Information about our Practitioners:

David M. Millsaps MD FAAP,   Lynn B. Spees MD FAAP, Brooke Lawrence Hata MD FAAP, Sommer C Clark MSN CPNP, Melissa D. McKenzie MS CPNP, Kathryn L. Golay, MSN CPNP, Amy Ravenscraft, MSN CPNP, Elizabeth Sheeks, RD MS LDN, Melissa Smith, RD,

"The Team" click practitioner for details

David M. Millsaps, MD, FAAP
(Lead Pediatrician of Unifour Pediatrics PA)

Dr. David M. Millsaps has continuously practiced primary care pediatrics in the Unifour area for the past 29 years and maintains full admitting privileges at both Catawba Valley Medical Center and Frye Regional Medical Center. This new pediatric office (opened in 2005) is designed to provide personal, comprehensive services, to allow for more innovative approaches toward patient care, and to allow more time for detailed coordinated management in complex clinical cases. We encourage you to read our Guiding Principles to gain an insight into the importance he places on excellence in service, patient education, and continuity of medical care.

Undergraduate: Duke University, BS 1973

Medical School: Duke University School of Medicine, MD 1977

Pediatric Residency: Carolinas Medical Center, 1977-1980

Board Certified: American Board of Pediatrics

Fellow: American Academy of Pediatrics

Pediatric Practice: In general practice continuously since 1980 in the Unifour area.

Professional Activities: North Carolina Pediatric Society, Legislative Committee, Liaison Committee, AccessCare, BCBS-NC Medical Advisory Committee, Catawba County Parenting Network, and numerous other committees and organizations in the community and state. Child advocacy involvement at NC and Federal levels, including issues involving Medicaid, Health Choice and SCHIP legislation, budgeting for children's needs, etc. NC Alliance for Health, EMR/EPM programs, and others. Extensive pediatric-specific continuous medical education each year, well exceeding the requirements.

Family: Dr. Millsaps has been married 29 years. His wife is a school/pediatric nurse and they have three "grown" children (two dentists and an attorney). They are members of St. Luke's Methodist Church in the Viewmont area. Dr. Millsaps and his wife live in northwest Hickory, with two yellow Labrador retrievers, three cats, and lots of fish.

Interests: Hickory Rotary Club, Project Wild outdoor experiential learning program of Duke University, scouting, etc. Eagle scout, Southeastern Cave Conservancy, National Speleological Society, Outdoor adventure sports, kayaking, rock-climbing, caving, cave rescue, computers, photography, household projects, music, high tech gadgets, travel, Apple Chill Cloggers, and more. National Cave Rescue Commission.

       

Brooke Lawrence Hata, MD, FAAP
(Pediatrician, Unifour Pediatrics PA)

Dr. Brooke Lawrence Hata has recently joined us, moving to Hickory from Durham, NC, where she practiced primary care pediatrics since 2005 with University Pediatrics at Highgate (part of the UNC Health Care System). She is native to North Carolina, raised in the Asheville area, and looks forward to becoming an integral part of the Unifour community. We are honored to have her join our practice, and look forward to her energy, talent, and commitment toward high quality care. We feel certain that you will appreciate our choice of this bright and caring individual who shares our ideals and will enhance our practice. We encourage you to read our Guiding Principles to gain an insight into the importance she places on excellence in service, patient education, and continuity of medical care. Dr Hata will be maintaining full admitting privileges at both Catawba Valley Medical Center and Frye Regional Medical Center.

Undergraduate: Wake Forest University, BS 1995, Magna Cum Laude

Medical School: Duke University School of Medicine, MD 2001

Pediatric Residency: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2001-2004
                      (Chief Resident and Associate Clinical Professor, 2004-2005)

Board Certified: American Board of Pediatrics.

Fellow: American Academy of Pediatrics.

