They pull back the curtain on the realities of burnout in modern medicine, why corporate health care is driving unprecedented levels of stress, and how they’re working to reimagine the way doctors practice. From the evolution of work-life balance to deeply personal journeys that shaped their mission, this episode is an eye-opening look at the hidden struggles doctors face—and the hope for a healthier future.

If you've ever wondered what it takes to restore the passion for medicine, this is an episode you don't want to miss. Tune in now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube.

A Pillar of Pediatric Care

James “Jim” Cunningham, M.D. a beloved figure at Cook Children’s, is retiring after a distinguished career dedicated to the health and well-being of countless children. Dr. Cunningham’s journey at Cook Children’s took him from Medical Director of Pulmonology to Chief Medical Officer to Executive Vice President/CMO. All along the way, his path has been marked by compassion, innovation and a steadfast commitment to excellence. He has left an enduring impact on the institution and the community it serves.

Born and raised in Texas, Dr. Cunningham’s roots run deep in the Lone Star State. His early years sparked a curiosity about the scientific world, leading him to pursue a degree in Zoology at Texas A&M University. This academic foundation laid the groundwork for his future in medicine.

A Passion for Pediatrics

After completing his medical degree at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston and his residency at the University of Oklahoma, Dr. Cunningham specialized in pediatric pulmonology at the University of Arizona. His passion for caring for young patients, particularly those with complex respiratory conditions, ignited a desire to make a difference in their lives.

"I was drawn to pulmonary medicine because it offered a unique blend of acute and chronic care. It's incredibly rewarding to treat children with acute conditions like pneumonia, watching them recover and go home,” Dr. Cunningham said. “At the same time, managing chronic diseases such as cystic fibrosis or severe asthma allows you to build strong bonds with patients and their families. It's deeply meaningful to participate in their lives, watch them grow, and help them navigate their health care challenges. The combination of acute care and long-term relationships with patients and families was what ultimately attracted me to pulmonary medicine."

Decades of Dedication to Cook Children’s

Dr. Cunningham joined Cook Children’s in 1987, drawn to the organization’s commitment to providing exceptional care to children. Over the past three decades, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the institution into a world-class pediatric health care provider.

As a physician and administrator, Dr. Cunningham has made significant contributions to the field of pediatric pulmonology. His expertise in managing complex respiratory conditions, such as cystic fibrosis, has improved the lives of countless children. His dedication to advancing medical knowledge through research has led to groundbreaking discoveries and innovative treatments.

Beyond his clinical and research endeavors, Dr. Cunningham has been a visionary leader, guiding Cook Children’s through period of substantial expansion and modernization. His strategic insights and unwavering commitment to quality have helped position Cook Children’s as a leader in pediatric health care.

"This place has been a significant part of my life for a long time. Many of my adult friendships are centered around it, and it's been rewarding to watch its growth. However, I'm confident that the pulmonary program is in excellent hands with (Karen Schultz, M.D.), (Sami Hadeed, M.D.), (John Pfaff, M.D.), and the other talented pulmonologists. I believe the program will continue to thrive and achieve great things."

A Well-Deserved Retirement

As Dr. Cunningham embarks on his retirement, he leaves behind a legacy of compassion, innovation and leadership. His departure marks the end of an era, but his impact on Cook Children’s and the children it serves will continue to be felt for generations to come.

“Over 17 years ago, one of my first decisions as President and CEO of Cook Children’s was to hire Dr. Jim Cunningham as Chief Medical Officer. I had met Jim during my interview process and was immediately impressed by his kind and compassionate nature. His servant’s heart was evident, making him the ideal choice to lead our organization into the future,” said Rick W. Merrill, President and CEO of Cook Children’s Health Care System.

Looking ahead, Jonathan Nedrelow, M.D., will assume the role of Chief Medical Officer at Cook Children’s. Most recently, Dr. Nedrelow served as Senior Vice President and Associate Chief Medical Officer at Cook Children’s. A renowned expert in neonatal-perinatal medicine, Dr. Nedrelow bring a wealth of experience and a strong commitment to pediatric health care to this pivotal role.

"I was fortunate to have the opportunity to start succession planning early on,” Dr. Cunningham said. “This led me to think about the future of the program and how to ensure a smooth transition. I immediately thought of Dr. Nedrelow, and we had several conversations about the process. He's been leading the program for about a year and a half now, and he's exceptionally qualified. He's highly intelligent, well-respected, and I'm confident that the program is in great hands with him."

