Meet our team at Canterbury Pediatrics! Please take a few moments to learn about our skilled practitioners and our friendly, nurturing staff.
At Canterbury Pediatrics, we consider it both a great joy and responsibility to care for children. We all are parents ourselves, so we strive to be understanding and available to the families we are privileged to serve. We are honored that you have chosen us as your child’s primary medical provider and are confident that you will be pleased with the quality of care and service that we can provide you and your family.
A vital part of our service to children begins with our outstanding staff who works hard to manage and maintain a professional, caring and supportive environment for our patient in a timely manner. Our doctors are lifelong learners. Not only have they received advanced medical training in pediatrics, they continually pursue ongoing education to stay abreast of the latest in child health care.
Your child’s health is as important to us as it is to you. We look forward to providing you with excellent pediatric care.
Dr. Marilyn Smith is an exceptionally skilled pediatrician who strives each day to treat her patients with optimal care. She has a vast
fund of knowledge in pediatric medicine and has been a pediatrician for over 20 years. Dr. Marilyn received her Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Yale University and then earned her MD at the University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine. She completed her residency training at Yale New Haven Hospital and is Board Certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. In 1999, Dr. Marilyn was selected as Top Doctor by Connecticut Magazine and again in 2006 by New York Magazine. She more recently received a Patients’ Choice recognition's award. Dr. Marilyn has a cheerful personality that puts her patients and families at ease. She truly enjoys what she does.
John Tsalapatanis, M.D., F.A.A.P.
Dr. John Tsalapatanis is an experienced, Board Certified Pediatrician who has dedicated his life to keeping his patients healthy and happy. Dr. John graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Fairfield University. He received his Doctor of Medicine Degree from Ross University School of Medicine in Dominica, West Indies and trained in pediatrics at Overlook Hospital in Summit, NJ. In his third year of residency training, he served as Chief Resident. Having been a pediatrician for over 20 years, it’s no surprise that Dr. John has grown a special bond with his patients making the visit to the doctor an enjoyable experience. Child care is not solely an occupation; it is a living that Dr. John pursues with a passion.
Gretchen Carlin, A.P.R.N., I.B.C.L.C.
Gretchen is a Board Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. She loves working with children of all ages but has a special passion for providing breastfeeding support. She is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and has been providing breastfeeding support for more than 4 years . Gretchen graduated from the United States Military Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Geography. After six years as an Army Officer, she switched careers and earned a Master's of Science in Nursing from Boston College. During her time at Boston College, she had clinical placements at Boston Children's Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital as well as several independent Pediatric Primary Care practices. Gretchen aims to build strong relationships with families to foster each child's growth, development and health.
Jane Donnelly, A.P.R.N.
Jane is a Board Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. Jane received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Quinnipiac University and has worked as a registered nurse for over 10 years. She obtained her Master's of Public Health from Southern Connecticut University and her Master's of Science in Nursing from Yale University. Jane's young children motivate her to bring evidence-based medicine and practice in an easy to understand style to children of all ages.
Chelsea Gallagher, A.P.R.N.
Chelsea is board certificated with the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. She received her Bachelor's of Science in Nursing from Quinnipiac University in 2010, and her Masters of Science in Nursing from Southern Connecticut State University in 2018. Chelsea worked as a pediatric nurse at Yale New Haven Hospital for 9 years and as a pediatric APRN in Naugatuck, CT for 4 years. Chelsea is passionate about providing quality, comprehensive care to her patients and families. She takes pride in advocating for her patients' individual healthcare needs.
