Tamara L. Hayward, MD

Tamara Hayward, M.D., always knew she wanted to work with children. Even as a teenager, her summer jobs included working in daycare centers and volunteering at the local children's hospital. A love of science drew her to medicine, and pediatrics was the obvious career choice.

After medical school in Galveston and residency in Houston, Dr. Hayward came to Fort Worth to join Fort Worth Pediatrics, working 3 days in the office and the remainder of the week working hard at home raising her children. The practice joined Cook Children's network in 2016 and Dr. Hayward transitioned to full time practice in 2019.

"The thing that has surprised me most about pediatrics is how much I enjoy parents - I always knew I would love the kids. From potty training to migraine management, so much of what we do in pediatrics is teach and collaborate with parents. At the end of the day, I remember most those moments when I have reassured a worried parent or been able to give someone useful tools to help their child - along with any really cute giggles or knock-knock jokes."

When not working, you can find Dr. Hayward cooking, fencing with her husband or singing badly to Broadway tunes.