Dr. Cunningham’s colleagues and friends at Cook Children’s extend their heartfelt gratitude for his many years of dedicated service.

Rick W. Merrill, President and CEO of Cook Children’s Health Care System

“For nearly four decades, Dr. Cunningham has been an invaluable asset to Cook Children’s. As our Chief Medical Officer for the past 17 years, he has steadfastly upheld our Promise to our patients, families, physicians, and staff. As he embarks on a well-deserved retirement, he will be deeply missed. We are grateful for his invaluable contributions and look forward to the leadership of Dr. Jonathan Nedrelow. However, Dr. Cunningham’s enduring impact on Cook Children’s will forever be remembered."

Jonathan Nedrelow, M.D. current Chief Medical Officer

“Dr. Cunningham’s patients had the rare privilege of being taken care of by one of the most kind, thoughtful, unassuming, and intelligent doctors I have ever known. His legacy can be found in all the children that had a chance to grow up healthier because of him. Personally, words cannot describe the gratitude I have for the mentorship and friendship he extended to me. I wish him all the best enjoying his family and friends in retirement.”

Bobby Feather, Senior Vice President, Public Policy

“Over the last 30 years, it has been my privilege to labor beside a number of extraordinary people in the Cook Children’s administration.  Jim Cunningham is an incredible individual.  I have known him to be a highly dedicated leader and principled professional colleague.  When it comes to integrity, compassion, loyalty, flexibility and wisdom, Dr. Cunningham is fourteen carat.  As a friend, he is a rare find.”

Karen Schultz, M.D., Medical Director, Pulmonary Services

“There is no way to state how much Dr. Cunningham has meant to Cook Children’s or to me personally. He has been a rock from the day that I started fresh out of fellowship—initially with clinical questions but morphing into advice on how to lead the pulmonary department (and who to ask when I need something). His compassionate care for patients is an example for all physicians to emulate. I can only hope to have a fraction of the impact that he has had caring for pulmonary and all patients and families and Cook Children’s."

Nancy Dambro, M.D., retired, former Medical Director of Pulmonology and President of the Medical Staff

Jim Cunningham and I did our fellowships together at the University of Arizona in Tucson. Subsequently, we and our families moved to Fort Worth and Cook Children’s Medical Center together in 1987. Until I retired in 2020, Jim and I worked together for a total of 36 years! A long time for two physicians.

Through those years, I have seen Jim as one of the most insightful, thorough, and hard-working physicians I have ever worked with. He led the building of a very well-thought-of Pulmonary Department from the ground up, including a nationally recognized Cystic Fibrosis Center. In doing so, he built a cohesive clinical team that continues to be strong.

Later, he became the CMO of Cook Children’s Healthcare System, and lent his collegial leadership style to the entire organization. Jim‘s impact on the growth of Cook Children’s is probably unequaled.

Through this pretty challenging career, I never saw Jim lose sight of the importance of his own family; he is a great husband and father.

And he is a good friend.

Britt Nelson, M.D., retired, CCPN's president from 2009 to 2021, long-time friend of Dr. Cunningham

“Jim Cunningham always brings understanding into a room. He can communicate across many levels of listeners complex concepts in whatever language is needed. He is a honyawker to honyawkers, a kid to kids, an executive to executives and a leader to leaders. He is the brightest guy in the room – always.

His fingerprints are all over Cook Children’s and the success it has enjoyed. Best? He loves children and served them with his every word and action.”

Follow up to Dr. Nelson: What is a honyawker?

“I don’t really know, nor do I know how to spell it. Dr. Cunningham uses that word frequently to describe ‘a good ole boy’ with a slightly goofy slant. He’s used it in the highest level of our organization, and it elicits smiles as he describes folks (usually males) who are freewheeling and a bit (off-the-wall). It’s a term of endearment … sort of. He’ll smile when he sees this and correct me! What I could never discern was whether I wanted to be considered a honyawker. Pronounced –ho’n-yaw-ker.”

Tune in on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube to hear about her early days in the world of dance, the pivotal moment that led her to pursue medicine, and her experiences training and practicing in the field. 

You’ll also discover why Dr. Combs is so dedicated to caring for young patients and how she balances her medical career with her passion for teaching and mentoring.

