About Us
Our Story
Families often endure year-long waits for diagnoses, showing the urgent need for improved support in developmental care. This has been a long-standing issue nationwide.
Dr. Julie Wiggins noticed a gap in developmental services while seeking help for someone close to her. After years of writing and planning and receiving her doctorate from Mass General , she founded Eastern Shore Developmental Clinic. Her doctorate focused on how to reduce wait times below state and national averages.
The clinic was founded (in 2013) as the first of its kind to offer expedited diagnostic services for infants and children with developmental differences while still maintaining a high standard of care. Patients receive a history, physical exam, and diagnostic tests based on the clinical question. They are either referred back for medication management or managed by the clinic, depending on the referring provider’s preference.
Starting with a single provider and staff member, the clinic addressed an unmet need in South Alabama. It has now expanded to include multiple providers who has served thousands of patients and families across southern Alabama. What has been viewed and discussed as a model for a “scalable clinic” should be able to serve more infants and children with developmental differences nearly anywhere and
improve health outcomes.
The clinic’s story was submitted to the Journal of the American Academy of
Pediatrics for publication.
Our Team
Dr. Julie Wiggins, DNP PNP PMHS
Dr. Julie Wiggins received her doctorate from Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. She has specific training there and in other centers evaluating children with developmental disabilities. She established Eastern Shore Developmental Clinic where her clinical focus is evaluating young children with developmental differences. She is certified in behavior disorders and specifically in autism spectrum disorders with co-morbid mental health issues. Dr. Wiggins is an adjunct assistant professor of Psychiatry at the University of South Alabama. Dr. Wiggins research focus is in improving timely access for children in rural communities with suspected disabilities.
Stephanie Landry, CRNP
Stephanie Landry is a Certified Registered Family Nurse Practitioner. After completing her undergraduate degree in Nursing at Auburn University, she moved back to the Eastern Shore where she worked in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit as a nurse. Stephanie simultaneously attended the University of South Alabama where she obtained her Masters in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner. After graduation, she began working as a nurse practitioner for USA Pediatric Neurology where she evaluated and treated patients with epilepsy, cerebral palsy, autism, headaches, and a wide variety of other neurologic and genetic conditions. Stephanie began working for Eastern Shore Developmental Clinic in 2016. She has been trained in administering the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule. Stephanie’s clinical interest is focused on the evaluation of pediatric patients with autism, ADHD and neurological developmental delays.
Joanna Moody, LICSW PIP
Joanna Palmer Moody is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with her Private Independent Practice approval. Joanna obtained her Bachelor of Social Work from Troy University in 2005 and her Master of Social Work from the University of Alabama in 2008. Joanna brings a unique perspective to the clinic with 15 years of practicing in the clinical field of Social Work and collaborating with numerous community agencies. She has experience providing case management services to children and adults, emergency preparedness during a natural disaster and working in the adoption field. She received training in administering the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule and Cognitive Behavior Therapy. Joanna serves as Clinic Coordinator and provides developmental screenings during the evaluation process. Joanna’s clinical interest is with pediatric patients with a particular focus on neglected cognitive abilities in children with high functioning autism.
Rebecca Farrar Roberts, FNP-G
Rebecca Farrar Roberts is a Graduate Family Nurse Practitioner. Rebecca began working at Eastern Shore Developmental Clinic in 2016. Mrs. Roberts has since obtained here degree in Nursing from The University of Alabama in 2018 and her Family Nurse Practitioner from Auburn University. Mrs. Roberts has worked with children for nine years and is thrilled to continue to be able to work in the pediatric population. Currently, her clinical interest is focused on infant and toddler development with emphasis on identifying cognitive, language and motor delays. She is a master clinician giving the Infant Toddler Bayley and is currently teaching others how to notice even the most subtle delays in infants and children.
Graduate Student Psychology – Administrative Assistant
Whitney Adkinson
Patient Services/Medical Assistant
