It is no secret that a nationwide physician and nurse shortage persists and experts predict even greater shortages in the near future.  According to projections from the American Academy of Family Physicians, the United States will have a shortage of 40,000 primary care physicians by 2020.

To help combat this trend, the physicians at Pediatrics East created the "Is there a doctor in the house?" program. This program encourages the children of Shelby County to begin thinking about their future at an early age.  Through "Is There a Doctor in the House?", Peds East's physicians inform the children that becoming a medical professional is a wonderful and attainable goal (and they make the program fun, too).



Macon-Hall Elementary was the school chosen this year to participate in the program.  Each child drew a picture of themselves as a doctor and wrote a short story telling what they would do if they were a doctor.  The submitted drawings were judged by Peds East's physicians and Mr. D's 2nd grade class was chosen as the overall winner.  To congratulate the class, Dr. Melissa Adams and Dr. Andrew Nearn presented the children with awards and a cookie party.