Skip to content
  • About
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Book
  • Careers
  • Podcast
  • Recommended
  • Speaking
  • All
  • Physician
  • Practice
  • Policy
  • Finance
  • Conditions
  • .edu
  • Patient
  • Meds
  • Tech
  • Social
  • Video
    • All
    • Physician
    • Practice
    • Policy
    • Finance
    • Conditions
    • .edu
    • Patient
    • Meds
    • Tech
    • Social
    • Video
    • About
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Book
    • Careers
    • Podcast
    • Recommended
    • Speaking

How can you not love being a pediatrician?

Mick Connors, MD
Physician
September 22, 2024
Share
Tweet
Share

Working as a pediatrician offers a unique and unparalleled joy—a privilege shared among those who dedicate their lives to caring for children and supporting families. This summer, while working on a U.S. military base in Germany, I experienced this joy in its fullest form. Rather than my usual role of just seeing sick kids in an ER, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to serve as a primary care pediatrician. Whether through routine checkups, addressing concerns, or witnessing the relief on a parent’s face, every day brings a deep sense of purpose and satisfaction.

A community of resilience and hope

The families we serve on base are remarkable. Often far from home, living in a foreign country, and constantly adapting to new environments, they face life’s challenges with incredible resilience. Despite being separated from their extended support systems, these families, and especially their children, move frequently and adjust to new schools and friends with a spirit that’s both inspiring and humbling.

Each interaction with these families is a testament to the strength of the human spirit. Parents place immense trust in us as we care for their children—whether during a routine checkup or an urgent visit. The joy in a child’s eyes during a routine visit or the gratitude from a parent after addressing a concern is a reminder of the importance of our work. It’s not just about providing medical care; it’s about being a reassuring presence in their lives—a source of stability in an ever-changing world.

The joy of pediatric care

Pediatric care is as much about celebrating health as it is about treating illness. Routine visits, often filled with laughter and stories of school and sports, are opportunities to reinforce healthy habits and watch children grow. These visits are where we see children at their best—full of energy, eager to share their experiences, and excited about the future. Every checkup is a chance to celebrate a child’s growth, both physically and emotionally.

But pediatric care is also about vigilance. Sometimes, a routine checkup uncovers something more—a growth concern, a developmental delay, or an early sign of a behavioral issue. This summer, I’ve been amazed by the wide variety of issues or potential issues I’ve explored during these routine annual visits. From acne and anxiety to growth and development concerns, these moments highlight the importance of our role in early identification, intervention, and guidance for families. There’s immense satisfaction in helping children navigate their developmental milestones, ensuring they continue on a healthy and happy path. Conversely, it’s crucial to recognize the negative impact when something is delayed or missed.

Acute visits, too, bring their own kind of joy. Whether it’s treating a sprain, managing a fever, or soothing a worried parent, these moments of care are opportunities to bring comfort and reassurance. Watching a child leave the clinic feeling better, with a smile on their face, is a reward that’s hard to match.

A team committed to children

None of this would be possible without the dedicated team of professionals who work alongside us every day. The nurses, medical assistants, and administrative staff are the backbone of pediatric care. They bring patience, kindness, and a deep passion for helping children. Their commitment to providing the best care possible creates an environment where children and their families feel valued and supported.

This team works tirelessly, often behind the scenes, to ensure that every child receives the attention they deserve. Their dedication is evident in every interaction, whether it’s calming a nervous child, guiding a parent through follow-up care, or simply offering a warm smile as a family walks through the door. Together, we create a community of care that goes beyond medicine—it’s about fostering trust, safety, and joy in the clinic.

Rekindling the joy of pediatrics: Finding the mojo

Given all the joy, fulfillment, and impact that come with being a pediatrician, it’s puzzling that more medical students aren’t flocking to this field, and that some practicing pediatricians struggle to find the same joy they once did. The question is, how do we rekindle that mojo? How do we inspire a new generation to see the beauty in pediatrics?

