Kids Creek Children’s Clinic Providers

Our providers at Kids Creek Children’s Clinic are dedicated to the health and well being of children and families. In addition to caring for patients in our clinic, our physicians have hospital privileges at Munson Medical Center. Hospital care is provided in the Family Birth Center, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and West 3 Pediatric unit. Dr. Eldredge and Dr. Cynthia Smith also serve patients on select days at Kalkaska Memorial Health Center’s Rural Health Clinic. All of our physicians are Board Certified by the American Board of Pediatrics, as well as active Fellows with the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (PNPs) serve as pediatric health care providers for well and ill children of all ages. Our PNPs perform physical exams, provide developmental and wellness guidance to families, as well as diagnose and treat common and chronic childhood illnesses. They have received advanced graduate nursing education in the specialty of pediatrics, along with nurse practitioner certification through the nationally recognized Pediatric Nursing Certification Board.

The physicians and nurse practitioners at Kids Creek Children’s Clinic work in collaboration to provide your child with quality pediatric care.

Michael Eldredge, MD, FAAP BS: Michigan State University MS: University of Wisconsin Doctor of Medicine: Wayne State University Dr. Eldredge has been at Kids Creek Children’s Clinic since 1979, practicing with the clinic’s original founder Dr. Johnston for several years. After completion of medical school, Dr. Eldredge completed his Pediatric Residency through Wayne State University at the Children’s Hospital of Michigan. He is an active member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Association, Michigan State Medical Society, and Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society. Along with general pediatrics, Dr. Eldredge has expertise in the treatment of Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorders and related conditions. He is married with two adult daughters and enjoys reading, biking, tennis, and kayaking.

Cynthia Smith, MD, FAAP BA: University of Michigan Doctor of Medicine: University of Michigan Dr. Cynthia Smith has been on staff at Kids Creek Children’s Clinic since 1992 and practices at both Kids Creek and Kalkaska Memorial’s Rural Health Clinic. After medical school, she continued at the University of Michigan to complete her training through the Pediatric Residency program at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. Dr. Smith provides general pediatric care to children of all ages, including adolescents and patients with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and other mental health issues. She is married with three adolescent children and enjoys being active outdoors in every Northern Michigan season.

Karla Smith, MD, FAAP BS: Ball State University Doctor of Medicine: Indiana University School of Medicine Dr. Karla has been practicing at Kids Creek Children’s Clinic since 1994. Her medical training includes both a Pediatric Residency and Fellowship in Pediatric Pulmonology at James Whitcomb Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University. In addition to being board certified in Pediatrics, she has also earned certification through the American Board of Pediatrics, Sub-Board of Pediatric Pulmonology from 1992-2006. Dr. Karla cares for many of our areas’ children with pediatric lung disease. Married with one school aged son, she enjoys outdoor sports, gardening, and cooking.

Jennifer Schell, DO, FAAP, FACOP BA: Health Science Kalamazoo College Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine: Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine Dr. Schell joined Kids Creek Children’s Clinic in 2001. She completed her Pediatric Residency at St. John’s Hospital and Medical Center in Detroit, Michigan. Prior to relocating to Traverse City, Dr. Schell worked in private practice in the Detroit area and was a member of the teaching faculty at St. John’s Hospital. She is an active member of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Osteopathic Pediatricians. Her clinical interests include nutrition and obesity prevention, parenting, and behavioral issues. Dr. Schell is married and a mother to 3 school age children. She is active in our community, serving on several TCAPS committees, the Great Lakes Children Museum Board of Trustees, and the Governor’s Board at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa. Dr Schell enjoys reading, crossword puzzles, and boating with family and friends.

Luann Labian, MD, FAAP BS: Michigan State University Doctor of Medicine: Wayne State University Dr. Labian joined our practice in August 2008. Raised in southeast Michigan, Dr. Labian received her undergraduate degree from Michigan State University and her medical degree from Wayne State University. After completing her Pediatric Residency at Columbus Children's Hospital through Ohio State University, Dr Labian moved on to practice in Cleveland, OH, Minneapolis, MN, and Princeton, NJ. She recently moved home to Michigan and is happy to be back! Dr. Labian brings with her over 18 years of pediatric experience and expertise in adolescent health and nutrition. She is the mother of 3 adolescent daughters and enjoys the outdoors.

Sarah Mulder, MD, FAAP BS: Grand Valley State University Doctor of Medicine: Michigan State University Dr. Mulder will be joining Kids Creek Children’s Clinic in the summer of 2009. She completed her pediatric residency at the Children’s Hospital Cleveland Clinic in 2008 and is happy to be returning to Michigan with her family. She is an active member of the American Academy of Pediatrics and has special interests in international child health and community pediatrics. Dr. Mulder recently became a new mother! Her interests include long distance running, camping, hiking, and growing orchids. She is accepting new patients.

Cathy Dilts Carter, RN, MSN, CPNP BSN: Vanderbilt University MS: University of Michigan Cathy has been a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner at Kids Creek Children’s Clinic for over 20 years! She is an active Fellow in the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) and member of the Michigan NAPNAP chapter. Cathy cares for children of all ages and has a special interest in Adolescent Health. Married and a mother of two teenage children, Cathy volunteers with various athletic programs at Traverse City West Junior and Senior High Schools. She also enjoys walking, reading, and gardening.

Karen Wagner, RN, MSN, CPNP BSN: Northern Michigan University MSN: Marquette University Karen has over 20 years of experience in pediatric nursing and has been certified as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner since 2000. In addition to seeing patients in the clinic, Karen also coordinates staff and patient education activities, as well as special clinical projects (such as this website!). She is an active Fellow in the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) and member of the Michigan NAPNAP chapter. Karen is a wife, mother of two school age children, Girl Scout leader, State Theatre volunteer, and enjoys cooking, reading, and bicycling.