Dr. Syed Akhter, a pediatrician in the Knoxville area, dedicates his working life to children’s healthcare, drawing on his unique background and experiences to fuel his passion for helping young people receive the preventative care they need to live a healthier lifestyle.
How experiencing care inspired service
Dr. Akhter grew up in Bangladesh. At only eight years old, he faced the daily struggle of having little to no food on the table.
In the face of extreme hunger, Dr. Akhter and his family were in need of help. When his family overheard that a Red Cross team was visiting the area, he went to the distribution site to seek food for his family’s survival. Leaving with powdered milk and golden wheat grain, Dr. Akhter received just enough food to help his family regain their strength. From there on out, his life changed forever.
The experience with the Red Cross showed him how serving others can positively influence the lives of families. Dr. Akhter knew he wanted to pursue medicine so that one day he could help others too. He realized that a life of service would allow him to make a lasting impact.
Understanding the importance of children’s healthcare
After attending Dow Medical College in Karachi, Pakistan in 1988 and arriving in the U.S. in 1994, Dr. Akhter chose to specialize in pediatrics because he understood the importance of prioritizing health at an early age.
Today, he spends his time working with BlueCare Tennessee, offering vitally important mobile screenings to children under the age of 21 who are covered by Medicaid.
“I love pediatrics because to treat children is to touch the future with healing hands. The heartbeat of pediatrics is not just science; it is empathy, patience and fierce advocacy for those without a voice,” Dr. Akhter says.
As part of BlueCare’s Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) program, Dr. Akhter provides physical, mental, developmental, dental, hearing, vision and other screening tests to detect potential problems, as well as vaccinations and lab tests when necessary.
BlueCross Community Care Partner, Alisa Johnson, has worked with Dr. Akhter and knows his commitment makes a difference in the lives of his patients. “I have worked with a lot of providers along the way, and I have never met anybody that comes close to radiating love for his patients with positivity and encouragement like Dr. Akhter does,” she says. “He loves what he does, he loves his patients and his patients love him.”
Caring for kids is a home run
To celebrate 50 BlueCare children and teens who had recently completed their checkups and immunizations, Dr. Akhter recently attended a baseball game with them at the Knoxville Smokies’ inaugural season.
This event is a clear example of Dr. Akhter’s commitment to his community and the ways he supports better health for our Knoxville-area members.
“When Dr. Akhter showed up for the game, a couple of families ran up and hugged him. They were so excited that he had arrived,” Alisa adds.
Dr. Akhter continues to provide well-child checkups to around 800 children a month, operating at Pediatric Consultants of Cedar Bluff and assisting BlueCare with mobile screenings. He is committed to service that reflects the care and compassion he needed when he was only eight years old.
“We all have a role in strengthening our communities,” he says. “In a world where challenges are overwhelming, take time to make a meaningful difference. ”
Marie is a senior Public Relations and Advertising major at Lee University in Cleveland, Tenn. She joined the BlueCross corporate communications team as an intern in July 2024.