With nearly 30 years of experience, Dr. Fuqua has devoted herself to improving children’s oral health, spearheading community programs like Save a Smile, and bridging the gap between dental care and overall wellness. Join us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube as we delve into Dr. Fuqua’s story—an inspiring journey of compassion, dedication, and her belief in the power of a smile.

Dr. Greer, who leads the Neuroblastoma Program at the Cook Children’s Hematology and Oncology Center, knows from personal experience what it’s like to receive treatment for cancer at Cook Children’s. She knows how it feels to undergo a biopsy, receive a cancer diagnosis, and experience the toll that chemotherapy takes on the body.

Getting treated for cancer in adolescence even shaped a life goal: She made up her mind that one day she’d work as an oncologist at Cook Children’s Medical Center – Fort Worth, the same place she came for those chemo infusions as a preteen patient.

“My journey's pretty unique,” said Dr. Greer, who joined Cook Children’s in 2023. “I know a lot of people attain their goals, but not too many people say when they're 12 that they're going to come back and be the doctor who was taking care of them. I get to do that, so I feel very grateful.”

At the Neuroblastoma Program, Dr. Greer works to help children and teens the way her doctors helped her. She coordinates a team approach. Treatment options for neuroblastoma include chemotherapy, immunotherapy, transplant, radiation and surgery.

“Many children with neuroblastoma present with advanced stage disease, and it is a very complicated, intensive, long treatment journey,” said Kenneth Heym, M.D., Medical Director, Cook Children’s Oncology. “It takes someone with expertise in that specific area who’s really going to dedicate themselves to this disease and this group of patients.”

Dr. Greer understands that cancer feels overwhelming. But she assures her patients that she and the Cook Children’s oncology team are by their side. They’ll make a plan and take it one day at a time.

Memories of having cancer translate into the empathy in Dr. Greer’s approach. She never assumes she knows exactly what her patients and their families are experiencing. That’s because everyone’s circumstances are unique to them. But her empathy stems in part from what she went through:

• Initial uncertainty about what was causing her symptoms
• Long drives from West Texas for five rounds of chemo
• Lodging at Ronald McDonald House and extended-stay hotels
• Several hospitalizations from complications

Dr. Heym points to Dr. Greer as an inspiration for the accomplishments that pay off through diligence and determination. Dr. Heym uses the word “amazing” to describe the colleague he met long before she earned her medical degree.

“She comes off as somebody who has been doing this a lot longer, both in her knowledge base, which is incredibly extensive and shows her dedication to study, and in her clinical skill and the way she carries herself and leads her team,” he said. “It’s clearly beyond what you’d expect from someone at that stage in their career.”

Dr. Greer took a fast track through high school and college before graduating in 2016 from the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (TCOM). She went on to do a pediatric residency and research into the long-term risks of cancer medicines for certain patients.

Dr. Greer also sees patients with other types of cancer in the medical center or the outpatient clinic. She derives her passion as a physician from the relationships that develop in an environment of stress and vulnerability.

“That's really why I do what I do,” she said. “Because we care so much, we're going to take great care of the child. The bonds form really strong, really fast, and that is important to help them through everything.”

September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, which gives us the chance to spotlight Dr. Greer's unique expertise. She sees the patient perspective through a lens of awareness and extra sensitivity. Because she’s been there.

Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

Chelsee Greer was an athletic and studious seventh-grader who played soccer, ran cross country, and did homework late into the night. She kept such a busy schedule that her parents weren’t initially worried when she became extremely tired in March 2002. But then came a low fever, night sweats, swollen glands in her neck, and unexplained weight loss. Her first doctor suspected a case of the flu or mononucleosis.

Her fatigue got worse. At school she was so exhausted she would nap in the locker room during lunch. After the school year ended, she slept through much of a family trip to the beach.

“My mom was like, ‘Something’s really wrong,’” Dr. Greer remembers. Another doctor in Odessa ordered a CT scan, and when the results came back, he summoned the family to an evening meeting in his office. The CT scan pointed to lymphoma, the doctor said. They’d need a biopsy to be sure.

Those words didn’t make sense to Dr. Greer at the time. But she figured it wasn’t good news. Her parents were crying. They had to leave for Cook Children’s right away.

