Women physicians improve pediatric medicine
A lot has changed since Mary Bridge Children’s opened its doors almost 70 years ago, with the goal to provide the best possible care for kids in our local communities.
Those changes come twofold for women in medicine, whose contributions were often minimized or erased from history. While their true impact can never be fully known, female providers today lead groundbreaking research, redefine treatment options, and widen horizons for their young patients.
“As a pediatrician, I know that I can provide peace of mind for parents. I love caring for children and helping them to be as healthy as they can be,” says Andrea Donalty, MD, pediatrician, veteran, and primary care medical director at Mary Bridge Children’s. “Watching children grow, I have a small part in shaping their future, and perhaps our future service men and women.”
Today in honor of National Women Physicians Day, learn how Dr. Donalty and seven of her incredible teammates are changing lives.
Stephanie Acierno, MD, MPH, FACS, FAAP, the pediatric surgeon who operated on preemie Khalea’s rare intestinal condition in 2017 and feels honored to watch her grow big and strong, still part of today’s care team.
Sarah Ahmed, MD, a pediatric emergency and urgent care physician who contributed to post-pandemic flu vaccine trend research.
Heather L. Cooper, MD, the pediatrician who helped mom Brynessa Taylor not only adjust to Washington state, but connect her daughter Baelah with the right team of blood disorder and spinal specialists.
Andrea Donalty, MD, a Navy veteran, long-time pediatrician and our primary care medical director, who remains ready to pick up the phone and chat with parents who are stressed about whether or not it is time for the emergency room.
Mary Fairchok, MD, Army veteran, mom and pediatric infectious disease specialist, who also directs the Mary Bridge Children’s Pediatric Clerkship for University of Washington medical students.
Britney Frazier, MD, the pediatric endocrinologist researching the bone health side effects of the ketogenic diet, so that kids with diabetes don’t sacrifice calcium for stable blood sugar levels.
Vanessa Tolbert, MD, the hematologist/oncologist whose personal motherhood journey led to her willingness to taste test what she recommends to her patients, first.
Rebecca Whitesell, MD, MPH, FAAOS, the pediatric orthopedic surgeon who introduced a safer robot-assisted spinal surgery to Mary Bridge Children’s that inspired Robert, her patient, to pursue competitive robotics.