’s Hospital, primary care, and school health. Caitlin enjoys working with children of all ages to help guide young people and families toward health and happiness.
Caitlin lives in Richmond with her husband, two young daughters, and chocolate lab. She enjoys spending time with her family, hiking trails around the James River, and taking family trips to Wintergreen, VA.
Sean O’Boyle
MD, MS, FAAP
Dr. O’Boyle received his medical degree from Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine in 2017. He then completed his pediatric residency training at Emory University. He is a proud alumnus of the University of Notre Dame, where he completed his undergraduate degree, and he also holds a Master’s degree in Physiology from the University of Cincinnati. Dr. O’Boyle has a particular interest in sports medicine within the field of pediatrics.
Outside of medicine, Dr. O’Boyle enjoys running, watching his favorite sports teams (Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Atlanta Braves), attending live music events, reading, and traveling. A native of rural Georgia, he now resides in Glen Allen with his wife (a Richmond native and fellow pediatrician), son, and daughter.
Charlotte Bibbee Vellenoweth
MD, FAAP
Dr. Charlotte (Bibbee) Vellenoweth joined Associates in Pediatrics in August 2017. “Dr. V,” as we call her, is a native of West Virginia. She graduated from West Virginia University with a BS in Exercise Physiology and went on to earn her MD degree from WVU as well—Let’s Go Mountaineers! In 2014, she moved to Columbia, South Carolina, to complete her pediatric residency at Palmetto Health (now Prisma) Children’s Hospital.
She now resides in Montpelier, Virginia, with her husband, John Vellenoweth, and their two dogs, Archer and Alice. She enjoys spending time with family, being outdoors, gardening, reading, practicing yoga, and cheering on the Collegiate track team, where her husband coaches pole vault.
Tamara Sutherland
MD, FAAP
Dr. Sutherland received her medical degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine in 2000. She moved to Richmond, Virginia to attend Virginia Commonwealth University’s Medical College of Virginia where she completed her Pediatric Internship and Residency. She is designated as a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Health, nutrition, and fitness has been a priority inside and outside of the office for Dr. Sutherland. She has run two marathons per year since 2010 and has qualified and completed the Boston Marathon every year since 2012. She is an active member of the Shady Grove YMCA where she served on the Board of Management for several years. She chaired the Healthy Living Committee and was on the Executive Committee. Dr. Sutherland has been working to promote exercise, health, and nutrition for our patients as well as our community.
Focuses of interest for Dr. Sutherland includes newborn care, asthma, ADHD, healthy weight and nutrition, as well as general wellness for her patients. She is honored to have the opportunity to participate in the health of newborns, children, and adolescents.
Dr. Sutherland joined Associates in Pediatrics in July of 2023, three years after Keith Derco, MD founded the practice. She has been a physician owner since 2006 and is now the senior partner at Associates in Pediatrics.
The Top Docs issue of Richmond Magazine April 2012 highlighted Dr. Sutherland. She has remained designated as a Top Doc in Virginia for multiple years. She has received awards from the American Academy of Pediatrics for exceeding the standard requirements for Continuing Medical Education.
Dr. Sutherland serves on the board of Virginia Children’s Care Network and served as the inaugural chair of the committee at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond.
Dr. Sutherland enjoys reading, travelling, teaching, and spending time outdoors. She loves the beach and cherishes the everyday busy life with her husband, two children, and dogs.
Michele Burget
MD, FAAP
Dr. Burget grew up in Pennsylvania and attended Penn State University and University of Pittsburgh, along with The Medical College of Virginia. She has been practicing locally within PPV for 20 years and opened her own division, Flat Rock Pediatrics in 2023. She loves the area so much, she even moved her family to Powhatan. When she isn’t spending quality time with her patients and staff, she enjoys being outdoors, skiing, traveling and spending time with her husband, two sons, daughter, dogs, cat and horse.
Beth Cullen
MD, FAAP
Dr. Cullen graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Virginia. She received her medical degree from the Medical College of Virginia at Virginia Commonwealth University, where she served as the vice president of the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society. She completed her internship and residency in pediatrics at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Dr. Cullen joined Huguenot Pediatrics in 1997 and has been happily providing care to her patients since that time. She is an avid runner and enjoys spending her free time with her husband and two children.