Associate Clinical Professor: Department of Pediatrics, .
                     University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2004-2008

Pediatric Practice: In general pediatric practice continuously 2005-2008 in the Durham, NC area with University Pediatrics at Highgate (part of the UNC Health Care System). During that time, she continued to serve as an Associate Clinical Professor of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. Hata starting here at Unifour Pediatrics in January 2009, and has been well received by our patients and their families, and by our staff. Special interests include developmental pediatrics, preventive care, international health, teaching, adolescent medicine, and medical student education.

Professional Activities and Honors: North Carolina Pediatric Society. American Medical Association. Christian Medical and Dental Association, Publications in Contemporary Pediatrics and Gastroenterology.  Missionaries of Charity, (Calcutta, India), Camp Hollymont for Girls (camp physician), UNC-CH (Associate Clinical Professor), Camp Firefly (for pediatric hematology/oncology patients), Shelter for H.O.P.E Medical Clinic,  Tenwek Hospital (Bomet, Kenya), St. Francis Inn (soup kitchen), City of Joy Scholar (Calcutta, India), William Louis Poteat Scholarship, Albert Schweitzer Fellow, Jefferson Award (outstanding achievement and commitment to community service), Excellence in Teaching Award for Residents, UNC-CH, Outstanding Teaching Resident for Pediatrics, NC Children's Hospital Resident Award, Past service as: pediatric rehab technician Mission Memorial Hospital, Camp Hollymont for Girls (head counselor and waterfront director), The Asheville School (Instructor/Coach), Department of Digestive Health (UNC-CH, Clinical Research Assistant), ... others. Extensive pediatric-specific continuous medical education each year, well exceeding the requirements.

Family: Married to Jonathan A. Hata MD, a surgeon with Hickory Surgical since 2008. They have a beautiful daughter, Catherine Marie (born in March 2007), and live in central Hickory. As you can gather from the activities listed above, Dr. Hata has been, and will continue to be, involved in community and international activities.

Interests: Hiking, camping, swimming, reading, and community service.

       

Lynn B. Spees, MD, FAAP
(Pediatrician, Unifour Pediatrics PA)

Dr. Lynn Spees has continuously practiced primary care pediatrics in the Unifour area for the past 29 years and maintains full admitting privileges at both Catawba Valley Medical Center and Frye Regional Medical Center. He joined Unifour Pediatrics in August 2007, and is pleased to be a part of a practice which shares his ideals and methods. He welcomes patients who have appreciated his care in the past, and second generation patients---children of his former patients---the ultimate in continuity of care. We encourage you to read our Guiding Principles to gain an insight into the importance he places on excellence in service, patient education, and continuity of medical care.

Undergraduate: North Carolina State, BS 1967

Graduate school: State University of New York at Buffalo, MA 1969.

Medical School: Wake Forest University School of Medicine, MD 1975

Pediatric Residency: Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, 1975-1978

Board Certified: American Board of Pediatrics

Fellow: American Academy of Pediatrics

Pediatric Practice: In general practice continuously since 1978 in the Unifour area. Special interests include preventive care, ADHD, encopresis, teaching.

Professional Activities: Rostered physician, Children’s Special Health Services ( North Carolina), 1987 to 2004. Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, July 2001 to present.North Carolina Pediatric Society. Catawba County Medical Society. North Carolina Medical Society. Charter member, Board of Directors, High Hope of Hickory (non-profit daycare center for special needs children), 1982-86. Charter member, Advisory Board, Lutheran Counseling Center at Hickory, 1987-2002. Extensive pediatric-specific continuous medical education each year, well exceeding the requirements.

Family: Married to JoAnn Fox Spees since 1970. She has been active in the community for many years in agencies and activities for the benefit of adolescents, especially The Council on Adolescents of Catawba County, which she co-founded. They have two adult sons, both of whom majored in environmental studies in college. Nathan is married; he lives and teaches in Austria. Andrew is a Peace Corps volunteer in Morocco as of 2007. The Spees have been members of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church since 1979.

