Delaware Pediatrics
Delaware Pediatrics
Delaware Pediatrics was founded in 1994 in New Castle County, Delaware by Dr. Matt Gotthold. Upon completing his residency, Dr. Gotthold was asked by Forest Hawkins, MD, to take over his pediatric practice. He knew his patients would be cared for with the utmost respect and compassion.
Dr Patricia Scott, with her comprehensive knowledge, joined the team the following year, having been mentor to Dr. Gotthold in his own residency training.
Through our connection to the Pediatric Residency program of Thomas Jefferson University at duPont Hospital, we recruited Dr. Jason Hann-Deschaine in 2004. Dr Hann-Deschaine brought his commitment to evidence based medicine and advocacy for our children.
We knew excellent pediatric care needed to reach farther down the state. And thus, Dr Hann-Deschaine would go on to lead the creation of our second location, Appoquinimink, in the Middletown-Odessa-Townsend Area. Since then, our family has continued to grow.
In early 2014, Dr. Stephanie Walter, who trained as a resident under Dr. Gotthold and spent the following 7 years as a pediatric hospitalist/primary care physician at Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children (Nemours), joined our North Wilmington office.
In the summer of 2016, Jill Dugar, CNP, was recruited to join the Appoquinimink office, having spent more than a decade caring for young children through Delaware's Child Development Watch program. Today Jill finds purpose in addressing the growing mental health care needs of Delaware's pediatric population.
Erin Chudzik-Pryor, PA, joined our team and then was chosen to spearhead a program with a local university training PA students within the medical home model. Upon completing that program, she returned to our practice and has since led our revolutionary behavioral health program, developing and implementing new models of collaborative care.
In January 2018, after years of close collaboration, Delaware Pediatrics merged with Dr. Darren Franczyk of Franzcyk Pediatrics. Dr Franzcyk is passionate about the continued health of our children through vaccination and high quality, equitable care.
Barbara Wojtal, CNP, was recruited to join our team in 2019 after working in both oncology and outpatient care. She has helped focus on quality and population health, expanding our focus to our entire patient population and our community.
Dr. Katherine Callaghan joined our team in 2021 after her residency training at Nemours, bringing her caring nature and dedication to holistic wellness.
Christian Ruth, PA, joined us the following year. Christian brings empathy and amiability to his practice of medicine.
We have established ongoing relationships and affiliation with the Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children (Nemours) and Christiana Care Health Systems, and with their residents and faculty. Over the years, we have been fortunate to have worked with dedicated colleagues who have provided excellent and compassionate care to our patients.
Our team comes from different backgrounds with different experiences, but we share the same goal - to deliver exceptional, thoughtful care to the children of our state. It has been a privilege to work with families and help our youngest generation thrive.
