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Best Pediatricians in Kent

Written by Andrew Le, MD

Updated November 14, 2024

Introduction to Pediatrics in Kent

Overview of Pediatrics

Pediatrics is a medical specialty focused on the health and well-being of infants, children, and adolescents.

It encompasses a wide range of services from preventive care to the treatment of complex childhood illnesses.

Pediatricians play a key role in monitoring growth, development, and overall health of young patients.

Pediatric Care in Kent, Washington

Kent, Washington offers a variety of pediatric care options, including well-established practices like UW Medicine Primary Care at Kent/Des Moines.

Selecting an appropriate pediatrician is an important decision for families, as this healthcare provider will be a long-term partner in a child's health and development.

Kent's pediatricians, such as Dr. Robert Merkouris, Dr. Donna M Denno, and Dr. Kari A Gillenwater, bring diverse expertise and backgrounds to serve the community's needs.


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List of Pediatricians in Kent

SM

Dr. Sheryl Morelli

5.0

Kent, WA

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(206) 870-8880

American Board of Preventive Medicine

American Board of Pediatrics

WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY / MAIN CAMPUS (Medical School, 2000)

English

Pediatrics

Clinical Informatics

CB

Dr. Callie Byrd

5.0

Kent, WA

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(253) 395-1960

American Board of Pediatrics

University of Texas Health Sciences Center at San Antonio Long School of Medicine (Medical School, 2006)

English

Pediatrics

SV

Dr. Sean Verlander

5.0

Kent, WA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(253) 395-2006

American Board of Pediatrics

English

Pediatrics

RJ

Dr. Rakesh D'Souza Jr

5.0

Kent, WA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

American Board of Pediatrics

English

Pediatrics

MB

Dr. Matthew Blessing

5.0

Kent, WA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

American Board of Pediatrics

MICHIGAN STATE University (Medical School)

English

Pediatrics

KB

Dr. Karyl Bental

5.0

Kent, WA

Sex

Female

Languages

English

American Osteopathic Board of Pediatrics

NEW YORK INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY / OLD WESTBURY (Medical School, 1993)

English

Pediatrics

MH

Dr. Maria Huang

5.0

Kent, WA

Sex

Female

Languages

English

American Board of Pediatrics

CASE WESTERN RESERVE CARE SYSTEM (Medical School)

English

Pediatrics

DL

Dr. David Lessman

5.0

Kent, WA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

American Board of Pediatrics

English

Sports Medicine

Pediatrics

Dr. Robert Merkouris

Dr. Robert Merkouris

5.0

Kent, WA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Dr. Robert Merkouris is a pediatrician practicing in Kent, WA. He completed his Doctor of Medicine at the University of Washington after obtaining his Bachelor's degree and Master's in Molecular Medicine from Montana State University. Dr. Merkouris is affiliated with UW Medicine Primary Care at Kent/Des Moines and accepts various insurance plans including Aetna, BlueCross BlueShield, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare Oxford, and Medicare. Patients have given him a 5.0-star rating, reflecting his high level of care and expertise in pediatric medicine.

UW Medicine Primary Care at Kent/Des Moines

Medical School - University of Washington, Doctor of Medicine

Montana State University (Bachelor's)

Montana State University, Master’s in Molecular Medicine

English

BlueCross BlueShield

Cigna

UnitedHealthcare

UnitedHealthcare Oxford

Aetna

Medicare

23213 Pacific Hwy S Kent, WA

Pediatrician

LW

Dr. Linda Wiseman

4.9

Kent, WA

Sex

Female

Languages

English, German

Phone

(425) 271-5437

University Tx Med School At Houston (Residency Hospital)

University of Texas Health Sciences Center at Houston McGovern Medical School (Medical School, 1986)

English

German

Pediatrics

ML

Dr. Meta Lee

4.8

Kent, WA

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(425) 656-5300

American Board of Pediatrics

University of Southern California (Fellowship Hospital, 2002)

Mount Sinai Hospital (Internship Hospital, 1995)

Mt Sinai Medical Center (Internship Hospital, 1995)

University of California, Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine (Medical School, 1994)

UCLA (Undergraduate School, 1990)

University of California at Los Angeles (Undergraduate School, 1990)

English

Pediatrics

MW

Dr. Megan Wells

4.7

Kent, WA

Sex

Female

Languages

English

American Board of Pediatrics

English

Pediatrics

WM

Dr. William Moore

4.5

Kent, WA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(425) 656-5300

American Board of Pediatrics

University of Texas Medical Branch (Medical School, 1999)

