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Meet the Team

Beth Galla, MD, IBCLC

Dr. Beth Galla of Sweetbay PediatricsDr. Galla was raised in Palo Alto, CA but fell in love with NC during her undergraduate years at Duke University where she graduated Magna Cum Laude and With Distinction. While at Duke she had the privilege of running on the Blue Devils Women's Track Team and was a member of the school record setting 4 x 800 and Distance Medley Relay teams. She then received her M.D. from Wake Forest University and went on to do her pediatric residency at the Children's Medical Center of Dallas/UT Southwestern. Dr. Galla then returned to the West Coast where she spent 11 years as a primary care pediatrician and as a hospitalist at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital. She married Matt Galla and together they had 3 boys in under 4 years. Yearning to return to NC, the Gallas moved cross-country in 2012 and settled in Holly Springs.

Dr. Galla cherished 9 years practicing at Oberlin Road Pediatrics in Raleigh. She became very fond of her loyal patients and wished for the ability to spend more time with each family. So she ventured out on her own to practice medicine the way she feels most comfortable, with a focus on time: Time to listen, time to ask and answer questions, time to really think about problems, time to return texts or phone calls promptly, time to relay test results, time to speak with specialists, and time to be there for you and your family when you need it.

Dr. Galla has an additional medical passion outside of her office, which involves her work as the Medical Director of Hilltop Home in Raleigh. This is a private, non-profit Intermediate Care Facility which provides residential care to 22 children with severe developmental disabilities that render them too medically complex to live at home. Dr. Galla serves as the primary care pediatrician for all of these children and is honored to be a part of their comprehensive care team.  Most of these children are wheelchair-bound and rely full time on various medical devices, so her flexibility and autonomy uniquely positions her to travel to the children, rather than requiring the coordination of staff and vehicles to transport the kids to her.  Prior to accepting the role of Medical Director, Dr. Galla served on the Board of Directors of Hilltop for two years.  She first fell in love with caring for children with special needs as an Assistant Teacher at a school for orthopedically handicapped children in California during summers in college.  While back at school in Durham, she volunteered at Lenox Baker Children's Hospital as a tutor for children with chronic disease who missed school on account of prolonged hospitalizations.

When she is not in the office, Dr. Galla cherishes time with her family, riding her Peloton or running outdoors, hiking with her dogs, playing piano, and gardening.


Scott Sexton, MD, NABBLM-C, IBCLC

Dr. Scott SextonDr. Sexton is from Cartersville, GA. He attended undergraduate school at the University of Georgia and medical school at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. It was during his pediatrics residency at Duke University that he and his family fell in love with North Carolina. While he enjoys the breadth of community pediatrics, he focuses on behavioral health, breastfeeding, complex care and healthy living. His goals are to provide comprehensive care and promote wellness.

He is board certified by the American Academy of Pediatrics. He is also board certified in breastfeeding medicine by the North American Board of Breastfeeding and Lactation Medicine and is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). He is currently in the NC MATTERS Maternal Mental Health Fellowship in which he focuses on perinatal mental health.

Dr. Sexton enjoys trail running, playing guitar and spending time with his wife, two kids and dog (Albus Dumbledog).


Jahira Santiago, CNA, MA

Jahira SantiagoJahira Santiago, better known as Jay, was born and raised in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. She graduated from William Allen High School and attended Lehigh Carbon Community College for Healthcare Administration. She received her Certified Nursing Assistant license and Medication Administration certificate in 2007. For the next 10 years, she worked with adults who suffered from Dementia. During that time, she met and married Louis and had three beautiful children (2 girls, 1 boy).

In 2017, she took a position doing office administration at St. Luke’s Hospital, while eventually transitioning her role to Medical Assistant and Phlebotomist.

Her family decided to move to North Carolina in 2019, after visiting her in-laws and falling in love with the southern environment. She worked in family practice until joining the Sweetbay Family in September 2022!

While out of the office,she enjoys soaking up the sun and traveling with her family. Some of her hobbies include photography, drawing, and board games!

Dr. Beth Galla
Dr. Beth Galla of Sweetbay Pediatrics facing the camera and smiling as she picks up a toddler with curly brown hair

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What Patients are Saying

“Dr. Galla has been a constant for our family primary care for the past 5 years. She is the absolute BEST. She has bedside manner that is calm and reassuring for parents and patients. My kids feel comfortable with her and love going to see her. My oldest son gets jealous when his brothers go see Dr. Galla and he doesn't! Dr. Galla recently went above and beyond to care for our youngest son during a very difficult health obstacle. The care she provided and the time she spent with our family helped us get through the ups and downs. With three young kids, it is very important to have a doctor who is an advocate for the kids and a go to for the parents. Dr. Galla is all of that and more.” — Megan C.

 

Dr. Beth Galla of Sweetbay Pediatrics, wearing blue scrubs, looking down and smiling at a toddler with curly brown hair