Dr. Maria Childers-Reed

Atracare is a medical home for families, with Maria Childers-Reed, MD, steering a collaborative urgent care and pediatric practice that is a “one stop shop,” soon to include a pharmacy. Additionally, the responsive medical office provides walk-in care seven days a week with extended hours, mental health service and telehealth visits.

“When families come here, they leave with an understanding of their child’s condition or their health concerns — we try to leave no stone unturned and answer all of their questions,” Dr. Childers-Reed says.

Unlike traditional office settings, if patients require bloodwork or X-rays, those services are provided on site so there’s no running around. “I can see you for your cough, order an X-ray before you leave the office, and have a diagnosis during the visit,” Dr. Childers-Reed says. “I love this practice because it is all-inclusive.”

Based in Lewes, where Dr. Childers-Reed is a member of the community, Atracare has grown since she joined the practice in 2020. Since its inception, the pediatric department has grown to include two pediatricians and two nurse practitioners, and the office will continue expansion to ensure patients receive accessible, quality care — and the genuine time they deserve.

The Best Pediatrician in Sussex County for three years running knew she wanted to be a pediatrician when she was young, likely an impact from growing up in a medical family (her father a surgeon and her mother a nurse). “I grew up loving kids and the medical conversations we had as a family — and pediatrics ties it all together,” Dr. Childers-Reed says.

“Kids are amazing,” she adds, expressing admiration for young patients. “They are compassionate, kind, forgiving and, from a medical perspective, they are pretty invincible. It is rewarding to watch them grow.”