MUSC Children's Health - James Island

Dr. Merry Jarrard was born and raised in and around Atlanta, GA. She attended the University of Georgia for her biology and nutrition undergraduate studies. Dr. Jarrard then completed medical school at the Medical College of Georgia, where she was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. She then completed her pediatric residency at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC). After training, Dr. Jarrard worked as an Assistant Professor for the UPMC Department of Pediatrics and also served as a newborn hospitalist at UPMC Magee-Women's Hospital until 2022, when she joined our team at Coastal Pediatric Associates. Dr. Jarrard is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Her special interests include newborn medicine and breastfeeding, nutrition and obesity management, and preventative care and wellness. Dr. Jarrard met her husband Howell in medical school, and after they both completed medical training in Pittsburgh, they moved to Charleston. Merry and Howell live on James Island and feel blessed to call this beautiful city their home. In her free time, Dr. Jarrard enjoys going to the beach, cooking, traveling, reading, and taking long walks with her husband and son, Will.

Melissa was born and raised in Houston, Texas, and it was there that she attended the University of Houston for her undergraduate degree. After realizing her calling to medicine, she attended the University of Texas Medical Branch, where she completed her degree and training in Physician Assistant Studies. Melissa comes to us with over 17 years of pediatric experience. Her vast experience has included over eight years of Pediatric Emergency Medicine while at Texas Children's Hospital and MUSC Shawn Jenkin's Children's Hospital. Melissa has over eight years of Pediatric Hematology experience working as the Lead APP of the Hemostasis Clinic at St. Jude Children's Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. In her free time, Melissa loves biking with her teenage daughter, playing with her rescue puppy, Ruby Lou, reading, and traveling.

Catherine is originally from Maryland and has lived in Charleston for several years. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Pediatric Primary Care from the University of Maryland. She worked for 21 years at a pediatric group in Maryland as a Pediatric RN, then as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, before moving to Charleston. Catherine was certified as a Guardian ad Litem in South Carolina and a Pediatric Primary Care Mental Healthcare Specialist. She also served as the Secretary for the South Carolina Chapter of the National Association of Pediatric Nurses.

Originally From Mexico, Dr. Garcia was raised in Zambia and Kenya. He first came to Charleston in 2000 when he completed his Bachelor's degree at the College of Charleston. He then moved to New York where he obtained a Master's in Basic Medical Science from New York Medical College. Dr. Garcia attended SUNY Stony Brook School of Medicine and completed his residency at NYU-Winthrop Children's Hospital, both in Long Island, NY. He has a special interest in adolescent and global medicine. Dr. Garcia and his wife recently moved back to the Lowcountry and welcomed a baby boy to their growing family. In his spare time, he enjoys soccer, reading, traveling, and spending time outdoors.

Dr. Arlene Shawinsky was born and raised in South Africa and graduated from the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. She practiced there, and in London, England, before locating to Charleston with her husband and sons in the fall of 1989. Then, she completed her residency in pediatrics at The Medical University of South Carolina. Dr. Shawinsky has extensive experience in Development Pediatrics, but is passionate in all aspects of pediatrics, particularly the mother-newborn diad. She has lectured and taught medical students and continues to do so, as well as being a preceptor to Nurse Practitioner students. Dr. Shawinsky was a founding member of the HALOS Board of Directors, and still actively helps raise money for abused and neglected children. She is married to Peter Rosenthal, her wonderful and understanding husband, and has 3 sons who have grown into outstanding young men and she is very proud to be their mom!! Dr. Shawinsky is very involved in her community, and she received the first 'Woman Who Makes a Difference' by her synagogue. She is also active on the Advisory Board for Jewish Studies at The College of Charleston. In her spare time, Dr. Shawinsky enjoys reading, cooking, and swimming.