Compassionate pediatric care from newborns through the teen years, all from one trusted team.
Well-child checkups to sick-day visits, sports physicals to behavioral health — the everyday and the unexpected, all from one team.
Comprehensive well-child exams from newborn through adolescence — regular checkups that track growth, development, and milestones.
Appointments available when your child is feeling under the weather. We're here for fever, ear pain, sore throat, cough, vomiting, rashes, or any concern.
Call early for a same-day appointment.
Call (706) 216-2771Our Vaccine Policy follows the schedule set out by the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Every vaccine on that schedule is given here, at the visit where it is due — you will not be sent elsewhere for a shot.
See the full immunization schedule — every age, every vaccine, the brands we stock, and our Vaccine Policy.
At Dawson Pediatrics, we recognize that emotional and behavioral health are an important part of your child's overall well-being. Our behavioral health services provide support for concerns such as ADHD, anxiety, depression, behavioral challenges, and other emotional needs. Jennifer Bloom, MS, LPC, works alongside our pediatric care team to provide coordinated, family-centered care.
How to start: call the office and ask for our Behavioral Health Coordinator. She will talk through your concerns, gather background, and — if a behavioral evaluation is the right next step — book it and send you the assessment tools to complete beforehand.
Before the visit: parent assessments are completed in the patient portal, your child gets their own portal login for theirs, and you invite your child's teacher to complete the teacher form. All of it must be finished before appointment day.
ADHD and attention concerns: we use symptom checklists, conversations with you and your child, and questionnaires completed by parents and teachers — plus a thorough physical exam to be sure something else isn't causing the symptoms. After a diagnosis, your pediatrician prescribes treatment and keeps a regular follow-up rhythm: a visit within 28 days of starting a medication, then every 3 months while things are going well, and within a month of any dose change.
Children seen by our behavioral health team are active medical patients of the practice. If your child is not with us yet, we are glad to start there.
Children diagnosed with asthma are enrolled in a Care Plan our Care Coordinators actively monitor — they call about follow-up visits and keep your child's Asthma Action Plan current.
Pulmonary function testing is done in the office at least once a year for every patient age 5 and older, and again whenever we are watching a medication change. Our own providers read the results.
We teach environmental controls and trigger avoidance, and we watch your child use their inhaler at every visit to confirm the technique is right. We provide an Asthma Action Plan for school, and a Food Allergy Action Plan if one is needed.
Plan on a visit every 3–12 months depending on severity and control. We do need to see your child before refilling asthma medications.
Your baby's first office visit is in their first week of life — usually 1–2 days after you come home from the hospital.
We follow up the newborn metabolic screen here in the office, so there is no separate trip back to the hospital for testing. We check weight, length and head circumference, watch a feeding, ask about sleep and diapers, examine your baby head to toe including the eyes, and answer whatever you have been storing up since 3 AM.
See what happens at each newborn visit — 3–5 days, 2 weeks, 1 month and on.
We provide in-office feeding evaluations for hands-on help, plus phone support for the questions that come up between visits. At the 2-week visit, breastfeeding mothers can meet with one of our lactation consultants.
We can help with positioning and latching, caring for sore breasts and nipples, assessing milk transfer and adequate nutrition, assembling and using a pump (including sizing the right flange), storing milk, going back to work or school, travelling, moving to a bottle, teething, breastfeeding a premature baby or twins, slow weight gain, feeding babies with cleft palate, Down syndrome or heart conditions, and managing medications, medical tests or surgery while breastfeeding.
We respect every family's feeding decisions. Our encouragement is breastmilk only for the first four months, then breastfeeding alongside solids until a year — but the plan that works for your family is the right one.
Sometimes the frenulum — the band of skin under the tongue — is tight enough to stop a baby latching well. When that is what is getting in the way, a frenotomy is a reasonable next step.
It is done right here while you hold your baby: the physician snips the frenulum free. It is quick, and discomfort is minimal. We will usually ask you to breastfeed immediately afterward — it comforts your baby, and it lets us see the latch straight away.
We have two Care Coordinators whose whole job is keeping the pieces of your child's care connected — referral coordination, triage phone support, chronic care needs, newborn follow-ups, and follow-up after a hospital or urgent care visit.
When a provider decides your child needs a specialist, our coordinators make the appointment, make sure the specialist has the relevant history before your child walks in, chase down the specialist's note afterward, and bring the findings back to your child's primary provider.
