
Our Team
Physicians
Our Physicians hold certifications from the American Board of Pediatrics and are Fellows and Diplomates of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Board of Pediatrics. They have graduated from some of our nation’s most prestigious universities including Duke University, Howard University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, New York State University, Downstate Medical Center, Emory University and the Georgetown University School of Medicine. We know your expectations are high, and we are ready to meet them.

Cory D. Bean

Since his graduation from the University of Alabama School of Medicine in 2000, Dr. Bean has been a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics. He completed his Pediatric Internship and Residency at Pitt County Memorial Hospital in Greenville. Currently, Dr. Bean is Certified in the Neonatal Resuscitation Program and Pediatric Advanced Life Support and has been treating children of all ages at Goldsboro Pediatrics since 2003.

Malaika Fenzel

A native of Raleigh, NC, Malaika Fenzel, MD received her medical degree from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, TN in 2022. Completing her Bachelor's degree on her home turf, she graduated from NC State University with a major in Biological Sciences in 2017. Prior to joining Goldsboro Pediatrics, Dr. Fenzel completed her Pediatrics Residency at the University of Toledo/Ebeid Children's Hospital in Toledo, OH from 2022-2025. Dr. Fenzel is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She is passionate about helping families stay healthy and enjoys exploring Goldsboro with her husband and daughter.

Christopher P. Griffin

After receiving a medical degree from Howard University in Washington, D.C. and completing his internship and residency at the ECU School of Medicine, Dr. Griffin began his career at Children’s Health Services in Greenville. In 1999, he joined Goldsboro Pediatrics. Dr. Griffin is Board Certified by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

David Hanson

Dr. Hanson earned a bachelor’s degree in Genetics and Cell Biology and his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. After completing his residency in pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Maryland, he served as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics. Dr. Hanson was employed with Nicklaus Children’s Physician Services in Florida from July 2022 until joining Goldsboro Pediatrics in January 2025. He is Certified in General Pediatrics by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Jennifer Hoover

After receiving her Bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Dr. Hoover completed her doctorate degree in Medicine at East Carolina University. Upon the completion of her residency in pediatrics at the Medical University of South Carolina, she served as the Chief Resident of the Department of Pediatrics. Dr. Hoover was employed with Sweetgrass Pediatrics in North Charleston, SC from 2005 until joining Goldsboro Pediatrics in July 2008. She is Certified in General Pediatrics by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Whitney Kirchoff

Having a parent in the military, Dr. Kirchoff moved frequently with her family, enabling her to live in many wonderful places. After getting her Bachelor’s degree at Duke University, she went on to the VCU School of Medicine in Richmond and then completed a pediatric residency at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Dr. Kirchoff is Board Certified in pediatrics and a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics. After residency, she worked in rural Oregon and then Boston, MA before coming to join the practice in 2020. In her free time, she enjoys reading, traveling, and simply spending time with her family.

Katherine MacDonald

Katherine Tayloe MacDonald, MD grew up in Goldsboro and is a graduate of University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. She earned her medical degree from Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. Her residency and chief residency were at Children’s Hospital & Research Center Oakland, CA.
Dr. MacDonald works as a full-time pediatrician with Goldsboro Pediatrics, where she has worked since 2007. She enjoys caring for infants and children of all ages and has special interests in Latino Health and supporting breastfeeding mothers. She serves on the Board of the Wayne County Partnership for Children. She has three active children who attend the Wayne County Public Schools. She and her husband, Ian, a marriage and family therapist, enjoy getting outdoors to the NC mountains or the coast with family whenever they can!

Susan Parlow

Board Certified in Pediatrics by the American Board of Pediatrics and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Dr. Parlow received her Bachelor’s degree from George Mason University in Virginia and received her medical degree from St. George's University. She completed her residency in Pediatrics at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation Children’s Hospital. Over the last 10 years, Dr. Parlow has practiced in the Pediatric Emergency Departments at Dallas Children’s Hospital in Texas and at Nash UNC Healthcare in Rocky Mount, NC. She joined the staff at Goldsboro Pediatrics in 2019.