So the next morning the Greers drove four and a half hours to Fort Worth. A lymph node biopsy confirmed she did indeed have cancer. Dr. Greer was one of about 8,600 people in the United States diagnosed each year with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a type of cancer involving the immune system.   

Lymphoma had spread throughout her abdomen and pelvis. The fatigue, fever and other symptoms were her body’s inflammatory response. Doctors at Cook Children’s planned to treat the cancer with five rounds of chemotherapy followed by radiation.

W. Paul Bowman, M.D., became Dr. Greer’s primary oncologist. He remembers her as a 12-year-old with a knack for listening and asking questions.

“She was smart, inquisitive and engaged,” Dr. Bowman said. “She had a sense of commitment and was goal-oriented to put this disease behind her. She was an advocate for herself.”

Dr. Greer saw firsthand how childhood cancer turns life upside down for the whole family. Her mom took a leave from work so that they could make chemotherapy appointments in Fort Worth for a week at a time. Friends, relatives and neighbors pitched in to help her dad take care of her younger sister back in Odessa.  

In addition to the treatments in Fort Worth, she occasionally came for checkups closer to home at Cook Children’s Pediatric Specialties Midland.

“She didn’t feel sorry for herself,” said Julie Jolly, RN, at the Midland clinic. “She just knew this was a hurdle she was going to get over, and her life goals were going to be met.”

There were hard days when Dr. Greer dealt with vomiting from nausea, painful mouth sores and other reactions to the chemo. Her hair fell out. Complications put her in the hospital a few times. She couldn’t attend school in person, so she received homebound instruction for part of eighth grade. But there were bright spots too, including her appreciation for the infusion center nurses.  

“My parents were super amazing. My support system -- my grandparents, my aunts and uncles, my best friend -- definitely made it a lot easier. And I think during treatment it was just kind of like, ‘All right, this is what we're doing.’”

Chemo treatments started in June 2002, and after the fifth round in November, her cancer was gone. She didn’t need radiation after all.

Moving Forward

Dr. Greer graduated from high school in three years. Then, during her summer breaks in college, she volunteered at the clinic in Midland. Jolly taught her how to check vital signs and perform other procedures. She shadowed Dr. Bowman when he saw oncology patients in Midland.  

Dr. Greer went to medical school at TCOM, where Dr. Bowman was a teacher and mentor to his former patient. One of her rotations was at Cook Children’s oncology.

“Maybe she’s matured more quickly because of what she went through, but Chelsee has always seemed kind of grown up. I just have such tremendous respect for her,” he said.  

Dr. Greer did a pediatric residency at Dell Children’s Medical Center in Austin and a hematology and oncology fellowship at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. Then she joined the oncology staff at Cook Children’s. As Dr. Bowman puts it … she came back to her roots.

Unique Perspective

Surviving childhood cancer became a driving force in Dr. Greer’s life and medical practice. She sets high standards for herself. She advocates for broader access to health care in underserved communities. Because she remembers the anxiety of waiting after a scan or biopsy, she goes out of her way to communicate those results promptly any time of the day or night.

“I think I have an empathy that's built in that you can't be taught,” she said. “I really know what it's like to be waiting for those test results.”

She tells her patients that cancer is a big speed bump in life. And she wants them to know she’ll do everything possible to help get them on the other side of the speed bump. Don’t give up on your goals, she advises.

Dr. Greer stands out for her work ethic, attention to detail, and focus on every patient, Dr. Heym said. She’s already done incredible things in pediatric oncology. And Dr. Heym predicts much more to come.

Grit and aspiration propelled her from her first visit to Cook Children’s -- as a 12-year-old facing cancer – to the same health care system, now as a physician and leader in the fight against the disease.

Dr. Heym describes Dr. Greer this way: “Everything you do, do it right, do it to the fullest, make it worthwhile. And then being able to turn that into a life of helping others.  You can’t think of a more heartwarming story.”

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Boosting Research Toward a Cure for Childhood Cancer

As a survivor of the Great Depression, Dr. Dambro’s mom knew doctors were needed in times of economic boom or bust, and she wasn’t about to stand in the way of her daughter’s chosen career path. In those days, a mother encouraging her daughter to pursue the male-dominated field of medicine was a rarity.

“My mom was practical and very reinforcing in her recommendations for my career,” Dr. Dambro said. “In the 1960s, not that many girls had their mothers telling them to go ahead and be a doctor.”

