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 recently completed her second 3-year term as 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
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.
Network Participation - 2026MississippiCAN and CHIP [Managed Care programs promulgated by the Mississippi Division of Medicaid]- Molina Healthcare of Mississippi, Inc.
- Magnolia Health (Centene)
- TrueCare
Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace [Individual plans offered on healthcare.gov]- Ambetter from Magnolia Health (Centene)
- Molina Healthcare of Mississippi, Inc.
- UHC Marketplace (Madison only)
Medicare Advantage- Devoted Health Plans: PPO, HMO, DSNP, CSNP
- HealthSpring Plans: PPO, HMO, DSNP
- Humana: PPO, HMO, DSNP, CSNP, ISNP
- United Healthcare Plans: PPO, HMO, DSNP, CSNP, ISNP
- WellCare (Centene) Plans: PPO, HMO, DSNP
Commercial - Group and Individual- Aetna Plans: PPO, HMO [Includes all facilities except UMMC Madison]
- BCBSMS Plans: BlueCardPPO, State Health Plan (AHS), Federal Employee Plan (FEP)
- Cigna Plans: PPO, HMO
- United Healthcare Plans: PPO, HMO (Includes plans administered by UMR, UnitedHealth Group's wholly owned third-party administrator (TPA) subsidiary)
- Molina Healthcare of Mississippi, Inc.
- Magnolia Health (Centene)
- TrueCare
Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace [Individual plans offered on healthcare.gov]- Ambetter from Magnolia Health (Centene)
- Molina Healthcare of Mississippi, Inc.
- UHC Marketplace (Madison only)
Medicare Advantage- Devoted Health Plans: PPO, HMO, DSNP, CSNP
- HealthSpring Plans: PPO, HMO, DSNP
- Humana: PPO, HMO, DSNP, CSNP, ISNP
- United Healthcare Plans: PPO, HMO, DSNP, CSNP, ISNP
- WellCare (Centene) Plans: PPO, HMO, DSNP
Commercial - Group and Individual- Aetna Plans: PPO, HMO [Includes all facilities except UMMC Madison]
- BCBSMS Plans: BlueCardPPO, State Health Plan (AHS), Federal Employee Plan (FEP)
- Cigna Plans: PPO, HMO
- United Healthcare Plans: PPO, HMO (Includes plans administered by UMR, UnitedHealth Group's wholly owned third-party administrator (TPA) subsidiary)
- Devoted Health Plans: PPO, HMO, DSNP, CSNP
- HealthSpring Plans: PPO, HMO, DSNP
- Humana: PPO, HMO, DSNP, CSNP, ISNP
- United Healthcare Plans: PPO, HMO, DSNP, CSNP, ISNP
- WellCare (Centene) Plans: PPO, HMO, DSNP
Commercial - Group and Individual- Aetna Plans: PPO, HMO [Includes all facilities except UMMC Madison]
- BCBSMS Plans: BlueCardPPO, State Health Plan (AHS), Federal Employee Plan (FEP)
- Cigna Plans: PPO, HMO
- United Healthcare Plans: PPO, HMO (Includes plans administered by UMR, UnitedHealth Group's wholly owned third-party administrator (TPA) subsidiary)
Transplant Only Networks- Optum Plan: Commercial • Programs: Solid Organ, BMT, VAD
- Emerging Therapy Solutions (ETS) Plan: Commercial • Programs: Solid Organ, BMT, CAR-T, VAD
- Interlink Plan: Commercial • Programs: Solid Organ, BMT, CAR-T
- Celtic Plans: Ambetter, WellCare, Magnolia Health MississippiCAN, Magnolia Health CHIP • Programs: Solid Organ, BMT
- Cigna Lifesource Plan: Commercial • Programs: Solid Organ, BMT, CAR-T, VAD
Dental- Avesis Plan: MississippiCAN and CHIP (TrueCare)
- Always Care/Unum Plan: Commercial
Vision- Avesis Plan: MississippiCAN and CHIP (TrueCare)
- Always Care/Unum Plan: Commercial
Rental Networks (Utilized by self-funded employer group plans and third-party administrators (TPAs))- Mississippi Physicians Care Network (MPCN) [If MPCN is present on a Member/Subscriber ID, all UMMC facilities and providers are in-network regardless of TPA.]
- First Choice Health Plan
- Claritev (formerly Multiplan)
- Zelis
Government Programs- Humana Military Plan: Tricare
- United Healthcare Plan: Veterans Affairs Community Care Networks
Plans and Payors UMMC is not in-network with as of April 1, 2026- Oscar Health Plan: ACA Marketplace [Final negotiations taking place now. Anticipate in-network participation, effective June 1, 2026.]
- Cigna (Connect EPO) Plan: ACA Marketplace
- American Health Advantage Plan: Medicare Advantage
- Patrius Health (BCBSMS) Plan: Medicare Advantage
- Aetna Plan: Medicare Advantage
- Avesis Plan: MississippiCAN and CHIP (TrueCare)
- Always Care/Unum Plan: Commercial
Vision- Avesis Plan: MississippiCAN and CHIP (TrueCare)
- Always Care/Unum Plan: Commercial
Rental Networks (Utilized by self-funded employer group plans and third-party administrators (TPAs))- Mississippi Physicians Care Network (MPCN) [If MPCN is present on a Member/Subscriber ID, all UMMC facilities and providers are in-network regardless of TPA.]
- First Choice Health Plan
- Claritev (formerly Multiplan)
- Zelis
Government Programs- Humana Military Plan: Tricare
- United Healthcare Plan: Veterans Affairs Community Care Networks
Plans and Payors UMMC is not in-network with as of April 1, 2026- Oscar Health Plan: ACA Marketplace [Final negotiations taking place now. Anticipate in-network participation, effective June 1, 2026.]
- Cigna (Connect EPO) Plan: ACA Marketplace
- American Health Advantage Plan: Medicare Advantage
- Patrius Health (BCBSMS) Plan: Medicare Advantage
- Aetna Plan: Medicare Advantage
- Mississippi Physicians Care Network (MPCN) [If MPCN is present on a Member/Subscriber ID, all UMMC facilities and providers are in-network regardless of TPA.]
- First Choice Health Plan
- Claritev (formerly Multiplan)
- Zelis
Government Programs- Humana Military Plan: Tricare
- United Healthcare Plan: Veterans Affairs Community Care Networks
Plans and Payors UMMC is not in-network with as of April 1, 2026- Oscar Health Plan: ACA Marketplace [Final negotiations taking place now. Anticipate in-network participation, effective June 1, 2026.]
- Cigna (Connect EPO) Plan: ACA Marketplace
- American Health Advantage Plan: Medicare Advantage
- Patrius Health (BCBSMS) Plan: Medicare Advantage
- Aetna Plan: Medicare Advantage
- Oscar Health Plan: ACA Marketplace [Final negotiations taking place now. Anticipate in-network participation, effective June 1, 2026.]
- Cigna (Connect EPO) Plan: ACA Marketplace
- American Health Advantage Plan: Medicare Advantage
- Patrius Health (BCBSMS) Plan: Medicare Advantage
- Aetna Plan: Medicare Advantage
Education
| Board Certification: | 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 |