Meet the leader of our child + adolescent psychiatry fellowship

Dr. Sharma leads a fellowship program built on teamwork, personal growth, and the highest standards of clinical care. She oversees the day-to-day operations and serves as a primary mentor, providing fellows with a strong foundation to thrive. With a passion for medical education, wellness, and preparing the next generation of child psychiatrists, Dr. Sharma ensures fellows are equipped to make a lasting impact in the lives of children, adolescents, and families while building meaningful and rewarding careers.

Neha Sharma, DO
Chief, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Program Director, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship
 

Clinical training in child + adolescent psychiatry in Boston

Our fellowship gives hands-on experience in many settings. Fellows work in inpatient units, outpatient clinics and consult-liaison services. Early rotations focus on helping kids in crisis and learning how to diagnose and treat mental health issues. Outpatient care continues through the fellowship, with chances to provide therapy and manage medications.

Fellows also work closely with teams at Tufts Medical Center to care for children and teens in hospitals and the community. This helps them learn how to handle different types of cases.

Teaching is an important part of the program. Our fellows:

• Lead child psychiatry lessons for adult psychiatry residents
• Help first-year medical students in small group discussions
• Teach medical students on consultation-liaison rotations
• Supervise adult psychiatry residents during emergency department visits for young patients

On-call duties happen about once a week, every 6 to 8 weeks. Fellows cover the psychiatric emergency team and pediatric consult-liaison service from home during this time.

The program also focuses on wellness and building community. Fellows take part in quarterly retreats to relax and connect. Weekly lunches give fellows a chance to meet, share and support each other.

Start your fellowship journey in child psychiatry at Tufts Medical Center

The Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at Tufts Medical Center is a two-year ACGME-accredited program based in Boston. We train future leaders in pediatric mental health through a mix of clinical rotations, structured learning and one-on-one mentorship. Our fellows work in inpatient, outpatient and consult-liaison settings, developing the skills to care for children, teens and families with a wide range of mental health needs.

Fellows learn alongside experienced faculty in a collaborative, supportive environment. Our program includes weekly didactics, journal clubs, case conferences and interdisciplinary teaching with specialties like developmental-behavioral pediatrics and pediatric neurology.

With a focus on hands-on experience and academic growth, our fellowship prepares graduates to thrive in clinical practice, academic medicine or leadership roles in child and adolescent psychiatry.

Where our developmental-behavioral pediatrics fellows go next

Graduates of the Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Fellowship at Tufts Medical Center have gone on to meaningful careers in academic medicine, clinical care, advocacy, and leadership across the country. Many have stayed active in teaching and research, while others have taken on roles that shape policy and systems of care for children with developmental and behavioral needs.

Whether they choose academic centers, community-based programs, or hybrid roles, our alumni share a strong foundation in interdisciplinary care and a commitment to advancing the health and well-being of children and families.

Proud of their success + the impact they continue to make in the field

Alumni 2023
Irmina Stec, DO: Irmina is passionate about her role as educator and mentor to her community in Illinois. She is particularly interested in bringing support to families who have not previously had much access to DBP care. She is currently working with the Advocate Children’s Medical Group in Park Ridge, IL. Her research interests include work on sexuality and relationship education projects for teens with autism.

Alumni 2022
Cristina Bird Collado, MD: Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Tufts Medicine, Boston, MA

Cristina M. Bird Collado graduated from Universidad Central del Caribe School of Medicine and completed her residency in General Pediatrics at San Juan City Hospital in San Juan, Puerto Rico in 2018.  Dr. Bird Collado has always been passionate about providing care to underserved communities. In doing so, she recognized the need to integrate healthcare into community settings. After completing her pediatric residency, Dr. Bird Collado completed a research fellowship, supporting pediatric residents on the development and implementation of their projects. Dr. Bird Collado is enthusiastic about helping children with special needs in her community receive the medical care they need to achieve their potential. Her research interests include early identification of autism and other developmental disorders, and the promotion of bilingualism in Latin communities.

Alumni 2021
Deanna Lau, DO: (2021): Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics, Providence Medical Grp Santa Roada, CA

SDBP Abstract Presentation SDBP: Accoication of Comorbid Disorders on Timely Receipt of Autism Diagnosis

Deanna Lau completed her residency in General Pediatrics at Coney Island Hospital and State University of New York Downstate. Prior to attending medical school at Touro University, California, she served as a research coordinator for participants in studies using web-based testing to establish the relation between symptom profiles regarding attention and cognitive testing scores along with heritability estimates for working memory and response inhibition at the University of California Los Angeles Semel Institute. While there, she also helped create an online knowledge base and assessment development project on Autism Spectrum Disorders. During her Pediatrics Residency, she worked with her Program Director to successfully attain a New York State Office of Mental Health grant to implement Healthy Steps, a model of delivering primary care which seeks to address adverse childhood experiences and improve developmental outcomes within the Pediatrics Clinic. Dr. Lau is passionate about state and national advocacy for policies to help children with special needs reach their potential and providing care for medically complex children. Her research interests include addressing cultural barriers within Asian communities in seeking appropriate diagnosis and care for children with developmental delay and Autism Spectrum Disorders screening tools.

