Kate E. Wallis, MD, MPH
Locations: Main Building
About Kate E. Wallis, MD, MPH
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.”
Education and experience
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 assistant professor 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.
Research
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.”
Titles
Developmental Pediatrician
Assistant Fellowship Program Director, Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
Faculty, CHOP PolicyLab
Certifications
Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics – American Board of Pediatrics
Pediatrics – American Board of Pediatrics
Awards and Honors
2024, Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics Fellows' Teaching Award
2024, American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Council on Children with Disabilities (COCWD) Early Career Award in Health Equity
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
Leadership and Memberships
Memberships in Professional Organizations
2018-present, Society of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics
2015-present, Academic Pediatrics Association
2012-present, American Academy of Pediatrics
Leader, Health Equity Node, Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics Research Network (DBPNet)
Editorial and Academic Positions
Academic and Institutional Committees
Leader, Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics DEI Committee
Education & training
Graduate Degree
MPH - SUNY Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Medical Degree
MD - SUNY Stony Brook University School of Medicine, Stony Brook, NY
Residency
Pediatrics - New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY
Fellowship
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics - Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) - Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
Publications
Publications
2024
Wallis, K.E., Kennelly, A., Wozniak, S., Craig, S., Flaherty, C.M., Cacia, J., Christiansen, A., Cordero, L., Ortiz, P., Kellom, K., Stefanski, K., (2024) Brief Report: Disparities in Telehealth Utilization for DBP Assessments by Preferred Family Language: A DBPNet Study. (In Press.) Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics.
Covello, M., Pelella, M. R., Bennett, A., Gerdes, M., Guthrie, W., Wallis, K. E., Wong, Z. M., Truong, D. M., Miller, J. S. (2024) Ethnicity and Language Information for Autistic Patients Within the Asian Diaspora is Limited in Healthcare Records.(Online Ahead of Print) Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities. PMID: 38969925. doi: 10.1007/s40615-024-02059-0.
Montoya-Williams, D., Barreto, A., Laguna-Torres, A., Worsley, D., Wallis, K.E., Pena, M.M., Palladino, L., Salva, N.D., Levine, L.D., Rivera, A., Hernandez, R., Fuentes-Afflick, E., Yun, K., Lorch, S.A., Virudachalam, S. (2024) Philadelphia Latine Immigrant Birthing People's Insights on Mitigating the Chilling Effect on Prenatal Care Utilization. (In Press). Medical Care
Obregon, E., Ortiz, R., Morgan, S.E. Wallis, K.E., Montoya-Williams, D. (2024). Feasibility, Acceptability, and Health Outcomes Associated with Telehealth for Children in Families With Limited English Proficiency. Academic Pediatrics. 24(10): 13-22. PMID: 37385437 DOI: 10.1016/j.acap.2023.06.025
*Kathleen Campbell, *Wallis, K. E. El-Messidi Hampton, L., Burnham, A., Mercer-Rosa, L., Miller, O., Laura Mazza, L., Fogler, J. (2024) Complex Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in a 4-Year-Old with Repaired Critical Congenital Heart Disease. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics. (Accepted for Publication.) (*Contributed equally as authors)
2023
Hamdan, S.Z., Davis, M., Faig, W., Guthrie, W. Yerys, B. Wallis, K.E. (2023) Lower Depression Screening Rate and Higher Positivity Among Autistic Adolescents. Academic Pediatrics. 23 (8): 1561-1571. PMID: 37393034 DOI: 10.1016/j.acap.2023.06.031
Kellom, K.S., Flaherty, C.M., Cacia, J., Christiansen, A., Cordero, L., Hah, J., Kennelly, A. Ortiz, P., Stefanski, K., Wozniak, S.N., Wallis, K.E. (2023). Provider and Caregiver Perspectives on Telehealth Assessments for Autism Spectrum Disorder in Young Children: A Multi-Method DBPNet Study Exploring Equity. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics. 44(6):e397–e411. PMID: 37315107 DOI: 10.1097/DBP.0000000000001198
