* TPMG James River Pediatrics’ office summer hours will be Monday through Friday from 8 AM – 5 PM, Fridays from 8 AM – 3 PM, beginning June 20th until August 29th. We appreciate your understanding.*

Paula Pittinger, FNP-C, is a board-certified family nurse practitioner with TPMG James River Pediatrics in Newport News. She earned her registered nursing diploma from the Sentara School of Health Professions and later her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Chamberlain University. Furthering her education, she pursued a Master of Science degree in Family Nurse Practitioner from ECPI University. As a dedicated professional, she is a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Paula joined TPMG James River Pediatrics in 2024.

With 18 years of experience in the medical field, Paula has served in numerous roles throughout her career. She started as an emergency department nurse for 16 years before becoming a nurse practitioner specializing in gastroenterology. From an early age, Paula knew she had a desire to help others. During her undergraduate studies, Paula volunteered as a nursing assistant, where she fell in love with the nursing vocation.

As a provider, Paula strives to include patients and their families in their care and firmly believes that education plays a crucial role in developing the best, individualized care plan for patients. Through her work, Paula consistently promotes preventative care, recognizing that addressing health concerns before they arise is often easier for patients to manage in the long run. Furthermore, she emphasizes patience and effective communication, especially when treating her younger patients.

Paula believes that, while the basics of medicine can be taught using books, her hands-on work experience served as the true teacher. Through direct patient interaction and providing them with care, she gained a profound understanding that medical practices and treatment can vary depending on individual patients and their unique circumstances. At TPMG, her goal is to establish a relationship founded on respect and trust with each patient and their family. As a mother herself, she treats every child as if she would treat her own and is especially interested in helping families navigate the exhausting, yet exhilarating journey of parenthood.

Paula treats patients from infancy to young adulthood for a variety of acute and chronic conditions. With her background in emergency medicine, she’s very familiar with the treatment of acute illnesses such as the flu, RSV, COVID-19, asthma exacerbations, and stomach viruses, among others. Paula received recognition from her colleagues and patients as a Riverside Champion of Caring, demonstrating her exceptional work.

When she isn’t in the office, Paula is a full-time soccer mom, traveling year-round for her son’s soccer games and doing arts and crafts with her daughter. Happily married with a busy household of 4 children and a dog, she enjoys spending quality time with her family, solving puzzles, going to the beach, running, hiking, and watching movies. Born and raised in Colombia, South America, Paula is a bilingual speaker. She moved to the Hampton Roads area over 25 years ago and has remained here ever since. She appreciates the area’s proximity to both the beach and the mountains.

Paula warmly welcomes patients to come and see her at TPMG James River Pediatrics.

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Education

Undergraduate: Nursing diploma, Sentara School of Health Professions; B.S. Nursing, Chamberlin University
Graduate: M.S. Family Nurse Practitioner, ECPI University
Board-Certified: American Association of Nurse Practitioners