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Kate E. Wallis, MD, MPH, is a board-certified developmental & behavioral pediatrician who takes care of children in the Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, and in the Cardiac Kids Developmental Program. She specializes in treating children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and congenital heart disease. Her research is focused on screening and diagnosing children with potential developmental delays.
Dr. Wallis developed her interest in working with children when she was still in high school. At the time, she worked at a camp for children with developmental disabilities. “I loved meeting the campers and their families, learning about their conditions, and seeing the progress they made each summer during their time at camp. I knew then that I wanted to work with children with developmental disabilities,” she says.
As she pursued her education, she became interested in the field of developmental-behavioral pediatrics. “I love that my field lets me think about what makes kids kids: how they learn, develop, play, and interact with others. Now, I get to play with really cool kids every day at work!” Dr. Wallis says.
She says she feels a particular connection to kids who have ASD or heart disease. “Families of these kids are often seeking answers and help, and I feel like I have something unique to offer them. I may not always have all of the answers to every question I am asked, but I aim to take every question and concern seriously to try to help families gain the understanding that they seek. Families should know that I go home and think about my patients, worry about them, and hope that the care that I provide them helps in some small way.”
Dr. Wallis is optimistic about how treatment for ASD in particular is evolving. “We are learning more about autism spectrum disorder every day—not as quickly as some families would like—but we are constantly making progress in our understanding of autism,” she says. “I am excited to see how the field changes, as new technologies are developed to help identify children with autism, and as treatments advance to provide more options to help kids and adults.”
Dr. Wallis earned a Master’s in Public Health and her medical degree from SUNY Stony Brook University School of Medicine in Stony Brook, New York. She continued her training with a residency in pediatrics at New York University School of Medicine, New York; and fellowships in Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics and Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND), both at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Wallis is an instructor at the CHOP Policy Lab and the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. She has published frequently, primarily on the topics of ASD and developmental delays.
Dr. Wallis’ research interests focus on the process by which children are first identified as having potential developmental delays and how that process impacts different demographic groups. “Pediatricians provide screening for autism and other developmental issues, but the process is still imperfect, and many children are missed,” she says. “In particular, children of color, low-income children, and girls tend to be diagnosed later. My research focuses on understanding how we can improve the process of screening to more equitably identify children at a younger age to help them access services as early as possible.”
MD - SUNY Stony Brook University School of Medicine, Stony Brook, NY
Pediatrics - New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics - Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) - Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics – American Board of PediatricsPediatrics – American Board of Pediatrics
MPH - SUNY Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Developmental Pediatrician
Instructor, CHOP Policy Lab
Instructor of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania
Kate E. Wallis, MD, MPH and Elliott M. Weiss, MD, MSME: Distinguishing Primary and Secondary Early Intervention Programs: Implications for Families, Clinicians, and Policy-Makers. American Journal of Bioethics 18(11): 65-67, November 2018.
Wallis K.E., Blum, N.J., Waryasz, S.A., Augustyn, M. (February 2018) Bilateral Cochlear Implants: Maximizing Expected Outcomes. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. 39:177–179.
Udhnani, M., Wallis, K.E., Bennett, A., Miller, J.S., Augustyn, M., Feinberg, E.: Sociodemographic predictors of M-CHAT responses among children who screened positive. International Society for Autism Research, Montreal, Canada. 2019.
Wallis, K.E., Guthrie, W., Bennett, A., Gerdes, M., Levy, S.E., Mandell, D.S., Miller, J.,: Predictors of Early Intervention Services Prior to Positive Screen for Autism Spectrum Disorder in Young Children. International Society for Autism Research, Montreal, Canada. May 2019.
Mathieu, I., Wallis, K.E., LaMonte, A., Japa, I., Cordero, R., Lowenthal, E., Steenhoff, A. : Early childhood developmental delay in Consuelo, Dominican Republic: A study of parental beliefs and early educational practices. AAP National Conference and Exhibition: Orlando, FL. October 2018.