Wallis K.E., Adebajo, T., Bennett, A., Drye, M., Gerdes, M., Miller, J. Guthrie, W. (2023) Short Report: Rates of Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnoses in a Large Pediatric Primary Care Network. Autism.27(6) 1840-1846. PMID: 36652297 doi.org/10.1177/136236132211473
Wallis, K. E., Usher, R. Applying Autism-Screening Research to Real-World Scenarios: A Commentary on Sheldrick et al. (2023) Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry 65(5):720-722. PMID: 38009449 DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.13919
Wallis, K. E., Fichter, D., Fiks, A.G. (2023) In Support of Addressing Sensory Differences to Improve Preventive Dental Care among Autistic Children. JAMA Network. 6(6): e2316355. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.16355 PMID: 37266946
2022
Wallis K.E., Nekrasova, E., Bennett, A., Fiks, A.G., Gerdes, M., Jenssen, B.P., Miller, J., Guthrie, W. (2022) Autism Spectrum Disorder Screening during the COVID-19 Pandemic in a Large Primary Care Network. Academic Pediatrics. PMID: 35460894 PMCID: PMC9020644 DOI: 10.1016/j.acap.2022.04.005
Srinivasan, R., Wallis, K.E., Vos, D., Soares, N. (2022) Telehealth among Global Clinicians in Developmental-Behavioral Pediatric Practice: A COVID-19 Snapshot. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics. 43 (1), 32-37. doi: 10.1097/DBP.0000000000000963, PMID: 33990511
Egbe TI, Montoya-Williams D, Wallis K.E., Passarella M, Lorch SA. “Risk of Extreme, Moderate and Late Preterm Birth by Maternal Race, Ethnicity and Nativity.” J Pediatr 2021 Sep 27; S0022-3476(21)00911-2. PMID 34592259.
Montoya-Williams, D., Wallis, K.E., Duncan, A.F. (2022) Best Practices for the Conduct of Research that is Anti-Racist: Time for Formal Tailored Curriculums. JAMA Pediatrics. Published online February 14, 2022. PMID: 35157003. DOI:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2021.6315
Wallis, K.E., Abdul-Chani, M.M., Zuckerman, K.E. (2022) Screen often and with trusted community members to improve Autism identification for Latine children. JAMA Pediatrics. 176(3):229–231. PMID: 34982108. DOI:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2021.5377
Keder, R.D., Mittal, S., Stringer, K., Wallis, K.E., Wallace, J.E., Soares, N.S. (2022) Society for Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics Position Statement On Telehealth. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. 43 (1), 55-59. PMID: 34855691. DOI: 10.1097/DBP.0000000000001046.
2021
Otto, W.M., Grundmeier, R.W., Montoya-Williams, D., Njoroge, W., Wallis K.E., Gerber, J.S., Yun, K.
(2021) Impact of Language on Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection in Children. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. 105(5):1261-1264. PMID: 34469330 PMCID: PMC8592181
Kuhn, J., Levinson, J., Udhnani, M.D., Wallis, K.E., Hickey, E., Bennett, A.M., Fenick, A.M., Feinberg, E., Broder-Fingert, S. (2021) What Happens After a Positive Primary Care Autism Screen Among Historically Underserved Families? Predictors of Evaluation and Autism Diagnosis Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics. 42(7): 515-523. PMID: 33631787 PMCID: PMC8380258.
Wallis, K.E., Mulé, C., Mittal, S., Cerda, N., Shaffer, R., Scott, A., Langkamp, D., Augustyn, M., Perrin, E., Soares, N., Blum, N.J. (2021) Use of Telehealth in Fellowship-Affiliated Developmental-Behavioral Pediatric Practices during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics. 42(4): 314-321. doi: 10.1097/DBP.0000000000000897. PMID: 33350655
Wallis, K. E., Davis Rivera, L.B., Guthrie, W., Bennett, A., Mandell, D.S., Miller, J. (2021). "Provider Responses to Positive Developmental Screening: Disparities in Referral Practices?" Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics. 42(1): 23-31. PMID: 32909974 doi: 10.1097/DBP.0000000000000855
Wallis, K.E. (2021) The Roadmap to Early and Equitable Autism Identification. Pediatrics. 148 (Supplement 1), s21-s24. PMID: 34210843 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2021-050693E.
