West End Pediatrics

About Us

Often in medicine, people can feel like just another medical record number. At West End Pediatrics, parents and patients are encouraged to form a relationship with their pediatrician so they can feel known and understood. Not only does this lead to better care, but it is the also kind of medicine in which we believe.

We provide comprehensive medical care for patients from birth through college age based on the Medical Home Model. This means our office works with your family to help manage and coordinate care for all aspects of your child’s health: physical, emotional and other special needs. We also work in close communication with you, your schools, therapists and pediatric specialists throughout the community to ensure comprehensive care and wellness.

Our Services

Newborn Visits

We are here to help establish care for your new addition to the family and to help you along the way. Please call our office to schedule after being discharged from the hospital. We will work with your schedule and your baby’s schedule to see your family within 1-2 days after discharge.

Same-Day Sick Visits

We recommend calling our office at 8:30AM, when we open, to make an appointment for your child. This ensures that we have availability, and we can work with you. We do our best to see everyone but may need to schedule non-urgent sick appointments on a different day. If you are late to your appointment, you may be asked to reschedule.

Annual Wellness Visits

We encourage annual visits for patients 3 years and older so that we can monitor their growth and development. This is also a time to update vaccines, address any behavioral or social problems, and provide guidance to patients and parents for any health and safety issues. If your child requires any school forms or medication refills, we require them to be up to date on their annual checkups before these are completed. Please be aware that if your child is having a separate health concern that required additional treatment or testing, we are required by insurance companies to list these as separate conditions outside of the annual visit and you may be required to pay toward your deductible or copayment by insurance after the visit is completed.

Lactation Services for Established Patients – 1 month old and younger

Tiffany Powers, CPNP is also a certified Lactation Consultant. We can schedule your child, established patients only, with her before the age of 1 month old to help with any breast-feeding questions. If your child is over 1 month, we may refer you to an outside Lactation source and will help you manage care with them.

Routine and Alternate Vaccination Schedules

We work with families on keeping all routine vaccinations on schedule but will also work with families that are on an alternative or delayed schedule as well. We currently do not accept new patients that have chosen not to vaccinate their children.

COVID-19 & Flu Vaccines for established patients

COVID-19 and Flu Vaccines are offered annually during the appropriate season. These seasons start in October and can last until May. Please ask us about our nurse only visits for these vaccinations.

Diagnosis and treatment of Depression, Anxiety, ADD, & ADHD

We are available for office visit consultations when having concerns about any behavioral or mental health conditions. We help manage medications and other services that help patients and families maneuver through these, sometimes difficult, conversations and experiences. We follow insurance requirements and patients are required to maintain the appropriate follow up appointments to manage care and prescriptions associated with their care. Patients are also required to stay up to date with their annual well visits.

Virginia Mental Health Access Program

West End Pediatrics was awarded recognition by the Virginia Mental Health Access Program in 2025 and in years past.

The VMAP Recognition Badge marks providers’ commitment to improving the lives and well-being of children, adolescents, and young adults. Earning this badge recognizes the completion of one of VMAP’s intensive education programs and is a symbol of both individual and practice commitment to improving pediatric mental health.

2024 Practice of Excellence

Awarded by Virginia Care Partners

West End Info

Contact

phone: (804) 740-6171
fax: (804) 741-3105

Office Hours

Mon-Fri: 8:30am – 5pm
Sat: 8:30am – 12pm
Sun: Closed

Address

9606 Patterson Avenue Richmond, VA 23229

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Reviews

See what our happy families have to say

kirnangi patel

Elizabeth Fogg

Liza Mead

Dr. Dawson is always amazing to my kids!

Brooke Payne

Welcoming and helpful but a bit rigid and apprehensive.

Carlos Julio Sandoval Fernandez

G C

Dr Dawson is a great doctor who takes the time to explain everything and is willing to answer every single question no matter how silly it may sound

Uniqueca Marrero

I was referred here from the Nicu at Henrico doctors. I must say from the beginning of my child coming here I knew that this was the doctor for her!! Doctor Jessica Simmelink is super attentive, very realistic, and very understanding. When there was a shortage of milk, she made sure I had some. The office is very attentive. I’m always greeted promptly. If my child is sick, they are able to offer me appointments to get her seen asap. Mindy in the office went above and beyond to help me with paperwork I needed ! Their follow-up game is excellent!! I cannot recommend a better pediatrician office! If you’re looking around your search should stop here!! you will not be disappointed! They also accept a range of insurance, including Medicaid. Very happy to have my daughter receive care from this office!!

