Barbara Saunders, DO

Barbara Saunders, DO

Division Chief

Department:
SOM-Peds-Child Development

Email:
bsaunders@umc.edu

Work Phone:
(601) 984-5236

Biography

Dr. Barbara S. Saunders, a developmental-behavioral pediatrician, is on faculty at UMMC as a Professor of Pediatrics and Chief of the Division of Child Development. She is a native of Montgomery, AL, and received her B.S. in biology from the University of Mobile (AL). She received her medical degree from Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed a pediatrics residency at Oklahoma State University Medical Center. Dr. Saunders completed her developmental-behavioral pediatrics fellowship at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, where she also earned a Graduate Certificate in Clinical and Translational Science. She is the Medical Director of the Center for Advancement of Youth at UMMC. Dr. Saunders is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Children with Disabilities Executive Committee. She is active in medical student and resident education as well as advocacy efforts. Dr. Saunders has expertise in developmental and behavioral disorders including autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, learning disabilities, disruptive behaviors, ADHD, anxiety, and depression and is committed to improving the health and developmental outcomes of the children and families she serves at the CAY Center. Outside of clinic, Dr. Saunders is a passionate sports fan and particularly enjoys cheering on the Auburn Tigers, Atlanta Braves, and Green Bay Packers.

Education

University of Arkansas for Medical Studies, Fellowship, Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics2013
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Graduate Certificate in Clinical and Translational Science2013
Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities, Certificate, Faculty2012
Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Residency, Pediatrics2010
Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Internship, Pediatrics2008
Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, DO, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine2007
University of Mobile, BS, Bachelor of Science in Biology2003

Specialty Certification Licensure

Licensure, Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure04/2013 - Present
Licensure, American Osteopathic Board of Pediatrics05/2010 - Present

Current Positions

Professor, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics07/2023 - Present
Division Director, School of Medicine2017 - Present
Director of Resident Education, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics06/2014 - Present
The University of Mississippi Medical Center
Jackson, Mississippi 39216

Academic Appointments or Other Previous Appointments

Associate Professor, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics07/2018 - 06/2023
Co-PI, University of Mississippi Medical Center, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics09/2017 - 08/2020
Chair of Education and Training Committee - CAY Center, University of Mississippi Medical Center, School of Medicine05/2016 - 08/2017
Assistant Professor, University of Mississippi Medical Center, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics07/2013 - 06/2018

Sponsored Program Funding

Extramural, Child Access to Mental Health and Psychiatry (CHAMP), Health Resources & Services Administration09/2018 - 09/2023
Extramural, Child Health Development Project/Mississippi Thrive!, Health Resources & Services Administration09/2017 - 09/2022

Publications

American Academy of Pediatrics Interim Guidance

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Board of Directors

(All interim guidance published by the AAP is officially authored by the AAP's board of directors but has an author/authoring group whose names are not listed on the publication. The authoring group (in alphabetical order) for this interim guidance includes: Campbell J, Hackell J, Lee J, and Saunders BS.) Interim Guidance for COVID-19 Vaccination in Children and Adolescents
2021

Parent/Caregiver Educational Handouts

Saunders BS Educational handouts for parents/caregivers on:
Alpha agonist, atypical antipsychotic, selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor, and stimulant medications
Melatonin and sleep hygiene
Social stories
Advocacy resources
Disabled Child Living at Home Medicaid services

