Kriya Patel, MD

I've always loved working with kids. They have an infectious energy, are resilient and bring joy to your day. I love partnering with parents and supporting them on the journey to raising happy and healthy kids. I enjoy walking with my patients through each phase of life and watching them grow.

I'm convinced there is no better job than mine. I get to do something I love, and I get paid for it! God is good! Working with parents of babies or young children is more fun than I deserve. Seeing kids grow up and overcome problems, while watching parents get more adept at handling their little bundles of joy ... these are the true rewards of my calling. Helping a mom enjoy her baby, helping her realize that to love doesn't always mean to give in and helping parents understand that the baby came to live with the parents and not vice versa ... these are all a part of what I do. These tasks define the day-to-day life of parents, and I pray that I can be a coach and/or cheerleader in these times. I'm sometimes called mean, sometimes mistakenly perceived as sensitive and sometimes I bend or break a few rules of pediatrics, but my goal is to never be said not to care.

I've always pictured myself working with kids. I've always had a heart for them. Maybe it's because I have a big family and tons of younger cousins. Med school confirmed that for me. I was told to treat every rotation like your forever career, and on my pediatrics rotations, it was clear to me early on that pediatrics was where I should be. Pediatrics is unique in how well families get to know their pediatrician. There are at least seven well-baby visits in a baby's first year, not counting sick visits. A pediatrician should be relatable, approachable, honest, dependable and care genuinely about kids. My goal is for parents to trust me. I'm passionate about patient education. Medical terminology can sound like a foreign language to people. It did to me before medical school. I love breaking things down and explaining them in a way that everyone understands. I want parents to leave feeling reassured and knowing that we're on the same page.