KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – Tennessee is facing a shortage of pediatricians, with health experts reporting about eight pediatricians for every 10,000 children statewide, according to the American Board of Pediatrics.
Some rural counties have far fewer pediatricians, while others have none at all. This shortage has prompted new initiatives to address healthcare gaps for children across the state.
East Tennessee Children’s Hospital has partnered with the University of Tennessee Health Graduate School of Medicine to launch a pediatric residency program aimed at bringing more doctors to rural communities.
It’s the first program in 25 years for for the greater Knoxville region.
“It’s hard to get doctors to move to rural communities,” said Dr. Suzanne Rybczynski with East Tennessee Children’s Hospital.
This pediatric residency program is expected to grow 18-24 residents between all classes each year.
Data from the American Board of Pediatrics shows four East Tennessee counties don’t have a certified pediatrician, while at least eight counties have fewer than three.
The three-year residency program will train residents in standard pediatric care.
Dr.Rybczynski said the residents will then be trained on diseases like cancer, developmental issues and prematurity for example.
She said residents will have an opportunity to while providing experience in rural county practices.
“So if we have doctors who are trained here from those rural communities, it’s more likely that they’ll go back to their rural homes and take care of the kids that need the help and care,” Rybczynski said.
Residents will work in clinics to learn patient care and visit community pediatric offices.
“They will see their own patients in that clinic as a general pediatrician but then they will also go to other community pediatric offices and see what’s that like too,” Rybczynski said.
Remote Area Medical, a nonprofit organization, provides free medical, vision and dental services to rural communities by traveling to areas where they’re invited.
Brad Sands, a clinic coordinator with the organization, said they saw about 3,100 children at pop-up clinics in 2025.
“So being able to give them that and take a little bit of pressure off of the parent’s mind, you know. Maybe they’re stressed about dinner for the next month or something like that. And now they don’t have to worry about whether they’re going to pay rent or buy glasses for their kids,” Sands said.
The new residency program is scheduled to start next summer. Residents will interview and must match with the program.
Remote Area Medical’s Tennessee clinic schedule is available here.
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