Why choose us?
Dr. Deneta (Howland) Sells created Intown Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine in 2006 to provide warm, friendly, and excellent care for the growing population of in-town families. The practice started in a charming Grant Park bungalow, but quickly outgrew the space. In December 2009, Intown Pediatrics relocated to a brand-new, larger space in Glenwood Park, just around the corner from its original location. The continued growth of Intown Pediatrics made it essential to add other locations. In May 2017 we opened our Brookhaven facility and in April 2022 we opened our Decatur facility, to further extend our care to our many patients. This significant growth can be attributed to the outstanding healthcare and individualized attention each infant, child and teenager receives at Intown Pediatrics.
Deneta H. Sells, MD, FAAP
Dr. Sells graduated from Harvard College in 1992 with a degree in Sociology. She received her medical degree from the University Of Tennessee College Of Medicine in 2003, and completed her residency in pediatrics at the Morehouse School of Medicine. Dr. Sells opened Intown Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine in September 2006.
Dr. Sells’ personal philosophy is to be a true “neighborhood” doctor: involved in community activities, offering convenient appointment times and after-hours advice. She is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics and participates in the Section on Early Childhood Education & Childcare as well as the Section on Complementary, Holistic & Integrative Medicine.
Dr. Sells lives in Druid Hills with her husband Bryan, a voting rights and election law attorney and their little girl Sarah Elizabeth. They are big baseball fans; enjoy sampling Atlanta’s great restaurants and going out to hear live music. They can usually be found Sunday mornings at the Flying Biscuit counter in Candler Park.
Fredly Bataille, MD, FAAP
Dr. Bataille graduated from New York University in 2000 with a degree in Anthropology and Biology. Following graduation he received a grant from the National Institutes of Health to do scientific research at Columbia University for three years. He then went on to receive his medical degree from the Morehouse School of Medicine in 2007, where he also completed his Pediatric residency in 2010, training at the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta hospitals/facilities. During his residency Dr. Bataille became well acquainted with the staff and patients at Intown Pediatrics, and in July of 2010 Dr. Bataille officially joined the practice. He is committed to IPAM’s mission of partnering with families to foster the healthy growth and development of Atlanta’s children.
Dr. Bataille strives to be an easily approachable, communicative Pediatrician dedicated to providing comprehensive and informative care of the whole patient. He is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Medical Association.
Dr. Bataille lives in Decatur with his wife Chiquita, a middle school guidance counselor, and their two sons Malachi and Elijah. They love going to festivals and sporting events, as well as exploring Atlanta with their boys.
Rashida Avery, MD, FAAP
Dr. Avery graduated with honors from the Georgia Institute of Technology with a degree in Psychology. She received her medical degree and completed her residency in pediatrics from Morehouse School of Medicine in 2013. It was during her residency at Morehouse where she first became acquainted with Intown Pediatrics. While she completed her weekly continuity clinic under the mentorship of Dr. Sells and Dr. Bataille, Dr. Avery fell in love with pediatrics as a specialty. After residency, Dr. Avery began working in the Grady Health System, where she still works several days a week, upholding Morehouse’s mission of serving the underserved.
Dr. Avery has returned to Intown Pediatrics as a part-time physician and she is ecstatic to be where her love for pediatrics originated!
Dr. Avery lives in Ormewood Park with her husband, Jordache, an Atlanta architect and their 3 beautiful children: sons Jaiden and Jace and daughter, Jordyn. They enjoy family movie nights, traveling, sports, and the foodie adventures that come with living in town.
Alejandro Shepard, MD, MPH, FAAP
Dr. Shepard graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2008 with a degree in Psychology. While working in private equity, he earned his Master of Public Health with a focus in Health Education and Behavioral Science from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (now Rutgers University) in 2012. Subsequently, he obtained his medical degree from the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California in 2016. He completed his pediatric residency at the Morehouse School of Medicine in 2019, which is where he was first introduced to the Intown Pediatrics family. After residency, he served as Chief Resident and as a Clinical Instructor in the Department of Pediatrics at the Morehouse School of Medicine where he worked at both Morehouse Healthcare and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta as a General Pediatrician.