Journal Article

Davis BE, Leppert MO, German K, Lehmann CU, Adams-Chapman I, Council on Children with Disabilities, Committee on Fetus and Newborn Primary Care Framework to Monitor Preterm Infants for Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Early Childhood Pediatrics. 2023;e2023062511. doi: 10.1542/peds.2023-06251. Online ahead of print.2023
Gardner SK, Hanna H, Buttross S, Walker CS, Love T, Saunders B, Elliott L, Long B, Craft P, Jigjidsuren D. Establishing an Early Childhood Developmental Health Promotion System: The Child Health and Development Project: Mississippi Thrive! Journal of the Mississippi State Medical Association. 2022; 63(2): 39-442022
Carbone PS, Smith PJ, Lewis C, LeBlanc C, Council on Children with Disabilities, Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness Promoting the Participation of Children and Adolescents with Disabilities in Sports, Recreation, and Physical Activity Pediatrics. 2021; 148(6): e20210546642021
Houtrow A, Elias ER, Davis BE, Council on Children with Disabilities Promoting Healthy Sexuality for Children and Adolescents with Disabilities Pediatrics. 2021; 148(1): e20210520432021
Legano LA, Desch LW, Messner SA, Idzerda S, Glaherty EG, Council on Child Abuse and Neglect, Council on Children with Disabilities Maltreatment of Children with Disabilities Pediatrics. 2021; 147(5): e20210509202021
Statter MB, Noritz G, Committee on Bioethics, Council on Children with Disabilities Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities as Organ Transplant Recipients Pediatrics. 2020; 145(5): e202006252020
Hyman SL, Levy SE, Myers SM, Council on Children with Disabilities, Section on Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics Identification, Evaluation, and Management of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Pediatrics. 2020; 145(1): e201934472020
Lipkin PH, Macias MM, Council on Children with Disabilities, Section on Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics Promoting Optimal Development: Identifying Infants and Young Children with Developmental Disorders Through Developmental Surveillance and Screening Pediatrics. 2020; 145(1): e201934492020
Hyman SL, Levy SE, Myers SM, Council on Children with Disabilities, Section on Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics Executive Summary: Identification, Evaluation, and Management of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Pediatrics. 2020; 145(1): e201934482020
Saunders BS Top 10 Facts You Need to Know About ADHD Journal of the Mississippi State Medical Association. 2017; 58(5): 152-1532017
Saunders BS, Tilford JM, Fussell JJ, Schulz EG, Casey PH, Kuo DZ Financial and Employment Impact of Intellectual Disability on Families of Children with Autism Families, Systems, and Health. 2015; 33(1): 36-452015
McCoy SJB, Beal JM, Saunders BS, Hill EN, Payton ME, Watson GH Risk Factors for Postpartum Depression: A Retrospective Investigation Journal of Reproductive Medicine. 2008; 53(3): 166-1702008
Davis BE, Leppert MO, German K, Lehmann CU, Adams-Chapman I, Council on Children with Disabilities, Committee on Fetus and Newborn Primary
Saunders BS and Elkin TD A Cost Effective System of Behavioral Health Care for Kids Children's Hospitals Today. 2020; 10.2020

Editorial Commentary

Saunders BS The State of Special Education in Mississippi Journal of the Mississippi State Medical Association. 2017; 58(3): 97-992017
Saunders BS Being More Than Just a Band-Aid and Having Fun Doing It Developmental and Behavioral News, AAP Section on Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics Newsletter. 2016; 26, No. 1: 14-152016

Letter to the Editor

Burns KH, Saunders BS, Burns SA Nurturing Visual Social Development in the NICU Journal of Perinatology. 2020. (online ahead of print)2020

Electronic Publications

Saunders BS Autism Spectrum Disorder: No Longer on the Rise? SOAP Notes Blog. American Academy of Pediatrics, Section on Early Career Physicians. April 2018.2018
Saunders BS Accidental Injury: A Preventable Cause of Death in Children SOAP Notes Blog. American Academy of Pediatrics, Section on Early Career Physicians. June 2017.2017
Saunders BS Why Repealing the ACA Would Make America Sick Again The Mighty2017

