{"id":6,"date":"2016-11-07T04:04:52","date_gmt":"2016-11-07T04:04:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/staging.ashevillepediatrics.com\/?page_id=6"},"modified":"2025-08-27T17:41:13","modified_gmt":"2025-08-27T17:41:13","slug":"about","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ashevillepediatrics.com\/index.php\/about\/","title":{"rendered":"About"},"content":{"rendered":"

Asheville’s First Pediatric Office!<\/span><\/div><\/h2><\/div>

We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year! We have an incredibly qualified and experienced staff as well as, m<\/span>any in-house services in partnership with qualified facilities, ensures our patients never have to go far to get the care they need.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>

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Asheville Pediatrics is a physician owned practice in WNC that strives to improve the lives of their patients through a collaborative approach with an advanced care team. Our physicians see patients that are only hours old, while in the hospital at Mission Hospital until they are 21 years old. Our in-house behavioral health provider, moderately complex lab, and extended access to care and knowledgeable triage advice allows our practice to meet patients\u2019 various needs.<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Our History<\/b><\/h3>\n

Dr. William McGuffin opened his doors to what would become Asheville Pediatrics, in 1938. As more pediatricians moved to the Asheville area, Asheville Pediatric Associates was formally established in 1970 by Dr. McGuffin, Dr. Thomas Readling and Dr. Richard Rogers. The practice moved from downtown Asheville, into its current location in 2007. Our practice has grown and adapted to the needs of the community by providing an unwavering commitment to providing cutting-edge pediatric care in a compassionate and child-friendly environment.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Our Doctors<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
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Dr. Calvin Tomkins<\/span><\/h4>\n

Dr. Tomkins studied civil engineering at Cornell University, but then decided to pursue pediatrics and attended New York Medical College and trained at Montefiore Children\u2019s Hospital in the Bronx. In 2008, he escaped from New York and moved to Asheville, to join Asheville Pediatrics. After providing office based care for several years, Dr. Tomkins pursued interests in population health and regional quality improvement, founding the WNC Pediatric Care Collaborative, earning a Master\u2019s of Healthcare Administration from UNC Chapel Hill, and serving as Assistant Medical Director for Mission Health Partners. He is now delighted to be back full time taking care of kids at Asheville Pediatrics, and is accepting new patients. When out of the office, he can be found enjoying the outdoors with his son and friends. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Dr. Eleanor Martin<\/span><\/h4>\n

Born in Baltimore, MD, Dr. Martin grew up playing on her parent\u2019s small farm and singing and performing in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. After her family\u2019s move to rural Minnesota, she attended Concordia College, where she received her BA degree with a double major in Music and Russian Studies and a double minor in Biology and Chemistry. Tired of the bitter cold winters, Dr. Martin moved to New Orleans where she earned her Medical Degree from Tulane University School of Medicine. She completed her Pediatric Residency training and a year as Chief Resident at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, DC. In her last year of training, Dr. Martin visited Asheville for a family event and fell in love with the area. She was thrilled to join Asheville Pediatric Associates in 2008. In her free time, Dr. Martin continues to pursue her passion for singing with various local groups and spends as much time as possible in her garden, hiking, or conquering DIY projects, while raising three teenagers.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Dr. Peter Leimena
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Dr. Peter Leimena graduated from the University of Oregon with a Bachelor’s degree in History. He then completed his Master’s degree in Public Health with a concentration in Global Health and his Medical degree at The George Washington University. Dr. Leimena completed his pediatric residency at NY Presbyterian\/ Cornell in New York City. After moving to Asheville in 2014, Dr. Leimena was thrilled to join Asheville Pediatric Associates. With his wife and two children, Dr. Leimena loves spending time outside hiking and exploring WNC. He can often be found coaching his children\u2019s sports teams or reading a history book. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Dr. Leigh Dodson<\/span><\/h4>\n

Dr. <\/span>Dodson<\/span>‘s journey in medicine began at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, where she earned both her undergraduate and medical degrees. Following her passion for pediatric care, she completed her residency at Kosair Children’s Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky, honing her skills and knowledge in providing exceptional healthcare for children. It was easy to make Asheville her new home when she received the opportunity to join Asheville Pediatric Associates in 2001. Outside of her professional endeavors, Dr. <\/span>Dodson<\/span> finds joy in exploring the great outdoors and partaking in the array of outdoor sports and activities that the mountains and foothills have to offer. Family is at the heart of Dr. <\/span>Dodson<\/span>‘s life, and she cherishes the time spent with her husband and three sons. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Dr. Susan Cohen<\/span><\/h4>\n
Dr. Cohen graduated from the University of Cincinnati\u2019s College-Conservatory of Music with a Bachelor\u2019s Degree in Music Performance. She then moved to North Carolina, completing medical school and her pediatric residency at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She joined Asheville Pediatrics in 1991 and has been happily serving families and children of WNC since. She\u2019s the proud mother of twin daughters and loves hiking and cycling.<\/span><\/div>\n

