Kunta Gautam, PhD, NP, MPH, FMAPS

Kunta Gautam, PhD, NP, MPH, FMAPS, is a highly accomplished Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and the founder of Shishir Pediatric Autism Care (SPAC) in Cypress, Texas. With over sixteen years of experience in the nurse practitioner role, she is dedicated to delivering comprehensive, patient-centered care to children and their families. In addition to leading her own practice, Dr. Gautam serves patients at Texas Children’s Hospital Urgent Care, where she provides both primary and acute pediatric care, including services for children covered under Texas Medicaid.

Dr. Gautam’s clinical expertise spans general pediatrics, acute care, and specialized services for children with developmental and behavioral conditions, particularly Autism Spectrum Disorder. Through SPAC, she is committed to advancing a holistic healthcare delivery model tailored to children with autism and their families. Her approach emphasizes compassionate, family-centered care that addresses not only medical needs but also emotional well-being, ensuring that every child and caregiver feels supported, understood, and empowered throughout their healthcare journey.

Beyond her clinical work, Dr. Gautam is deeply engaged in academic and professional development. She serves as an adjunct faculty member at Prairie View A&M University, where she teaches Community Health Nursing, and she mentors future healthcare providers as a clinical preceptor for Nurse Practitioner students. Her passion for education extends to her role as an advisory board member at Nursology, where she contributes to the advancement of nursing science and the dissemination of evidence-based knowledge.

Dr. Gautam earned her PhD in Nursing Science from Texas Woman’s University in 2024, where her research focused on the perceptions and health experiences of mothers raising children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. She also holds a Master of Public Health and has completed the Global Public Health Leadership Program at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Her strong academic background supports her commitment to integrating research, education, and clinical excellence in pediatric healthcare.

An active leader in the nursing and medical community, Dr. Gautam has held key roles within Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society, serving as Secretary for the Beta Beta Houston Chapter from 2023 to 2025. She maintains active memberships in several professional organizations, including the International Society for Autism Research (INSAR), the Medical Academy of Pediatrics & Special Needs (MAPS), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). Through her leadership, advocacy, and ongoing contributions to research and practice, Dr. Gautam continues to make a meaningful impact in pediatric and autism-focused healthcare.

• PhD in Nursing Science, Texas Woman’s University, 2024
• Global Public Health Leadership Program, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 2026
• MAPS Fellowship Program, Medical Academy of Pediatrics and Special Needs, 2025
• Master of Public Health (MPH), University of Texas Health Science Center, School of Public Health, 2011
• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), University Texas Health Science Center, School of Nursing, 2008

• Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Primary Care (CPNP-PC)

• Secretary (2023–2025), Beta Beta Houston Chapter, Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society

• International Society for Autism Research (INSAR)
• Medical Academy of Pediatrics & Special Needs (MAPS)
• American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
• American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)

• Clinical Preceptor, Texas Children’s Hospital
• Advisory Board Member, Nursology
• Founder, SPAC (Pediatric autism care and advocacy)

Contributor, Nursology
Contributor, Sigma Centered (Sigma Theta Tau International)
LinkedIn newsletters: Duality Discussions
Articles on pediatric care, autism, and healthcare delivery