Neera Aharwar

Dr. dawson is amazing and staff is very supportive.

A Riley

We always have a positive experience when we come whether it's for check ups or sick visits. They treat us so kindly and have been since I've been bringing my daughter was 3 months old. They make sure the parents are taken care of too, especially in the newborn stage. I can't thank them enough!

Sara Sculthorpe

Lucy Tokash

I absolutely love west end pediatrics!!!! Everyone there is so kind, patient, and understanding. Couldn’t ask for a better place to take my kiddos

Tierra McCray

Sylvia Thomas

Every single staff member is welcoming and caring.

Noel Merk

We’ve loved our experience at West End and Dr Tiffany has been amazing!

Chandrasekar R

Madison Goodman

This place is the best!!! My son loves all the nurses here especially Dr Simmelink
They are always around and understanding of my anxious new mom questions.
Thank you all for being the best!!

Katy Meacham

Amazing pediatric care 💞

Shannon Chase

We are new to area and have had a wonderful experience at West End Peds. As a NP myself, I have high expectations and West End has certainly met and exceeded those expectations. From our prenatal visit I knew this was the type of office I was looking for- patient focused, caring, easy to communicate with, and passionate about pediatrics. Our daughter is now 6 months old and from our lactation consult to (unfortunately) our follow up from hospital admission to well checks, all the providers have been absolutely wonderful. We have met Dr Simmelink, Tiffany (NP), and Lucy (PA) and I am sure we will meet Dr Dawson at some point. The support staff, both nurses and front desk have been lovely as well. Cant thank them all enough and I trust anyone here with the care they provide to our daughter!

Hank V

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Before Your Visit

Insurance & billing information, and important patient forms.

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.

Meredith Burcham
Front Office Supervisor

I’ve worked in the healthcare field for 17 years, more specifically at WEP for 12. There are a few reasons I’ve stayed so long; I feel at home here, enjoy all the aspects of my job, and love the relationships I have with our families. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my daughter, husband, and kitties, traveling, reading, and hanging with friends.

Sarah Echols
CCMA, Clinical Team

I am a recent graduate of UVA with a major in Biology and a minor in Health and Wellbeing. I hope to attend PA school in the future, but right now I am focusing on taking advantage of getting hands on experience at West End Pediatrics. From being a camp counselor to babysitting, I have always loved working with kids, so pediatrics felt like the natural choice!

Lily Hunnicutt
Patient Service Representative

I joined WEP in July 2024 as my first “big girl” job. Some of my previous jobs include swim coach and camp counselor, so working with kids has always come naturally. While working at the front desk, I love to be able to interact with kids and parents. If a child comes into the office crying, I like to try and cheer them up, offer them a sticker and make sure they don’t feel scared. Outside of work, I attend nursing school and enjoy taking dance classes.

Lauren Lindsay
Clinical Team

After graduating from Randolph-Macon College in 2024, I knew I wanted to further my education and pursue PA school. WEP offered me the opportunity to expand my knowledge and gain valuable experience working with children, which, coincidentally, came naturally after growing up alongside a medically complicated sibling. I’m originally from Dinwiddie but have always had a love for RVA. In my free time I enjoy going to the gym and spending time with friends.

Lexie Parent
Patient Service Representative

I’ve been at WEP since January 2024. Coming from the restaurant industry, healthcare has been a positive change! The kids always make me laugh, saying the most random things. In my free time, I enjoy hanging with my dog and watching hockey. GO CANES!

Katie Roland
CCMA, CBCS
Division Administrator

After being in the healthcare world for 11 years, I know I am in the right place! I love being able to come to work and be silly and see all the smiles on our patients’ faces. It really warms my heart to see these kids grow up and watch their families take on this huge responsibility and just excel as parents. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my wonderful husband and my two amazing children. I also enjoy singing, traveling, and being artistic.

Madison Rudd
CNA, Clinical Team

I started working with the clinical team at WEP in 2023. I grew up in Chester, VA and moved to Dinwiddie while attending high school. I always had a feeling I would end up working with children because I love watching them grow and creating a safe place for them. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, building Legos, and hanging out with my dog, Athena.