Matthew J. Rockacy, MD

I maintain a down-to-earth approach with my patients and their families. Parents often encounter a lot of judgment from others for the choices they make, and I strive to be a reassuring presence. There’s definitely some flexibility in how to parent children—while always putting safety at the forefront—and I like to work with families to find the healthcare decisions that are best for them. I’ve wanted to be pediatric healthcare provider from an early age, but this was cemented for me when I was diagnosed with diabetes as a teen. Growing up with a chronic illness made me want to help others living similar lives with challenges. It also has a lot to do with my personality and demeanor, because I like making patients comfortable with humor. Children can be quite scared of coming to pediatrics, so I try to make their visits as fun as possible. In pediatrics, I get to still be a kid myself, and that suits me. A successful visit is when patients and their families are able to communicate their concerns and feel listened to. Families say that I show them respect for their opinions, and am not judgmental, because I know parenting is incredibly difficult. I’ve been here long enough that I see my patients become adults, and even become parents of my new patients. It gives me a lot of pride to see them mature, make healthy choices, and look back on our relationship as a significant part of their lives.

I love watching the growth and development of my patients. I like the evolution of relationships with the family and with the child, and how that changes over time. With families I have known for a long time, I enjoy reflecting on where they were then and where they are now. It’s very rewarding to watch kids become more independent andfamilies become more confident in their parenting. I've always wanted to be a pediatrician. Patients and their families tell me I'm direct and efficient. I like to involve the family when there are options to consider and a decision to be made. And when I feel like there is one best option to make sure the patient is safe, I am very upfront. If patients and families feel like their questions have been answered, that's a sign that it was a good visit. I focus on talking to my patients as much as possible. It depends on their age, of course, but for school-age or older children, I try to ask them about their interests and get them talking about who they are and what they like. I want to help them be a little more comfortable, because coming to the doctor is not always a comfortable thing.

Mark M. Funk, MD in Keene is a non-profit medical center dedicated to advancing the health and wellness of the Monadnock Region. Specializing in specialty, emergency, and primary care services, they are committed to providing safe and comprehensive medical care to the community. Generated from their website's infomation