Barbara S. Saunders, DO
Specialties: Child Development
Gender: Female
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.
Practice Locations
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1
Children’s of Mississippi - Tupelo Specialty Clinic
1150 S. Green St., Tupelo, MS 38804 View Location |
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2
Center for the Advancement of Youth - UMMC
4400 Old Canton Road, Jackson, MS 39211 View Location |
Accepted Insurance Plans
The University of Mississippi Medical Center accepts all plans, but may not be an in-network provider with your plan. We encourage you to contact your insurer and ask if the plan is in network with UMMC. Always contact your insurance carrier for specific coverage information.
*Note: Grenada and Holmes County locations have different payor contracts. Oral Surgeons are considered in-network to the medical health plans listed below NOT dental.
Medicare health insurance plans
- Humana Medicare Advantage
- Medicare - Fee For Service
- Railroad Medicare - Fee for Service
- Shared Health Mississippi
- United Healthcare (except DSNP)
- Vantage Health Plan - Medicare Advantage
- Wellcare - Medicare Advantage
Medicaid health plans
- Mississippi Medicaid
- MS CAN - Magnolia Health Plan, Molina HealthCare, United Healthcare
- Medicaid MS CHIP - Molina MS CHIP and United Healthcare
Dental plans
- Always Care
- Medicaid
- MS CAN - Magnolia Health Plan, Molina HealthCare, United Healthcare
- Ambetter - Magnolia Health Plan
Commercial, Marketplace and other health plans
- Always Care - Dental & Vision
- Avesis (Molina)
- Aetna Health Management
- Ambetter - Magnolia Health Plan
- American Life Care - PHCS/Multiplan
- Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi
- Cenpatico - Behavioral Health
- Cigna PPO and Behavioral Health (excludes transplants)
- Corvel Healthcare Corp
- First Choice Health Plan - includes Humana PPO Commercial, but not Humana Medicare Advantage
- First Health Network/Coventry - Aetna
- Government Employees Health Insurance Association (GEHA) - United Healthcare
- Hattiesburg Clinic Professional Association - MPCN
- Interlink Health Services - Transplant Services
- LifeTrac - Transplant Services
- Mississippi Department of Rehab Services (MDRS)
- Mississippi Health Partners (MHP) - Family Medicine Only
- Mississippi Physicians Care Network (MPCN)
- Mississippi State Hospital
- Mississippi State and School Employees' Health Insurance Plan (AHS Network administered by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi)
- Multiplan - PHCS/American Life Care
- North Mississippi Health Link
- OptumHealth Care Solutions, Inc. - Transplant Services
- OptumHealth VA CCN
- PPO Plus, LLC/Zelis/Stratose
- Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS)
- Tricare
- United Healthcare - PPO Commercial, CHIP, MSCAN, Behavioral Health
- Vantage Health Plan - Commercial, PPACA Plan and Medicare Advantage Plan
- Veterans Administration
Education
| Board Certification: | Pediatrics, Developmental - Behavioral Pediatrics |
| Fellowship: | University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine |
| Internship: | Oklahoma State University Medical Center |
| Medical Education: | Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences |
| Residency: | Oklahoma State University Medical Center |
Experience
Current Positions
| Professor, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS | 07/2023 - Present |
| Medical Director, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Center for Advancement of Youth | 08/2021 - Present |
| Division Director, School of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS | 2017 - Present |
| Director of Resident Education, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Mississippi Medical Center | 06/2014 - Present |
Specialty Certification Licensure
| Licensure, Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure | 04/2013 - Present |
| Licensure, American Osteopathic Board of Pediatrics | 05/2010 - Present |
Honors, Awards, and Recognition
| Early Career Women Faculty Leadership Development Seminar, selected participant, Association of American Medical Colleges | 2017 |
| Children's Leadership Program - Selected Participant, Children's of Mississippi and UMMC Department of Pediatrics | 2017 |
| Young Physicians Leadership Alliance - Selected Participant, American Academy of Pediatrics, Section on Early Career Physicians | 2017 |
| Federal Advocacy Training Subspecialty Track Scholarship Recipient, American Academy of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics | 2016 |
| Doctor of Distinction, Mississippi State Medical Association | 2015 |
| MS AAP representative to the Physician Leadership Academy, Mississippi State Medical Association | 2014 |
| Federal Advocacy Training Scholarship Recipient, American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics | 2014 |
| Clinical Sciences Young Investigator Finalist, Southern Society for Pediatric Research, Southern Society for Pediatric Research | 2012 |
| Residency Scholarship, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Pediatrics | 2009 |
| Pediatrics Award, Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine | 2007 |