Presentations

National and International Invited Seminars/Lectures, Creating Behavioral Care Systems in a Developmental Desert, Bridging the Gap in Pediatric Mental Health Care, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Department of Pediatrics, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, OK04/2023
State/Local Invited Seminars/Lectures, Not Wrong, Different: An Autism Discussion from the Physician Parent Perspective, A Meeting of the Minds Symposium, Department of Communicative Disorders, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS03/2023
State/Local Invited Seminars/Lectures, Identifying Developmental Delays in Young Children, Friends of MS, Inc. Head Start Health Service Advisory Committee, Virtual01/2022
National and International Invited Seminars/Lectures, The Power of Parenting: Improving Parental Engagement and Developmental Outcomes in the NICU, Neonatal Education Symposium (HCA Midwest Health/Sunflower Neonatology Associates), virtual (Overland Park, KS)11/2021
National and International Invited Seminars/Lectures, Caring for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and/or Intellectual Disability in the Primary Care Setting, Oklahoma State University Medical Center Pediatrics Residency Program, Virtual09/2021
National and International Invited Seminars/Lectures, Caring for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and/or Intellectual Disability in the Primary Care Setting, Psychiatry in Primary Care: Developing Minds/Osteopathic Founders Foundation, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, OK06/2021
National and International Invited Seminars/Lectures, Optimizing Advances in Telemedicine to Increase Access to Developmental Behavioral Specialists in Rural and Underserved Areas, Society for Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, National virtual conference10/2020
National and International Invited Seminars/Lectures, Creating a Coordinated, Cost-Effective System of Developmental and Behavioral Care, Children's Hospital Association Annual Leadership Conference, San Antonio, TX11/2018
State/Local Invited Seminars/Lectures, The CAY Center at UMMC: An Update on Access to Behavioral Health Services, MS Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics Spring CME Meeting, Pearl, MS04/2018
National and International Invited Seminars/Lectures, Creating Behavioral Care Systems in a Developmental Desert, The Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Savannah, GA09/2016
Regional Invited Seminars/Lectures, Identification and Evaluation of Speech/Language Delays, Mississippi Osteopathic Medical Association, Destin, FL06/2016
State/Local Invited Seminars/Lectures, Implementing Developmental Screening in Primary Care Pediatrics, MS Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics, Ridgeland, MS04/2016
State/Local Invited Seminars/Lectures, Early Child Development: What's Normal and When to Screen, MS Chapter AAP Spring CME Meeting, Ridgeland, MS04/2015
State/Local Invited Seminars/Lectures, Intellectual Disabilities, Developmental Delay, and Learning Disabilities, Pediatric Residency Program, UMMC07/2014
Regional Invited Seminars/Lectures, Early Child Development: What's Normal and When to Screen, Mississippi Osteopathic Medical Association, Destin, Florida05/2014
State/Local Invited Seminars/Lectures, Autism Spectrum Disorder in Primary Care: What Every Physician Should Know, Mississippi Osteopathic Medical Association, Biloxi, MS02/2014
State/Local Invited Seminars/Lectures, Being a Mom in Medicine, Mom's in Medicine student interest group/UMC SOM, Jackson, MS02/2014
State/Local Invited Seminars/Lectures, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: A Physician/Parent Perspective, Child Development Clinic, UMMC, Jackson, MS02/2014
National and International Invited Seminars/Lectures, The Additional Impact of Intellectual Disability on Families of Children with Autism, Maternal Child Health Bureau Developmental-Behavioral Fellows annual meeting, Stamford, CT04/2013
National and International Invited Seminars/Lectures, The Additional Impact of Intellectual Disability on Families of Children with Autism, Maternal Child Health Bureau Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics annual meeting, Providence, RI03/2012
Regional Invited Seminars/Lectures, The Additional Impact of Intellectual Disability on Families of Children with Autism, Southern Regional Meeting, New Orleans, LA02/2012
National and International Invited Seminars/Lectures, Financial Burden and Job Loss Impact for Families of Children with Autism, Maternal Child Health Bureau Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Fellows annual meeting, Oklahoma City, OK03/2011
National and International Invited Seminars/Lectures, Cardiac Abnormalities in a Child with Smith-Magenis Syndrome, Osteopathic Medical Conference and Exposition annual meeting, New Orleans, LA11/2009

Honors, Awards, and Recognition

Early Career Women Faculty Leadership Development Seminar, selected participant, Association of American Medical Colleges2017
Children's Leadership Program - Selected Participant, Children's of Mississippi and UMMC Department of Pediatrics2017
Young Physicians Leadership Alliance - Selected Participant, American Academy of Pediatrics, Section on Early Career Physicians2017
Federal Advocacy Training Subspecialty Track Scholarship Recipient, American Academy of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics2016
Doctor of Distinction, Mississippi State Medical Association2015
MS AAP representative to the Physician Leadership Academy, Mississippi State Medical Association2014
Federal Advocacy Training Scholarship Recipient, American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics2014
Clinical Sciences Young Investigator Finalist, Southern Society for Pediatric Research, Southern Society for Pediatric Research2012
Residency Scholarship, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Pediatrics2009
Pediatrics Award, Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine2007