Her mother’s refusal to conform to that norm made all the difference to a little girl with a big dream. After 41 years of practicing medicine, Dr. Dambro will hang up her clinical white coat on Dec. 1.

Born and raised in Reno, Nevada, Dr. Dambro received her undergraduate degree from Occidental College in Los Angeles and completed her medical degree at Tufts University in Boston, Mass. A pediatrics residency, pulmonary fellowship and a short stint on the faculty at the University of Arizona Health Sciences Center in Tucson preceded her move to Fort Worth where she joined the medical staff of Cook Children’s Medical Center in 1987.

Dr. Dambro made her way to Cook Children’s alongside her long-time colleague and friend Jim Cunningham, M.D., chief medical officer at Cook Children’s Health System.

“I first met Dr. Nancy Dambro when we were both pediatric pulmonary fellows at the University of Arizona Health Sciences Center in Tucson,” Dr. Cunningham said. “We quickly became good friends and professional colleagues. A few years later, when I was considering returning to Fort Worth and joining Cook Children’s, I was very fortunate to convince her to join me. And now, 33 years later, I face the rather daunting task of bidding her a professional adieu.”

Their arrival at Cook Children’s was a pivotal turning point for the medical center’s pulmonary specialty. The two of them had to start from scratch setting up policies and departmental procedures. Today, that two-person team now includes six additional physicians and many supporting health-care professionals and employees.

During her tenure at Cook Children’s, Dr. Dambro served as medical director of pulmonology for 20 years, in addition to serving as president of the medical staff. She helped grow the department to include the Cook Children’s Cystic Fibrosis Center and a pediatric sleep center, among many other improvements and additions.

“Under her leadership and dedicated guidance, the pulmonary program has grown to one of the largest and most accomplished programs in the country,” Dr. Cunningham said. “She has been a leader in pediatric pulmonology nationally, a leader within Cook Children’s in many capacities, and a leader in our community. She has been a mentor to countless of our young colleagues and her legacy will continue on through their good works.”

Mentor Mindset

Upon retirement, Dr. Dambro will set her sights on time with her family and fostering her love of gardening, entertaining, reading and travel. She says the time is right for her and those she’s passing the torch to.

“I’ve really had a very happy career,” she said. “I wanted to have a good, long career. I really wanted to work past 65 and to go out of my career when I felt strong. I certainly did not want to, in any way, overstay my welcome. And we have a bunch of young physicians now at Cook Children’s who need to grow in their careers and they need to have space to do that.”

Her advice to those young professionals?

“Probably the first thing is give it your all,” Dr. Dambro said. “Remain committed and don’t hesitate to become involved. The second is practice medicine as it’s meant to be practiced, following the Hippocratic Oath, and do not get involved in pressures from the business.”

Karen Schultz, M.D., is a grateful recipient of Dr. Dambro’s counsel. She began working at Cook Children’s fresh out of her fellowship when Dr. Dambro was the medical director. She said Dr. Dambro helped guide her through those early years of on-the-job education that comes with being a new attending physician. Today, Dr. Schultz holds Dr. Dambro’s former position as medical director of pulmonology and praises her predecessor as a physician, advisor and friend.

“She was a mentor to me from the start,” Dr. Schultz said. “Over the 17 years I’ve been here she has continued to advise and counsel me. When I took over as medical director, for the six months beforehand, she passed on her knowledge to me and continues to help even now. There’s always something I’m learning from her every day.”

Dr. Schultz believes her colleague’s retirement is well deserved.

“I hope that she really enjoys her time because she has worked really hard for a lot of years and impacted physicians, nurses, patients and staff more than anybody could really ever explain to her,” Dr. Schultz said. “This place will not be the same without her.”

Living Legacies

Lindsey Marshall, 33, of Fort Worth, cried when she heard the news of her beloved doctor’s retirement.

“We talked about the wonderful things that meant for Dr. Dambro,” Lindsey’s mom, Kim, said about comforting her daughter. “I know they're moving to a new house and she gets to spend more time with her husband, and she won't have to wake up in the middle of the night. You know, all things that relate to why this was good for Dr. Dambro. So she understood.”

Lindsey was born with Down syndrome and multiple heart defects. She developed asthma as a toddler and suffered from multiple bouts of pneumonia. Kim said Dr. Dambro has been a gift, noting her positive, calm and reassuring bedside manner, and gives her credit for Lindsey being alive today.