Nutrition visits happen here with a registered dietitian, and we partner with Children's Healthcare of Atlanta's Strong4Life. A provider may suggest one for growth concerns (gaining too little or too much), food allergies, weight, or a very picky eater.
Arrive 15 minutes early to check in and fill out a nutrition questionnaire. We take a fresh height and weight, then the dietitian reviews growth and what your child is eating now, sets goals with you, and writes a plan.
What our dietitians do not do: hand out one-size meal plans, talk about “diets” instead of everyday habits, or take away every food your child loves.
Most of what your child needs is run in this building: newborn metabolic screen, neonatal bilirubin, hemoglobin, a complete blood count on our in-house machine, and a lipid panel from a small fingerstick.
We also do OAE hearing screening, pure-tone audiometry, tympanometry, vision photoscreening, spirometry for lung function, and the developmental and behavioral screens — ASQ, M-CHAT, and TB and lead risk assessments.
Minor procedures in the office: simple laceration repair, splinter removal, foreign objects out of noses and ears, wart treatment, and ear piercing.
A sports physical concentrates on musculoskeletal health — bones, muscles and joints checked for flexibility, strength and signs of overuse — and goes through past fractures, sprains, concussions, skin infections, episodes of pain or dizziness, and any chronic conditions. Bring the forms with you.
Pre-op physicals are best done within two weeks of the procedure. A recent annual or sports physical may be enough if it was within the past three months and your child has not been seriously ill since. Children with special healthcare needs may need specialist clearance, or a visit one to two weeks ahead.
Schedule early to beat the back-to-school rush — call (706) 216-2771.
The 4- and 5-year visits are built around school entry: the required immunizations, vision and hearing testing, a full physical, and a conversation about kindergarten readiness. We complete the school forms while you are here.
We use the Blomdahl Medical ear piercing system. The earrings are a medical-grade plastic — 0% metal, so 0% nickel.
We offer this for first-time piercing of the ear lobe only. Your child needs to be our patient, at least 6 months old, and to have had three DTaP immunizations.
$50, and not billable to insurance.
What that means in practice: how fast we see a sick child, how you book a visit, and who takes your call once we close.
Board-certified pediatricians, nurse practitioners, and counselors dedicated to your child's care.
Board-certified pediatrician
Known as Mina by family but as Dr. B by staff and her long-term patients, Dr. Babao was the original member of the practice — before it even became Dawson Pediatrics. She graduated Cum Laude in Biology from the University of the Philippines, then earned her medical degree at the University of the East, and did her pediatric residency at Winthrop University Hospital in Long Island, New York. In 1999 she was hired by Chestatee Regional Hospital to establish a pediatric office in Dawsonville, and when that role ended in 2004 she chose to stay in the community where she married, raised her children and built lasting friendships with many of her patients.
Board-certified pediatrician
Dr. Bulos is originally from the Philippines. He graduated from the University of the East College of Medicine in 1993 and completed his pediatric residency at the Medical Center of Central Georgia in 1999. After passing his boards he practiced for three years in Ellijay, then joined his wife, Dr. Carmina Babao, to start Dawson Pediatrics in 2005 — where he is now the managing partner. He has a special interest in asthma, nutrition, and behavioral and mental health. Outside the office he enjoys traveling with family and friends and following his three boys through soccer, basketball, taekwondo and cross country.
Board-certified pediatrician
Dr. Pettaway earned her Bachelor's in Medicine and Surgery at the University of the West Indies in Jamaica, completed her pediatrics residency at the University of Florida Health Sciences Center, and went on to a fellowship at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh — she is board certified in Pediatric Infectious Diseases and also holds a Master's in clinical research from the University of Pittsburgh. She has practiced as a pediatrician in Georgia since 2009 and especially likes challenging infectious-disease cases. She serves actively in the community where she lives with her husband and son, and loves nature, travel and time with family and friends.
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
Dr. Espinosa is a board-certified pediatrician focused on comprehensive, patient-centered care for children of every age. She earned her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine at William Carey University in Hattiesburg, MS — after a Bachelor of Science in Human Biology at UT Austin — and completed her pediatrics residency at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Before moving to Georgia she cared for newborns through college-age patients at a clinic affiliated with Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt. She holds PALS and BLS certifications and is committed to compassionate, personalized care — newborns, well-child and sick visits, and ADHD management. Outside work she enjoys her family, hiking and cooking.