In April 2022, Dr. Shepard officially joined the practice at Intown Pediatrics. He is thrilled to join the team and looks forward to contributing to the culture of excellence in patient care that has been present since its inception. Dr. Shepard is easy-going, attentive, and endeavors to work collaboratively with his patients and their families to provide holistic care. He is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Dr. Shepard lives in Atlanta with his wife Ryan, a food writer and journalist, their precocious daughter Nola, and their two crazy dogs Billie and Hendrix. They love traveling, walking the Beltline, relaxing in their backyard, and enjoying the hospitality scene in the city.
Nina Chegireddy, MD, FAAP
Dr. Nina Chegireddy graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Xavier University of Louisiana, where her academic achievements earned her membership in the Beta Beta Beta Biological honor society. Following graduation, she conducted research at Tulane University Hypertension & Renal Center of Excellence. Dr. Chegireddy attended Morehouse School of Medicine, which is where she was first introduced to Intown Pediatrics. Her experience as a medical student at Intown Pediatrics led her to pursue a career in primary care Pediatrics. Dr. Chegireddy completed her training in Pediatrics in 2017 at Baylor College of Medicine at Texas Children’s Hospital, one of the nation’s best children’s hospitals.
Dr. Chegireddy joined Intown Pediatrics in August 2023. Dr. Chegireddy strives to create a nurturing and inclusive environment for her patients. Dr. Chegireddy’s dedication to serving the diverse needs of children and families ensures that every child under her care receives the attention, support, and medical expertise they deserve to thrive and reach their full potential. Dr. Chegireddy is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Recently, Dr. Chegireddy and her family relocated back from Boston to Atlanta, where she is excited to finally settle with her family. She and her husband, CV, a Plastic Surgeon, live in Atlanta with their two children, Mila and Leo, and a rambunctious, French Bulldog, Buddha. They enjoy spending time outdoors, trying new restaurants, sports, and traveling.
Chris Harbaugh, APRN, CPNP
Chris has been a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner since 2001. She moved from Michigan to Atlanta in 1995 after earning a BA in Psychology and a BS in Nursing from the University of Michigan. She began her nursing career at the Shepherd Center and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite. While gaining invaluable inpatient experience at Children’s, Chris attended graduate school at Georgia State University and received her Master’s degree in Nursing in 2001.
Upon graduation, Chris joined Children’s Center of Digestive Healthcare, a respected and well-known specialty practice for children for gastrointestinal illnesses. She spent four years there, gaining in-depth knowledge about GI disease. Next, she transitioned to a general pediatric practice in McDonough, GA. After finding her niche in general pediatrics, she joined Intown Pediatrics in 2009. It has been an amazing and fulfilling experience to be able to care for the families and children in the community where she lives.
Chris lives in Ormewood Park with her wife Dorea, their two girls, Charlotte and Josie, and their beloved dog Lyla Jane. Josie and Charlotte attend Maynard Jackson High School. Their family enjoys being active, sports, music, movies and the outdoors.
Allie Horne, APRN, CPNP
Allie began her nursing career at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida where she received her BS in Nursing in 2008. After graduation she returned to her hometown of Atlanta and began working as a nurse on the Neurology, Neurosurgery, and General Pediatric floors at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston. She returned to school and obtained her Masters degree in Nursing from Georgia State University in 2011.
Allie joined Intown Pediatrics in 2012. As an Atlanta native, Allie loves the diversity of the city and is grateful to care for the families in all its communities. She chose Primary Care as it gives her the opportunity to establish relationships with families that last through the years. She enjoys raising her own family alongside the families she cares for on a daily basis.
Allie lives in O4W with her husband Brandon and their two daughters Hazel and Maya. They enjoy living in town, biking to Atlanta United games, running the beltline, going to the many Atlanta park festivals and anything outdoors.
Rachel Preston, APRN, CPNP
Rachel Preston joined Intown Pediatrics in September 2016 to provide after hours and extended hours care. In July 2017, Rachel became a full time Intown practitioner and continues to provide excellent care to our patients. Rachel is originally from Mobile, AL. She attended Auburn University, where she obtained her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing in 2007. Rachel began her career in Atlanta as a Registered Nurse on the respiratory, endocrinology and general pediatric floor for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston. During her 7 year career as a full time RN, she obtained a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Rachel loves working with children and their families, especially in areas of her special interests, including asthma, newborn care, and helping families to set goals for a healthy lifestyle. Rachel lives in Atlanta with her husband Rick and their two young children, Cecilia and Leo. As a family, they enjoy taking in the many local Atlanta festivals, cooking, traveling, and spoiling their animals.
