THE OPA TEAM

 

James C. Gant

MD, FAAP

Dr. Gant founded Onslow Pediatric Associates in 1988 after serving 5 years in the US Air Force. His medical school training was at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas. His residency in Pediatrics was at the esteemed program at Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center in San Antonio, Tx. Dr. Gant is married with 3 children and 10 grandchildren. He has children with ADHD, Learning Disabilities, Asthma, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Eczema and has a grandson with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Through his training and personal family experiences, he has become highly adept at the treatment of these disorders as well as many others.

Dr. Gant is board certified in pediatrics and is currently on staff at the medical schools of Wake Forest University, East Carolina University, and UNC Chapel Hill, where his responsibilities include teaching medical students at all levels. His chief goal is to provide up-to-date, patient centered quality care to all patients and parents in a friendly and loving environment where the children feel that we care for them as individuals. Dr. Gant enjoys hunting, fishing, playing the trumpet and other musical instruments, singing in church choir, and attending Enon Chapel Baptist church where he is a member. Dr. Gant is currently on staff at Onslow Memorial Hospital.

Danielle Heaps

NP, PPCNP-BC, PMHS

Danielle Heaps is board certified as both, a pediatric nurse practitioner and a pediatric primary care mental health specialist. She has over 20 years experience as a pediatric nurse practitioner. Danielle has greatly enjoyed working in all areas of pediatrics over the years. However, she has found her niche in helping children and teens with behavioral health concerns. She loves seeing the positive changes that occur in children’s lives from proper diagnosis, treatment, and management of emotional distress or pain. She specializes in treating Autism, ADHD, Anxiety, Depression, Bipolar, Tourette’s, and other behavioral concerns.Danielle was born in Philadelphia and grew us in South Jersey. She has practiced in Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Utah. She received her Master of Science in Nursing from Rutgers University. Danielle joined Onslow Pediatrics in March 2020. She is happy to be back on the east coast and living by the water. She loves spending time with her young adult kids, husband, and two dogs. She enjoys boating, kayaking, interior design, and cooking.

Karen Laird

FNP-C

Karen is a Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner. She has 27 years combined experience as an RN and FNP-C. Originally from Florida she landed in Texas via the military and received her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas at Austin. While in Texas, she worked in a Pediatric clinic where she developed her passion for asthma management, skin disorders, and adolescent medicine. She especially likes working with infants and watching them grow and develop. She recently relocated to Wilmington, NC with her husband and two dogs, and together, they have 5 grown children. She enjoys traveling, sitting on the beach, restoring furniture, and walking the dogs with her husband.

Arlene Taylor

PA-C

 

Arlene is a board certified Physician Assistant (PA-C). Arlene is from Ohio where she graduated from the University of Mount Union with a masters in Physician Assistant Studies in August of 2020 witha 3.9 GPA. Prior to that she attended Baldwin Wallace University graduating with a bachelors of science degree and minor in neuroscience. After graduating she moved down to North Carolina where her husband is a first lieutenant in the Marine Corps. She started with Onslow Pediatrics in January 2021. Arlene has a passion for the pediatric population with interests in neurology, asthma and childhood obesity. Arlene lives with her husband, son (with baby number 2 on the way), 2 dogs Tito and Tucker, and 2 cats Taz and Teeka. She enjoys visits back to Ohio to see her family, hiking, going to the beach, and spontaneous adventures!

Deanna Hinkle

NP, PPCNP-BC

Deanna has over 13 years of experience as a pediatric nurse practitioner and registered nurse. She is from West Virginia, where she obtained her Master of Science in Nursing degree at West Virginia University. Deanna’s primary background as an RN was in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit where her passion for treating pediatrics began. Deanna worked for a pediatric primary care clinic in WV until moving to Wilmington, NC in 2017. She has continued her role as a PNP in NC and started with Onslow Pediatrics in January 2021. Deanna has a passion for childhood nutrition, treating asthma, feeding difficulties in infants, and working with NICU graduates. Deanna lives with her husband, daughter, and Golden Retriever Yeti. She enjoys going to the beach, coastal and off-shore fishing, scuba diving, and living at the beach!