The Department of Pediatrics is committed to excellence in patient care for children from birth to 21 years of age, advancing research knowledge in the care of children and delivering state of the art medical education to the students at Meharry Medical College and affiliated institutions.
The Department of Pediatrics provides the opportunity for children in the community to receive excellent, comprehensive health care in a user-friendly, family-centered, culturally sensitive environment regardless of race, ethnicity or socioeconomic background. The Department emphasizes primary and preventive care and works closely with Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital to assure comprehensive care to our patients.
Research in the Department of Pediatrics is designed to address health care disparities locally, nationally and internationally. Our research efforts focus on the medically underserved and ethnic minorities to gather information that will be used to assure access to quality health care.
The Department provides educational opportunities to students from a variety of institutions. Our primary focus is on medical student education at Meharry Medical College. Medical students and Pediatric Residents from Vanderbilt University also take advantage of the opportunity to enhance their education in our Department. The Department serves as a training center for nursing and physician assistant students from Tennessee State University and Trevecca Nazerene University. The Department considers the education of future health care providers a core part of our mission.
The faculty of the Department of Pediatrics is committed to continuing to carry out the mission of Meharry Medical College through excellence in health care delivery, research, education and training.
Dr. Xylina D. Bean
Chair and Distinguished W.K. Kellogg Professor of Pediatrics
Education 
Research
Patient Care
Links
Pediatrics Message from the Chair 