Exciting Changes in Atlanta: Meet the New Pediatrician in Chief at Children’s Healthcare

Exciting Changes in Atlanta: Meet the New Pediatrician in Chief!

Attention all parents and caregivers in Atlanta! Big news is coming from the world of pediatric healthcare. Drumroll, please! Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta has officially welcomed Dr. Shari Barkin as the new Pediatrician in Chief. This exciting appointment is set to pave the way for even better medical care for our little ones.

A Bright New Chapter

Dr. Barkin is not just any pediatrician; she’s set to take the helm and drive clinical excellence for medical specialty programs. Her mission? To guide the academic facets of Children’s Healthcare, specifically focusing on research and teaching. In a role packed with responsibilities, she’ll also serve as Chair of the Emory University School of Medicine Department of Pediatrics. Talk about multitasking!

“We welcome Dr. Barkin to Children’s, where she will play a pivotal role in furthering our vision of becoming a unified pediatric system. We aim to do everything possible to make anything possible for kids,” said Donna Hyland, CEO of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. It’s clear that Dr. Barkin is stepping into some pretty big shoes!

What Does This Mean for Our Kids?

So, what exactly does Dr. Barkin’s new position entail? For starters, she will oversee division chiefs at Children’s who manage over 22 medical specialties. That’s a lot of ground to cover, but Dr. Barkin is certainly up to the challenge. Not only will she contribute to the clinical side of things, but she’ll also work to strengthen the already solid partnership between Children’s Healthcare and Emory, as well as collaborate with Georgia Tech. Now, that sounds like a winning combination for pediatric care!

Professional Background

To say that Dr. Barkin is qualified for this role would be an understatement. She is a board-certified pediatrician with a focus on general pediatrics. Plus, she’s a member of the National Academy of Medicine! Having previously held titles as Physician in Chief at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at Virginia Commonwealth University, Dr. Barkin is no stranger to the demanding world of pediatric healthcare.

Her expertise doesn’t end there; she’s a trained health services and outcomes researcher focusing on community-based, family-centered obesity prevention interventions. This skill set should definitely be to the benefit of countless children and families across Atlanta!

A Legacy to Build On

Dr. Barkin is taking over from Dr. Lucky Jain, who has been in this dual role for almost 30 years. Dr. Jain made a significant impact during his tenure, boosting research funding from the National Institutes of Health and enhancing residency and fellowship programs. Let’s not forget, U.S. News & World Report has consistently recognized Children’s Healthcare as one of the best children’s hospitals in the nation, with eight specialty programs ranking in the top 20 this year alone!

Looking Ahead

In her own words, Dr. Barkin expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “I am honored to join Children’s in their incredible mission to make children better today and healthier tomorrow.” Her commitment to building upon the solid foundation laid by Dr. Jain while forging ahead into new and exciting opportunities is sure to bring about even more advancements in pediatric care.

Atlanta families can rest a little easier knowing that their children’s health is in such capable hands. Here’s hoping for a bright and healthy future for all the kiddos!