Community and Societal Pediatrics

Jeffrey L. Goldhagen, M.D., M.P.H.
Jeffrey L. Goldhagen, M.D., M.P.H. Chief

Welcome to the division of community and societal pediatrics in the department of pediatrics at the University of Florida College of Medicine – Jacksonville. Community pediatrics is the extension of general pediatrics that assumes responsibility for the health and well-being of all children in a community through the integration of medical care and public health, particularly for children with special needs.

Patient Care

Our pediatricians care for children and their families in practices and venues throughout Jacksonville and are involved with the development of systems-of-care that leverage the assets and resources of the entire community to meet the holistic needs of children and families. Community pediatricians provide a comprehensive approach to caring for marginalized communities of children through the provision of clinical services, child advocacy and the generation of public policy.

Many of the division faculty members work with the Duval County Health Department in facilities throughout the community. This practice network uses a medical home model and the American Academy of Pediatrics standards of care to ensure the highest quality of pediatric services.

Through its integration with the Health Department and multiple community partners, it is able to provide service, training and research opportunities in clinical pediatrics, as well as population health, child advocacy, children's rights, health promotion and disease prevention, injury prevention, evidence-based medicine and health care quality. The division has recognized the priority of developing the knowledge, attitudes and skills related to understanding and dealing with the interplay among social, economic, political, cultural and environmental determinants and child health outcomes.

Pediatric residents have the opportunity to work in community-based practice sites with the support of the faculty, community members and organizations. The division's initiatives in health, policy development and research provide residents with support and resources to develop skills that go beyond clinical medicine. These skills are invaluable for the practice of community or subspecialty pediatrics and for those interested in launching an academic career.

The division's specialty programs in transition, foster care, palliative and hospice care, cleft lip and palate, health care for homeless children and pediatric rehabilitation provide residents with opportunities to understand and contribute to the evolution of community and societal pediatrics and the evolving roles pediatricians will play in the future.

Our division sponsors the Jacksonville Health and Transition Services (JaxHATS) clinic.

Research

The University of Florida College of Medicine – Jacksonville is committed to fostering research by the faculty and residents. This institution has been engaged in clinically applied research for many years and is enriched by the presence of faculty who have demonstrated excellence in performing research and in training new investigators.

The division's faculty are well published and present at local and national meetings. For details about individual faculty research interests, please view their bios on the faculty page.

Contact Us

For information on the University of Florida College of Medicine – Jacksonville division of community and societal pediatrics, please contact:

Address

Division of Community and Societal Pediatrics
UF College of Medicine – Jacksonville
841 Prudential Drive
Suite 900
Jacksonville, FL 32207