“As a parent of a sick kid I will tell you Dr. Dambro has always been a bright light,” Kim said. “She's always been positive. Never unpleasant. She's always looking for the positive and that's just a gift. She is one in a million. So, yeah, we adore her. It's a personal loss for our family just because we treasure good medical help so much but, for Dr. Dambro, we truly are thrilled. You know, she's worked so, so hard for so many years. She deserves a wonderful retirement.”

Lindsey is a living testament to Dr. Dambro’s legacy. Today, she is thriving from both a health and developmental standpoint as she participates in a college program where she is learning job and life skills that will help her live more independently.

Petey Hansen, 31, of Winnsboro, Texas, has been a patient of Dr. Dambro’s since shortly after his birth in 1989. Born at 26 weeks, Petey suffered a number of complications due to his prematurity, including bronchopulmonary dysplasia, or chronic lung disease. It’s going to be hard for the Hansen family to say goodbye to Petey’s beloved physician after 31 years of what they describe as devoted care.

“We are going to miss her tremendously,” Janice Hansen, Petey’s mother, said as she choked back tears. “We so appreciate the excellent level of care that she always gave Pete. And the fact that I always felt like she loved Pete and that he meant something to her. She always cared, and we wish her well.”

Petey, an avid sports enthusiast who will win any game of sports trivia, beat the odds on multiple occasions. He survived prematurity when many said he wouldn’t, and he proved doctors wrong when they doubted he’d ever walk on his own due to clubbed feet or ever live without a ventilator or supplemental oxygen. But, through it all, Dr. Dambro was there. Never giving up. Never failing to fight for what was best for her patient. Never abandoning the oath she took as a physician.

“She’s very protective of her patients,” Janice said. “She is very knowledgeable in her field and very caring, and Petey loves Dr. Dambro. He looks forward to going to see her every year at check ups.”

“Words fail to capture all she has done,” added George Hansen, Petey’s father.

Today, Petey is relatively healthy and only needs the occasional breathing treatment when he’s sick with a cold or respiratory virus. All thanks to his fighting spirit and, in large part, Dr. Dambro’s care.

Family Matters

Dr. Dambro is quick to acknowledge her family—husband Mark, also a physician, and daughter, Mary—when she talks about her career. Looking back, she isn’t sure how she managed 60-hour-work weeks while also raising her daughter.

“The other day my daughter told me that she and her boyfriend thought for some time that I lived in an alternate reality where there was more time,” Dr. Dambro said with a chuckle. “My family, my husband and daughter and my parents when they were alive, have been incredibly supportive and reinforcing to me.”

She’s also grateful for the support of her colleagues.

“I work in the greatest department,” she said. “We have very low turnover and everybody is happy to come to work and, I think, when you can say you start your day happy to come to work, that says a lot.”

Her longest running colleague will, perhaps, miss her the most.

“I struggle to contemplate professional life at Cook Children’s without Nancy Dambro,” Dr. Cunningham said. “But I am thankful that she took a leap of faith and moved across the country with me, so many years ago, and that she dedicated her professional life to caring for the children of our region. They are happier and healthier for all of her good works.”

Dr. Nancy Dambro’s imprint on Cook Children’s Medical Center will be everlasting as her fellow physicians and colleagues carry on with the work of the department she helped lay the foundation for so many years ago. Thanks to her, thousands of children can breathe a little easier—now and for generations to come.

Why did the cookie go to the doctor? He felt a little crummy.

Why is diarrhea inherited? It runs in the jeans.

When it comes to jokes, Eric Hopkins’, M.D., has got a million of ‘em. As his patients in his Grapevine office can tell you. He is always prepared with a joke as he walks into a patient’s room. So, it only makes sense that we celebrate “World Smile Day” with one of our funniest doctors.

“The kids love it. I’ll walk in the room and the kids, sometimes the parents too, will say, ‘Time for the joke of the day.’” Dr. Hopkins said. “We all enjoy laughter. It makes you happy and makes you feel better.”

There’s a method to Dr. Hopkins’ particular brand of comedy. Kids go to the doctor and they are nervous. He hopes to ease a children’s mind and stress level when they go see him. Then next time that mom and dad say it’s time to go to the doctor, they may actually look forward to it. At least, more than if they weren’t guaranteed a joke or two.