English

Pediatrics

SS

Dr. Stuart Shorr

4.4

Kent, WA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(425) 271-5437

American Board of Pediatrics

yale University (Medical School, 1970)

English

Pediatrics

Dr. Thomas Courtney

Dr. Thomas Courtney

4.3

Kent, WA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(206) 520-5000

American Board of Pediatrics

University of VA Medical Center (Residency Hospital)

University of Tampere School of Medicine (Medical School, 1996)

English

Pediatrics

Dr. Frank Virant

Dr. Frank Virant

4.1

Kent, WA

Sex

Male

Languages

English, Spanish

Phone

(206) 527-1200

American Board of Allergy & Immunology

American Board of Pediatrics

University of Washington (Fellowship Hospital, 1985)

Children's Hospital|Seattle Childrens Hospital (Internship Hospital, 1981)

Saint Louis University School of Medicine (Medical School, 1980)

English

Spanish

Allergy & Asthma

Pediatrics

Allergy & Immunology

DF

Dr. Drew Fillipo

4.0

Kent, WA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHARLOTTE (Medical School, 1989)

English

Pediatrics

MR

Dr. Monica Richter

3.8

Kent, WA

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(425) 656-5300

American Board of Pediatrics

University of California at Berkeley (Medical School, 1984)

English

Pediatrics

CL

Dr. Christina Lindell

3.5

Kent, WA

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(253) 852-2866

American Board of Pediatrics

Michigan State University College of Human Medicine (Medical School, 2003)

English

Pediatrics

GS

Dr. German Sanchez

3.4

Kent, WA

Sex

Male

Languages

English, Spanish

Phone

(425) 793-1100

American Board of Pediatrics

SAINT CLOUD HOSPITAL / SCHOOL OF XRAY TECHNOLOGY (Medical School, 1990)

English

Spanish

Pediatrics

Dr. Joel Carey

Dr. Joel Carey

3.3

Kent, WA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

American Board of Family Medicine

Valley Family Medicine Residency Program (Residency Hospital)

Valley Medical Center (Internship Hospital)

English

Family Medicine

Pediatrics

DB

Dr. David Burkebile

3.3

Kent, WA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(253) 735-1111

ALBANY MEDICAL COLLEGE (Medical School, 1963)

English

Pediatrics

Dr. Eva Kiss

Dr. Eva Kiss

3.0

Kent, WA

Sex

Female

Languages

English

American Board of Pediatrics

Childrens Hospital of Wisconsin (Residency Hospital, 1994)

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA / TWIN CITIES CAMPUS (Medical School, 1991)

English

Pediatrics

NL

Dr. Nicole Lauinger

2.8

Kent, WA

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(425) 271-5437

American Board of Pediatrics

University of Chicago Hosps (Residency Hospital)

Georgetown University School of Medicine (Medical School, 2000)

English

Pediatrics

MG

Dr. Margarita Guerra

2.5

Kent, WA

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(425) 793-1100

American Board of Pediatrics

Ponce Health Sciences University School of Medicine (Medical School, 1998)

English

Pediatrics

YM

Dr. Yass Moinpour

2.3

Kent, WA

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(253) 854-1300

American Board of Pediatrics

University of Texas at Dallas (Medical School, 1995)

English

Pediatrics

CP

Dr. Connie Patulot

2.0

Kent, WA

Sex

Female

Languages

English, Tagalog

Phone

(425) 271-5437

UMDNJ University Hospital (Residency Hospital)

University of Santo Tomas (Medical School)

English

Tagalog

Pediatrics

SS

Dr. Sara Seghezzo

1.5

Kent, WA

Sex

Female

Languages

English

American Board of Allergy & Immunology

American Board of Pediatrics

English

Pediatrics

Allergy & Immunology

SM

Dr. Syed Mustafa

1.5

Kent, WA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

American Board of Internal Medicine

American Board of Pediatrics

EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY / SCHOOL OF ALLIED HEALTH SCIENCES (Medical School, 2009)

English

Internal Medicine

Pediatrics

DG

Dr. Daniel Groth

N/A

Kent, WA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(206) 527-1200

American Board of Allergy & Immunology

American Board of Pediatrics

City University of New York School of Medicine (Medical School, 2015)

English

Pediatrics

Allergy & Immunology

NS

Dr. Nefthi Sandeep

N/A

Kent, WA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

American Board of Pediatrics

BELLEVUE HOSPITAL CENTER / MEDICAL COLLEGE (Medical School, 2008)