Wallis, K.E., Guthrie, W., Miller, J., Bennett, A., Gerdes, M., Fleming, K., Pandey, J., Levy, S.E., Mandell, D.: Referral Rates after Failed Screening for Autism Spectrum Disorder in Toddlers in a Large Primary Care Network. Pediatric Academic Society 2018 Meeting: Toronto, Canada. May 2018.
Wallis, K.E., Guthrie, W., Miller, J., Bennett, A., Gerdes, M., Fleming, K., Pandey, J., Levy, S.E., Mandell, D.: Referral Rates after Failed Screening for Autism Spectrum Disorder in Toddlers in a Large Primary Care Network. Academic Pediatric Association Regional Meeting: Philadelphia, PA. March 2018.
Mathieu, I., Wallis, K.E., LaMonte, A., Japa, I., Cordero, R., Lowenthal, E., Steenhoff, A.: The risk of early childhood developmental delay in Consuelo, Dominican Republic: A literature review and project proposal. The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Global Health Conference: Philadelphia, PA. October 2017.
Brennan, M., Wallis, K.E., Pinto-Martin, J. (2016). The Epidemiology of Autism Spectrum Disorder: Prevalence and Risk Factors. In E. Giarelli and K. Fisher (Eds.). Integrated Health Care for People with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Interdisciplinary Planning and Delivery of Care, Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas Publisher, Ltd, pp. 23-44.
Fischel, J.E., Wallis, K.E. (2014). Enuresis and Encopresis: The Elimination Disorders. In M. Lewis and K.D. Rudolph (Eds.). Handbook of Developmental Psychopathology (3rd Edition), New York: Springer Science+Business Media, pp. 631-648.
Wallis, K.E., Guthrie, W., Bennett, A., Gerdes, M., Levy, S.E., Mandell, D.S., Miller, J.,: Predictors of Early Intervention Services Prior to Positive Screen for Autism Spectrum Disorder in Young Children. International Society for Autism Research, Montreal, Canada. May 2019.
Filipczak, A. Wallis, K.E., Yun, K. : Interpretation Needs and Resources at Pennsylvania Hospitals. Poster, University of Pennsylvania Health Equity Week: Philadelphia, PA. April 2019.
Egbe, T. Wallis, K.E., Passarella, M., Lorch, S.A., Montoya-Williams, D.: Risk of stratified preterm births by maternal nativity: Evidence against an Immigrant Paradox. Poster, University of Pennsylvania Health Equity Week: Philadelphia, PA. April 2019.
Udhnani, M., Wallis, K.E., Bennett, A., Miller, J.S., Augustyn, M., Feinberg, E.: Sociodemographic predictors of M-CHAT responses among children who screened positive. International Society for Autism Research, Montreal, Canada. 2019.
Mathieu, I., Wallis, K.E., LaMonte, A., Japa, I., Cordero, R., Lowenthal, E., Steenhoff, A. : Early childhood developmental delay in Consuelo, Dominican Republic: A study of parental beliefs and early educational practices. AAP National Conference and Exhibition: Orlando, FL. October 2018.
Mathieu, I., Wallis, K.E., LaMonte, A., Japa, I., Cordero, R., Lowenthal, E., Steenhoff, A. (October 6, 2017) The risk of early childhood developmental delay in Consuelo, Dominican Republic: A literature review and project proposal. The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Global Health Conference: Philadelphia, PA.
Wallis, K.E., Guthrie, W., Bennett, A., Gerdes, M., Levy, S.E., Mandell, D.S., Miller, J., (Platform Presentation, April 28, 2019) Predictors of Early Intervention Services Prior to Positive Screen for Autism Spectrum Disorder in Young Children. Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting, Baltimore, MD. Apr, 2019.
Wallis, K.E. Presenter, "Immigration policy and developmental-behavioral implications for latinx children." Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting, Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics and Culture, Ethnicity and Health Special Interests Groups, April 28, 2019. Apr, 2019.