Board-certified pediatrician
Dr. James Brown Gilbert III is a board-certified pediatrician who has cared for children since 1997 — nearly three decades across inpatient and outpatient pediatrics, in Georgia, Alaska and the Southeast, including medically fragile children and families from around the world. He joined Dawson Pediatrics in 2025 after practicing with the Longstreet Clinic and, in Anchorage, the Southcentral Foundation, caring for Native Alaskan and Native American children with complex needs. As a physician and father of nine — including children with special needs — he brings a deeply personal compassion to pediatric care, with a special passion for supporting medically fragile children. Outside medicine he enjoys hiking, kayaking, fishing, pickleball, coaching, and time with his family and foster children.
Pediatric nurse practitioner & lactation counselor
Holly earned her Bachelor's in Nursing in 2007 from Murray State University in her home state of Kentucky and worked as an RN in the pediatric ICUs at Kosair Children's and Cincinnati Children's before earning her Master's and becoming a certified Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner in 2013. She moved to the Atlanta area in 2014 and has loved helping her families grow and develop ever since, with a special interest in lactation support, first-time parenting, and the infant and toddler years. A Certified Lactation Counselor, she offers breastfeeding consultations at every stage as well as frenotomy (tongue-tie) services. She loves time with family and friends, the beach, and decorating.
Pediatric nurse practitioner
Laura Stefanic is a board-certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and a diplomate of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, with nearly two decades of pediatric experience in both primary care and the hospital. She blends expert clinical care with a strong focus on prevention and wellness, weaving Lifestyle Medicine into everyday pediatric care to help families live healthier lives. She mentors students as adjunct faculty at Florida State University and works on projects to improve the quality and efficiency of care; her special interest is infant and child nutrition. Beyond time with her husband and three kids, she loves obstacle-course racing, gardening, and cheering her children on in cross country and ninja activities.
Family nurse practitioner
Tara Misko is a compassionate Family Nurse Practitioner with experience across pediatric primary care, urgent care, emergency services and the pediatric ICU. She joined Dawson Pediatrics in 2025 after practicing primary care in Colorado and serving in pediatric emergency and critical care. Her clinical interests include asthma, ADHD, diabetes, obesity, developmental pediatrics, behavioral health, preventive care and vaccine education — and she is especially passionate about the early identification of developmental and social-emotional challenges, helping children and families find the resources they need to thrive.
Pediatric nurse practitioner
Kristen Souther is a board-certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner devoted to compassionate, family-centered care. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of South Alabama and brings more than five years as a pediatric critical-care nurse — including the Technology-Dependent ICU at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and the NICU at Northside Forsyth. As both a clinician and a mom of three, she understands how much trust, communication and education matter in pediatric care, and she offers personalized, evidence-based care focused on prevention, wellness and healthy development.
Licensed Professional Counselor — behavioral health
Jennifer received her Master's in Clinical Psychology from Bellevue University in 2014 and her Bachelor's in Counseling Psychology from Lesley University in 2007; she has been a Licensed Professional Counselor in Georgia since 2020, with more than 14 years working with children, teens and families. She believes no one is “one-size-fits-all,” meeting each client without judgment and using play and art to help children communicate. Her clinical interests span depression, anxiety, ADHD, identity and gender, abuse, eating disorders, substance use, grief and trauma. In her spare time she enjoys cooking, baking, the lake, yoga, reading and being outdoors.
Registered & licensed dietitian
Luisa is a registered dietitian originally from Colombia. She completed her undergraduate degree at Spring Hill College and her master's in nutrition at Georgia State University, beginning her career at Emory Hospital and GI Care for Kids in 2016 and later working on the GI and TICU floors at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. Fluent in Spanish, she is passionate about serving the Hispanic community and has a special interest in failure to thrive, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and weight management. She also runs the lifestyle blog Peaches to Pearls, teaching that healthy eating needn't be complicated or expensive. Outside work she enjoys cooking, gardening, travel and time with her husband, three kids, two yorkies and farm animals.