The answer lies in reframing how we talk about this field—not as a career filled with challenges and long hours but as one of the most rewarding professions in medicine. Pediatricians have the unique privilege of shaping the future by nurturing the next generation. We see children at their best, help them through their toughest times, and witness the incredible resilience and joy they bring into the world. It’s about seeing beyond the hard days to the smiles, the laughter, and the moments of connection that make this job unlike any other.

For those already in the field, it’s about reconnecting with the reasons they chose pediatrics in the first place—the love for children, the joy of watching them grow, and the satisfaction of making a real difference in their lives. It’s important to focus on the positive, celebrate the small victories, and remember that the impact we have as pediatricians goes far beyond the clinic walls.

ADVERTISEMENT

For medical students, the key is exposure and mentorship. They need to see firsthand the incredible relationships pediatricians build with their patients and families, the joy that comes from a child’s smile, and the deep sense of purpose that drives us every day. They need mentors who can share their passion for the field and show them that pediatrics is not just a specialty, but a calling.

The privilege of pediatric care

Pediatrics is more than a job; it’s a privilege. The opportunity to care for children, to be part of their lives as they grow and thrive, is a profound honor. It’s a field filled with joy, laughter, and the satisfaction of knowing that each day brings the chance to make a positive impact on a child’s life.

There is something uniquely rewarding about pediatric care that’s hard to find elsewhere in medicine. It’s in the simple moments—a child’s smile, a parent’s relief, a team’s shared commitment—that the true value of this work becomes clear. The absurdities and challenges of the job only add to the richness of the experience, making every day a reminder of why we do what we do.

In the end, the greatest reward is knowing that we are part of a child’s journey, helping them grow into healthy, happy adults. And that’s a joy unmatched by anything else in medicine.

Mick Connors is a pediatric emergency physician.

Prev

Why it's so hard to admit when we don’t like our jobs

September 22, 2024 Kevin 1
…
Next

Refuting the notion by a plaintiff attorney that there are no frivolous medical malpractice lawsuits

September 22, 2024 Kevin 0
…

Tagged as: Pediatrics

Post navigation

< Previous Post
Why it's so hard to admit when we don’t like our jobs
Next Post >
Refuting the notion by a plaintiff attorney that there are no frivolous medical malpractice lawsuits

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

More by Mick Connors, MD

  • Why Medicaid is failing Black children despite record spending

    Mick Connors, MD
  • Why chasing validation is destroying physicians’ sense of self

    Mick Connors, MD
  • Why physicians can’t let go of the golden RVU ring

    Mick Connors, MD

Related Posts

  • I was trolled by another physician on social media. I am happy I did not respond.

    Casey P. Schukow, DO
  • Physicians choose love, science, and healing

    Kellie Lease Stecher, MD
  • The black physician’s burden

    Naomi Tweyo Nkinsi
  • Why this physician supports Medicare for all

    Thad Salmon, MD
  • A daughter’s addiction. A mother’s love.

    Christine Naman
  • Drug ads are a campaign against physician trust

    Judy Salz, MD

More in Physician

  • Adriana Smith’s story: a medical tragedy under heartbeat laws

    Nicole M. King, MD
  • Why U.S. health care pricing is so confusing—and how to fix it

    Ashish Mandavia, MD
  • From survival to sovereignty: What 35 years in the ER taught me about identity, mortality, and redemption

    Kenneth Ro, MD
  • When doctors forget how to examine: the danger of lost clinical skills

    Mike Stillman, MD
  • When the white coats become gatekeepers: How a quiet cartel strangles America’s health

    Anonymous
  • The man in seat 11A survived, but why don’t our patients?

    Dr. Vivek Podder
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • Why removing fluoride from water is a public health disaster

      Steven J. Katz, DDS | Conditions
    • When did we start treating our lives like trauma?