Joseph W. Ponzi

Dr. Ponzi has been with Goldsboro Pediatrics for more than 25 years. He is a graduate of the State University of New York Downstate Medical Center and is Certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. Dr. Ponzi and his wife, Pam, have six children and are active members of First Presbyterian Church. He served as chairman of the board of AccessCare.

Bryan Stup

Dr. Bryan Stup is a graduate of the Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia. He completed his Pediatric Residency at the Eastern Virginia Medical School at the Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters in Norfolk, VA before joining the staff of Goldsboro Pediatrics in 2014. Dr. Stup is Board Certified in Pediatrics, and is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

David T. Tayloe, Jr.

Soon after graduating from the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Medicine and completing his residency, Dr. Tayloe founded Goldsboro Pediatrics in 1977. He and his wife, Denise, have four children who have all entered the healthcare field. Dr. Tayloe has served on the Goldsboro City School and the Wayne County Public School Boards of Education, is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and has served as the President of the National American Academy of Pediatrics as well as its North Carolina Chapter. He is currently serving an appointment as an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Pediatrics, UNC School of Medicine where he teaches residents and is currently the Chair Person of the AMA’s Council on Legislation. He is an advocate and much sought after speaker on child advocacy and attends St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church.

Kristie Tso

A Louisiana native, Dr. Kristie Tso received her medical degree from LSU Health Shreveport School of Medicine. Prior to joining Goldsboro Pediatrics in September 2025, Dr. Tso completed her residency in pediatrics at The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences/Arkansas Children's Hospital. She is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Siegfried C-R Yeh

Dr. Yeh is a graduate of the University of Kentucky College of Medicine. He completed his Pediatric Residency at the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, PA and the DuPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, DE before joining the staff of Goldsboro Pediatrics in 1997. Dr. Yeh is Board Certified in Pediatrics, a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Carey M. Ziemer

Dr. Ziemer is a Partner at Goldsboro Pediatrics and has been associated with the clinic since 1992. Dr. Ziemer earned his medical degree at Emory University in Atlanta, GA and completed his Pediatric Residency at the ECU School of Medicine in Greenville.
Physician Assistants & Nurse Practitioners
Our Physician Assistants & Nurse Practitioners hold degrees from many esteemed schools including Duke University, University of Alabama, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the Ohio State University. They are compassionate, highly-skilled and ready to care for your family every step of the way.

Katie Anthony

Before joining Goldsboro Pediatrics in 2017, Mrs. Anthony worked at a community health center in central Florida as an advanced practice nurse for 4 years. Prior to that, she worked as a registered nurse for Wilson Medical Center. She completed both her Bachelor’s degree and Masters of Science in Nursing at the Ohio State University. Mrs. Anthony is Board Certified as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and is an active member of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners and the Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society.

Valerie Bailey

Before joining Goldsboro Pediatrics in 2001 as a Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Ms. Bailey received her BSN and MSN from the University of Alabama. She completed her residency program at Gasden Pediatric Associates in 1999. Ms. Bailey is actively involved in the Reach Out and Read Early Literacy Program and is a member of the Sigma Theta Tau Honorary Society. She is Board Certified by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board.

Amy Brantley

Certified Physician’s Assistant Amy Brantley completed her Master of Public Health degree at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Master of Health Sciences degree at Duke University, after completing undergraduate studies at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Ms. Brantley is also a registered dietitian. She joined our staff in 2015.

Kristen S. Crook

Before joining Goldsboro Pediatrics in April 2023, Kristen Shay Crook worked with pediatrician clinics in Arkansas for nearly 8 years. Mrs. Crook received a BSN before completing a MSN from Union University in TN. She then earned a Post-Master’s Certificate for Pediatric Nurse Practitioner in 2015 from Vanderbilt University. She is licensed and certified as a Pediatric Nurse (CPN) and Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Primary Care through PNCB (CPNP-PC). Mrs. Crook often takes pilot tests for PNCB and is an active member of NAPNAP (National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners). She also holds a certificate for Pediatric Primary Care Mental Health Specialist (PMHS) through PNCB.

