Our Team

Meet the doctors, pediatric nurses, and staff that make each patient’s experience with Chapel Hill Pediatrics and Adolescents a positive one! The members of our team are committed to providing a high standard of medical service in a caring environment. We get to know you and your child and do our best to make you feel comfortable and at ease.

Go ahead and get acquainted with the pediatric healthcare professionals that make up the expert team at Chapel Hill Pediatrics and Adolescents:

Primary Care Providers & Pediatricians

The following is a list of our providers. Chapel Hill Pediatrics and Adolescents is proud to have a team of 13 board-certified pediatricians that are experienced, educated — and above all, care about their patients. View the bios below to get to know our providers and learn more about their specialties, medical education, and professional affiliations.

Chapel Hill Location

Christiana K. Akwari, MD, MA

In Practice Since 2019

Dr. Christiana Akwari was born and raised in Durham, North Carolina. She attended the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, CA as a double major in French and Communication graduating with honors. Her work as a legislative assistant in the New York State Assembly together with her interest in languages took her next to The George Washington University Elliot School of International Affairs where she concentrated her masters on US Foreign Policy and security. After spending two years as business manager in the Curriculum in International Affairs, now the Curriculum in Global Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her interest in medicine arose at that time due to the absence of direct and personal impact and relationships.

Dr. Akwari attended the University of Virginia’s Post Baccalaureate pre-medical program to fulfill medical school prerequisites, then, attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine. She completed her pediatric residency at University of Washington/Seattle Children’s Hospital in Seattle, Washington.

Following residency, Dr. Akwari worked for a private pediatric practice in Clayton, NC. She joined Chapel Hill Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine in May 2023.

Her clinical interests include: newborn care, nutritional counseling and teen counseling. In her spare time, Dr. Akwari enjoys, running, weightlifting, indoor cycling, reading, hiking national parks, finding the perfect cinnamon roll (in moderation, of course), and cheering for Duke (even if she did go to UNC for medical school).

Undergraduate Education: BA French, BA Communication, The University of Southern California, 2000-2004.

Graduate Education: MA International Affairs, The George Washington University, Elliot School of International Affairs 2006-2008.

Post Baccalaureate: Pre-Medical Program, University of Virginia, 2011.

Medical Education: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Medical School, 2012-2016.

Residency: University of Washington/Seattle Children’s Hospital, 2016-2019.

Board Certifications: General Pediatrics

Mary F. Braithwaite, MD, MPH

Charles D. Johnson, MD

Kathy A. Merritt, MD

Christopher Morton, MD

Walker Robinson, MD, MPH

In Practice Since 2013

Dr. Robinson grew up and spent much of his life in central North Carolina. He attended Duke University in Durham, NC where he was a history major with a minor in music. After completing a Masters of Arts in Teaching degree from Duke, he taught history for several years in boarding schools around the Philadelphia, PA area. He is a 2009 graduate of the Duke University School of Medicine and completed his pediatrics residency at Duke University Hospital in 2012. While in medical school, Dr. Robinson also completed a Masters of Public Health degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In residency, he won the prestigious Stockman award given by the Duke Pediatrics faculty for excellence in teaching by a pediatrics resident. He completed a fellowship in Pediatric Sports Medicine at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio during the 2012-13 year.

Dr. Robinson is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Medical Society of Sports Medicine. Professionally, he is interested in providing well-rounded pediatric care to his local community, particularly emphasizing the teenage athlete and his or her growth and development. In his free time, he enjoys basketball (Go Duke!), playing pickleball, reading, and singing with local choirs.

Undergraduate Education: History, Bachelor of Arts – Duke University
Medical Education: Medical Doctor – Duke University School of Medicine
Residency: Categorical Pediatrics – Duke University
Fellowship: Pediatric Sports Medicine – Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio

Affiliations: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, American College of Sports Medicine, American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, North Carolina Pediatric Society, North Carolina Medical Society, Durham-Orange County Medical Society

M. Lynn Silkstone, MD

Jennifer Singleton, MD

George Stablein, MD

In Practice Since 2020

Dr. George Stablein was born and raised in Southwestern Pennsylvania. He attended Allegheny College in Meadville, PA, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Neuroscience and Psychology. He moved on to medical school in Central Pennsylvania, earning his MD in 2007 from Penn State University College of Medicine where he met his wife, in their medical student a capella singing group.

Upon graduation from medical school, Dr. Stablein moved to Boston, MA, completing a pediatrics residency at The Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center in 2010. Following the birth of their first child in Boston, Dr. Stablein and his wife moved with their new daughter to the Greater Charleston, WV area, where he worked as a pediatrician and the Clinical Coordinator of School-Based Health at a Federally Qualified Health Center in the area. It was there where Dr. Stablein believes his love of primary care pediatrics grew tremendously.

Following these five years and the birth of their second child, Dr. Stablein and his wife (and kids) joined Maryknoll Lay Missioners, serving as medical missionaries for 3.5 years in Mwanza, Tanzania. Dr. Stablein rounded in the Children’s Ward and Maternity/Newborn Ward of a small mission hospital, and he served as a consultant for children with special needs, such as hydrocephalus, spina bifida, cerebral palsy, autism, etc. Dr. Stablein looks at this time as one of tremendous personal and professional growth for which he is very grateful.

Dr. Stablein loves general pediatrics as a whole, and he particularly enjoys working with children and adolescents regarding their development and mental health, and increasing access to medical and mental health care.

He enjoys running, hiking, singing, and amateur digital photography and exploring the area with his wife and kids.

Undergraduate Education: Allegheny College, Meadville, PA. BS Neuroscience and Psychology 1999-2003.
Medical Education: Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine. MD 2003-2007.
Residency: Pediatrics—Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center. 2007-2010.
Board Certifications: General Pediatrics

Durham Location

Mary Cooley, MD

Andrea M. Dunk, MD

Shruti Nagaraj, MD, MPH

Scot Woodrum, MD

Pediatric Nurses & Lab Technicians

The clinical staff of Chapel Hill Pediatrics is always on-hand to provide additional services and help to our patients. Our clinical staff includes a team of pediatric nurses, as well as our on-site medical lab technicians.

Marilyn H., RN

Clinical Nurse Manager

Margaret, RN

Advice Nurse

Shannon W

Laboratory Supervisor

Practice Management & Care Coordinators

We have our wonderful administrators to thank for Chapel Hill Pediatrics and Adolescents running so smoothly! All of our administrative staff is committed to making each patient’s experience at Chapel Hill Pediatrics positive.

Kelly Sozio, MBA, BSN, RN

Practice Administrator

Latrecia Brown

Office Manager

Jacqueline K. Powell

Billing Manager