Tessa B Scripps, MD

My name is Dr. Tessa Scripps, and I'm excited to be part of your child's health care journey. As a board-certified general pediatrician and Certified Lactation Counselor, I practice medicine with a patient-centered approach, involving the entire family in medical decision-making based on each child's unique needs. I tend to practice a "less is more" approach to pediatrics, avoiding unnecessary medications and tests, and I use evidence-based medicine to create tailored treatment plans.

One of my favorite things about being a pediatrician is the continuity of care I establish with families. By the time a child turns two, I will have seen them in my office about twelve times! This allows me to build a partnership based on trust and helps to navigate the most challenging moments in each child’s care. I love to integrate songs and silliness into my practice to add a bit of fun and keep my patients at ease. As the mother of two boys, I use my experience to provide real-life parenting advice and support. I am deeply empathetic and a great communicator and I strive to explain medical terms in simple terms.

I was inspired to pursue pediatrics during my residency at Mount Sinai, where I participated in advocacy work, connecting families to local health care resources in East Harlem and providing counseling on general pediatric care. I believe in the notion that it "takes a village" to raise a child, which is why it is important to connect with families and share insights and resources. 

I am an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in the Jack and Lucy Clark Department of Pediatrics at the Mount Sinai Kravis Children's Hospital. I received my Bachelor of Arts degree with honors from the University of Chicago, where I studied the History and Philosophy of Medicine. I attended medical school at the University of Vermont where I developed a passion for patient-centered primary care and went on to pursue my pediatric residency at Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital. During my pediatric residency I received the award for Resident Excellence in Pediatric Advocacy. My academic and clinical practice focuses on newborn medicine and breastfeeding.

I have conducted research related to newborn care, breastfeeding medicine, and medical education in pediatrics. I co-authored an important article in the journal JAMA Pediatrics, along with colleagues from NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center, describing the outcomes of babies born to mothers with COVID-19 and the infection prevention and control practices associated with these outcomes.
I look forward to meeting you and your family, and working together to keep your child healthy.