Interests: Former high school mathematics teacher. Kayaking, bird-watching, photography, gardening, Gravely tractors, do-it-yourself projects, Habitat for Humanity construction work, care for the natural environment. Eagle Scout. Catawba Valley Outing Club. Charter member, WaterWatch Lake Hickory.

       

Sommer C. Clark, MSN CPNP
(Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner)

Sommer C. Clark, MSN (see photo in right margin) joined Unifour Pediatrics this Summer 2006 as a pediatric nurse practitioner. We have been delighted to have her as part of the practice, and to share her wealth of knowledge and talents with our staff, patients and their parents. She brings with her strong academic credentials and recommendations as well as excellent clinical skills, judgment, and knowledge of the subject matter. She also coaches soccer (and has played and coached soccer at a university level), has mentored Young Life groups, is very active in church and community activities, and serves as a strong advocate for children in a variety of ways. Our Unifour Pediatrics staff, patients and families, and other health care facilities have all found her to be a delight to work with.

Undergraduate: Elon University, BS 2001

Nursing School: Virginia Commonwealth University, BSN 2004

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program: Virginia Commonwealth University, MSN PNP 2005.

Certified: The Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB), CPNP 2006

Fellow: National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP)

General Pediatrics: In practice since 2006.

Activities: North Carolina Pediatric Society, NAPNAP, and numerous other committees and organizations in the community. Extensive pediatric-specific continuous medical education each year, well exceeding the requirements.

Family: Sommer has been married for three years. Her husband is a teacher and coach. They have an toddler Houston and live in the Denver area.

Interests: Elon University Soccer , Young Life , travel, and more.

       

Sommer C. Clark CPNP
Board Certified:
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

Melissa D. McKenzie, MS CPNP
(Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner)

Melissa D. McKenzie, CPNP (see photo in right margin) joined Unifour Pediatrics in Summer 2007 as a pediatric nurse practitioner. We have been delighted to have her as part of the practice, and to share her wealth of knowledge and talents with our staff, patients and their parents. She brings with her strong academic credentials and recommendations as well as excellent clinical skills, judgment, and knowledge of the subject matter.

Undergraduate: Kennesaw State University , BSN 2000

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program: Georgia State University, Atlanta, MSN PNP 2002.

Certified: The Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB), CPNP 2002

General Pediatrics: In practice as a pediatric nurse practitioner since 2002. Extensive private practice pediatric experience continuously.

Activities: Prior to advancing to her pediatric nurse practitioner certification, Melissa has had extensive experience in government, military and private sector healthcare ... in ER, urgent care and primary care settings. As a certified pediatric nurse practitioner, she has been involved in primary care in the Atlanta area, and has been known for her superior patient care, and outstanding interpersonal and communications skills. Extensive pediatric-specific continual medical education each year, far exceeding the state requirements.

Family: Melissa lives with her family in the Springs Road area of Hickory.

Interests: Outdoor activities, reading, music, and more.

       

Kathryn Llewellyn Golay, MSN CPNP
(Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner)

Kathryn Llewellyn Golay, CPNP (see photo in right margin) will join Unifour Pediatrics in late August 2009 as a pediatric nurse practitioner. We look forward to have her as part of the practice, and to share her wealth of knowledge and talents with our staff, patients and their parents. She brings with her strong academic credentials and recommendations as well as excellent clinical skills, judgment, and knowledge of the subject matter.

Undergraduate:  James Madison University, BS Health Sciences, Concentration in Athletic Training, 2003

Nursing School:  Virginia Commonwealth University, BSN 2004.

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program:  Virginia Commonwealth University, MSN PNP 2005.

