President's Message, February 2025
Kate Tigue, MD, FAAP
Greetings colleagues,
What a stressful three weeks it has been. As I gather my thoughts, I hope you are finding ways to support yourself, your colleagues, and, most importantly, your patients and families in these most challenging and uncertain times. As we juggle endless professional and personal responsibilities, I want to share a few stories over these 3 weeks that brought me joy and reinforced the importance of the Pediatric Medical Home in our communities.
One Sunday morning I started patient care for ill patients and waited for my first patient to leave the bathroom. The door opened and out into the hall walked the most adorable almost 3-year-old little boy happily dancing back to the exam room in his superhero boxer briefs. A smile broke across my face as I followed him into the room. As he climbed up onto the exam table, I introduced myself. He immediately looked up and said, “Where is my doctor?” I explained his regular doctor had the day off and I was going to see him. He looked up with his big brown eyes and said, “Okay, you can be my friend too!”
This past week I walked in to meet a newborn and her family. Sitting in the chair was a grandmother, grinning from ear to ear. As I greeted her and asked what her preferred grandmother's name would be she answered and added, “I am so happy to be back in the office. All my kids received pediatric care here and there is nowhere else we would trust to care for my granddaughter.”
My community has seen many cases of pertussis over the late fall and winter. Unfortunately, this has been playing out across our state and the country. One of my adolescents came in with weeks of cough after his mother received a message from the high school sharing that the school district had several cases of pertussis. As we reviewed his symptoms and collected the relevant history he added, “Dr Tigue, I don’t have pertussis.” I then asked why he thought he did not have pertussis. He smiled and said “Because I have received all my vaccinations, just like you told us. Why would someone not listen to your advice?”
I was reflecting at the end of a stressful day with news breaking at every turn and these patient interactions came to mind as I stopped to refocus on how I, as a pediatrician, and my colleagues make a difference. As an independent practice, serving our community for 48 years means we have earned the trust and respect of our families. It is a true privilege when a practice or doctor can care for generations of families. The pediatric medical home is trusted.
Sometimes discussing science, pathophysiology and immunology is difficult with parents and patients. Pediatricians excel at taking complex information and distilling it into practical, honest information based on science and data. The pediatric medical home is scientific and collaborative.
For me, one of the most rewarding parts of pediatric primary care is the longitudinal relationship with children and families. It is a privilege to have parents entrust their most precious gift to you to care for and collaborate in their growth and development. As children age with us, they share lots of stories and opinions, many to their parents' embarrassment! That little boy I saw on Sunday morning knew his pediatrician was his friend. For me there is no greater compliment a child can give – you are my friend. The pediatric medical home is devoted.
As pediatricians, we are uniquely positioned to counter misinformation and strengthen the trust families place in the healthcare system. By fostering strong relationships, utilizing evidence-based communication strategies, and embracing proactive outreach, we can ensure that children receive the care they need in a world increasingly influenced by misinformation.
Pediatricians must remain vigilant, informed, and engaged. By reinforcing the pediatric medical home as a safe, reliable source of truth, we can empower families to make informed health decisions and safeguard the well-being of the next generation.
Thank you for the work you do every day for the children in Pennsylvania!
Stay well,
What a stressful three weeks it has been. As I gather my thoughts, I hope you are finding ways to support yourself, your colleagues, and, most importantly, your patients and families in these most challenging and uncertain times. As we juggle endless professional and personal responsibilities, I want to share a few stories over these 3 weeks that brought me joy and reinforced the importance of the Pediatric Medical Home in our communities.
One Sunday morning I started patient care for ill patients and waited for my first patient to leave the bathroom. The door opened and out into the hall walked the most adorable almost 3-year-old little boy happily dancing back to the exam room in his superhero boxer briefs. A smile broke across my face as I followed him into the room. As he climbed up onto the exam table, I introduced myself. He immediately looked up and said, “Where is my doctor?” I explained his regular doctor had the day off and I was going to see him. He looked up with his big brown eyes and said, “Okay, you can be my friend too!”
This past week I walked in to meet a newborn and her family. Sitting in the chair was a grandmother, grinning from ear to ear. As I greeted her and asked what her preferred grandmother's name would be she answered and added, “I am so happy to be back in the office. All my kids received pediatric care here and there is nowhere else we would trust to care for my granddaughter.”
My community has seen many cases of pertussis over the late fall and winter. Unfortunately, this has been playing out across our state and the country. One of my adolescents came in with weeks of cough after his mother received a message from the high school sharing that the school district had several cases of pertussis. As we reviewed his symptoms and collected the relevant history he added, “Dr Tigue, I don’t have pertussis.” I then asked why he thought he did not have pertussis. He smiled and said “Because I have received all my vaccinations, just like you told us. Why would someone not listen to your advice?”
I was reflecting at the end of a stressful day with news breaking at every turn and these patient interactions came to mind as I stopped to refocus on how I, as a pediatrician, and my colleagues make a difference. As an independent practice, serving our community for 48 years means we have earned the trust and respect of our families. It is a true privilege when a practice or doctor can care for generations of families. The pediatric medical home is trusted.
Sometimes discussing science, pathophysiology and immunology is difficult with parents and patients. Pediatricians excel at taking complex information and distilling it into practical, honest information based on science and data. The pediatric medical home is scientific and collaborative.
For me, one of the most rewarding parts of pediatric primary care is the longitudinal relationship with children and families. It is a privilege to have parents entrust their most precious gift to you to care for and collaborate in their growth and development. As children age with us, they share lots of stories and opinions, many to their parents' embarrassment! That little boy I saw on Sunday morning knew his pediatrician was his friend. For me there is no greater compliment a child can give – you are my friend. The pediatric medical home is devoted.
As pediatricians, we are uniquely positioned to counter misinformation and strengthen the trust families place in the healthcare system. By fostering strong relationships, utilizing evidence-based communication strategies, and embracing proactive outreach, we can ensure that children receive the care they need in a world increasingly influenced by misinformation.
Pediatricians must remain vigilant, informed, and engaged. By reinforcing the pediatric medical home as a safe, reliable source of truth, we can empower families to make informed health decisions and safeguard the well-being of the next generation.
Thank you for the work you do every day for the children in Pennsylvania!
Stay well,
Kate Tigue, MD, FAAP
President, PA AAP
2024-2026
President, PA AAP
2024-2026