Small Great Things

by

Jodi Picoult

Dr. Atkins Character Analysis

A pediatrician at Mercy-West Haven. She's a friendly doctor who's highly qualified and well respected. She performed Davis's circumcision, was called to the nursery when Davis started to code, and later testifies during the trial. She's shocked to see the results of Davis's newborn screening, which shows that he had MCADD.
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Dr. Atkins Character Timeline in Small Great Things

The timeline below shows where the character Dr. Atkins appears in Small Great Things. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 4, Ruth
Institutional Racism Theme Icon
Belonging and Community Theme Icon
...that his sugar is still low, but he hasn't nursed in preparation for his procedure. Dr. Atkins , the pediatrician, arrives and asks Ruth if she prepped Davis. Ruth stiffly says she... (full context)
Racism: Hate, Fear, and Grief Theme Icon
Institutional Racism Theme Icon
...and restart compressions several times. Suddenly, Brit screams—she and Turk are in the nursery, watching. Dr. Atkins arrives and within seconds, Davis's heart stops. As she calls time of death, Turk desperately... (full context)
Chapter 22, Ruth
Institutional Racism Theme Icon
Family and Shared Humanity Theme Icon
The Justice System and the Politics of Speech Theme Icon
When Dr. Atkins takes the stand, she smiles at Ruth before turning to Odette. Dr. Atkins mentions the... (full context)
Belonging and Community Theme Icon
Kennedy is excited at the end of the day, but Ruth can't stop thinking about Dr. Atkins 's face when she saw Davis's test results. Ruth thinks that she's on trial for... (full context)
Chapter 23, Turk
Racism: Hate, Fear, and Grief Theme Icon
Family and Shared Humanity Theme Icon
...describes following the commotion to the nursery, seeing Ruth pounding on Davis's chest, and watching Dr. Atkins declare him dead. Odette offers Turk tissues as he says that he just wanted to... (full context)