At Children’s International (Gulfport), we have both the children’s and their parent’s best interests at heart. Our pediatric clinic provides a relaxing atmosphere for our patients while they wait and receive care. Your child deserves the best care possible and Children’s International is Here For You. Call Now to schedule an appointment with a pediatrician or nurse practitioner.
100% Dedicated To A Safe Environment
• Everyone Wears A Mask • Clinics Are Cleaned Hourly • Air Purifying Reme Halos In Every Clinic
•Now Offering Telehealth Video Visits for our Patients! Call and schedule a telehealth video visit today!
Pediatrician | Gulfport
11240 Hwy 49 Unit C
Gulfport, MS 39503
Phone: (228) 831-8800
Fax: (844) 886-3945
Pediatric Clinic Hours
Monday 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Tuesday 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Wednesday 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Thursday 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Friday 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed
Telehealth Video Visits Now Available!
Medicaid & Private Insurance Accepted
Children's International Pediatrics
Pediatrician in Gulfport MS
Gulfport Pediatric Services
Annual Well Visits
Children grow rapidly, requiring periodic check-ups to oversee developmental progress and identify any underlying health complications that may be present.
Sick Visits
Throughout childhood, children get sick and it’s important that you bring your child in to see us as soon as possible so we can provide your child with immediate, thorough care to help them feel better quickly.
Sports Physicals
Sports physicals are preventative screenings routinely used to verify a patient’s physical health and ability to safely participate in athletic activity.
Nutrition Counseling
At Children’s International, we believe in treating the whole person – not just a disease. Preventative care is a foundational part of our practice.
ADD/ADHD
Millions of children and adults across the country suffer from Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Gulfport Pediatric Clinic Providers & Staff
Prashant Dixit, M.D., F.A.A.P.
General & Adolescent Pediatrician
Dr. Prashant Dixit is a Board Certified Pediatrician who completed his medical school training at Bombay University in Bombay, India. After medical school, Dr. Dixit completed a post graduate residency in Ophthalmology. He then obtained a Masters of Surgery and Diploma of Ophthalmic Medicine and Surgery. He also passed his FMGEMS certification exams with high scores.
Dr. Dixit then decided to pursue his education and training specializing in Pediatrics. He attended Pediatric Residency through the Wayne Oakland Child and Adolescent Medical Program working at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, Mt. Carmel March Hospital, Pontiac General Hospital, and Children’s Hospital of Michigan. After completing his Pediatric Residency training, he passed his Board Certification with the American Board of Pediatrics with very high scores.
Tera Riddick, PH.D, FNP-PC
Nurse Practitioner
Tera Riddick is a Family Nurse Practitioner, board certified through American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). She completed her ADN from Meridian Community College in 2005, BSN in 2011 from University of Phoenix, MSN in Nursing education from William Carey University in 2012, PhD in Nursing education and administration from William Carey in August 2015, and her Post Masters Family Nurse Practitioner from University of Southern Mississippi in May 2017.
Tera belongs to several professional organizations including: Sigma Theta Tau International, Mississippi Nurses Association District 7, Mississippi Association of Nurse Practitioners, and AWHONN. I am involved in community organizations. I enjoy reading, shopping and being of service to others, as well as spending time with my family. She joined Children’s International Medical Group in May of 2018 at our Picayune Clinic location.
Brian Padgett, APRN, FNP- PC
Nurse Practitioner
Brian Padgett, a family nurse practitioner with 11 years’ experience, joined Children’s International in September of 2021 and is excited to begin his journey to the Pediatric outpatient space. Brian started his medical career when he joined the Army National Guard and served eight years. His time as an LPN brought him to Mississippi by way of V.A. Hospital in Biloxi. He then went to William Carey where he graduated with honors and received the Crusaders Award before obtaining his Master of Science in Nursing from The University of Southern Mississippi on December 9, 2010 and passed the AANP certification exam on February 20, 2011.
In June 2011, Brian was employed by Covington County Hospital working at Family Care Express. In addition to his full-time clinic position in the clinic setting, he was also responsible for sick call rounds at Veterans Nursing Home in Collins, MS. Brian received his Telemedicine training in emergency care from UMC in Jackson, MS in 2011. In March 2019, Brian started working for Fast Pace Urgent Care providing both acute and chronic care for adult and pediatric patients, physical exams, including but not limited to, sports physicals, military, pre-employment, work, adoption, Non-DOT and DOT and basic type physicals.
Brian’s love for medicine started while he was young. He grew up in West Terre Haute, Indiana. His father was a Pentecostal preacher and hauled trash to provide for his wife, a fulltime mother, responsible for the care of their 15 children. Brian was “Lucky 13” of this huge family with seven brothers and seven sisters. He and his family spent many hours ministering to the elderly at the local nursing homes. He loved the feeling of helping people.
In Brian’s free time, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, working out at the gym, gardening, fishing, camping, and traveling.
