Our goal is to provide the most personalized and up-to-date care possible. In addition to offering guidance on preventive care through well child visits, our physicians diagnose and treat all types of illness and injuries.
Philip Mubarak, M.D.
Philip Mubarak founded Carolina Pediatrics in 1986. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of South Carolina and continued at the USC School of Pharmacy to complete his BS degree in pharmacy and his MS degree in medicinal chemistry. Dr. Mubarak received his M.D. degree from the Medical University of South Carolina and completed his pediatric residency at the University of Florida School of Medicine/Shands Hospital.
Asthma, allergies, ADHD, and healthy lifestyles are some of his areas of special emphasis. Dr. Mubarak is married to Joanne Mubarak. Their three children are David, Catherine and Matthew. His interests include golf and college sports.
Nazia Aslam Jones, M.D.
Nazia Aslam Jones is a graduate of Columbia College and the USC School of Medicine. She completed her pediatric residency at the Brody School of Medicine in Greenville, NC and is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. Her interests include working with children with cerebral palsy and other neurodevelopment disorders. She enjoys spending time with her husband and two kids, playing the violin, writing, and going on medical mission trips to South and Central America.
Ramkumar Jayagopalan, M.D.
Dr. Ram Kumar is a board certified pediatrician. He attended Kilpauk Medical College in Chennai, India. He completed his pediatric residency at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. Prior to moving to Columbia and joining Carolina Pediatrics, PA, Dr. Kumar worked for Marion Pediatrics in Mullins, SC for four years. His medical interests include obesity management and prevention, ADD/ADHD, trauma informed care, and childhood development. His wife, Poornema Ramasamy, is an Internist. Dr. Kumar and his wife reside in Northeast Columbia with their nine-year-old son and five-year-old daughter. His personal interests include playing tennis and watching sports.
Elizabeth Donahue Waller, M.D.
Elizabeth Waller is a board certified pediatrician. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Sciences from Auburn University and her Medical Degree from the University Of South Alabama College Of Medicine. She completed her pediatric residency at Palmetto Health Richland in Columbia, South Carolina. She loves getting to know patients and their families and watching them grow up over the years. She enjoys spending time with her husband, Ben, and her friends, traveling, and participating in her church.
Josh H. Cone, DO
Dr. Cone is a native of Kingsport, Tennessee. He earned a bachelor of science in biology from Bryan College. He received his medical degree from the Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his pediatric residency at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Palmetto Health pediatric residency program. He is board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics.
Kristen Hanko, M.D., F.A.A.P
Dr. Hanko is originally from Merritt Island, FL. She attended the University of Florida where she received a B.S. in Exercise Physiology, and then received her M.D. from Florida Atlantic University in South Florida. She completed her pediatric residency in Columbia, SC at Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital, affiliated with the University of South Carolina in June, 2019. She believes it is a privilege to work with patients and their families, and she particularly enjoys the preventative medicine aspect of pediatrics. In her free time she enjoys working out, paddle boarding, kayaking, hiking and experimenting with new recipes.
Matthew Mubarak, M.D.
Dr. Matthew was born and raised here in Columbia, SC. He attended the University of South Carolina where he earned a B.S. in Science and then his Medical Doctorate. He completed his residency in Pediatrics at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL before returning to Columbia to join Carolina Pediatrics. His interests including preventative care, ADHD, and family centered decision making. His hobbies include golf, exercise, and spending time with his family.
Lauren Hudspeth, MSN, APRN, CPNP-PC
Lauren Hudspeth, a board certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, was born and raised in South Carolina. She earned both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston and a Post-Master’s certificate from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. Lauren has a love for helping new parents transition into their role, breastfeeding education, and promoting family security through the years. She is a foster parent for Richland County DSS and has a special medical interest in trauma-informed care, mental health, ADHD, and behavioral challenges. She believes that strengthening the family unit can have generational impacts. Lauren and her husband enjoy time with their two children, three doggies, and two Pekin Ducks named Ethel and Timothy.
Lauren Ancona, M.D.
Lauren Ancona is originally from Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree from Clemson University in Biological Sciences and her Medical Degree from University of South Carolina School of Medicine – Columbia. She completed her pediatric residency at Prisma Heath Children’s Hospital in Columbia, SC. In her free time, she loves being with her husband and daughter, going to Clemson football games, spending time at the beach and participating in events with her local church. Her medical interests include eczema, acne, and ADHD. She loves building long term relationships with her patients and their families and is excited to join the wonderful community at Carolina Pediatrics!