by Carrie Lind, M.D. • Pediatric Hospitalist and Chair of Pediatrics for the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital Vanderbilt at Williamson Medical Center

When a child is sick or injured, every minute matters—not only for their health but also for parents’ peace of mind. In those moments, it’s so comforting to know that families have a qualified, experienced hospital that provides pediatric care just minutes away.

That’s why having high-quality pediatric care right here in our community isn’t just a convenience—it’s a lifeline.

Recently, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital Vanderbilt at Williamson Medical Center marked its tenth anniversary. For our community, the celebration demonstrated just how essential specialized care is for local families. So, what makes having pediatric care in Williamson County so valuable?

Pediatric care offers convenience and reassurance for families.

As a parent, when your child is sick or hurt, you simply want to get them care as quickly as possible. At Williamson Medical Center, our pediatric physicians and staff can diagnose and resolve most cases that come through our doors, which is a convenience and a reassurance for families in this community. You don’t have to waste precious minutes driving elsewhere for care because you have access to pediatric specialists right here in your backyard.

Access to pediatric-trained physicians and staff.

Williamson Health’s distinct pediatric emergency department and dedicated inpatient unit are staffed with board-certified pediatric physicians and pediatric-trained nurses. Treating a child isn’t the same as treating an adult—medication doses, equipment sizes and even the way you approach the patient are different when it comes to children. Our board-certified pediatric physicians and pediatric-trained nurses understand these differences, ensuring your child gets the right care and focused attention they need from the outset.

In addition to pediatric-trained physicians and nurses, Williamson Health also has child life specialists on staff. They understand how stressful an ER visit or hospital stay can be for a young child and guide children and families through the experience—explaining procedures, offering therapeutic play and education. This approach can help to ease anxiety and fear for the whole family.

Personalized care in a child- and family-centered environment.

Most regular adult emergency departments and inpatient units are not specifically designed for children and often lack staff trained in the unique needs of young patients. At Williamson Medical Center, our eight-bed pediatric ER, which is completely separate from the adult ER, and our dedicated 10-bed pediatric inpatient unit are tailored to children, featuring child-friendly environments with low, rounded nurses’ stations, bright colors and playful imagery, and family-centered rooms with space for parents to rest and work while their child recovers.

Pediatric care is about more than medicine. It’s about giving families confidence, comfort and hope when they need it most. For ten years, our pediatric team has been here—day and night—ready to treat everything from the smallest injuries to the most urgent emergencies and showcasing what’s possible when expert care meets compassion. When minutes matter, you understand the value of pediatric care—and Williamson Health makes it easily accessible, close to home.

Learn more about Williamson Health’s pediatric services by clicking here.