Our Staff

Cheryl has been a member of the Acute Kids family since 2009. She integrates her 18 years of front office experience within the fields of construction, architecture, and public education into her current roll as Office Manager. She began working in our clinics as a receptionist and moved to the administrative offices in the winter of 2011. “From my first day on the job, I was so intrigued and impressed by the devotion of the Acute Kids staff to their patients and their families. I knew I had to be a part of a company who was getting it “right” in the hustle and bustle of today’s world.” To relax, she enjoys driving the golf cart when her husband and children go golfing, hanging out with her teen-agers, and entertaining her work-friends with Laffy Taffy jokes.

Christie has been with Acute Kids since we first opened our doors in 2003. Promoted to Chief Operating Officer in 2009, she oversees the company's daily operations, including personnel decisions, and is responsible for quality control at the clinics. Christie received her undergraduate degree from UT-Austin. After returning to school to obtain her nursing license, she focused on emergency medicine and pediatrics. "Our goal at AKUC is to provide families with efficient quality medical care while giving each child a fun experience. It's very rewarding to hear a kiddo tell his mom how much fun it is at our clinics." The Dallas Business Journal honored Christie as a Health Care Hero in 2008. She is currently pursuing her Masters in Business Administration at UT-Dallas and loves spending her weekends on the soccer fields cheering on her husband, son, and daughter.

Dr. Andy Clark grew up in Marshall, Texas, received his undergraduate degree from Baylor University and his medical degree from UT Medical Branch in Galveston, where he also served his residency. He was in private practice for 27 years as a board-certified pediatrician in Longview, Texas, serving as the President and Medical Director of a large multi-specialty medical group. During those years he earned a Master's degree in Medical Management from UT-Dallas and also served on the corporate Board of Directors of the nation's third largest investor-owned hospital company. In 2006, Andy left his practice to become Chief Medical Information Officer for Triad Hospitals, Inc. and in 2008 joined Acute Kids Urgent Care as a staff pediatrician. He was named a Medical Director in February 2010. Dr. Clark has been married for 35 years; he and his wife have 3 grown children and 6 grandchildren.

Dr. Kerry Johnson is a graduate of the University of Utah Medical School. He did his Pediatric Residency at Fitzsimons Army Medical Center in Denver, Colorado, served two years as a pediatrician in Germany, and then completed an Emergency Medicine Residency at Fort Lewis, Washington. In 1997, after 12 years of Army service, Kerry entered private practice as a Pediatric Emergency Medicine physician at Medical City Children's Hospital in Dallas, Texas.

In 2003 "Dr. J" left Medical City to become one of the founding partners of Acute Kids Urgent Care. Dr. Johnson is today the President and Medical Director of AKUC, overseeing our physicians and the delivery of medical care at our clinics. He is board certified in Pediatrics, Emergency Medicine and Pediatric Emergency Medicine.

Jennifer has been with AKUC since January 2008. She began her career with us as a receptionist but was quickly promoted to Office Manager and most recently to Director of Human Resources. Jennifer handles everything from billing inquiries and staff onboarding to providing IT support to the clinics and creating the monthly staff schedule. She also keeps the office staff on their toes as she has been known to spontaneously break out in song and dance. Jen is proud to be part of a team that "provides such a great service to families across the North Dallas area." In her free time, Jennifer enjoys music, sports, the outdoors, and spending time with her husband and two children.

Dr. JoAnn Welch grew up in northern California, received her undergraduate degree from Jackson State University and her medical degree from Howard University College of Medicine in Washington, D.C. She completed her pediatric internship and residency training at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore. After practicing in the Pediatric Emergency Center at Sinai for several years she then relocated to the DFW area. She was an assistant Professor of Pediatrics at UT Southwestern Medical Center and practiced pediatric urgent care in the Children’s Medical Center of Dallas ER (Referral Care Center) in 2004.

Dr. Welch became a member of the AKUC team in November, 2010. She was named Medical Director in May, 2011. She is pursuing a Healthcare Management Executive MBA at The UT Dallas Alliance for Medical Management Education Program. She is board certified in pediatrics, a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and a member of the American College of Physician Executives.

Jonathan is the Nurse Manager at Acute Kids Plano and Flower Mound clinics. He has been a part of the AKUC organization since June 2007. Jonathan is a graduate of Collin College and gained his ER experience at Medical City of Dallas Emergency Room, caring for both adult and pediatric patients.

