The Department of Pediatrics
The Department of Pediatrics at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine, Knoxville (UTHSC COM-Knoxville) is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of children across East Tennessee and the surrounding region. Our physicians, educators, and healthcare professionals share a common commitment to delivering exceptional pediatric care while training the next generation of pediatricians in a compassionate, collaborative environment.
As the primary pediatric teaching site for the UTHSC COM-Knoxville, Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital plays a central role in advancing medical education through its academic partnership with the university. This collaboration allows faculty, residents, and learners to work together to deliver high-quality care while contributing to the ongoing advancement of pediatric medicine through education, research, and community engagement.
We are committed to fostering a culture where children and families feel supported, where healthcare teams work collaboratively, and where learners are encouraged to grow into thoughtful, skilled physicians.
Through this culture, we strive to create an environment where physicians and trainees develop not only clinical expertise but also a deep commitment to advocacy, ethical practice, and lifelong learning.
Our Pediatric Residency Program embodies this mission by preparing future pediatricians who deliver exemplary, family-centered care and who remain dedicated to continuous learning and scholarly discovery. Guided by experienced faculty and supported by robust clinical resources, residents are trained to become compassionate clinicians, leaders in community engagement, and advocates for children’s health.
The UTHSC COM-Knoxville Department of Pediatrics, along with our clinical partner, Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital, is proud to help shape the future of pediatric care while serving the children and families of our region with dedication, compassion, and excellence.
Dolly Parton Children's Hospital
Dolly Parton Children's Hospital is a 152-bed free-standing hospital certified by the state of Tennessee. As a Comprehensive Regional Pediatric Center, Dolly Parton's Children's Hospital offers full capabilities to care for seriously ill children in a unique pediatric environment and offers the services of many different pediatric subspecialties. Dolly Parton Children's Hospital works jointly with the University of Tennessee Medical Center to ensure that injured children in this region receive trauma care at the institution most appropriate for the child's needs.
In 2024, a collaboration was formed between UTHSC COM-Knoxville and the Dolly Parton Children's Hospital (formerly East Tennessee Children's Hospital) to launch a pediatric residency program. This is the first pediatric graduate medical education (GME) program between the two organizations. The partnership re-established formalized pediatric training for the greater Knoxville region for the first time in nearly 25 years. Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital and UTHSC COM-Knoxville will welcome their first class of residents beginning July 2027.
Department Chair
Suzanne Rybczynski, MD, MSHCM, FAAP
Dr. Suzanne Rybczynski is the Chair of the Department of Pediatrics and Associate Professor of Pediatrics. She is a 1991 graduate of the University of Mississippi, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in history. She earned her Doctorate in Medicine from the University of Mississippi School of Medicine in 1995. Dr. Rybczynski completed her residency training in pediatrics at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Rybczynski has over 30 years of experience in pediatric healthcare, including as a general pediatrician and pediatric hospitalist. She is board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Her research focus is on suicide risk screening and prevention in youth, especially those with neurodevelopmental disabilities. Dr. Rybczynski is also the Chief Medical Officer and Vice President of Medical Affairs at Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital.
Save the Date: Progress in Pediatrics 2027
April 17, 2027
Crowne Plaza Knoxville
401 W. Summit Hill
Knoxville, TN 37902
Keynote Speakers
Mark Del Monte, JD
Bonnie Halpern-Felsher, PhD