Alumni 2020
Aseel Al Jadiri, MD (2020):

Assistant Professor of Pediatrics; Institute for Child Development; HMH Hackensack University Medical Center, Hackensack, NJ

Al-Jadiry AM, Al-Jadiri A. Autism from Leo Kanner to ICD-11 and DSM-5. Arab Journal of Psychiatry. 2019: 31(2): 100-114

Al-Jadiry AM, Al-Jadiri A. Neurodevelopmental Disorders and the Role of Pharmacotherapy: Review and Update. Arab Journal of Psychiatry. 2020; 32(1): 1-16.

Al-Jadiri A, Tybor DJ, Mulé C, Sakai C. Factors Associated with Resilience in Families of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. J Devel Behav Pediatr. 2020; 42(1): 16-22

Alumni 2018
Kathleen Pitterle, DO (2018)

Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Nemours/Dupont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE
Pitterle K, Sakai C, Mulé C. "Comparing Flourishing between children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Asthma." Poster at the Society of Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics Annual Meeting. 2017; Cleveland, OH.

Amel Al Awami, MD (2018)
Developmental Behavioral Pediatrician, Johns Hopkins ARAMCO Healthcare, Saudi Arabia

Alawami AH, Perrin EC, Sakai C. Implementation of M-CHAT Screening for Autism in Primary Care in Saudi Arabia. Glob Pediatr Health. 2019 May 31;6:2333794X19852021

Alumni 2017
Bibiana Restrepo, MD (2017)
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, MIND Institute, UC Davis, California

Diemer M, Restrepo B, Perrin E, Sheldrick R, Garfinkel D, Bevan S. "Increased costs of identifying developmental-behavioral problems in non-English speaking families." Poster at the Society of Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics Annual Meeting. 2017; Cleveland OH.
Alumni 2016:

A. Stacie Colwell, MD, PhD (2016)
Pediatric Palliative Care, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Alumni 2015
Carmina Erdei, MD (Combined Fellowship in Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics and Newborn Medicine, 2015):
Lead Physician, Growth and Development Unit, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Instructor in Pediatrics, Harvard University Medical School
Fellowship Publications:

C Erdei: Infectious Behavior: Brain-Immune Connections in Autism, Schizophrenia, and Depression, Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics: Volume 34 (5): 374, 2013 (Book Review)

C Erdei and O Dammann: The Perfect Storm: Preterm Birth, Neurodevelopmental Mechanisms, and Autism Causation. Perspectives in Biology and Medicine 57 (4): 470-481, 2014 (10.1353/pbm.2014.0036)

Alumni 2014
Christina Sakai, MD (2014)

Developmental Behavioral Pediatrician, Center for Children with Special Needs, Tufts Medical Center; Assistant Professor, Tufts University School of Medicine
 

Fellowship Publications/Presentations: 

Sakai C, Mackie TI, Shetgiri R, Franzen S, Partap A, Flores G, Leslie LK. Mental Health Beliefs and Barriers to Accessing Mental Health Services in Youth Aging Out of Foster Care. Acad Pediatr. 2014 Nov;14(6):565-573.

Sakai C, Miller K, Brussa AK, MacPherson C, Augustyn M. Challenges of autism in the inpatient setting. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2014;35(1):82-84.

Sakai C, Tavel-Gelrud D, Choueiri R. "How Do Latino Families Perceive Autism Diagnosis and Management? Experiences of Early Intervention Providers." Poster at the Society for Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics Annual Meeting, September 22, 2014; Nashville, TN and at Pediatric Academic Societies Annual Meeting, May 3, 2014; Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Sheryl Levy, MD (2014)
Developmental Behavioral Pediatrician, Center for Children with Special Needs, Tufts Medical Center; Assistant Professor, Tufts University School of Medicine
Fellowship Publications:

Levy, S, Hill, E, McKay, K, Sheldrick RC, Perrin EC. Co-located mental health/developmental care. Clinical Pediatrics, 56 (11): 1023-1031, 2017

Alumni 2009-2011
Nicola Smith, MD (2011):
Developmental Behavioral Pediatrician, Child and Adolescent Health, Cohasset, MA
 

Fellowship Publications:  
Smith NK, Sheldrick RC, and Perrin EC. (2012). An Abbreviated Screening instrument for autism spectrum disorders. Infant Mental Health Journal. DOI: 10.1002/imhj.21356.

