Our Professional Staff
Karen Patashny, MD
Dr. Karen Patashny is board certified in pediatrics and is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Born and raised in Long Island, New York, Dr. Patashny earned her bachelor of arts degree from the State University of New York at Binghamton. She received her medical degree from the State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center, and completed her residency at North Shore University Medical Hospital-Cornell University Medical College. Dr. Patashny joined Advocare West Morris Pediatrics in 1988. Married with twins, her interests include reading and travel.
Michael Peters, DO
Dr. Michael Peters is board certified in pediatrics and is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Peters was born in Philadelphia and raised throughout the world as an army dependent. He graduated from Drexel University and earned his medical degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry at New Jersey (UMDNJ) School of Osteopathic Medicine. After spending one year as a rotating intern at Atlantic City Medical Center, he completed his pediatric residency at Morristown Memorial Hospital. He joined Advocare West Morris Pediatrics in 1993. Dr. Peters is married and has two children. A licensed pilot, he enjoys flying, cooking, and auto mechanics.
Barbara Strand, MD
Dr. Barbara Strand is board certified in pediatrics and is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Born and raised in South Plainfield, New Jersey, Dr. Strand earned her bachelor's degree from Douglass College and received her doctorate of medicine degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. She completed her residency at Babies Hospital, Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center. Dr Strand joined Advocare West Morris Pediatrics in 1988. She is married and has two sons, and enjoys tennis, skiing, and volleyball.
Susheela Thomas, MD
Dr. Susheela Thomas is board certified in pediatrics and is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She graduated from Bombay University's prestigious T. N. Medical College and B. Y. L. Nair Hospital in 1979, where she was awarded the P. F. Soonawala and Dr. A. L. Nair and M. Venkatrao Prize for having achieved the highest scores in the field of medicine. Pursuing advanced credentials in children's health, Dr. Thomas earned a Diploma in Child Health (DCH) designation from Bombay University in 1984.
Working as a pediatric consultant in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 1984-1987, Dr. Thomas was responsible for developing pediatric ambulatory clinics and the neonatal nursery for the Ministry of Health's Hospital in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia. Returning to Bombay, she completed her pediatric boards in 1989. After moving to the U.S, in 1992 Dr. Thomas completed a second pediatric residency at New York's Mt. Sinai-Elmhurst Hospital Center.
Prior to joining Advocare West Morris Pediatrics in 1999, Dr. Thomas directed pediatric ambulatory services at Overlook Hospital in Summit, New Jersey. As Director of Ambulatory Pediatrics, she was instrumental in obtaining the Hospital's Pediatric Health Start certification and in setting up the pediatric outpatient clinic for training pediatric residents at Overlook Hospital and third year medical students from Columbia University. Dr. Thomas is married and has one daughter. She enjoys reading and traveling.
Nurse Practitioners
Our pediatric nurse practitioners (PNPs) are a vital part of our medical staff, working with our physicians and providing a broad range of primary health care services. PNPs are registered nurses who have earned a master's degree in a qualified PNP program and acquired clinical skills in child health care. PNPs are certified to perform physical examinations and developmental assessments, and may treat common chronic illnesses for children, from birth through adolescence. Our PNP's, Heidi Davis, Maureen Torchia, and Michele Davide, enjoy building warm relationships with our patients and becoming your partner in caring for your children.