Meet our friendly, experienced pediatricians and staff at Pediatric Associates of Auburn! Our entire team is dedicated to helping you and your child feel at home from the moment your walk through the door. We're proud to be members of the Auburn community and serve the needs of their children.
We pride ourselves in being an exceptional clinic where children come first. Our child-focused practice works hard to meet the needs of children from infancy through adolescence. Compassionate, knowledgeable and supportive staff is the cornerstone of Name of Pediatric Associates of Auburn's quality care. All of our pediatricians and medical staff are highly trained professionals, and maintain the highest level of accreditation in pediatrics to address the special needs of infants, children, and teens.
We strive to treat each and every patient as we would want our own
children to be treated. Our doctors and staff look forward to building a
relationship with you and your family.
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Dr. Freeman grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina, and
graduated from North Carolina State University where he
received a B.S. in Physics and Mathematics.
Subsequently, he was employed as an Aerospace
Environmental Engineer in Tullahoma, Tennessee by ARO,
Inc. Later, he began medical school at the University of
North Carolina in Chapel Hill, NC. Dr. Freeman then
completed his post-graduate medical education at
Children’s Hospital, University of Alabama Hospitals and
Clinics in Birmingham. After completion of training in
Birmingham, he served as a medical officer at the U.S.
Naval Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida, Department of
Pediatrics. He then came to Auburn after leaving the
Navy and established the current practice, which has
been here for over 30 years. Dr. Freeman has served as
Vice-President and Secretary- Treasurer of the Medical
Association of the State of Alabama. Additionally, he
completed nine years on the Alabama State Board of
Medical Examiners. Dr. Freeman has served on the Blue
Cross Blue Shield of Alabama Pharmacy and Therapeutics
Committee and Board of Directors.
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Dr. Ellen Royal is a native of Alabama. She grew
up in Birmingham, received her undergraduate degree in
English and Chemistry from Emory University, then
returned to Alabama to attend the University of South
Alabama for her medical degree. After graduating from
medical school, she attended the Medical University of
South Carolina pediatric residency program. She stayed
in Charleston four years, then returned once again to
Alabama the summer of 1998 to join the pediatric
practice of Dr. Richard Freeman. She is a board
certified Pediatrician.
In her free time, Dr. Royal enjoys spending time with
her family. She also enjoys running, reading
and traveling. She is a member of Lee County Medical
Society, MASA, and the AAP. She is on active staff at
East Alabama Medical Center.
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Katie H. Meadows, CPNP
![]() Katie Meadows grew up in Opelika, AL. She attended nursing school at Southern Union State Community College and graduated in 2010. Upon graduation, she worked as a pediatric nurse prior to working as a neonatal ICU nurse in Columbus, GA. In 2014, Katie began working on the pediatric floor at EAMC while attending UAB to become a pediatric nurse practitioner. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Jacksonville State University in 2016 and received a Master of Science degree in nursing from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2020. She is a board-certified pediatric nurse practitioner in both acute and primary care and a member of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners. Katie is married to Conner Meadows, an Opelika native, who works as a mechanical engineer in Columbus, GA. They live in Opelika and have two sons, Nate and Grant. Her family also includes her dog Abby. The Meadows are active members of Church of the Highlands in Opelika. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and spending time at the lake with her family.
Dr. Gretchen Vandiver
![]() Dr. Gretchen Vandiver grew up in North Alabama. She obtained her undergraduate degree in Biomedical Sciences at Auburn University. She then attended the University of South Alabama College of Medicine, where she was elected to the Gold Humanism Honor Society. She was also a member of Christian Medical Ministries of South Alabama, where she spent time in both Peru and Rwanda on medical mission trips.
She completed her internship and residency in Pediatrics in Greenville, SC in 2019. While in residency, she was awarded the Jill D. Golden Primary Care Award. She is board certified in pediatrics and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, as well as a member of Medical Association of the State of Alabama and Lee County Medical Society. Dr. Vandiver has been in practice in Lee County since completing residency in 2019.
In her free time, Dr. Vandiver enjoys spending time with her family and playing with her dogs, Poppy and Scout. She also loves baking, gardening, and traveling. Dr. Victoria Benes
Dr. Benes chose to work in pediatrics because she enjoys helping children grow and develop into productive, intelligent, and compassionate members of their communities. Her medical interests include pediatric primary care, educating children and families about healthy living, and medical student education. In her spare time, Dr. Benes enjoys traveling, gardening, and British historical dramas. |