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Welcome to the Department of Pediatrics!

Happy New Year and Greetings from Augusta!

This year, we celebrate how our community pulled together in 1910 to open the first children’s hospital in the south, The Wilhenford Children’s Hospital. It seems clear that powerful child advocacy that fuels our department’s culture today has been part of our DNA for a very long time.

Over the last six months, we defined our priorities and the strategic planning process confirmed that we are most passionate about education, and that we are positioned to be the best in the world in preventing important adult diseases that start in childhood. Our highly-regarded children’s hospital is our economic engine that has to be increasingly viewed in the communities we serve as the “destination place” for children that require admission.

Our immediate focus is to (1) recruit an exceptional class of centennial interns and future pediatricians, (2) launch an exciting Child Health Discovery Institute, (3) roll out innovative clinical programs such as First Contact (to build major efficiencies in the admission process) and First Visit (to shorten time for subspecialty appointments), and (4) improve goal setting for faculty members.

We will leverage our regional and national distinctiveness to recruit and retain outstanding pediatricians, nurse practitioners, scientists, students, residents, and fellows: first children’s hospital in the south, among the highest ranked hospitals nationally in quality and safety, exemplary Patient- and Family-Centered Care, only facility in the area dedicated exclusively to children, superb educational programs, and leading pediatric prevention research.

Our medical school, already the largest in the South, is expanding further to address the projected physician workforce needs in Georgia, and in turn we are expanding our postgraduate training programs (residencies and fellowships). I am also very excited that over 20 of our medical students will complete a scholarly pediatric summer project this year, and that these future pediatricians will see how practicing research enhances quality clinical care.

We are an extremely collegial and accomplished group, and we are poised to achieving great things for children and families in 2010 and beyond. We look forward to warmly welcoming you to Augusta, the Garden City.

All the Best,
Dr. Bernie Maria