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Indra Kancitis
MD, FAAP
Dr. Kancitis holds a Bachelor of Science from The College of William and Mary, a Doctor of Medicine from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, and a Master’s in Education from Virginia Commonwealth University. She completed her residency at the University of Rochester, Strong Memorial Hospital, where she also served as Chief Resident of Ambulatory Pediatrics. Dr. Kancitis came to Huguenot Pediatrics after nearly 10 years as a faculty member at the VCU Children’s Hospital of Richmond.
Dr. Kancitis enjoys the outdoors, cooking, traveling, and spending time with her husband and two children.
Amanda Miller
CPNP
Mandy holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Maryland, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the Medical College of Virginia, where she graduated magna cum laude, and a Master of Science in Maternal-Child Nursing from the Medical College of Virginia. Before nursing school, she was employed as a research assistant in the fields of endocrinology, cancer and immunology, and gastroenterology. She joined Huguenot Pediatrics in 2000.
She is certified as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner through the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
Outside of work, Mandy enjoys spending time with her husband, two sons, and one daughter, including watching her sons play baseball and her daughter dance. She also enjoys gardening.
Kelli Rainey
CPNP
Kelli is a board-certified Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, born and raised in Midlothian, Virginia. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing in 2018. She has over six years of experience as a Registered Nurse, five of which were spent at KidMed Pediatric Urgent Care. Kelli received her Master of Science in Nursing from Saint Louis University.
Kelli’s passions include newborn care, growth and development, guidance through adolescence, and parental support. She loves working in pediatrics because children are unpredictable, resilient, and bring pure joy. She is excited to join Huguenot Pediatrics and serve as a resource to her hometown community.
Kelli has been with her husband for 12 years, and they will soon welcome their first baby boy. In her free time, she loves spending time with her family, adventuring with her English golden retriever, traveling, and exercising.
Christine Jones
MD, FAAP
Dr. Christine Jones was born in the heart of Manhattan, New York and raised in the suburbs of Bergen County, New Jersey. She is a proud graduate of The College of William and Mary and earned her medical degree from Eastern Virginia Medical School. She completed her pediatric residency at the Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters in Norfolk, VA.
After five exciting years working in the fast-paced pediatric emergency room at Chippenham Hospital, Dr. Jones transitioned her knowledge and love for pediatrics to the outpatient setting. She joined James River Pediatrics in October 2022 and couldn’t be happier to be part of a team that shares her passion for family-focused care.
Outside the office, Dr. Jones is always on the go! She enjoys skiing, running, hiking, and cooking up new recipes inspired by her culinary hero, Ina Garten. She lives in Midlothian with her wonderful husband, two amazing boys, and two spirited rescue dogs who keep the household full of energy and fun.
John Zachary
MD, FAAP
With over 30 years of experience, Dr. Zachary has been a trusted and familiar face in the community — proudly caring for generations of families. As the founder of James River Pediatrics, he’s known for his warm, compassionate approach and unwavering dedication to children’s health. He has committed his life to providing personalized, high-quality pediatric care, always putting children and families first.
Dr. Zachary earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Notre Dame and went on to receive his medical degree from Loyola University in Chicago. A proud father of four and loving “Poppo” to ten amazing grandchildren, when he’s not in the office, you’ll likely spot him in the stands or on the sidelines, cheering on his family and patients alike at local games, performances, and school events. His presence and support extend far beyond the exam room — a true reflection of his heart for the community he serves.
Olivia Jessee
CPNP, CLC
Olivia Jessee grew up in Mechanicsville, VA and received her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from James Madison University. She attended Old Dominion University to receive her Master’s of Science in Nursing with a specialty in pediatric primary care and became a certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner in 2019. With ten years of experience as a registered nurse, seven of which were spent bedside in pediatrics, Olivia enjoys building relationships with her patients and their families and providing educational support throughout all aspects of childhood and adolescence. Olivia has a passion for newborn care and lactation support, and she is a Certified Lactation Counselor. Outside of work, Olivia enjoys reading, time with friends, and spending time with her husband, three daughters, and their dog, Leo.
