Since its founding in 1950 by R. James McKay, MD, the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine has had a record of achievement locally, nationally, and internationally that aligns with its clinical and academic mission and vision. The mission of our department and our University of Vermont Children's Hospital is to improve the health of all children we serve through clinical, research, educational, and advocacy activities that ensure the highest quality state-of-the- art child-friendly family-centered care possible for infants, children, and adolescents living in our local communities that in turn can be shared with others throughout the country and the world.   The vision of our Department and Children’s Hospital is to create a “children’s hospital/dept without walls” that utilizes the talents of everyone in Vermont and upstate New York who shares an interest in improving children’s health and wellbeing. 

We recognize that we are enriched as a community and better able to serve children and families when we include voices from all perspectives and do so in a compassionate and collaborative work environment that promotes cultural humility, kindness, and respect for our patients as well as for our clinicians, staff, and trainees.  We are committed to advocacy initiatives that allow children and their families to thrive in safe environments free from bias and with a strong sense of belonging.  

Faculty in our department focus their efforts in the following areas:  (1) striving to be a national or international leader in their field; (2) making sure they contribute to the communities in which they live; (3) always making high quality  care delivery to children and families a priority; (4) ensuring that there is an appreciation of everyone’s culture and need for belonging  in all that we do; (5) building a culture of wellness for our patients and for ourselves; and (6) sustaining the gains so that our successors continue to foster the innovative growth and development of our department and children’s hospital. As you explore our website, what I have described will become self-evident in the clinical and academic domains contained within this site.  We welcome your feedback and suggestions for continued growth and innovation, which is how our department has evolved to date and will continue to evolve as we strive to ensure a bright and optimistic future for all the children we serve. 

Lewis R. First, M.D.
Professor and Chair