Kootenai | Kootenai Health | Issue 1, 2019

Vanessa Carroll, M.D. Pediatric Hospitalist, Kootenai Clinic Hospital Medicine Tell us a little bit about you and your family: I am from New Orleans, where my family has been for generations. My husband, Robert, is from Garden City, Kansas, and is an engineering consultant. We have four children, two daughters ages 16 and 14, and two sons ages 11 and 9. We also have several pets, including two dogs, an axolotl (a type of salamander) and a hedgehog. Why did you pick your specialty? My younger brother was born with a form of congenital muscular dystrophy. Sadly, he passed away at the age of 6 due to Me e t o u r n ew p r ov i d e r s complications from RSV (respiratory syncytial virus). While his life was brief, it had great meaning and significantly impacted the lives of many, including mine. I saw the health care system from the family’s perspective at an early age. This viewpoint, along with a love of science and sincere desire to help others, inspired me to pursue a career in medicine and eventually specialize in pediatrics. What can patients expect when they first meet with you? Being in the hospital can be a scary time for patients and their families, so when we first meet, I hope to decrease some of that anxiety by reviewing why they are in the hospital, what treatments will be provided and what goals we can establish for a safe discharge home. What are some of your hobbies? Our family loves to travel, attend concerts and music festivals, and spend time outdoors. I enjoy running, hiking, mountain biking, snow skiing, soccer and reading. What drew you to Kootenai Health? The people and strong sense of community drew me to Kootenai. Everyone I met with was excited about pediatrics and its potential impact for the region. The enthusiasm, honesty and sincere desire to deliver the best pediatric care possible made Kootenai stand out. What is your favorite healthy tip? Vaccines are incredible, and are one of the greatest inventions of the 20 th century. They have essentially eliminated some of the worst infections to a point that many physicians today may not even see these diseases, which took the lives of so many decades ago. Some people may have concerns about vaccines, and I strongly encourage them to speak with their physicians. I have seen firsthand the complications and severe illness vaccine-preventable diseases can cause to those who are unimmunized. KH . ORG 9