English

Pediatric Cardiology

Pediatrics

Lacey Bliss

Lacey Bliss

N/A

Kent, WA

Sex

Female

Languages

English

English

Family Medicine

Pediatrics

Preventive Medicine

TR

Dr. Tanya Rizzo

N/A

Kent, WA

Sex

Female

Languages

English

American Board of Internal Medicine

American Board of Pediatrics

English

Internal Medicine

Pediatrics

JL

Dr. Judy Li

N/A

Kent, WA

Sex

Female

Languages

English, Cantonese

Phone

(425) 656-5566

American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology

American Board of Pediatrics

Phoenix Children's Hospital (Residency Hospital, 2014)

Maimonides Medical Center (Residency Hospital, 2011)

PHILADELPHIA COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE (Medical School, 2008)

English

Cantonese

Pediatric Neurology

Pediatrics

ML

Dr. Michael Lin

N/A

Kent, WA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

English

Pediatrics

RS

Dr. Ramya Sathish

N/A

Kent, WA

Sex

Female

Languages

English

MYSORE UNIVERSITY / J.S.S. MEDICAL COLLEGE (Medical School, 2006)

English

Pediatrics

NB

Dr. Nitin Bajaj

N/A

Kent, WA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

American Board of Pediatrics

English

Pediatrics

SB

Dr. Sade Benjamin

N/A

Kent, WA

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(260) 870-3590

American Board of Pediatrics

English

Pediatrics

Dr. Kari Gillenwater

Dr. Kari Gillenwater

N/A

Kent, WA

Sex

Female

Languages

English, French

Phone

(206) 520-5000

American Board of Pediatrics

University of Texas Medical Branch (Medical School)

English

French

Pediatrics

MB

Dr. Meghan Brombach

N/A

Kent, WA

Sex

Female

Languages

English

American Board of Pediatrics

English

Pediatrics

RC

Dr. Rachel Caron

N/A

Kent, WA

Sex

Female

Languages

English

English

Pediatrics

RS

Dr. Rebecca Shwartz

N/A

Kent, WA

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(425) 271-5437

American Board of Pediatrics

English

Pediatrics

CR

Dr. Chelsea Del Rosso

N/A

Kent, WA

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(206) 987-2525

American Board of Pediatrics

English

Pediatrics

MC

Dr. Mary Chu-Yee

N/A

Kent, WA

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(425) 656-5300

American Board of Pediatrics

Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine (Medical School, 1993)

English

Pediatrics

FI

Dr. Frank Gaunt III

N/A

Kent, WA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(253) 852-5253

American Board of Pediatrics

Washington University (Medical School, 1972)

English

Pediatrics

MP

Dr. Maria Pabalan

N/A

Kent, WA

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(917) 498-6146

American Board of Pediatrics

SUNY Buffalo (Fellowship Hospital, 2008)

West Virginia University School of Medicine (Residency Hospital, 2006)

English

Pediatrics

AL

Dr. Anna Le

N/A

Kent, WA

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(425) 656-5300

American Board of Pediatrics

English

Pediatrics

Dr. Kari A Gillenwater

Dr. Kari A Gillenwater

N/A

Kent, WA

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Dr. Kari A Gillenwater is a board-certified pediatrician practicing at UW Medicine Primary Care at Kent/Des Moines in Kent, WA. With a strong educational background, she holds a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Texas Medical Branch, a Master's in Public Health from Tulane University, completed her residency in Pediatrics at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, and also pursued an internship in Pediatrics at the same institution. Dr. Gillenwater is affiliated with various networks including Aetna, AARP, and Health Net, and is proficient in English.

UW Medicine Primary Care at Kent/Des Moines

American Board of Pediatrics

Medical School - University of Texas Medical Branch, Doctor of Medicine

Tulane University, Master's in Public Health

The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Residency in Pediatrics

The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Internship in Pediatrics

English

Aetna

Health Net

AARP

23213 Pacific Hwy S Kent, WA

Pediatrician

Dr. Donna M Denno

Dr. Donna M Denno

N/A

Kent, WA

Sex

Female

Languages

English, Arabic, French

Dr. Donna M Denno, a pediatrician based in Kent, WA, brings a wealth of expertise to her practice at UW Medicine Primary Care at Kent/Des Moines. With a strong educational background including a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Michigan and residency in Pediatrics at the University of Washington, she is dedicated to providing top-notch care to her patients. Certified by the American Board of Pediatrics, Dr. Denno is fluent in English, Arabic, and French, ensuring effective communication with a diverse range of families. She is affiliated with various networks including Aetna, BlueCross BlueShield, UnitedHealthcare, and Cigna, among others. Dr. Denno's commitment to pediatric care and her focus on building strong relationships with her patients make her a trusted healthcare provider in the community.