Catherine Davis, MD (2009): Developmental Behavioral Pediatrician, Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates, Burlington, MA
Fellowship Publications:

C  Davis, M Claudius, L Palinkas, J Wong, L Leslie: Putting Families in the Center: Family Perspectives on Decision Making and ADHD and Implications for ADHD Care. J Attention Disorders: Volume: 16 (8): 675-684, 2011.

Paige Church, MD
Director, Neonatal Follow Up Clinic, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada
Fellowship Publications:

Multicenter Collaboration with many authors, including Paige Church: Video and CD-ROM as a Training Tool for Performing Neurologic Examinations of 1-Year-Old Children in a Multicenter Epidemiologic Study: J. Child Neurology: 20 (10): 829-831, 2005

Deb Shipman, MD
Developmental Behavioral Pediatrician, Reliant Health, Massachusetts
Fellowship Publications:

Shipman DL, Sheldrick RC, Perrin EC. Quality of life in adolescents with autism spectrum disorders: reliability and validity of self-reports. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2011 Feb-Mar; 32(2):85-9.

Sheldrick, R.C., Neger, E., Shipman, D., Perrin, E.C. (2011). Quality of life of adolescents with autism spectrum disorders: Concordance among adolescents' self-reports, parents' reports and parents' proxy reports. Quality of Life Research, 21(1), 53-57. DOI: 10.1007/s11136-011-9916-5; PMID 21505880.

Meet our current developmental-behavioral pediatrics fellows

Our fellows bring diverse backgrounds, interests and experiences to the Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics rotation at Tufts Medical Center. They contribute to a rich learning environment and play an important role in teaching and advocacy alongside our faculty.

Developmental-behavioral pediatrics rotation for pediatric + family medicine residents

The Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics rotation at Tufts Medical Center offers interdisciplinary services that are child- and family-centered. Assessments are comprehensive, evaluating the whole child with attention to strengths, weaknesses and the child’s role within family, peer group, school and community.

The CCSN provides clinical care and advocacy for children with developmental, behavioral and emotional challenges that affect growth, learning and social functioning.

Detailed information about this experience is available on the Pediatric Residency Program and Family Medicine Residency Program webpages.

Why is developmental-behavioral pediatrics an important rotation?

One in five children has a special healthcare need, and development and behavior are relevant to all children. Yet many pediatricians feel under-trained to identify and manage these challenges. As a primary care provider, you’ll play a central role in:

• Monitoring developmental and behavioral progress
• Identifying and addressing concerns
• Connecting families with services
• Advocating for children across settings

While developmental-behavioral pediatricians are available for consultation, you’ll remain the primary source of care and coordination for most children, especially those with special needs.

Why this rotation matters

• The Pediatrics Residency Review Committee (RRC) requires all pediatric residents to complete at least one month of DBP training. At Tufts Medical Center, this is a 4-week intern year rotation.
• Family Medicine residents at Tufts Medical Center complete a 2-week elective, created in recognition of DBP’s importance in primary care.

What to expect

During your DBP rotation, you'll gain real-world experience and tools to use throughout your residency and career. The rotation includes:

• Participation in interdisciplinary patient evaluations
• Discussions with clinicians about real cases
• Self-directed learning (readings, videos, and modules)
• Quizzes (pre-test and post-test)
• Field experiences (e.g., Early Intervention, child care centers, schools)
• Written and/or creative assignments to help you apply and reflect on what you’ve learned
• Protected time during some weekdays for independent work

Our goal

By the end of the rotation, you’ll be better prepared to recognize, manage and support developmental and behavioral needs with confidence—whether in the clinic, emergency department, inpatient unit or community practice.

Educational conferences + seminars in developmental-behavioral pediatrics

Fellows in the Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Fellowship at Tufts Medical Center take part in a robust schedule of seminars, conferences and interprofessional discussions designed to deepen clinical knowledge, strengthen research skills, and foster leadership in neurodevelopmental care. These learning opportunities are carefully aligned with ACGME competencies and support both professional growth and career advancement.

Weekly conferences

• Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics (DBP) Fellow Seminar Series: Core didactics covering essential topics in DBP
• Clinician meetings (CCSN): Case-based discussions and clinical updates
• Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND): Participated in during the 2nd or 3rd year

Monthly conferences

• Neurobehavioral Conference: A joint case conference with DBP and Child Psychiatry. Each DBP fellow presents annually. Sessions support ACGME competencies, including patient care, medical knowledge, communication, professionalism and systems-based practice
• Research Seminar Series: Focuses on scholarly work, critical thinking and methodology

Quarterly academic forums

• Journal Club (Critically Appraised Topic): Fellows present and evaluate peer-reviewed research using critical appraisal methods. This supports competencies in evidence-based practice, biostatistics and communication
• Works in Progress: Fellows share and refine their scholarly projects throughout the stages of development with feedback from faculty and peers

These regular academic experiences help fellows build the knowledge, leadership and research skills needed to become experts and advocates in developmental-behavioral pediatrics.