Elaine Edmundson

Ms. Edmundson began her nursing career as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) with Goldsboro Pediatrics in June 2012. Leaving to pursue her higher medical education goals, she received her ADN and BSN degrees before most recently graduating from Chamberlain University in 2023 with a Family Nurse Practitioner Degree. Before coming onboard at Goldsboro Pediatrics again in December 2023, Ms. Edmundson was most recently employed as a Registered Nurse at Wayne UNC Hospital.

Ashley Faulkner

Prior to joining our practice in the Fall of 2018, Mrs. Faulkner obtained her BSN from the University of Mount Olive and her MSN from South University. She has over 10 years of nursing experience in multiple inpatient settings including the emergency department, operating room, post-anesthesia and intensive care units. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

Lane Natividad

Lane Natividad joined Goldsboro Pediatrics. in September 2011, having completed her B.S. degree in Nursing at Binghamton University in Binghamton, N.Y. and subsequently earning her M.S. degree as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, N.Y. Mrs. Natividad gained valuable clinical at different hospitals by serving in several disciplines including surgery, psychiatry, labor and delivery, pediatric intensive care, geriatric care, and pediatrics and telemetry. In addition to working with children, she enjoys spending time with her family and competing in triathlons.

Jennifer Perkins

Certified Physician’s Assistant Jennifer Perkins completed her Masters degree in Health Science at Duke University after completing undergraduate studies at East Carolina University. Ms. Perkins completed the course from the National Commission on the Certification of Physician’s Assistant to receive her certification and is licensed by the North Carolina Medical Board. She is a current, active member of the American Academy of Physician’s Assistants, as well as the North Carolina Academy of Physician’s Assistants.

Theresa Podbielski

We are excited to have Theresa Podbielski back on our team. Theresa, an 11 year employee, left our practice five years ago to move to SC.
As a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Mrs. Podbielski's entire medical career has been centered around pediatric care. A native of Erie, PA, she has also worked at the Shriners Hospitals for Children at their Erie, Pennsylvania location.
She completed an Associate Degree in Nursing from Gannon University, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Pennsylvania University. In 2007, she graduated from the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program with a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Pittsburgh.

Cierra Sullivan

Mrs. Cierra Sullivan is the newest Advanced Practice Provider to join our Goldsboro Pediatrics team. She earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree with a Family Nurse Practitioner concentration in May 2023 from East Carolina University. She is recognized as a board certified Family Nurse Practitioner by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. She graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2017. She comes to our practice with 6 years of experience as a registered nurse, primarily in the pediatric emergency/trauma department and newborn nursery. In addition to her passion in caring for pediatric patients and their families, she enjoys spending time with her husband, son and their dogs.

Brandy Yeh

Brandy Yeh is a dedicated Family Nurse Practitioner at Goldsboro Pediatrics with over two decades of experience in pediatric healthcare. A long-standing member of the Goldsboro Pediatrics team, Brandy began her journey with the practice in 2000, holding roles from receptionist to staff nurse and lactation consultant before becoming a provider.
Brandy earned her Associate Degree in Nursing from Wayne Community College and went on to complete her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of Mount Olive. She is currently completing her Master of Science in Nursing with a Family Nurse Practitioner concentration at Chamberlain University. Her commitment to excellence has been recognized with the Clinical Excellence Award and the DAISY Award for compassionate care.
In addition to her clinical expertise, Brandy is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and plays an active role in the community through the Goldsboro Pediatrics Community Outreach Committee and as a board member for the Partnership for Children of Wayne County.
Outside of work, Brandy enjoys connecting with families and empowering them through education and supportive care. Her lifelong dedication to pediatric health and family wellness continues to make a lasting impact on the community she calls home.
Advanced Care Team
We know that behavioral health is key to a child’s overall wellness. We provide those services through our Advanced Care Team. Our Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Michelle Thraikill, specialize in behavioral health and work with our other practitioners to provide individualized care.

Michelle Thraikill

Ms. Thraikill, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, received her undergraduate degree from Eastern Michigan University and subsequently received her Masters of Social Work from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. She is certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Ms. Thraikill came to the area in 2000, working for Kennedy Home in Kinston as a Social Worker, then in Goldsboro for Eastpointe as a Clinical Social Worker and Wellsprings Center as a Child and Family Therapist. She joined Goldsboro Pediatrics in 2008.
Physicians Emeritus

Retired

Retired