Wallis, K. E., Buttenheim, A., Mandell, D.S. (2021). "Insights from Behavioral Economics: A Case of Delayed Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder." Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics. 42(2):109-113. PMID: 33003116. doi: 10.1097/DBP.0000000000000869
Weitzman, C., Augustyn, M., Froehlich, T., Mehlenbeck, R., Mendelsohn, A.L., Nielsen, B.A., Soares, N., Voigt, R.G., Walton, J., Zlomke, K., Fogler, J., Keder, R.D., Ratliff-Schaub, K., Wallis, K. E. (2021). "Recommendations for the Biden-Harris Administration. A Statement of Priorities from the Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics." Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics. 2021 Feb-Mar;42(2):152-153. PMID: 33480634 DOI: 10.1097/DBP.0000000000000917
2020
Wallis K.E., Guthrie, W., Bennett, A., Gerdes, M., Levy, S.E., Mandell, D.S., Miller, J. (2020) Referral practices and disparities after positive screen for autism spectrum disorder in toddlers. PLOS-ONE. 15(5). PMID: 32379778. PMCID: PMC7205236. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0232335
Mathieu, I., Wallis, K.E., Japa, I., Cordero Licenciado, R., LaMonte, A., Steenhoff, A., Lowenthal, E. (2020) Caregiver strengths, attitudes, and concerns about reading and child development in the Dominican Republic. Global Pediatric Health. doi: 10.1177/2333794X20942661. PMID: 32743027; PMCID: PMC7376378
Bevan, S.L., Liu, J., Wallis, K.E., Pinto-Martin, J.A. (January 2020) Screening instruments for developmental and behavioral concerns in pediatric Hispanic populations in the United States: A systematic literature review. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. PMID: 31609290 DOI: 10.1097/DBP.0000000000000724
Wallis, K.E. (2020) “Moving Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics Toward Antiracist Practice.” Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics. 41(7): 586. doi: 10.1097/DBP.0000000000000849
Wallis K.E., Guthrie, W. (2020) Identifying Autism Spectrum Disorder in Real-World Healthcare Settings. Pediatrics. PMID: 32632020. DOI: 10.1542/peds.2020-1467
Montoya-Williams, D., Fuentes-Afflick, E., Wallis, K.E. (April 17, 2020) Invited Commentary: The Case for Research-Informed Immigrant Health Policies Within Health Care Systems. JAMA Network Open. 3(4):e203022. PMID: 32301988 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.3022
Wallis K.E., Buttenheim, A. (2020) Imagining the Next Decade of Behavioral Science. Behavioral Scientist. https://behavioralscientist.org/imagining-the-next-decade-future-of-behavioral-science/
2019
Guthrie, W., Wallis K.E., Bennett, A., Brooks, E., Dudley, J., Gerdes, M., Pandey, J., Levy, S.E., Schultz, R.T., Miller, J. (October 2019) Accuracy of Autism Screening in a Large Pediatric Network. Pediatrics. 144 (4). PMID: 31562252 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2018-3963
2018
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.
Lectures by Invitation
2024
Panel Presenter. (2024) Beyond social justice: How equitable early identification is critical to advancing IDD science. Gatlinburg Conference on Research and Theory in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Kansas City, MO. April 17, 2024.
Presenter (2024) Getting Started in Research! A workshop from folks who love research. Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting, Workshop Presentation, May 5, 2024. Toronto, Canada.
Wallis, KE, Wozniak, S., Wu, K., Cacia, J., Nadler, C. (2024) Suicide Risk Identification Across Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric Practices: A DBPNet Study. Oral platform presentation, May 3, 2024. Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting, Toronto, Canada.
Presenter. (2024) A Roadmap for Equity in Autism identification and Care. Connecticut Children’s Hospital Grand Rounds. March 5, 2024 (virtual).
