Physicians
Mary Michael Schweiker, MD, FAAP
Dr. Schweiker was born in San Angelo, Texas and grew up in multiple places, including Rome, Italy. Her family eventually ended up in Lynchburg, Virginia where she graduated from E.C. Glass High School. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry from Duke University and a Doctor of Medicine degree from the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine/MCV, where she also completed her pediatrics internship and residency. As part of her outpatient primary care training she worked at Monument Avenue Pediatrics as a pediatric resident. She joined Monument Avenue Pediatrics full-time as a pediatrician in 1997. She is board-certified in pediatrics and is on the faculty of the Children’s Hospital of Richmond as an Assistant Clinical Instructor. She has been recognized in Richmond Magazine’s Top Docs for Kids and Top Docs issues, West Ends Best Magazine and Chesterfield Living Magazine. She is a recipient of the Elizabeth Harbison Award for Pediatrics, the Emily Gardner Pediatric Resident Award, and the Rookie of the Year Attending Teaching Award. She has been involved with mentorship programs with VCU/MCV School of Medicine, the Pediatric Internship and Residency program at VCU/MCV, Maggie Walker Governor’s School, and Swansboro Elementary School. She will frequently have a student, intern or resident with her in the office. Dr. Schweiker and her husband have raised three young adults and after years of PTAs, Boosters and youth sports, they are now enjoying an empty nest. A member of Reveille Unites Methodist Church, Dr. Schweiker volunteers with the Open Table program supporting young people transitioning out of the foster-care system, United Methodist Women, and in partnership with Friends of Barnabas, medical mission work to Honduras. She has been a member on the boards of Connor’s Heroes and the Maggie Walker Governor’s School Foundation, and she currently is on the board of the Virginia Children’s Care Network for CHOR. She loves working in a small practice where she gets to know her patients and their families very well. She enjoys traveling, reading, working out, gardening and going to the Northern Neck.
Grace R. Soltys, MD, FAAP
Dr. Soltys was born in Ft. Belvoir, Virginia and spent part of her childhood in Berlin, West Germany. After graduating from Berlin High School, she received a Bachelor of Arts degree and a medical degree from The University of Virginia. She completed a pediatrics internship and residency at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine (MCV). She is board-certified in pediatrics. Dr. Soltys joined Monument Avenue Pediatrics in 1999 and enjoys seeing patients in a small practice. Her husband is an infectious disease physician and she has a special interest in that area. Dr. Soltys and her husband have two sons and one daughter. In her spare time, she enjoys going to the beach, cooking, gardening, and traveling with her family.
Frances Gwin Tennis, MD, MPH, FAAP
Dr. Tennis was born and raised in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. She received her Bachelors of Science degree in Chemistry from the University of Richmond. Afterwards, she worked for a year at Monument Avenue Pediatrics as a nurse’s assistant . She then returned to school to complete her medical degree and masters of public health at Saint George’s University in Grenada, West Indies. She returned to Richmond for her pediatric internship and residency at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine (MCV). During her training she worked at Monument Avenue Pediatrics, joining our staff full-time in 2011. She is board-certified in pediatrics. Dr. Tennis enjoys the continuity allowed by a small practice and getting to know her patients and their families. Dr. Tennis and her husband have two daughters and a son. When she is not working, she loves spending time with her family, traveling, photography, running, hiking, barre, and gardening.
Kate Senecal, MD, FAAP
Dr. Senecal grew up in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and attended the University of Delaware as part of the honors program in Biology. She graduated from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia,PA prior to moving to Richmond for her pediatric residency at VCU. Before joining Monument Avenue Pediatrics in 2016, she was pediatric chief resident at VCU and worked at St Mary’s Hospital as a pediatric hospitalist, where was recognized as a Richmond Top Doc. She is board certified in pediatrics. She enjoys working at Monument Avenue Pediatrics because the small practice environment allows her to really get to know her patients and their families. When not working, she enjoys spending time traveling, running with her dog, Camden, reading with her cat, Callie ,on her lap, and rooting on the Orioles, Ravens, and Tarheels.
Colleen M.L. Allen, DO, FAAP
Dr. Allen was born and raised in Chesapeake, VA. She received her bachelor’s degree from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA. Following college, she worked at a family practice office in Richmond, VA for a year prior to attending Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Blacksburg, VA. While in medical school, she completed some of her clinical work in Fredericksburg, VA. After medical school she moved to Louisville, KY to complete her pediatric residency at the University of Louisville. Upon graduating from residency in 2023, where she received the Chairman’s Award, she returned to the Richmond area to join Monument Avenue Pediatrics. She is board certified in pediatrics and has a special interest in breastfeeding medicine. She is looking forward to getting to know all of the families at the practice and watching everyone grow! She and her husband have a cat and a dog. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys spending time with her family, pets, walking her dog at local parks, swimming, watching documentaries and crocheting.
Nurses:
Susan Hall Shaw, CMA, Nurse Coordinator
Susan joined MAP in 2003, and enjoys working with the Doctors in a supportive team atmosphere. She loves helping new parents to adjust. Susan and her husband Chris have 3 children and 5 grandchildren as well as Kiki her tea cup Chihuahua and her newest additions grand dogs Evee and Mina. She loves daffodils and anything to do with her grandchildren.
Candice Frederique, CMA
Candice is originally from Brooklyn, NY and moved to the Richmond area at 19. She has been in the medical field for 5 years. She has a passion for helping people and absolutely loves what I do. She became part of the team at Monument Avenue in 2021. She loves anything arts &crafts (Bling makes everything better!). In her spare time she likes spending time with her boyfriend and making Tik Tok videos with her daughter and fur baby Cupcake.
Barbara Greene, CMA, EMTB, NRCPT
Barbara lives in her childhood hometown, Louisa. She has worked in pediatrics since 1981 and is the recipient of a citizenship award. She joined Monument Avenue Pediatrics in June 2007, after looking for a small practice where she could get to know her patients. Barbara volunteers with a local rescue squad. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, going to the beach and volunteering in a bible education network.
Kathleen Harik, LPN
As a child, Kathleen was a patient at Monument Avenue Pediatrics! She joined the practice in 2006 and appreciates the kindness and compassion the staff shows their patients. She and her husband have two energetic sons who keep their household lively. In her spare time, she enjoys playing the piano, listening to music, and spending time with family.
Jackie Hobgood, RN
Jackie has been working in pediatrics for over 25 years. She loves outdoor sports like kayaking, biking and paddle boarding. She also likes to spend time with her children and two grandson. She enjoys taking Bridgett, and Penny her dogs out for walks and to go swimming. She joined our office in 2013.
Office Staff
Tarnetta Randall, Business Office Manager
A native Richmonder, Tarnetta is very active in her church. She enjoys reading, walking, and singing in church choir. She especially enjoys the outreach ministry where she works with the homeless and the elderly. She loves spending quality family time with her husband, children and grandchildren.
Shaneka Davis, Front Office Coordinator
Shaneka joined Monument Avenue Pediatrics in 2015. She loves working at the front desk, meeting new and established patients. In her spare time, Shaneka likes to crochet, and spend time with her family.
Jessica Wiles, Front Office
Jessica moved back home from Dublin, VA to join our team in November 2022. She enjoys pediatrics and working in the front office. She loves spending time with her husband and their fur babies. She has a passion for animals and has rescued numerous cats and dogs. In her free time, she likes to read, listen to music, and loves professional wrestling.