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Dr. Kristina Beardsley<\/h4>\n
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Dr. Kristina Beardsley happily put down roots in Asheville in 2018, after living in San Francisco for 7 years. She is originally from West Virginia and went to medical school at Marshall University, where she realized that being a pediatrician was her dream job. After completing pediatric residency at West Virginia University, she began her journey of providing compassionate pediatric care. Her practice style is warm and nurturing, and she enjoys involving children in ways to improve their health and wellness. Drawing on 15 years of pediatric experience and the most up to date guidelines she provides comprehensive care to children of all ages. She takes pride in truly listening to families and never underestimates a parent\u2019s intuition! <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Amanda Mojave<\/span><\/h4>\n
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Amanda Mojave holds a Master\u2019s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Antioch University New England. She is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) in the state of North Carolina. Amanda brings a decade of experience working with youth and adolescents to her practice. She is trauma-informed and specializes in a client-centered approach. She is dedicated to working younger populations, including children with ADHD and autism, as well as those dealing with anxiety, depression, attachment issues, trauma and general life stressors.<\/span><\/p>\n

Amanda believes in addressing both the challenges and strengths of her clients. Her approach emphasizes building trust and taking the time to get to know each client personally. This foundation helps to inform the most appropriate therapy modality and treatment path. <\/p>\n

In her free time, Amanda enjoys spending time outdoors with her family, which includes her two dogs.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Amanda will begin taking patients in September 2024.<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Our Doctors<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
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Dr. Calvin Tomkins<\/span><\/h4>\n

Dr. Tomkins traded civil engineering for pediatrics and never looked back! After years in population health and quality improvement, he\u2019s thrilled to be back full-time caring for kids. Outside the office, he\u2019s usually out adventuring with his son and friends.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Dr. Eleanor Martin<\/span><\/h4>\n

A singer, gardener, and DIY enthusiast, Dr. Martin has called Asheville home since 2008. She traded Minnesota winters for Tulane\u2019s med school and trained at Georgetown before falling in love with the mountains. When she\u2019s not caring for kids, she\u2019s hiking, performing, or keeping up with her three teenagers.
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Dr. Peter Leimena
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Dr. Leimena has been caring for Asheville kids since 2014, bringing a passion for global health and family-centered care. He loves exploring the outdoors with his wife and kids and coaching their sports teams. When he\u2019s not on the field or the trails, he\u2019s probably reading a great book.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Dr. Leigh Dodson<\/span><\/h4>\n

A Tar Heel through and through, Dr. Dodson has been caring for Asheville families since 2001. She loves the outdoors and takes full advantage of the mountains with her husband and three sons. Whether she\u2019s on the trails or in the office, she\u2019s all about keeping kids happy and healthy!<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Dr. Susan Cohen<\/span><\/h4>\n

From music to medicine, Dr. Cohen\u2019s journey led her to UNC Chapel Hill and then to Asheville Pediatrics in 1991. She\u2019s a proud mom of twin daughters and an avid hiker and cyclist. Catch her outdoors or in the office, always bringing warmth and care to local families.
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Dr. Kristina Beardsley<\/span><\/h4>\n

A West Virginia native, Dr. Beardsley knew pediatrics was her calling. She landed in Asheville in 2018 after years in San Francisco and loves helping kids take charge of their health. A great listener and trusted partner to parents, she brings 15+ years of experience to every visit.
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Amanda Mojave<\/span><\/h4>\n

Amanda is a trauma-informed therapist with a heart for helping kids and teens navigate life\u2019s challenges. She specializes in ADHD, autism, anxiety, and more, using a client-centered approach that builds trust. When she\u2019s not in the office, she\u2019s out exploring with her two dogs. Amanda is now accepting patients!
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If you have any questions about us, please reach out!<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Contact Us<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"100-width.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-6","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\nAbout - Asheville Pediatric Associates<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn about our compassionate team and our commitment to children's health at Asheville Pediatrics. 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