Presenter. (2024) Analyzing autism screening through a DEI and Justice Lens. Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics DEI Seminar Series. March 1, 2024 (Virtual).
2023
Presenter. (2023) Getting Started in Research! A topical symposium from folks who love research. Topical Symposia. Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics Conference. September 9, 2023. Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Wallis, K.E., Wozniak, S., Chaiyachati, B.H., Craig, S., Guthrie, W., Montoya-Williams, D., Worsley, D. (2023) Primary Care Provider Perspectives on Autism Screening: A Multi-Methods Study of Barriers to Equitable Referral. Oral platform presentation, Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics Conference. September 11, 2023. Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Wallis, K.E., Wozniak, S., Chaiyachati, B.H., Craig, S., Guthrie, W., Montoya-Williams, D., Worsley, D. (2023) Primary Care Provider Perspectives on Autism Screening: A Multi-Methods Study of Barriers to Equitable Referral. Oral platform presentation, Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting, Washington, D.C.
2022
Presenter. Grand Rounds. (November 2, 2022) “A Roadmap for Equity with Autism Diagnosis and Care.” Wellspan Health, virtual.
Kennelly, A., Wozniak, S., Craig, S., Flaherty, C.M., Kellom, K., Cacia, J., Christiansen, A., Cordero, L., Ortiz, P., Stefanski, K., Wallis,
K.E. (2022) Preferred Family Language and Telehealth Uptake for DBP Assessments: A DBPNet Study. (Platform Presentation- Society for Education and the Advancement of Research in Connected Health 2022 – The National Telehealth Research Symposium, Virtual: November 18, 2022)
Kennelly, A., Wozniak, S., Craig, S., Flaherty, C.M., Kellom, K., Cacia, J., Christiansen, A., Cordero, L., Ortiz, P., Stefanski, K., Wallis, K.E. (2022) Preferred Family Language and Telehealth Uptake for DBP Assessments: A DBPNet Study. (Platform Presentation- 1st Annual Pediatric Health Equity Research and Policy Symposium Hosted by the Sandra L. Fenwick Institute for Pediatric Health Equity and Inclusion: November 16, 2022, virtual)
Presenter, American Academy of Pediatrics, Supporting Research on Outcomes and Utilization of Telehealth General Member Meeting. (October 26, 2022) Preferred Family Language and Telehealth Uptake for DBP Assessments: A DBPNet Study. (Virtual)
Kennelly, A., Wozniak, S., Craig, S., Flaherty, C.M., Kellom, K., Cacia, J., Christiansen, A., Cordero, L., Ortiz, P., Stefanski, K., Wallis, K.E. (2022) Preferred Family Language and Telehealth Uptake for DBP Assessments: A DBPNet Study. (Platform Presentation- Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics Conference, Denver, CO: October 23, 2022)
Kennelly, A., Wozniak, S., Craig, S., Flaherty, C.M., Kellom, K., Cacia, J., Christiansen, A., Cordero, L., Ortiz, P., Stefanski, K., Wallis, K.E. (2022) Preferred Family Language and Telehealth Uptake for DBP Assessments: A DBPNet Study. Platform Presentation- American Academy of Pediatrics, National Conference and Exhibition, Anaheim, CA: October 8, 2022
Editorials, Reviews, Chapters
2024
Wallis, K. E., Guthrie, W. (2024) Screening for Autism: A Review of the Current State, Ongoing Challenges, and Novel Approaches on the Horizon. Pediatrics Clinics of North America. 2024 Apr;71(2):127-155. doi: 10.1016/j.pcl.2023.12.003.
Walls, M., Abdul-Chani, M., Rivas Vazquez, L., Zuckerman, K., Wallis, K. E. Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Autism Diagnoses and Services (2024) Handbook on Autism Spectrum Disorder (Ed. Volkmar)
2022
Loe, I., Spinks-Franklin, A., Wallis, K.E. (2022) Celebrating Socio-Cultural Diversity in the Exam Room and Addressing Racism and Bias. Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics, 5e (Eds. Feldman, Blum, Jimenez)
2016
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.
2014
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.