Matthew D. Samarel,
M.D., FAAP

Dr. Samarel graduated from Tufts University School of Medicine in 1988, and completed a three year residency in Pediatrics at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, PA, followed by a one year pediatric cardiology fellowship at Children's National Medical Center in Washington, DC. He worked the following 8 years as a pediatric hospitalist at Newton-Wellesley Hospital in Newton, MA, the latter 4 of these he served as Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics. After practicing primary care pediatrics in Weston, MA and Fort Mill, SC, Dr. Samarel was eager to practice pediatrics in the community in which he resides and established Kids First Pediatrics in the Ballantyne area of Charlotte in 2002. He is the father of 3 boys, Ethan, Jeremy, and Brandon.

Elissa R. Levine,
M.D., FAAP

Dr. Levine graduated from Princeton University in 1994 before attending Boston University School of Medicine. Dr. Levine completed her pediatric residency at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, Florida in 2001. She was then in private practice in Miami for a year before traveling to New Zealand for additional training in respiratory medicine and developmental pediatrics, where she managed a Pediatric Emergency Room. Dr. Levine relocated to Charlotte in 2003. She enjoys gardening, baking and spending time with her husband, Joshua and their daughters Talia and Sasha.

Holly Smith,
M.D.

Dr. Smith graduated from Harvard Medical School in 1986 and completed her pediatric residency at Yale-New Haven Hospital in Connecticut in 1990. She was in private practice for 13 years in St. Paul, Minnesota before relocating to Charlotte. When Dr. Smith is not working she enjoys gardening, attending the theatre, and spending time with her husband Patrick and daughter Gillian.

Jennifer W. Lassiter,
M.D., FAAP

Dr. Lassiter attended Auburn University and graduated from the University of Alabama Medical School. She completed her residency and Chief Residency in pediatrics at the University of Florida, College of Medicine. Dr. Lassiter previously worked as a Clinical Instructor for The Department of Pediatrics at The University of Maryland College of Medicine and as a Pediatric Hospitalist at the Greater Baltimore Medical Center. She has been working in private practice since 2003 in Huntsville, Alabama and most recently in Charlotte, NC. Dr. Lassiter lives in Matthews and enjoys running and spending time outside with her husband, Lance and their three children.

Gina come to Kids First direct from the Syracuse NY area. She brings with her over seven years of direct pediatric care experience. In addition, Gina has had experience in geriatrics, adults and phlebotomy. When she is not working she is enjoying exploring Charlotte with her husband, Tony and her four kids.

Lori comes to Kids First with over 12 years of pediatric office experience. Lori graduated with an associate degree in medical assisting from Kings College in Charlotte, in 1992. When Lori isn't working she enjoys spending her time shopping, reading playing with her bulldog Ike and her nephew Ryder.

Susan comes to Kids First with a variety of different jobs after graduating from Central Piedmont Community College in 1995 with a degree in medical assisting. Most recently Susan worked in the pediatric neurology field at local neurology practice. She also brings with her experience in general pediatrics, dialysis and obstetrics and gynecology. Susan loves to travel and also spending time with her son and husband

Rachel joins Kids First after receiving her bachelors degree in health communication from The University Of North Carolina at Charlotte. While at school Rachel completed an internship and was able to study abroad in Edinburgh, Scotland. She also worked over four years at a local retailer in the customer service and human resource departments. When Rachel isn't working she enjoys reading, biking and whitewater rafting.