Certified: The Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB), CPNP 2006

Pediatrics: In practice since 2006. Primary area of practice has been in pediatric orthopedics, sports medicine, and pediatric primary care. Prior to joining Unifour Pediatrics, she practiced in Orlando, Florida

Activities: Professional memberships in Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society, NAPNAP, ARCHP, American Red Cross Disaster Services Program, and others. Extensive pediatric-specific continual medical education each year, far exceeding the state requirements. With two years experience in a pediatric orthopedic office and with past certification sports training, Kathryn brings us a strong background of  pediatric orthopedics and management of sports injuries.

Family: Married 2007 and lives with her family just outside Charlotte. Her husband is working in healthcare consulting. She and her husband are active in outdoors activities such as hiking, running, and mountain biking. Dog named Cleo.

Interests: Running, hiking, mountain biking, reading, travel, spending time with friends, and Hokie football.

       

Holly Risch, RN, IBCLC, RLC
(Certified Lactation Consultant)

Holly Risch, RN, IBCLC, RLC joined our group in March 2009. Holly meets the high quality standards of the International Board Certified Lactation Consultants. She has more than 16 years experience in lactation care in working in Neonatal ICU, OB/GYN, and Pediatrics. Holly provides “Total Lactation Care.” See www.TotalLactationCare.com.

Our lactation consultant can help you prepare before your baby arrives through the time you or your baby chooses to wean. Our program is designed to meet the essential nutritional needs of newborns, to help parents strengthen their attachment to their child, and to build parents’ self-images as nurturers and providers. Our lactation consultant provides individualized attention for nursing babies and mothers, as well as breastfeeding support, and is conveniently located on the lower level of the Unifour Pediatrics building.

Education: Nursing School: LPN, RN, Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute, North Carolina; Perinatal Education Certification, University of Virginia: Lactation Program, Lactation Education Consultants.

Certified:   International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners, 2006.

Fellow:  International Lactation Consultant Association; United States Lactation Consultant Association; Mid-South Lactation Consultant Association

Practice: In a pediatric specialty since 2003. She has more than 16 years experience in lactation care working in Neonatal ICU, OB/GYN, and Pediatrics.

Activities: Extensive pediatric, maternal, and perinatal research and education each year, far exceeding state requirements. Holly is also locally involved with La Leche league, and the pregnancy care center of Catawba valley

Family: Holly is happily married to Brian Risch, PhD, who is the Materials Technology Manager at Draka Communications in Claremont, NC. He takes a deep interest in Special Olympics every year as a volunteer coach in power-lifting. They have 2 children. Their daughter Ashley, who is finishing her college degree at Lenoir-Rhyne University to become an elementary school teacher, and their son Nathan, who plans on majoring in horticulture after finishing his senior year of high school. They are members of St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Hickory and reside in the Viewmont area 

Interests: The family puppies, Sadie and Lillie. Also, has an interest in travel, the outdoors, scrapbooking, and quilting

       

Future Pediatric Nurse Practitioners and Pediatricians to be added

We plan to add additional pediatric nurse practitioners and pediatricians (full-time or part-time) as the practice grows. We will take our time to carefully select those individuals who not only have excellent clinical skills and judgment, but those who also possess qualities consistent with our vision and philosophy of pediatric care.

       

Melissa Ann Smith, RD (dietitian)

Melissa Smith RD joined us as a Registered Dietitian in March 2009 (working every other week). She helps us with a variety of health problems in our pediatric patients, primarily related to problems of weight control. This includes childhood obesity, failure to thrive, dietary-related hyperlipidemias, and multitude of other health conditions amiable to improvement with proper nutritional counseling and intervention. Again this individual will operate under our vision and philosophy of pediatric care.

Undergraduate: Appalachian State University, 2007. BS Foods and Nutrition.

Dietetic Internship: Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.

Registration:  American Dietetic Association

Licensure:  North Carolina Dietitian Association

Practice Experience: Rotations during training included: health department, WIC, dialysis center, weight loss programs, and community outreach.