Professional Membership and Service

American Academy of Pediatrics, Council on Children With Disabilities, Officer, Other Officer, American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference and Exhibition2019 - Present
Society for Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics, Member, Society for Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Annual Meeting2017 - Present
American Academy of Pediatrics, Section on Early Career Physicians, Member, American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference and Exhibition2017 - 2023
American Academy of Pediatrics, Council on Children with Disabilities, Member, American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference and Exhibition2013 - Present
American Academy of Pediatrics, Section on Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics, Member, American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference and Exhibition2013 - Present
Mississippi Osteopathic Medical Association, Member, MOMA Winter CME Conference, MOMA Spring CME Conference2013 - 2017
Mississippi State Medical Association, Member, MSMA House of Delegates2013 - 2018
Arkansas Osteopathic Association, Member, Arkansas Osteopathic Association Annual Meeting2010 - 2013
American College of Osteopathic Pediatricians, Member, Board Certification2010 - Present
American Academy of Pediatrics, Member, American Association of Pediatrics National Conference and Exhibition2007 - Present
Oklahoma Osteopathic Association, Member, OOA Annual Conference2003 - 2010
American Osteopathic Association, Member, OMED (National Conference)2003 - Present

Committee Service

MEDICAL CENTER-CENTERS AND INSTITUTES, Member2020 - Present
Pediatric Mentorship Committee - Jessica Perkins, MD, Track Representative2020 - 2023
School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics - Pediatric Discovery Expansion, Chief, Branch for Funding and Development2020 - 2022
American Academy of Pediatrics - Council on Children with Disabilities Executive Committee, Member2019 - Present
Division Chief LEADER Series (Office of Faculty Affairs), CME Director2018 - 2019
CME Committee, Department of Pediatrics, Member2018 - Present
Patient Experience Work Group, Department of Pediatrics, Member2018 - 2020
Pediatric Mentorship Committee - Sarah Connerly Sham, MD, Chair2018 - 2023
Children's of Mississippi Ambulatory Executive Council Professionalism & Accountability Subcommittee, Member2016 - 2017
Children's of Mississippi Ambulatory Executive Council, Member2016 - 2018
Executive Council, CAY Center, Member2016 - 2019
Education and Training Committee, CAY Center, Chair2016 - 2017
Reference Committee on Constitution and By-Laws for the Mississippi State Medical Association, Member2015 - 2015
SCHOOL OF MEDICINE-ADMISSIONS, Member2014 - 2017
Legislative Committee for the Mississippi chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Member2014 - 2020
Continuing Medical Education/Parent Education Committee, Child Development Clinic, Member2013 - 2016
Improving the Care of Children with Autism at Arkansas Children's Hospital, Member2012 - 2013
Steering Committee, Team UP 2011:Evidence Based Interventions for Children with Autism, Member2010 - 2011

Community Service

Health Science Academy Advisory Committee (Northwest Rankin High School), committee member11/2021 - Present
Junior League of Jackson, Active Member05/2020 - 05/2023
RadioMD Podcast Interview - Halloween for Kids with Special Needs or Restrictions, Invited Guest10/2019 - 10/2019
Junior League of Jackson, Provisional Member08/2019 - 04/2020
MPB Autism Awareness Special Interview - Does Technology Help or Hinder Autistic Kids from Speaking?, Invited Guest04/2018 - 04/2018
Question It? Discover It! at the Mississippi Children's Museum, Physician Leader04/2018 - 04/2018
WLBT Special Interview - Autism Awareness Month: Activities for Children with Autism, Invited Guest04/2018 - 04/2018
MPB Southern Remedy/Relatively Speaking (radio show), Invited guest06/2017 - 06/2017
Question it?Discover it! at the Mississippi Children's Museum, Physician leader04/2017 - 04/2017
MPB Southern Remedy/Relatively Speaking (radio show), Invited guest02/2017 - 02/2017
MBP Southern Remedy/The Original, Invited guest08/2016 - 08/2016
Pinelake Kids Ministry, Small Group Leader - 4th & 5th grade boys & girls08/2016 - 07/2017
MPB Southern Remedy/Relatively Speaking (radio show), Invited guest05/2016 - 05/2016
Reach Out and Read, Reader12/2015 - 12/2015
Pinelake Kids Ministry, Small Group Leader - 3rd Grade Girls08/2015 - 07/2016
Special Education Interest Group - Rankin County School District, Member04/2015 - 03/2020
Mississippi Children's Museum Doctors Day, Physician Participant03/2015 - 03/2015
Pinelake Kids Ministry, Small Group Leader - 2nd Grade Girls08/2014 - 07/2015
Pinelake Preschool Ministry (Little Lakers), Preschool Servant Leader01/2014 - Present