Bethany Smith, APRN, FNP
A native Georgian, Bethany is originally from Marietta, GA and a graduate of the University of Alabama, where she received a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing in 2009. Following graduation, Bethany began working on the AFLAC Cancer and Blood Disorders pediatric unit of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Scottish Rite. While there, Bethany earned her Master’s of Science in Nursing from Mercer University in 2015.
Bethany lives in Brookhaven, with her husband Taylor, a commercial real estate broker, and their two young children, Holland and Meyer. Bethany and her family enjoy attending local festivals, dining out, traveling and exploring all of the wonderful attributes of Atlanta.
Bethany is excited to have joined Intown Pediatrics and is delighted that such a progressive practice has expanded to the Brookhaven neighborhood.
Sheena White, PA-C
Sheena White is originally from Jackson, MS and earned her Bachelor of Science in Human Performance and Sports Science in 2007 from TN State University. She then earned her Master of Science in Kinesiology in 2009 from the University of Arkansas. Upon completion of her MS degree, Sheena went on to work at Vanderbilt University Medical Center for 5 years as a Physician Extender in the Sports Medicine & Orthopedic Clinic and as an Athletic Trainer in the Rehabilitation Clinic. Sheena was also the primary medical provider for the Metro Nashville public high schools sports teams. Sheena continued to pursue her education and in 2017 obtained a Master of Medical Science degree from Emory University as a Physician Assistant.
Sheena developed a passion for kids at a young age, as her mom owned a daycare for over 30 years in her hometown of Jackson, MS. Sheena completed her Pediatric Clinical Rotation at Intown Pediatrics and is excited to return to the Intown family and begin her career as Certified Physician Assistant.
Sheena’s special interests include sports medicine and the transitioning of kids from pediatric, to adolescent, to adult healthcare. She enjoys attending sporting events, live theater, music concerts, museums and exploring the many local Atlanta restaurants with friends.
Maria Tolcher, APRN, FNP
Maria is an Atlanta, Georgia native and a graduate of the Medical College of Georgia, where she received a BS in Nursing in 1999. While earning her undergraduate degree, Maria worked as a medical technician at the Shepherd Center specializing in acute care spinal cord rehabilitation.
Maria went on to earn her Masters Degree in Nursing from Georgia State University in 2005. She began her career as a Family Nurse Practitioner, during her work at the Shepherd Center. Maria expanded her FNP experience to include general pediatrics at McDonough Pediatrics. She later received an opportunity to move to Oakland, California, where she practiced at Stanford University in the ICU, then went on to join Clinica la Luna y el Sol. During Maria’s tenure with Clinica la Luna she worked in an outpatient setting serving a Latino population, increasing her proficiency in Spanish. Maria joined Intown Pediatrics in 2014, bringing with her a diverse background in patient care. After a brief hiatus, we were excited to welcome Maria back to the Intown Pediatrics team in Fall of 2022.
She now lives in Decatur, GA with her family and is excited to continue to provide coverage and support her Intown Family, between other endeavors.
Alexis Bent, APRN, CPNP
Alexis is from Montgomery, Alabama, and has been in Atlanta for the last five years. She recently joined Intown Pediatrics in November 2022, but she is familiar with the practice. She completed two clinical rotations with Intown in 2021 for eight months. Alexis felt right at home as soon as she started and is thrilled to officially call Intown home.
Alexis graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from the University of Florida in 2017. She started her nursing career in the Mother/Baby unit at Emory University Hospital at Midtown. She then transferred to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for the last four years, where she continues to work. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2022 with a dual focus on primary care and acute care.
Alexis loves working in primary care because of the long-lasting connections with children and families. Alexis is currently studying to get her Doctorate of Nursing from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Alexis enjoys reading, traveling, exploring ATL, hiking, and music concerts in her free time.