Be on the look out!
We love bringing a little extra joy to our families each season! Every few months, we put together fun, themed raffle baskets filled with surprises your little ones will love.
Think cozy holiday treats, sunny
summer goodies, and everything in between! 🌟 Keep an eye on our Instagram to see what’s coming next and learn how to enter for a chance to win!
Click the picture to visit our Instagram and see how you can win the next basket! 👉 👉 👉
Flashback from the past!!
50 Years of Care: A Look Back with Dr. Stephen Wall & Dr. Robert R. Earnest
As Haywood Pediatrics celebrates an incredible milestone—50 years of dedicated care to the community—we’re taking a moment to reflect on the people, memories, and milestones that have shaped our journey. One of those people is Dr. Stephen Wall, a beloved former provider whose contributions helped define our practice's legacy. To honor this occasion, we invited Dr. Wall to sit down with us and share his reflections on his time at Haywood Pediatrics, the experiences that led him here, and the moments that have stayed with him over the years.
Dr. Wall’s journey to pediatrics wasn’t a straight line. Before entering medicine, he worked as a union organizer in Detroit, conducted cancer research and collaborated closely with skilled laborers. During his first year of medical school in Tucson, Arizona, he completed a fellowship examining the effects of industrial chemicals—specifically polyurethane—on local water wells. Initially planning to pursue a career in occupational medicine, his trajectory changed during a third-year pediatrics rotation.
“I completely fell in love with it,” Dr. Wall recalls. “I was drawn to the public health and prevention aspects—helping kids get a healthy start in life. There’s always something new to learn in the pediatric field.”
Dr. Wall almost pursued family medicine, but pediatrics captured his heart. Working at a children’s leukemia research center further solidified his passion for pediatrics. After residency, Dr. Wall received 16 offers from pediatric practices across the country. He visited 12—from Maine to California, Seattle to Colorado—but it was a camping trip to the Smoky Mountains that unexpectedly led to a life-changing decision. He and his family moved to the area in 1989, visited Looking Glass Falls, and instantly knew they had found their home.
“The very last place we visited was here. We thought, ‘Let’s just try it and stay a few years.’ That was 45 years ago. We’re practically natives now,” he says with a smile. “I was even the PTO president at Central Elementary.”
When Dr. Wall joined Haywood Pediatrics in March of 1989, the practice was just three doctors: Dr. Earnest, Dr. Maharajh, and himself. Located in a cramped space at Mountain Medical, they worked side by side as the practice steadily grew.
“Dr. Earnest was brilliant and a fantastic teacher,” Wall says. “Over time, we had to bring on more physicians to handle hospital deliveries.”
By the early 2000s, the office moved into 15 Facility Drive, its current building, and Dr. Wall played a major role in the practice’s expansion and patient care.
When asked about a memorable patient case, Dr. Wall recalls countless meaningful and unforgettable encounters. We asked Dr.Wall what made Haywood Pediatrics special compared to other practices. Dr. Wall emphasizes it was the people.
“A doctor is helpless without a good team. We were fortunate to handpick our staff, and many stayed for years, and a few are still here. That consistency created something meaningful. Along with watching children grow, facing challenges, and now seeing former patients bring in their kids—it’s all come full circle.”
Even in retirement, the impact of his work lives on. Dr. Wall still feels deeply connected to the community and Haywood Pediatrics. Living in a small town, there’s this deep sense of community. People know each other. They remember the care. He often runs into former patients and families with stories that warm his heart.
As we celebrate 50 years of Haywood Pediatrics, we’re honored to recognize the legacy of providers like Dr. Wall. His dedication, compassion, and decades of service are a cornerstone of our story—and a powerful reminder of why we do what we do. Here’s to the next 50 years.
Reflecting on 50 Years: A Conversation with Dr. Robert R. Earnest, Founding Physician of Haywood Pediatrics
As Haywood Pediatrics celebrates 50 incredible years of serving the families of Haywood County and beyond, we had the honor of sitting down with the man who helped lay the foundation of the practice: Dr. Robert R. Earnest MD and his wife, Rose Earnest. From its humble beginnings as a solo practice to the thriving pediatric group it is today, Dr. Earnest’s legacy is woven into the heart of it all. In this special interview, he reflects on his journey, the evolution of the practice, and the moments that made it all worthwhile.
What inspired you to become a pediatrician? Dr. Earnest shared that his path to medicine was inspired early on by his uncle, a physician whom he deeply admired. Spending time with him as a child sparked a lasting interest in healthcare. “I knew by high school that medicine was what I wanted to pursue,” he recalled. During medical training, he completed an internship split between pediatrics and internal medicine. “It was during that hands-on experience that I discovered my true passion—working with children. Seeing kids smile and get better—it just felt right. It affirmed everything for me.”
Can you tell us about your journey in founding the practice? Dr. Earnest is quick to credit his wife, Rose Earnest, as the driving force behind what would become Haywood Pediatrics. “She really did it all in the beginning,” he said with admiration. Rose took charge of finding the original office location, hiring staff, organizing patient records, and even designing the layout of the space. “Her role would be considered that of an office manager today, but back then, she was the backbone of everything. Appointments were booked on paper, charts were all handwritten, and we only had one computer—and it was just for financials. Rose’s dedication and organization were vital in getting the practice off the ground.”
What are some of your most memorable moments at Haywood Pediatrics? Among the many meaningful memories, Dr. Earnest fondly recalls the era when doctors at the practice were present for the delivery of babies at the hospital. “There were so many times I’d get called in—sometimes in the middle of the night, other times right in the middle of a shift. But it was all part of the joy of the job.” One standout moment came when Good Morning America visited their small-town office to spotlight a patient with a rare medical condition. “To have a national show visit our little practice in Haywood County—it was surreal. They wanted to learn about the patient’s journey, the family, and the community surrounding them. It was one of those proud moments where you really see the impact of the work we do.”
How have you seen parenting and healthcare evolve over the years? Dr. Earnest noted a major shift in the role of routine well visits, such as kindergarten checkups and sports physicals, which became more prominent and meaningful for families. “Another big change I saw was in who showed up. It used to mostly be moms bringing their kids in. Over time, we began seeing more dads, and even entire families, attending appointments together. These visits became a time for connection and support. It really showed a broader commitment to children’s well-being.”
What makes Haywood Pediatrics special? Without hesitation, Dr. Earnest pointed to the strong relationships the practice has built with its patients and families. “We’ve always focused on more than just treating illness. We care for the whole child—physically, emotionally, and within the context of their family. That thoughtful, community-centered approach has defined how we practice medicine here, and I think it’s what truly sets us apart.”
What does it mean to be part of this 50-year celebration? Dr. Earnest shared that this milestone brings him an immense sense of pride. “It’s been deeply rewarding to see how the practice has grown over the years—from a solo office on Woodland Drive to a full pediatric group serving countless families. What means the most is that, through all that growth, the mission never changed: caring for the whole child. That consistency, that heart, is what makes Haywood Pediatrics so special.”
A Legacy of Care As we honor 50 years of Haywood Pediatrics, it’s clear that the roots of compassion, dedication, and community started with Dr. Earnest and his family. His vision, alongside the tireless work of Rose Earnest and the generations of staff who followed, helped shape a practice that continues to thrive—one child and one family at a time.