Jennifer Najjar, MD, associate professor of Pediatrics in the Ian M. Burr Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, has been named Senior Pediatrician of the Year by the Tennessee Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (TNAAP).
The award comes on the heels of Najjar’s retirement on June 28 after 47 years as a pediatric endocrinologist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.
She will be honored Aug. 17 during the TNAAP Excellence in Pediatrics Annual Awards, which recognize pediatricians and community members who have made exceptional contributions to children’s health advocacy in Tennessee.
Najjar spent her career caring and advocating for children with diabetes and other endocrine disorders as well as helping to train the next generation of pediatric endocrinologists and pediatricians. More than 40 years ago, she also founded Camp Sugar Falls, which provides a safe place for children diagnosed with diabetes as they learn to navigate the challenges associated with managing diabetes.
But Najjar credits the people around her for the work she has accomplished. A person’s success isn’t singular, she notes, saying that it “rides on the backbones of colleagues who encourage, mentor and guide you to success.”
“Thank you to the Tennessee Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics,” said Najjar. “It feels strange to receive an award for doing what I was trained to do. One cannot succeed in any endeavor without being supported by pediatric experts like those in the TNAAP. Therefore, I am accepting this award on behalf of all of my pediatric endocrine and pediatrician colleagues. Thank you!”
The nomination for Najjar to receive the award comes from one of those colleagues, Deanna Bell, MD, associate professor in the Division of Pediatric Hospital Medicine and medical director of the Program for Children with Medical Complexity, who began working with Najjar during her training.
“I met Dr. Najjar nearly 25 years ago on my first day as an intern. She was exceptionally kind and patient with me as I learned how to manage a patient with hypopituitarism, and I aspired to become as knowledgeable and compassionate as she,” Bell said. “Over the next few decades, we co- managed dozens of complex patients together. She was always generous with her time and expertise when I had questions, making sure the patient’s well-being was paramount. She was equally patient and kind with families, and they adore her. Dr. Najjar will be missed (around Vanderbilt) as a mentor, colleague and friend.”
