A Clinician at Heart and a Statewide Advocate

Author: Vanessa Beeson

L to R: Drs. Rand, Anita and Randy Henderson (Photo by submitted)

Dr. Anita Shaunak Henderson's journey to MSU began when her family moved to Starkville from Nairobi, Kenya, when she was two. Her father, Kris, earned a Ph.D. in entomology, while her mother, Pam, worked as an administrative assistant in the agricultural and biological engineering department.

"I like to say my dad was a bug doctor and I became a baby doctor," Henderson said.

Her calling to pediatrics was clear by high school after shadowing an aunt who was a pediatrician and an uncle who was an OB/GYN in New York.

"I always loved science and math. From the seventh grade on, I thought I would be a pediatrician. Seeing what my aunt and uncle did convinced me. I fell in love with the clinical side," she said.

A 1987 biochemistry graduate, Henderson now serves as a pediatrician at the Hattiesburg Clinic and a statewide advocate for maternal and pediatric health. She has led the Mississippi chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics as vice president from 2019—2020 and president from 2021—2022.

"So much happened in the pediatric world and public health, with schools and hospitalizations when COVID hit, so I had the opportunity to talk to the media and educate the public about children and public health," she said. "This experience also propelled me to advocate for maternal health. COVID really impacted pregnant women. We had a lot of challenges with pregnant women, a lot of losses, a lot of miscarriages. That put a spotlight in Mississippi on infant and maternal health."

Her advocacy helped secure passage of State Plan Amendment 23-0015, extending postpartum Medicaid coverage from 60 days to 12 months, and presumptive eligibility legislation, allowing faster access to care. Henderson, whose office screens new mothers for postpartum depression, noticed gaps in care.

"At the two-week, two-month, four-month, and six-month checkups, pediatricians were often seeing moms more frequently than their OB-GYNs," she explained. "We noticed that after their babies were two months old, mothers on Medicaid lost their coverage. These mothers had no resources and no health insurance. We saw this gap of care and knew passing legislation would change the lives of these women."

Henderson co-founded the Mississippi Immunization Coalition, serves on the Mississippi State Medical Association board, and supports the state's response to rising infant mortality, declaring a public health emergency in 2025.

"Right now, about one in 100 babies born in Mississippi dies before their first birthday, which is double the national average," she said. "We need an obstetrics system of care—modeled after trauma and stroke systems—to get mothers and babies to the right hospital at the right time."

"It was a standout program with excellent classes and professors," she said.

"One experience that stood out was serving on the committee that selected Dr. Donald Zacharias as president. Being part of that process taught me how committees work, how to collaborate with people from different colleges and roles across the university, and how to contribute your own skills and expertise. That experience has stayed with me and helped me throughout my career."

After medical school at UMMC and residency at Vanderbilt, Henderson and her husband, Randy—a neonatologist—returned to Mississippi. She joined the Hattiesburg Clinic; he serves at Forrest General Hospital and Memorial Hospital of Gulfport.

"When I talk to medical students and residents, I always tell them—if you need to leave Mississippi for medical school, residency, or fellowship, that's fine. But we need you back here. We want you to return and serve in Mississippi. And if you can bring someone with you, even better—I did."

Her advice to students: shadow professionals, discover what excites you, and follow that passion.

"In medicine, it can't just be a job—it is a calling."

That calling now inspires the next generation: her son, Rand, is a second-year resident in internal medicine and pediatrics, while her daughter is in law school.

"One of my children is a doctor, and the other is in law school. I always tell people the reason I went into pediatrics—and why I advocate for kids—is because of my favorite quote from the American Academy of Pediatrics: children are 25% of our population, but 100% of our future."

Date: 2026-08-28