Licensed dietitian
Lydia is a Registered Dietitian, board-certified as a specialist in pediatric nutrition, who completed her master's in nutrition at Georgia State University in 2011. She worked at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta from 2014 across many inpatient units at Scottish Rite — the Pediatric ICU, the Technology-Dependent ICU, GI and inpatient Rehabilitation — and at the Marcus Autism Center's Multidisciplinary Feeding Program for children with chronic feeding disorders, with research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, food selectivity and the nutrition-focused physical exam. She loves helping parents and children learn about nutrition, with a special interest in picky eating, Autism Spectrum disorders and failure to thrive. Outside work she enjoys her husband, two sons and goldendoodle Earle, and cooking kid-friendly recipes at home.
Worried about your child at 2 AM? Get step-by-step guidance on symptoms, medicines, and when to seek care — so you only call when it truly matters.
Designed to support — not replace — your pediatrician. For emergencies, always call 911 or go to your nearest ER.
We're accepting new patients at both offices. Here's exactly what happens between your first call and your first visit.
(706) 216-2771 — tell us you're a new patient and what the visit is for, so we book the right amount of time.
Expecting? Call a few weeks before your due date.Print and complete the New Patient Forms before you come in — the single biggest thing that shortens your wait.
Every form is also available in Spanish.Complete a Medical Records Release and send it to your child's previous provider ahead of the visit.
Especially important for immunization history.Enough time to check in and finish paperwork without eating into your appointment.
A regular health check runs 20–30 minutes.Coming from out of state? We can't pull immunization history from a national database, so please bring it — without it, some vaccines have to be delayed. If your previous provider was in Georgia, we can retrieve it from the state database.
Call your insurer as soon as you're home. Tell them the baby has been born and ask to add them to the policy. If they aren't told, they won't pay for care the baby received in hospital or afterwards.
Six commitments, in plain words — so you know how we work before you decide.
Our published Vaccine Policy is the standard schedule — no alternative or delayed timelines.
Ear pain or a green runny nose isn't an automatic prescription, and not one we'll usually call in by phone. We prescribe when it's right.
Before urgent care or a specialist, call us. That's what a medical home is for.
So your child's record stays complete, in one place.
Referrals, results, and reminders all run through the patient portal.
Expecting or transferring? Set aside time to meet the team first — just ask.
Call (706) 216-2771 and tell us what the visit is for — appointment length depends on your child's age and needs. A regular check runs 20–30 minutes.
Complex or long-standing concerns — ADHD evaluations, asthma, weight & nutrition, recurring abdominal pain or headaches — need a longer appointment, so mention them when you book. For a simple single complaint (sore throat, earache, vomiting), ask about our Express Service, scheduled throughout the day. And if other children need to be seen too, tell us in advance.
Call as soon as you can. More than 15 minutes late may mean rescheduling, or waiting until our on-time patients have been seen. Walk-ins are accommodated in the first free sick-visit slot — never ahead of a scheduled patient.
None of this applies if your child is seriously unwell; in that case we decide urgency, not the clock.
We ask for 24 hours' notice to cancel. No-show fees aren't covered by insurance.
“Same Day Only” means calling each morning for that day's openings. We send courtesy reminders by phone, text, and email — but not receiving one doesn't waive the fee. We want this policy to be a deterrent, not a source of revenue.
Send written consent with whoever brings your child — our Authorization to Bring and/or Communicate form. Without it, we'll try to reach you by phone.
Unless your letter says otherwise, we treat it as consent to provide necessary care and to discuss findings with the people you name.
Request your records early — continuity of care is the whole point. For a child with special healthcare needs or a mental-health history, we need the full record before the first visit; some medications can't be prescribed without prior records.
A parent or legal guardian should attend as the medical historian. We won't hold up an urgent, non-routine visit for paperwork.
Both are full offices Same team Same records NCQA recognized
Short, straight answers to what parents ask us most. Still deciding? Ask Teddy anything about how we work — or just call and we'll talk it through.
Yes! We are currently accepting new patients at both our Dawsonville and Cumming locations. Call (706) 216-2771 to schedule.
We accept most major insurance plans. Please call our office to verify your specific plan before your first visit.
Yes! We have two convenient locations — one in Dawsonville (300 Dawson Commons Circle, Suite 320) and one in Cumming (1200 Bald Ridge Marina Road, Suite 100).
Both our locations are NCQA Recognized as Patient-Centered Medical Homes, meaning you're surrounded by a dedicated team working together to coordinate and optimize your child's care.
Yes! We offer integrated behavioral health counseling with a Licensed Professional Counselor as part of our care team.
Accepting new patients at both offices. Call to schedule a first visit — or, if you're expecting or switching, ask about meeting the team first.
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