Of course, every good comedian knows how to read the room and Dr. Hopkins is no exception. If the situation is serious, he’s not going to walk into the room and begin cracking wise.

He also knows when to quit. If a too-cool-for-school teen doesn’t laugh, Dr. Hopkins will move on. Ok, he may give it a second or third chance to make the teen at least crack a smile. And he’s not opposed to acting out the joke or using funny accents. Whatever it takes. But then, he moves on.

However, there have been times where a situation that seemed grim was made light. He recently met with a kid who was going through a rough time emotionally. By the end of the session, she was laughing and giving Dr. Hopkins a hug of thanks.

Dr. Hopkins gets his jokes from a stack of joke books and now from parents and kids telling him their jokes. He said recently a child told him he’d been coming to see him too long because he knew the punchlines.

“I’ve always loved jokes,” Dr. Hopkins said. “I think laughter inspires you. You feed off it. It might change a child’s mind who otherwise wouldn’t want to go to the doctor. It opens the door for those children and they may even be a happy to come. Laughter offers a balance in a place where we may see a lot of illness and at times even sadness.”

And that’s no joke.

But this is:

What kind of illness do martial artists get? Kung Flu!!

Then, I was blessed to have a beautiful son...

….who decided that I needed to be re-taught a few things about children.

And by a few things, I mean everything.

Don’t get me wrong – you don’t have to be a parent to be an excellent doctor. I still dish out the same advice. The books and studies are spot-on and I’m going to give it to you straight. Breastfeeding does provide the best nutrition for babies. But I understand the pain you’re going through to meet that goal. And I understand the frustration of having a child who just won’t latch on. And I understand now why you look at me, with a crazy twitch in your eye, when I tell you to try an extra pumping session a day to build up your supply, mama. I hated that thing, too. Can anyone say “dairy cow”? And guess what – formula isn’t poisonous. I wasn’t physically able to meet my full breastfeeding goals with my kid – there’s no judgement here if you grab that can. And it’s okay if it makes your relationship with your child happier, healthier and more fulfilling.

Our car seat remains rear-facing at 18 months. It’s been proven to be five times safer than forward-facing. I’m sorry for my lecture during your little one’s checkup. And oh yes, I too want to rip my hair out when I can’t reach over far enough to give my kid that 400^th toy to keep them quiet on the trip to grandma’s.

“Crying it out” was a tough one for me. Pre-child, it was so easy to coach parents - encourage them to drop the constant rocking, the running into the nursery at all hours of the night, the fear of allowing their child to cry in order to learn put themselves to sleep. Then I went through it with my son. Let’s just say I give the same advice now (it really does work) …and recommend a glass of wine for every 15 minutes of crying. I probably cried more than my kid did. Motherhood helped me give this advice with a much softer tone. I get it, mom and dad. And I feel your pain (and exhaustion).

Pacifiers – I missed that thing so much. So, so much. Oh man I missed that thing when it had to go. I think I needed one myself when the time came to get rid of it.

As for the well-rounded, healthy meals I recommend offering your child throughout the day – I now understand why there are food shortages in some parts of the world. It’s because all that food is currently on the floor of my kitchen. Where my son threw it. I get it. And I’m here to help you find tricks to make things better. Tried and tested in my own home.

In all seriousness, motherhood has been the most exhausting, challenging, humbling thing I’ve ever experienced. But I can say without a doubt that it’s made me a better doctor for your child. Because helping you get through those everyday challenges is a huge part of what being a pediatrician is all about.

I recently polled some physician mom colleagues to get their take on how motherhood changed them:

• “I am that much more in awe of the composure, patience, faith, resolve my patients' families have, especially considering how chronically sick the kids are that I see, and how too not-infrequently, limited the treatments are. I see my son in every patient. Everything is different. Every heartache is my heartache. Each illness, each story seems to hit home that much harder. I am so so appreciative.”
• “I am much more empathetic and practical in some advice. I think that I am much more emotionally available post having kids and can understand a variety of stresses parents who go through NICU may encounter.”
• “You come to understand that "by the book" is not always what is possible in real life!”
• “I feel like when the kids have a tougher diagnosis - cancer- it hits closer to home and I hold my kids a bit tighter. Likewise, little pearls and tricks that I used help make it more of a village caring mentality for the family which has been lost over the last 30-40 years.”
• “My medical advice is not too different, but I understand the unspoken worry so much better now. So I try to address the emotional stuff first in ways that would not have occurred to me pre-kids. Now I'll directly say things like "you are a good mother even if you need to use formula," or "this lymphadenitis/rectal bleeding/etc is NOT cancer," or "they are not dangerous, but constant viral illnesses all winter TOTALLY SUCK.” I think it has made me a much better pediatrician.”
• “One of my favorite attendings in peds residency told me, as I was a mess after coming back from maternity leave with my first, that a little part of your heart will always be on the outside, dangling like a vulnerable little wisp in the wind that is parenting- and that little wisp makes you so much stronger and so much softer- all for the good....it's so true.”