Activities:   Member of the American Dietetic Association. Currently involved in a research study in childhood obesity prevention and treatment, sponsored through Duke University Medical School, and Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. We are one of only eight practices in the North Carolina involved in this project ... and we make this free of charge to patients we select for the study.

Program Director:  "Weight Control and Fitness Program" at Unifour Pediatrics (as described above).

Family:  Melissa lives in the Hickory area, and has extended family in Winston-Salem.

Interests:  Cooking, spending time with friends, and snowboarding.

       

Elizabeth E. Sheeks, RD, MS, LDN
(Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist)

Elizabeth Sheeks, a Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist joined us in January 2009, working part-time (at least 5 days/month), primarily seeing medically fragile infants and toddlers. Elizabeth Sheeks recently retired after 29 years of working as a nutritionist for the State of North Carolina, primarily with the DEC/CDSA. She has worked exclusively with children with special health care needs for the past 15 years. Prior to that, she worked in public health and WIC. She brings our practice considerable knowledge and experience in working with the specific nutritional problems of newborns, infants and toddlers. Her particular interest and expertise is in the area of nutrition and feeding problems of children with special health problems, such as premature infants, gastro-esophageal reflux, dysphasia, swallowing dysfunction, and "special needs" children. Elizabeth will NOT be working with our formal obesity prevention and treatment program. Again we have taken our time to carefully select individuals who not only have excellent clinical skills and judgment, but those who also possess qualities consistent with our vision and philosophy of pediatric care.

Undergraduate: University of North Carolina at Charlotte, BS Biology, 1976

Graduate Studies: Winthrop University, MS Foods and Nutrition, 1978, with concurrent ADA educational requirements.

Registration: American Dietetic Association, since 1979.

Licensure: North Carolina Dietetic Association - Dietitian/Nutritionist.

Practice Experience: Elizabeth has provided evaluation and medical nutrition therapy to children with special health care needs for the past 15 years, primarily with the DEC/CDSA. She has worked previously as a NC Public Health Dietitian, provided consultation to domiciliary homes in an 18 county region, and has worked as a NC Nutrition Program Consultant. She has also provided consultation to local public health nutrition programs in 9 county region, and was a county WIC/Nutrition Director.

Activities:  Extensive pediatric-related continual nutritionist education each year, far exceeding the state requirements.

Family: Elizabeth and her husband Kelly (both NC natives) live in Statesville with their two dachshunds, Cash and Godiva.

Interests: Orchids (Elizabeth is an accredited judge with the American Orchid Society), travel, cooking, hiking, jewelry making, gardening.

After-Hours/Night Telephone Coverage:

Dr. Millsaps, Dr. Spees, Dr. Hata, and associated Unifour Pediatrics staff provide "urgent care office visits" in the late afternoon/after-hours (on an as-needed basis) similar to his previous coverage. We will close this "after hours office" when the last patient is seen (so call early ... before 4:00PM). He also provides after-hours telephone care/support similar to his previous coverage. Telephone (828) 328-1118. If the telephone system fails in our office, you can reach us by calling the answering service directly at 326-6000, or calling the Frye Hospital switchboard (828-322-6070), and have them locate us.
Print out this PDF document for Helpful Information on Telephone Calls and Office Visits, Day-time and After-hours.

       

Weekend/Holiday/Vacation Coverage for Unifour Pediatrics
at the Unifour Pediatrics Office ... by Unifour Peds Providers

Dr. Millsaps, Dr. Spees, Dr. Hata, and associated Unifour Pediatrics staff provide will usually be seeing sick "urgent care" patients at the Unifour Pediatrics office location starting at 8:00 Saturday, Sunday and most holidays, and ending whenever the last patient has been treated. You will need to call early, not after the office has already closed for these "urgent hours". During peak flu season, we may use two providers in the office on these days. Telephone (828) 328-1118. We urge you to call at 8AM for appointments. Print out this PDF document for Helpful Information on Telephone Calls and Office Visits, Day-time and After-hours.