The Tennessee Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (TNAAP) has awarded top honors to two physicians in the Vanderbilt Department of Pediatrics for their commitment to health care for children.
James (Jim) Johns, MD, pediatric cardiologist, and Rosemary Hunter, MD, general pediatrician, will be honored Aug. 23, during the 2025 TNAAP Excellence in Pediatrics Annual Awards, which recognize pediatricians and community members who have made exceptional contributions to children’s health advocacy in Tennessee.
TNAAP is a statewide professional membership and child advocacy organization dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children and adolescents.
“Drs. Johns and Hunter exemplify the very best of what it means to be a pediatrician,” said William Cooper, MD, MPH, the Cornelius Vanderbilt Professor of Pediatrics and Health Policy and interim chair of the Department of Pediatrics. “Their unwavering commitment to children’s health, their dedication to advocacy and education, and their innovative approaches to care have left an indelible mark on our community. It has been a privilege to work alongside them for so many years, and this recognition from the TNAAP is a testament to their extraordinary contributions to improving the lives of children and families across our state.”
Johns’ recognition comes on the heels of his recent retirement after a distinguished four-decade career caring for pediatric cardiology patients and their families at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. A well-respected cardiologist wearing many hats across Vanderbilt, Johns trained the next generation of cardiologists, cared for patients and helped VUMC with software and programming needs to improve patient care. He also advocated on behalf of patients for drug safety and costs. He will be honored with the Senior Pediatrician of the Year award.
“I am extremely honored to be named 2025 Senior Pediatrician of the Year by the Tennessee Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics,” said Johns, professor emeritus of Pediatrics. “I am humbled to be included with past recipients of this award like Jennifer Najjar and Joan White, the 2023 TNAAP Lifetime Achievement Award winner, Kathy Edwards, this year’s Pediatrician of the Year, Hunter Butler, and this year’s Special Achievement Award Winner, Rosemary Hunter, all of whom I have worked with for decades.”
“The work of the Tennessee Chapter of the AAP in advocating for access to evidence-based health care for all children, including vaccines that have been proven to be safe and effective, is critically important in these challenging times,” Johns continued.
Hunter, associate professor of Clinical Pediatrics, will be recognized with the AAP Special Achievement Award. She specializes in community health, advocacy education, and addressing various aspects of child health. She developed and led Vanderbilt’s Community Health and Advocacy course and the Social Medicine and Advocacy Academic Community, mentoring over 40 residents on projects like food insecurity, firearm safety, and child maltreatment prevention.
“I have been thrilled to have been a part of shaping the next generation of pediatric advocates,” Hunter said.
She has also built strong partnerships with community organizations and played a key role in enhancing food insecurity screening and referrals to the federal supplemental nutrition program for women, infants and children (WIC), including co-creating a WIC Healthcare Provider Toolkit through a Department of Agriculture-sponsored initiative. She also leads the Ambulatory Food Support group at Monroe Carell and regularly engages in legislative advocacy with residents. Her work brings together health care and community resources, improving outcomes for children and families.
“I see myself as a connector and facilitator in addressing the patients’ needs outside of the exam room,” she said. “My goal is to connect patients with the food they need to be healthy. I am very honored to receive this award for doing the work I love to support our communities’ children and families.”