Happy Mother’s Day, everyone!

In the state of Texas, it's illegal for anyone under 18 years of age to use an indoor UV tanning facility, even with a parent's permission. But recent studies show that the use of tanning beds can become an obsession and parents need to make sure their child is not finding a way to work around the law.

Why?

The dangers of cancer:

• Ultra-violet (UV) light in tanning bed is known to cause cancer.
• Every year, more than 170,000 cases of skin cancer related to indoor tanning are diagnosed.
• One indoor tanning session increases your risk of getting melanoma skin cancer by 20 percent.
• Melanoma is the second most common type of invasive cancer in teens and young adults and is the leading cause of cancer death in women ages 25 to 30.
• One indoor session increase your riks of getting squamous cell carinoma by 67 percent.

"While all tanning is bad, tanning bed usage exposes people to ultraviolet A rays," said Sandra Peak, M.D., a Cook Children's pediatrician in Lewisville. "UVB rays cause sunburn, but UVA rays penetrate much deeper into the skin."

Other icky health risks may also be found at your local tanning salon, including bacteria that can lead to staph infection. Regular trips to the tanning bed can also change skin texture and cause sunspots, which probably aren't what your teen is after.

So what if your child begs you to go? It's time to talk.

"Parents should sit down and discuss the risks of indoor tanning with their children," Dr. Peak said. "Melanoma has become the cancer of young people."

Instead encourage your children to use a self tanner to get that summer glow, and urge them to always apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum sun protection factor of 15 before heading outdoors, even during winter months. Dr. Peak recommends staying away from spray tans, since the chemicals can damage delicate mucus membranes.

About the author

Sandra Peak, M.D., joined Cook Childrens Physician Network in Lewisville in 2004. Dr. Peak enjoys gardening, yoga, and boating and in her spare time can be found at the lake with her husband Jay, stepson Sage and the world’s most amazing Lab, Sugar Mae.

"My mom used to say, 'When God closes a door, He always opens a window.' I have found that to be true many times in my life. My life as a pediatrician is a result of crawling through an open window when the door I thought I was supposed to walk through was closed to me."

Jason Terk, M.D., Keller, Keller Parkway

"Florinda Peak, the most amazing Mommy in the world, to 5 year old Dr Sandra Peak who did not want to practice reading… 'You have to learn how to read…because when you do the whole world opens up to you!'”

Sandra Peak, M.D., Lewisville

"The best advice my mother ever gave me was to give to others without expecting anything in return. (She also told me to never go outside with wet hair because I’d catch a cold, but medical school later disproved that. Sorry mom.)"

Diane Arnaout, M.D., Willow Park

"The best advice my mother ever gave me was, “never miss the chance to use a perfectly good bathroom” when you are out of the house."

Audrey Rogers, M.D., Fort Worth, Forest Park

Nicole Wineriter, M.D., Keller, HeritageTrace

"My mom told me to respect (be nice) to the nurses because they can either make or break your day."

Samuel Sheng, M.D., Arlington Neighborhood Clinic

"Encourage others. She always wrote notes to people for accomplishments, during sad times and just because."

Justin Smith, M.D., Lewisville

And finally, our favorite advice ...

"Marry Joan."

Tom Rogers, M.D., Forest Park. Dr. Rogers and his wife Joan have been married 59 years and today, she is a proud mother. "Joan worked to pay my way through medical school, gave me two great kids who are both pediatricians, and has allowed me to work without having to pay attention to small things like finances, maintenance of our house and yardwork. I couldn't be where I am today without her," Dr. Rogers said.

Happy Mother's Day from all of us at Cook Children's ...