Tomica Blocker, MD, PhD, FAAP
College:
Langston University, Oklahoma
Degree: B.S. in Biology
Doctorate:
Oklahoma State University
Philosophy in Zoology
Medical Degree:
University of Kansas, Wichita
Residency:
Children’s Medical Center, Dallas
Background:
Dr. Blocker is a Wichita native. She first began working with children during graduate school, where she performed outreach and volunteering, specifically encouraging under-represented minorities (girls, children from rural areas, and children of color) to pursue further education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. This work, and her love of science led her to pediatrics.
Dr. Blocker’s family members live within the area, allowing her to be the active, and proud aunt to three nieces, and two nephews whose ages span across infancy to adolescence. Her now seven-year-old niece was born with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, requiring hospitalization until she was nine months old, numerous surgeries and procedures, and at her discharge home, dependence on tracheostomy, ventilator, gastrojejunostomy tube, and a long list of medications. This experience changed her and her family’s perception of chronic, complex illnesses, and helped provide first-hand experience and empathy for patients with special needs and families that care for them. She values evidence based medicine with the goal of inclusion of each patient, their family members, the medical team at Cottonwood, and specialists to provide patient-centered care.
Philosophy:
“We exist temporarily through what we take, but live forever through what we give.” -Vernon Jordan
Qualifications:
Dr. Blocker graduated cum laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Langston University. She graduated summa cum laude with her Doctorate of Philosophy in Zoology at Oklahoma State University, where her research focused on social behavior. Her work was published in a number of articles and was highlighted by National Geographic in 2015. After graduate school, Dr. Blocker went on to earn her medical degree from the University of Kansas, at the Wichita campus. She then completed her pediatric residency at Children’s Medical Center, Dallas. While there, she learned that children were at increased risk of many diseases that were previously thought of as “adult illnesses.” She chose to focus her residency project on this issue, and created a new clinic-wide approach to high blood pressure in children. Additionally, Dr. Blocker is certified in the Neonatal Resuscitation Program and the Pediatric Advanced Life Support program, training programs vital to providing life-saving care to newborns and children.
From our patients survey:
“Dr. Blocker is AMAZING!! She listens to our concerns, knowledgeable, and treated us and our child with respect.”
“Love Dr Blocker! Fantastic addition to your practice!”
“I appreciate Dr Blocker immensely. She is more than I ever could have expected in a pediatrician for my daughter. She pays attention to all details, Past, Present, and Future so that she can properly guide us with whatever we might need or concerns we may have.”
“Dr.Blocker is wonderful, kind and caring. She listens to our concerns. We do not feel like just a number. Her knowledge and expertise shows through the kind of care she gives.”
Some services Dr. Blocker can provide:
Prevention and Care
Well Child Check-Ups
Sports Physicals
Immunizations
Allergies and Asthma Control
Chronic Conditions
Headaches & Migraines
Management of painful menstruation
Oral contraceptives
Sore Throat & Strep Throat
Ear Infections
Constipation
Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)
Behavior Problems
Sleeping Problems
ADHD
Anxiety
Depression
Procedures
Circumcision
Fracture Care
Wart removal
Ingrown Toenail
Laceration Care (Stiches/Staples)
Tongue-Tie Clip