UW Medicine Primary Care at Kent/Des Moines

American Board of Pediatrics

Medical School - University of Michigan, Doctor of Medicine

University of Washington (Master's)

Rhode Island Hospital, Internship in Pediatrics

University of Washington, Residency in Pediatrics

English

Arabic

French

BlueCross BlueShield

Cigna

UnitedHealthcare

UnitedHealthcare Oxford

Aetna

Medicare

23213 Pacific Hwy S Kent, WA

Pediatrician

Choosing a Pediatrician in Kent

Factors to Consider When Selecting a Pediatrician

Qualifications and Board Certifications

  • Review educational background (e.g., Dr. Merkouris' MD from University of Washington)
  • Check for board certifications (e.g., Dr. Denno's American Board of Pediatrics certification)

Experience and Specializations

  • Consider years of practice and areas of expertise
  • Look for additional training or master's degrees (e.g., Dr. Merkouris' Master's in Molecular Medicine)

Patient Reviews and Ratings

  • Examine star ratings (e.g., Dr. Merkouris' 5.0-star rating)
  • Read patient testimonials and feedback

Insurance and Network Participation

  • Verify if the pediatrician accepts your insurance (e.g., BlueCross BlueShield, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare)
  • Check for participation in Medicare or other specific networks

Language Proficiency

  • Consider language options for diverse families (e.g., Dr. Denno speaks English, Arabic, and French)
  • Ensure effective communication with your pediatrician

Steps in the Pediatrician Selection Process

Research Potential Providers

  • Use online directories and hospital affiliations (e.g., UW Medicine Primary Care at Kent/Des Moines)
  • Gather information on multiple pediatricians in Kent

Schedule Consultations

  • Arrange meet-and-greet appointments with potential pediatricians
  • Prepare questions about their practice, philosophy, and approach to care

Evaluate Personal Comfort and Rapport

  • Assess communication style and bedside manner
  • Consider the pediatrician's ability to connect with both parents and children

Review Practice Logistics

  • Check office hours, location, and availability for appointments
  • Inquire about after-hours care and emergency procedures

Top-Ranked Pediatricians in Kent

Dr. Robert Merkouris

Background and Education

  • Doctor of Medicine from University of Washington
  • Master's in Molecular Medicine from Montana State University
  • Affiliated with UW Medicine Primary Care at Kent/Des Moines

Practice Details

  • 5.0-star rating from patients
  • Accepts various insurance plans including BlueCross BlueShield, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare
  • Location: 23213 Pacific Hwy S, Kent, WA 98032

Dr. Donna M Denno

Qualifications and Expertise

  • Doctor of Medicine from University of Michigan
  • Residency in Pediatrics at University of Washington
  • Certified by American Board of Pediatrics
  • Fluent in English, Arabic, and French

Practice Information

  • Affiliated with UW Medicine Primary Care at Kent/Des Moines
  • Accepts multiple insurance networks including Aetna, BlueCross BlueShield, and UnitedHealthcare
  • Address: 23213 Pacific Hwy S, Kent, WA 98032

Dr. Kari A Gillenwater

Educational Background

  • Doctor of Medicine from University of Texas Medical Branch
  • Master's in Public Health from Tulane University
  • Residency and Internship in Pediatrics at The Johns Hopkins Hospital

Professional Details

  • Board-certified by American Board of Pediatrics
  • Affiliated with UW Medicine Primary Care at Kent/Des Moines
  • Accepts Aetna, Health Net, and AARP insurance networks
  • Practice location: 23213 Pacific Hwy S, Kent, WA 98032

Additional Resources for Finding Pediatricians in Kent

Online Resources

Healthcare Provider Directories

  • ZocDoc: Detailed profiles of pediatricians in Kent
  • Healthgrades: Patient reviews and ratings
  • American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Find a Pediatrician tool

Insurance Company Websites

  • Search for in-network pediatricians
  • Compare coverage options for pediatric care

Local Community Resources

Kent Department of Health

  • Information on local pediatric health services
  • Community health programs for children

Parent Support Groups

  • Recommendations from other parents in Kent
  • Insights into pediatricians' bedside manner and communication style

Professional Organizations

Washington Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics

  • Directory of board-certified pediatricians in Kent
  • Educational resources on child health

Tips for Evaluating Pediatricians

Consider Practical Factors

  • Office location and hours
  • After-hours care and emergency policies
  • Telemedicine options

Assess Communication Style

  • Schedule initial consultations
  • Evaluate how well the pediatrician listens and explains

Review Credentials and Experience

  • Verify board certification
  • Consider years of experience in pediatrics
  • Look for additional specializations or areas of expertise