Other Service

Association of Medical Schools Pediatric Department Chairs Division Director Leadership Program, Attendee01/2022 - 01/2022
American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference and Exhibition, Attendee10/2021 - 10/2021
Interview for ABC News Article, Invited Expert02/2021 - 02/2021
American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference and Exhibition, Attendee10/2020 - 10/2020
Interview for New York Times article, Invited Expert05/2020 - 06/2020
American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference and Exhibition, Attendee10/2019 - 10/2019
American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference and Exhibition, Attendee11/2018 - 11/2018
American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference and Exhibition, Attendee09/2017 - 09/2017
Americal Academy of Pediatrics National Conference and Exhibition, Attendee10/2015 - 10/2015
Mississippi State Medical Association House of Delegates, Delegate, Central Medical Society08/2015 - 08/2015
American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference and Exhibition, Attendee10/2013 - 10/2013
Reviewer for the International Journal of Developmental Disabilities (since June 2017), Reviewed the following article(s): Factors associated with employment of mothers caring for children with developmental disabilities
Reviewer for the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders (since August 2015), Reviewed the following article(s): Pediatric Prolonged-Release Melatonin for Sleep in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Impact on Child Behavior and Caregiver's Quality of Life, Comparing the effectiveness of two app-based number lines to teach price comparison to students with autism spectrum disorders
Reviewed submissions to MedEdPORTAL (since January 2018), Reviewed the following: Trauma Exposure Response: How Secondary Trauma Affects Personal and Professional Life, SMART MD: Practical Wellness Strategies for Medical Students to Prepare for Residency and Beyond, Approach to Clinical Assessment of Children with Medical Complexity, Acute Hypoxemia in Infants with Cyanotic Complex Cardiac Anatomy: Simulation Cases for Pediatric Fellows
Reviewer for AAP clinical reports, AAP policy statements, and other AAP articles and books (since July 2019), Reviewed the following: Suicide and Suicide Risk in Adolescents Clinical Report, Ensuring Access to Critical Health Information for Children during Emergencies: Emergency Information Forms and Beyond, Quirky Kids: Understanding and Supporting Your Child with Developmental Differences - 2nd Edition

Teaching Experience

Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, CHDP Fellows' DidacticsAnnual 2019
Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Pediatric Neurology DidacticsFall 2018
Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Pediatric Grand RoundsFall 2016 - 2016
PED 654, Medicine, Course, Course Director, M4 Child Development Clinic electiveAnnual 2015
PA students from Mississippi College, Lecture, Guest Presenter, Mississippi College Physician Assistant Pediatric ClerkshipAnnual 2015
Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Evaluation and Management of Speech/Language DelaysFall 2015
Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Nelson LectureAnnual 2014
PED 632, Medicine, Course, Course Director, M3 Child Development Clinic electiveAnnual 2013
Medicine, Small Group, Lecturer, Moms in MedicineSpring 2014 - 2014
Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Child Development ConferenceSpring 2014 - 2014
Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Child Development Behavior Conference DBP FellowsFall 2012 - 2012
Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Child Development Behavior Conference DBP FellowsFall 2010 - 2010
Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Child Development Behavior Conference DBP FellowsSpring 2011 - 2011
Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Child Development Behavior Conference DBP FellowsSpring 2013 - 2013
Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Child Development Behavior Conference DBP FellowsFall 2011 - 2011
Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Collaborative Office Rounds DBP and Child Psychiatry FellowsSummer 2012 - 2012
Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Pediatric Grand RoundsFall 2013 - 2013

Directed Student Learning

Mentor, Advised: Tonye Burutolu2021 - 2021
Preceptor, Advised: Graham Hodge2021 - 2021
Preceptor, Advised: Austin Southern2021 - 2021
Mentor, Advised: Kenneth Song2020 - 2020
Preceptor, Advised: Anna McCoy2020 - 2020
Preceptor, Advised: Andrew Van Velsor2020 - 2020
Preceptor, Advised: Haley Hobart2020 - 2020
Preceptor, Advised: Gaylen Patterson2018 - 2018
Preceptor, Advised: Kayla Richter2017 - 2017
Preceptor, Advised: Mary Katherine Hood2017 - 2017
Preceptor, Advised: Abbye Baskin2016 - 2016
Preceptor, Advised: Lauren Elliot2015 - 2015
Preceptor, Advised: Savannah Walker2014 - 2014
Preceptor, Advised: Amy Yeates2014 - 2014
Preceptor, Advised: Mary Moses Hitt2014 - 2014
Preceptor, Advised: Harleen Kaur2013 - 2013

Residency Training

Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Advisor2020 - Present
Pediatrics, Subspecialty/Activity Director2014 - Present
Pediatrics, Training Faculty2013 - Present