"My favorite thing about taking care of pediatric patients is the joy of seeing how active and engaged they are, which keeps me feeling like a kid again and again." When not keeping up with his two teenage sons, Jonathan and his wife enjoy playing for Rug Burn, a co-ed indoor soccer team.

Laura graduated from Texas Women's University in 1989 with a Bachelors of Science in Nursing and spent the next 13 years caring for children in a Pediatric ICU setting. "After caring for critically ill children for so long, it was time for a happier environment." Laura joined Acute Kids as one of the original 2003 staff members and has never looked back. "The staff at Acute Kids is here because they love what they do, which is caring for children and their families in a kid-friendly and happy environment." She has been the Nurse Manager of the McKinney location since March 2007.

Lea began her medical career in 1995, working at a busy pediatrician’s office while completing her nursing degree. She knew early on that pediatrics was her chosen field. She stayed on after graduation, working as a staff nurse and then nurse manager. In the ten years she spent there, she loved seeing children go from birth through adolescence and the bonds she established with those patients and their families. After moving to the Dallas area, Lea was a stay-at-home mom part time before coming to Acute Kids in 2008 as a staff nurse and now is the Allen nurse manager. Lea says, “I love working with kids because they say whatever is on their mind without holding anything back. Working with kids is challenging and rewarding. It brings me great joy knowing I have made a difference by helping a child feel better.”

Lea is married and the mother of two amazing girls as well as lots of furry family members. When she isn’t working or spending time with her family, Lea loves to scrapbook, decorate cakes, and do all things crafty.

Malyndia, our Finance Manager, has been with AKUC since 2009. Malyndia brings with her 27 years of experience in billing along with a background in IT consulting. Her lively communication skills and genuine interest in helping people make her a pleasure with which to do business. For her part, Malyndia enjoys working for a company that is "fun and family oriented". Her interests include gardening and reading, along with spending time with her husband and two dogs, Abigayle and Rayne.

Meagan joined Acute Kids in September 2008 and is our Human Resources Manager. Prior to becoming a member of the AKUC office staff, she worked as a greeter, receptionist and tech. Meagan helps with scheduling, staff relations and new hire Onboarding.

She enjoys being a part of the AKUC family and working for "such a rewarding and team oriented company". As a true Texas girl she has a passion for country music, Mexican food and spending as much time as possible with her family and friends.

Rachelle has been a pediatric nurse since 1998. She received her Bachelors in Nursing from Baylor University. Her background includes the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Newborn Nursery, and most recently a nurse in a private pediatric practice before coming to Acute Kids in 2010. She is the Nurse Manager for the Flower Mound location. Rachelle loves the Acute Kids environment because of the high energy and fun each shift provides. The patients are so appreciative of the care we give to their children in a fast and convenient manner. Rachelle loves working with children because they constantly surprise her. They say exactly what is on their mind without a filter which can be quite entertaining and, at times, humbling. It's wonderful having a career that I feel can truly make a difference in someone's day.

Rachelle is married and a mother of three children and two blond labs. With work and family there isn't much time left over for hobbies, but if she can steal some time for herself she enjoys movies, music, and cooking

Sherry has worked in the medical billing field for over twenty-three years and prides herself on being able to help customers understand the confusing world of insurance and benefits. Sherry joined Acute Kids Care in 2006 as a Billing Specialist and Office Manager. Today she is our Director of Billing Operations, overseeing some 5,000 patient accounts each month. "I try to be available as much as possible to assist parents with their billing and coverage questions — that's just being a part of our great customer care culture here at AKUC." Sherry is an avid gardener. Along with husband Darren and son Ryan, she enjoys getting together as much as possible with her large extended family.

Sunshine began an emergency room nursing career in 2005, where she quickly learned that she had a passion for caring for kids. In 2006, she began focusing on pediatric emergency care. Sunshine has been with Acute Kids since 2007, as a staff RN, Allen Nurse Manager, Educator, and now Director of Nursing. She is also an Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course instructor. When Sunshine is not caring for sick kiddos or the Acute Kids staff, she can be found cheering on her own kids, Andrew and Caitlyn, at one of their various activities.

"I feel like I have been given a gift to make kids and parents feel more comfortable and at ease when dealing with medical illness or injuries. I just hope that I can make kids smile half as much as they make me smile!"