      Maureen Gibbons, MD | Physician
    • Why male fertility needs to be part of every health conversation

      Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian | Conditions
    • How home-based AI can reduce health inequities in underserved communities [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Inside human trafficking: a guide to recognizing and preventing it [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Graduating from medical school without family: a story of strength and survival

      Anonymous | Education
  • Past 6 Months

    • Why tracking cognitive load could save doctors and patients

      Hiba Fatima Hamid | Education
    • What the world must learn from the life and death of Hind Rajab

      Saba Qaiser, RN | Conditions
    • The silent toll of ICE raids on U.S. patient care

      Carlin Lockwood | Policy
    • My journey from misdiagnosis to living fully with APBD

      Jeff Cooper | Conditions
    • Addressing the physician shortage: How AI can help, not replace

      Amelia Mercado | Tech
    • Why does rifaximin cost 95 percent more in the U.S. than in Asia?

      Jai Kumar, MD, Brian Nohomovich, DO, PhD and Leonid Shamban, DO | Meds
  • Recent Posts

    • How home-based AI can reduce health inequities in underserved communities [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Adriana Smith’s story: a medical tragedy under heartbeat laws

      Nicole M. King, MD | Physician
    • What if medicine had an exit interview?

      Lynn McComas, DNP, ANP-C | Conditions
    • Why U.S. health care pricing is so confusing—and how to fix it

      Ashish Mandavia, MD | Physician
    • From survival to sovereignty: What 35 years in the ER taught me about identity, mortality, and redemption

      Kenneth Ro, MD | Physician
    • When doctors forget how to examine: the danger of lost clinical skills

      Mike Stillman, MD | Physician

Subscribe to KevinMD and never miss a story!

Get free updates delivered free to your inbox.


Find jobs at
Careers by KevinMD.com

Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now.

Learn more

Leave a Comment

Founded in 2004 by Kevin Pho, MD, KevinMD.com is the web’s leading platform where physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses, medical students, and patients share their insight and tell their stories.

Social

  • Like on Facebook
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Connect on Linkedin
  • Subscribe on Youtube
  • Instagram

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • Why removing fluoride from water is a public health disaster

      Steven J. Katz, DDS | Conditions
    • When did we start treating our lives like trauma?

      Maureen Gibbons, MD | Physician
    • Why male fertility needs to be part of every health conversation

      Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian | Conditions
    • How home-based AI can reduce health inequities in underserved communities [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Inside human trafficking: a guide to recognizing and preventing it [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Graduating from medical school without family: a story of strength and survival

      Anonymous | Education
  • Past 6 Months

    • Why tracking cognitive load could save doctors and patients

      Hiba Fatima Hamid | Education
    • What the world must learn from the life and death of Hind Rajab

      Saba Qaiser, RN | Conditions
    • The silent toll of ICE raids on U.S. patient care

      Carlin Lockwood | Policy
    • My journey from misdiagnosis to living fully with APBD

      Jeff Cooper | Conditions
    • Addressing the physician shortage: How AI can help, not replace

      Amelia Mercado | Tech
    • Why does rifaximin cost 95 percent more in the U.S. than in Asia?

      Jai Kumar, MD, Brian Nohomovich, DO, PhD and Leonid Shamban, DO | Meds
  • Recent Posts

    • How home-based AI can reduce health inequities in underserved communities [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Adriana Smith’s story: a medical tragedy under heartbeat laws

      Nicole M. King, MD | Physician
    • What if medicine had an exit interview?

      Lynn McComas, DNP, ANP-C | Conditions
    • Why U.S. health care pricing is so confusing—and how to fix it

      Ashish Mandavia, MD | Physician
    • From survival to sovereignty: What 35 years in the ER taught me about identity, mortality, and redemption

      Kenneth Ro, MD | Physician
    • When doctors forget how to examine: the danger of lost clinical skills

      Mike Stillman, MD | Physician

MedPage Today Professional

An Everyday Health Property Medpage Today
  • Terms of Use | Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA Policy
All Content © KevinMD, LLC
Site by Outthink Group

Leave a Comment

Comments are moderated before they are published. Please read the comment policy.

Loading Comments...