After 25 years of practicing pediatric medicine, Shefali Chheda, MD, FAAP was ready to embark on a new challenge: becoming an adjunct instructor for Logan University’s Master of Science in Chiropractic Pediatrics (MSCP) program.
“In medical training, there is a common phrase: ‘See one, do one, teach one,’” Dr. Chheda said. “First you see something, then you attempt it, and finally, you teach it to someone else. Being able to teach it means you have completely mastered it. After more than two decades working as a pediatrician, I thought it was time to take the next step.”
Dr. Chheda found out about the position at Logan through an online forum and immediately decided to apply.
“Logan seems to genuinely care about its students and makes their education a priority,” Dr. Chheda said.
She began her role in December 2024. Currently, she is teaching Physical Examination of the Pediatric Patient, where students learn to perform a general physical examination with an emphasis on making appropriate adaptations for patient ages and stages of development. They are also taught how to identify normal and abnormal physical examination findings.
“This is right up my alley,” Dr. Chheda said. “At my practice, I perform these exams multiple times every day.”
Dr. Chheda has owned Harmony Pediatrics in Alpharetta, Georgia, for 12 years. She takes a holistic approach to caring for patients to ensure that they maintain optimal health in all ways—body, mind and spirit.
Depending on her patients’ unique needs, Dr. Chheda blends conventional treatments like immunizations and prescription medications with complementary approaches such as nutritional supplements, acupuncture and chiropractic.
“Chiropractors also focus on providing whole health care,” Dr. Chheda said. “They can alleviate pain, improve range of motion and enhance overall mobility, which can be beneficial for many of my patients, especially those who have injured themselves playing sports or involved in an accident.”
Dr. Chheda strives to make genuine connections with all her patients as well as their parents so she can provide the best care possible. She sees many of them from birth until their graduation from high school or college.
“I’ve watched a lot of my patients grow up,” Dr. Chheda said. “They have invited me to birthday celebrations, graduation parties and weddings. It’s gratifying to establish these lifelong bonds.”
Dr. Chheda’s passion for pediatric medicine stemmed from an early interest in biology. She earned her bachelor’s degree in biology at Boston University and her Doctor of Medicine at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.
“In medical school, I made a point of considering all the specialties, but I kept finding myself drawn to pediatrics,” Dr. Chheda said. “I’ve always connected with children and find so much joy in treating them.”
She looks forward to sharing that joy with future health care professionals through her role at Logan.
“It is amazing that Logan is able to offer the MSCP program,” Dr. Chheda said. “You cannot simply take what you have learned about treating adults and apply it to children. There are so many other factors that need to be considered when treating pediatric patients.”
To learn more and apply for the MSCP program, click here.