Wallis, K.E., Elci, O., Lee, T.T., Levy, S.E., Mandell, D.S. (Platform Presentation, April 28, 2019). Doctor-Parent Communication in Primary Care: Talking about Young Children's Development. Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting, Baltimore, MD. Apr, 2019.
Wallis KE. "Disparities in Screening for Autism Spectrum Disorder in Toddlers in a Large Primary Care Network." SDBP Annual Meeting Poster Symposium: Anaheim, CA. Sep, 2018.
Wallis KE. "Toddler Development." Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellows Didactic Session. Sep, 2018.
Wallis KE. "Disparities in Screening for Autism Spectrum Disorder in Toddlers in a Large Primary Care Network." Center for Autism Research, Science Meeting. Aug, 2018.
Wallis KE. Presenter, "The Importance of Neurodevelopment in Cardiac Children: How We Can Support Our Children and Maximize Development." YL Hearts. July 16, 2018. Jul, 2018.
Wallis KE. Lecturer, "Immigrant Medical and Dental Health: Challenges and Local Solutions." University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. April 21, 2018. Apr, 2018.
Wallis KE. Lecturer, "Immigrant Health and Health Care: Challenges and Local Solutions." University of Pennsylvania Center for Public Health Initiatives, Brown Bag Lunch. March 14, 2018. Mar, 2018.
Wallis KE. Lecturer, Child Development and Common Developmental Disorders. Philadelphia Community Health Workers. February 21, 2018.
Wallis KE. Lecturer, Immigrant Health and Health Care: Challenges and Local Solutions. University of Pennsylvania undergraduates, urban health networks course. February 21, 2018.
Wallis KE. Lecturer, Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics for Primary Care Providers: A Primer. CHOP resident lecture. Monthly (May 2017- present).
Wallis KE. Lecturer, Toddler Development. Philadelphia WIC Program. April 11, 2017.
Wallis KE. Lecturer, Toddlers: Development and Behaviors. Parent-Child Home Program. January 13, 2017.
Wallis KE. Presenter, Quality Improvement Lecture Series, Works-in-Progress: Identifying and Addressing Overweight/Obesity in Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics. November 15, 2016.
Wallis KE. Presenter, Journal Club: Anti-depressants and Pediatric Anxiety. The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. November 7, 2016.
Wallis KE. Presenter, Case Conference: Overweight and Obesity in Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics. The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. August 1, 2016
Wallis KE. Lecturer, Developmental Screening for Autism Spectrum Disorder. Greater Philadelphia Health Action, Inc. December 7, 2015 and March 4, 2016.
Wallis KE. Participant, Interdisciplinary Case Conference: LEND. February 8, 2016.
Wallis KE. Presenter, Journal Club: Autism Spectrum Disorder and Gender Dysphoria. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. February 1, 2016.
Wallis KE. Presenter, Case Conference: Guiding Families after a Terrorist Event. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. January 4, 2016.
2019, Excellence in Research, APA Research Scholars Program
2018, Scholar, Society of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Research Scholars Program
2018, Best Housestaff Abstract, University of Pennsylvania Health Equity Week
2017, Scholar, National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD), Health Disparities Research Institute
2017, Academic Pediatrics Association Bright Futures Young Investigator Awardee
2016-present, Academic Pediatrics Association Research Scholars Program
2012, Gold Foundation for Humanism in Medicine Honor Society
2012, NV Kurup Memorial Altruism Award
2012, MD with Recognition in the Humanities
2007, Rose Award
2007, Society of the College Prize
2007, Health and Societies Thesis Prize
2007, Distinction in Health and Societies, University of Pennsylvania
2007, Magna Cum Laude, University of Pennsylvania
2006-2007, Dean’s List, University of Pennsylvania
2005, Association of Alumnae Scholars, Rosemary D. Mazzatenta Award
2018-present, Society of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics
2015-present, Academic Pediatrics Association
2012-present, American Academy of Pediatrics