Joanne Nguyen, APRN, CPNP-PC
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Joanne received her Bachelor’s education at university of South Alabama in Biomedical Scien in 2014 her Nursing BS in 2016, and then her Master’s in Pediatric Primary Care in 2019. She has worked 5 years as a Pediatric Intensive Care (PICU) nurse at USA Children’s and Women’s Hospital as well as contract work in various PICUs in Chicago, Boston and Atlanta. She says, “working with children is not the easiest job but it’s definitely the most rewarding job and I couldn’t see myself doing anything else.”
Joanne was born and raised in Biloxi, MS and her favorite hobbies include traveling, cooking, trying out new restaurants, shopping, and spending time with her family and 3 dogs. Her favorite quote is: “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of convenience and comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”-Dr. Martin Luther King Jr
April Ross, M.D.
General & Adolescent Pediatrician
April Ross, M.D. received her Bachelors of Science in Nursing at Spring Hill College and her Doctor of Medicine at University of South Alabama Medical School. She completed her pediatric residency at USA Children’s and Women’s Hospital and was the Chief Resident at USA Children’s and Women’s Hospital. Her favorite hobbies include reading, shopping, traveling, and decorating. Dr. Ross is most inspired by her mother and her favorite superhero is the lasso wielding Amazonian princess, Wonder Woman. Some of Dr. Ross’s patients might be excited to know that she is a collector of Barbie dolls! Her favorite quote is: “You only live once! Trust god and go for it!”
Brandy Clark
Pediatric Office Manager
Brandy was raised in Tupelo, MS. After graduating nursing school in 2013, she moved to the coast and made it her family’s home. She is currently an LPN with 2 semesters left to receive her BSN. Brandy is married and has 2 daughters. Her oldest attends USA in Mobile majoring in Nursing. Her youngest is a junior in High School. Brandy has nursing experience in Pediatrics and Mental Health and she loves helping anyone she can and making people smile. Her favorite quote is, “Let all that you do be done in love” 1 Corinthians 16:14
About Children’s International Pediatrics in Gulfport, MS
We are more than just a pediatric clinic; we are a family committed to providing our patients with the best pediatric care available. At Children’s International Medical Group, we have both the children’s and their parent’s best interests at heart. We promote physical and emotional well-being through comprehensive and personalized medical care and maintain an active role in each of the communities we serve. Call anytime during clinic hours to schedule an appointment with a pediatrician or nurse practitioner.
Family-Centered Pediatric Clinics
At Children’s International Medical Group, healthcare is synonymous with family. Once you and your child walk through the clinic doors, you are home and we are here to take care of you the same way we would take care of our own family members.
Comprehensive Care
We offer a large variety of preventative, primary, and specialty care services to ensure that your child receives thorough health care. For more information about the comprehensive medical services we offer, see our pediatric services page.
Mission Statement
We are committed to making a difference in your child’s life by offering exceptional patient care in a nurturing and professional environment to our patients, parents, and the communities we serve.
Our Vision
Our vision is to be the number one choice for pediatric services.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pediatricians And Nurse Practitioners
What Is A Pediatrician?
Pediatricians are doctors who manage the health of your child, including physical, behavior, and mental health issues. They’re trained to diagnose and treat childhood illnesses, from minor health problems to serious diseases.
Pediatricians have an education that gives them special skills to take care of your child’s health. They graduated from medical school and completed a 3-year residency program in pediatrics before working as a pediatrician in a pediatric clinic.
What Does A Pediatrician Do?
They’ll see your child many times from birth to age 2 and once a year from ages 2 to 5 for “well-child visits.” After age 5, your pediatrician will continue to see your child every year for annual checkups (aka well visits). They’re also the first person you should call when your child is sick.
To take care of your child, your pediatrician will:
- Do physical exams
- Give your child vaccinations
- Make sure your child meets milestones in growth, behavior, and skills
- Diagnose and treat your child’s illnesses, infections, injuries, and other health problems
- Give you information about your child’s health, safety, nutrition, and fitness needs
- Answer your questions about your little one’s growth and development
- Refer you to specialists if they think your child needs expert care.
Does My Child Need A Pediatrician?
Some reasons why your child needs a pediatrician are:
- They have years of special training in children’s health.
- They only see children in their practice, so they have a lot of experience in recognizing and treating childhood illnesses.
- If your child was born early or has a health condition that needs close monitoring, a pediatrician may offer more specialized care.
How Much Education Does A Pediatrician Get?
They need to complete four years of college, then four years of medical school, and then three or more years in an accredited residency program for pediatricians. A pediatrician must first graduate from medical school before going on to specialize in the field of pediatrics.
How Much Education Does A Nurse Practitioner Have?
For a Nurse Practitioner, their 4-year degree must be in nursing. After earning a BSN, they complete a master’s degree program that trains them to be a nurse practitioner (NP). NP degrees can take 2 to 4 years to complete
Our other pediatric clinics near you:
Amite — Bay St. Louis — Baton Rouge East — Baton Rouge North — Biloxi — Bogalusa — Chalmette — Covington — Denham Springs — Franklinton — Gautier — Gretna / Terrytown — Gulfport — Hammond — Houma — Lacombe — Metairie — Morton — Pearl River — Picayune — Picayune North — Slidell