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"Dr. Portela is a doctor that talks to you and LISTENS.
She makes you feel like you are dealing with family. Dr. Portela is understanding, caring and takes her time with you. She communicates very well with the patients (kids and teenagers) along with their parents. My teenager trusts her and feels very comfortable with her which says a lot!
"I love Dr. Portela! She's the best pediatrician my children ever had.
The only thing I don't like is that she only sees children. I want her to be MY doctor!"
- Maria S.
"Dr. Portela is great with my kids. She's always friendly and energetic.
She never pushes anything on us. We have been backed-tracked on my son's vaccines because of insurance issues, but she was super helpful and even recommended waiting until we resolved it. She has never has judged us for our parenting decisions. She's very personable and makes you feel like family, while also being very professional.
- Giancarlos S
Meet Our Founders
Dr. Paola Portela, MD
Dr. Portela is a board-certified pediatrician and Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics with nearly two decades of experience caring for children and families.
She earned her Bachelor of Science from Northeastern Illinois University, graduated with honors from Ross University School of Medicine, and completed her pediatric residency at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She also holds a Master’s in Healthcare Administration from National Louis University.
As former Chief Medical Officer of a Chicago community health center, Dr. Portela cared for children in high-need communities while advocating for thoughtful, accessible pediatric care. Her clinical interests include newborn care, childhood obesity, nutrition, and asthma and allergy management.
Born in Colombia and raised in Chicago, Dr. Portela brings a multicultural lens to medicine and provides care in both English and Spanish. Now relocating to Thompson’s Station with her teenage daughter, she looks forward to bringing her experience and heart-centered care to families across Middle Tennessee.
Founder & chief Medical Director
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Denise Gonzalez
Denise brings over two decades of experience in public health and community-based healthcare leadership. She spent 13 years with the Chicago Department of Public Health before advancing into executive roles at Angel Harvey Family Health Center (IWS), where she ultimately served as Chief Operating Officer.
Throughout her career, Denise has focused on strengthening healthcare systems to better serve families, leading large community health centers with over 20,000 annual patient visits. With a strong background in health information technology and operational strategy, she is passionate about building efficient, patient-centered environments that support both families and the teams who care for them.
Now relocating to Thompson’s Station to be closer to her eight grandchildren, Denise looks forward to helping build a pediatric practice rooted in community, accessibility, and long-term growth across Middle Tennessee.
Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer
Routine visits centered on truly knowing your child, tracking growth, development, and vaccinations while creating space for questions, guidance, and proactive care that supports confident, healthy childhood through every stage.
Well-Child & Preventive Care (Ages 0–21)
Those early days deserve extra gentleness. Our newborn and infant visits support feeding, sleep, and growth while helping parents feel confident through guidance, reassurance, and attentive care during this meaningful first year.
Newborn & Infant Care
When your child isn’t feeling their best, we provide timely and thoughtful care with clear answers and compassionate support, helping families navigate illness with reassurance, attentiveness, and treatment focused on comfort and recovery.
Sick Visits & Acute Care
Comprehensive exams designed to keep kids active, safe, and ready for school, sports, camps, and activities, ensuring required forms are completed while providing personalized guidance on injury prevention and overall wellness.
Sports & School Physicals
Age-appropriate milestone assessments that monitor physical, cognitive, and social development, helping identify concerns early while offering reassurance, guidance, and referrals that support each child’s unique growth journey.
Developmental Screenings
Supportive screenings for anxiety, depression, and emotional wellbeing that create space for honest conversations, helping identify concerns early while guiding families toward resources and care that nurture confidence and resilience.
Mental & Emotional Wellness Screenings
