Welcome to Kent Pediatrics
We are delighted that you have chosen us to care for your children to keep them healthy. Our mission is to provide comprehensive pediatric care for your children by being a medical home for your family. In addition to assessing your child’s progress and development as they grow, we can provide immunizations, discuss nutrition, safety, and disease prevention, as well as answer any questions you may have during each visit. We can also provide medical care and take of your children when they’re sick.
You can trust us as your medical home. Our records include information about medications, allergies, and health issues. Before taking your child to a hospital or emergency room, please give us a call first! We frequently have the answers you’re looking for to answer your questions, which will save you time and money when you see our providers for consistent follow-up care.
All of our doctors at Kent Pediatrics share similar practice standards and philosophies, so we encourage you to get to know everyone on staff to select a doctor who meets your needs. If you have a preference, you can plan an appointment with a certain doctor, particularly if you do so far in advance. Obviously, this can be more challenging for appointments for sick visits, but we will do our best to accommodate your request.
Our Physicians:
Dr. Janette Morin Sims
Dr. Sims received her undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and her Medical degree from Michigan State College of Human Medicine. She completed her pediatric residency at Helen Devos Children’s Hospital. Dr. Sims is a board-certified pediatrician and a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She is a clinical professor of pediatrics at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. She has been practicing at Kent Pediatrics since 1995. She grew up in Alto Michigan. She is married with three young adult children. She enjoys, gardening, reading, and yoga.
Dr. Gary VanDyken
Gary VanDyken received his undergraduate degree from Calvin College where he played on the golf team. He went to Medical school at Wayne State University. He did his residency at Butterworth Hospital and is a board-certified pediatrician and a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. He is also an associate clinical professor at Michigan State University. He and his wife, Kent Pediatrics nurse Sandy, have 5 grown children. He enjoys golf and is currently working on running a marathon in every state!
Dr. Carissa Chase
Dr. Chase grew up in the upper peninsula of Michigan and received her undergraduate degree from Northern Michigan University. She completed her medical education at Wayne State University in Detroit and her pediatric residency at the University of Arizona in Tucson. She worked for a community health center in Tucson for 4 years before moving to Grand Rapids in June 2015. She started practicing at Kent Pediatrics in September of 2015. Dr. Chase is board-certified in pediatrics and is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Chase spends her free time with her husband and three young children. She enjoys reading, traveling, and running half marathons.
Dr. Joanne Peterson
Dr. Peterson grew up in Grand Rapids and graduated from Calvin College and the University of Michigan Medical School. She returned to West Michigan to do her pediatrics residency at DeVos Children’s Hospital. She then worked as a staff pediatrician at Cherry Street Health Services for 5 years before joining Kent Pediatrics in 2007. Dr. Peterson is board-certified in Pediatrics, and she is an Associate Clinical Professor at MSU College of Human Medicine, teaching medical students and residents in the office setting. Dr. Peterson is married and has two school-age daughters. She enjoys volunteering with their school and church activities. She also enjoys reading, knitting, and golfing.
Your Kent Pediatric Physicians!
