Summer Ross, MD, in Chattanooga: Pediatrician with Same-Day Sick Visits

Summer Ross, MD, operates a solo pediatric practice in Chattanooga, serving infants and children through adolescence with a focus on well-child care, sick visits, and developmental monitoring. She accepts most major insurance plans and offers same-day appointments for acute illness, a logistics advantage in a market where other pediatricians often require 2-3 week wait times for urgent slots.

What the practice actually is

Ross practices general pediatrics rather than subspecialty care. Her scope covers routine immunizations, well-child exams at standard intervals, acute illness management for conditions like ear infections and respiratory illness, behavioral and development screening, and school physicals. The practice does not provide in-depth diagnostic workup like allergy testing or sleep studies, nor does it manage complex chronic conditions that typically require specialist referral.

Services and fees

Well-child visits follow AAP guidelines: newborn, 1-month, 2-month, 4-month, 6-month, 9-month, 12-month, 15-month, 18-month, 2-year, 3-year, and annual visits through adolescence. Sick visits are offered same-day when space permits. Immunizations follow the CDC schedule and are billed at the public rate (typically $30-$50 per vaccine once insurance adjudication occurs, depending on plan). School physicals run $75-$100 out-of-pocket if no insurance covers the well visit. Most insurances, including BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Humana, and Aetna, are accepted; verify in-network status before the first visit, as Chattanooga is served by multiple plan variants. Vision and hearing screenings are part of well-visits. The practice refers to specialists and subspecialists (pediatric orthopedics, cardiology, GI) as needed; Ross does not manage specialist care in-house.

How it compares to other Chattanooga pediatricians

Chattanooga is served by several group practices (Children's Hospital at Erlanger pediatric clinics, other multispecialty groups) and a smaller number of solo pediatricians. Group practices typically offer after-hours nurse lines, multiple providers for continuity, and sometimes on-site lab and imaging. Ross's chief advantage is her policy of same-day urgent visits and shorter lead times for well-visits in most months, a practical trade-off given that she does not maintain a nurse triage line or walk-in urgent care clinic. Group practices are better suited to families who need after-hours phone guidance or multiple provider options for scheduling flexibility. Choose Ross if you prioritize quick sick-visit access and direct continuity with a single provider; choose a larger group if backup provider access or evening phone triage is essential.

Who this practice suits and who it doesn't

Ross is well-matched to families with straightforward pediatric needs: routine preventive care, common acute illness, and developmental screening. She works effectively with parents who prefer continuity with one provider and value prompt sick-visit appointments. The practice is less ideal for families with children who have multiple complex chronic conditions, require subspecialty coordination across several fields, or depend heavily on evening nurse lines for triage. Newborn families should be aware that the practice accepts infants from birth, though some parents prefer a pediatrician with obstetric coordination if they also see the same provider during pregnancy (Ross takes patient referrals from OB/GYN but does not provide prenatal care herself).

What the first visit involves

New families typically schedule an appointment within the first 1-2 weeks of a child's life (if starting from newborn) or at the next available slot. The first visit begins with a thorough history, including family medical history, pregnancy and birth details, developmental milestones (for infants past newborn age), feeding method, and any current concerns. A physical exam follows AAP standards for the age group: weight, length, head circumference, heart, lungs, abdomen, reflexes, and neurodevelopmental assessment. Parents complete routine paperwork including insurance, authorization forms, and medication history. Plan 30-45 minutes for the first visit. Bring insurance card, photo ID, and previous medical records if available (from a hospital or prior pediatrician).

Hours, parking, and logistics

Office location is in Chattanooga; confirm the specific address and current hours with the practice, as solo practices sometimes adjust hours seasonally or for provider availability. Parking is typically lot-based at the building. Call to schedule appointments; the practice has worked to accommodate same-day calls for sick visits but does not maintain a walk-in clinic, so advance scheduling for well-visits is necessary. Insurance authorizations for specialty referrals are handled by the office. School forms and sports physicals can be requested at any visit.

Summer Ross fills a gap for families prioritizing direct access and quick sick-visit turnover in a market dominated by larger systems and practices with extended wait queues for acute care.