Vidhya Kumar
MD, FAAP
Dr. Kumar attended Cornell University for her undergraduate studies and completed her medical school right here in Richmond at VCU, where she was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha honorary society. She returned to Richmond after completing her pediatric residency at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston where she was active in community and resident education and won a resident teaching award from Harvard Medical School. She remains active in medical student education and is an assistant clinical professor at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond. Her passions include newborn care, healthy lifestyles, adolescent and LGBTQIA+ healthcare. Outside of work, Dr. Kumar enjoys baking, gardening as well as spending time with her husband and their dog, Boudin.
Jill Ryland
MD, FAAP
Dr. Ryland has been practicing medicine for over thirty years. She acquired her medical degree from VCU’s Medical College of Virginia and is a member of both Phi Beta Kappa as well as Alpha Omega Alpha honor societies. She is active in medical student education and is an assistant clinical professor at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond. She has been recognized for her teaching through the Martin Hoffman Award from VCU. Her passion for pediatrics includes newborn and well child care as well as asthma, ADHD, anxiety, depression and autism. She is a mother of three and enjoys biking, hiking and other outdoor activities in her spare time!
Phillip Dawson
MD, FAAP
I believed I wanted to be a doctor from about the age of ten. I enjoyed science, and as I grew and matured, I became more and more interested in personal interactions, relationships, and what makes people healthy in all aspects. When I finally got to medical school, I was fascinated by how the human body works and knew I was in the right place.
Why a Pediatrician?
There was that pivotal moment in medical school when I got a hug from Juliette, a sweet three-year-old French Canadian girl recovering from pneumonia, but it is more than that. Pediatricians are fun. Kids are fun. You get to smile every day. And it’s really true—kids do say the “darndest” things, and it’s usually hilarious. Doing what fascinates you, doing what you’re good at, and laughing while you do it… it doesn’t get much better than that!
Lucy Karn
PA-C
Tiffany Powers
CPNP
I am a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner who grew up in Harrisonburg, VA and have lived in Richmond for more than 30 years. I joined West End Pediatrics in May 2019. I received my Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Randolph-Macon College and worked in Human Resources/Recruiting prior to pursuing a career in nursing. I received both my Diploma and Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Bon Secours College of Nursing.
In May 2017, I received my master’s in nursing from the University of Virginia and became a Certified Lactation Counselor in 2018. Also, I enjoyed seven years of experience as a Registered Nurse in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. I am also an active preceptor to both Nurse Practitioner and Physician Assistant students. I love to educate our pediatric patients and their families by promoting illness prevention and healthy living practices. I believe I show compassion, empathy and a sincere dedication to helping others and I believe in advocating for my patients’ overall well-being.
I have been married for over 25 years and have three boys, including twins who were born premature and spent several months in the NICU. In my spare time, I enjoy exercising, going to concerts, traveling, volunteering for local community organizations and long walks with my golden retrievers.
Jessica Szlec
MD, FAAP
I became a part of West End Pediatrics in January 2021. Watching the example of my aunt and uncle, who are both physicians, and working with children, are what inspired me to pursue a career in medicine. I always enjoyed working with children from babysitting to being a camp counselor. I knew I wanted to be a pediatrician well before entering medical school! After receiving my Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from the University of Virginia, I earned my medical degree from Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Virginia. Then, I decided to return to Charlottesville to complete my pediatric residency at the University of Virginia. Not only was I involved in the Home Visiting Program, but I was awarded the Resident Teaching Award by my colleagues for excellence in mentoring junior residents. My interests include developmental and behavioral pediatrics, as well as preventative care and promoting healthy habits for life. I am always amazed by the natural process of child development and look forward to guiding families through the many stages of childhood and adolescence. I understand the trust that families place in their pediatrician, and I am privileged to form long-lasting relationships with my patients and their parents.
My husband and I live in Richmond and enjoy cooking and exploring local restaurants, as well as spending time outdoors gardening and hiking. I love reading, drinking tea, watching Formula One races, and travelling to explore new cities.
