Dr. Malena Banks is a powerhouse. We first worked together at DC Medicaid. Here she shares her story about wanting to become a pediatrician, being called to practice psychiatry, and now being a business owner.
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I first met Doula Emily Smith in Spring 2019 when I was launching Healthy Home Pediatrics. I was eager to meet other local business owners. She was glowingly pregnant and we had a great time chatting over delicious food at a Capitol Hill eatery. I was so inspired by her enthusiasm and candor. Fast forward several years and our worlds intertwine repeatedly. I selected her partner Jacquelin Knighton as my doula and continue to partner with their sister companies Doulas of Capitol Hill and Doulas of PG County.
Here Emily shares her story about becoming a doula and her work to help parents feel empowered and supported.
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For the last few years, I have ben intentionally working on being more mindful and present in the moment. With our busy family and the practice, I have so many tasks each day that I move slowly or I zip through. But I realize that I am a better human, a better wife, mother, and pediatrician when I intentionally shift my focus in the moment.
I build my mindfulness practice into all that I do on purpose. For example, I start each first-time visit with my new families with several minutes of mindfulness.
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I first met Dr. Matthew Mintz when I was a medical student at The George Washington University. Encyclopedic, thorough, and jovial, Dr. Mintz was the preceptor you wanted because he was deeply committed to his patients and your success as his student. While planning to launch Healthy Home Pediatrics, I learned that Dr. Mintz had opened up his own direct primary care practice.
Here Dr. Mintz shares his story about academic medicine, direct primary care, medical cannabis, and everything in between.
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One of the most common referrals I have as a House call Pediatrician is to a good Psychologist. Psychologists can be helpful with a wide range of issues, from conception and pregnancy loss, to family issues, to disordered eating, to parental postpartum depression. Here Dr. Julie Bindeman, Psychologist and business owner shares her story:
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Founded by local mothers and doulas Jacquelin Knighton and Emily Smith, Doulas of Capitol Hill and Doulas of PG County, are my go-to for expecting parents looking for a local birth or postpartum doula. On a personal note, Doula Jacquelin is our doula for our upcoming birth of our Baby Girl this Spring 2020. Here, Founder and local Doula Jacquelin Knighton shares her story.
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During pregnancy I tend to have severe lower back and left hip pain. During my second pregnancy my midwives suggested seeing a chiropractor. I had a wonderful experience with a well-respected and highly recommended local chiropractor. This pregnancy I was not able to get on her schedule, but was connected with another highly respected and recommended chiropractor, Dr. Bryant Harris. I am so glad that our paths crossed!
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I wish patients/parents knew that going to mental health counseling does not make one weak or a bad parent. I wish parents knew that counseling can help one reduce symptoms of stress, depression, and anxiety. Attending counseling does not mean one has to get admission into a psychiatric unit. Mental health counseling can be a form of holistic care.
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This is the first birth that I can say was truly magical. If you had asked me at this time last year, I would have been hesitant to share the details of my previous births and I may have cried. Each birth, I felt like a vital member of the birth team didn’t listen to me and I felt somewhat traumatized. I hear this story from so many women and I know exactly how they feel.
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Dr: Jonelle: Anamelechi: I am actually that kid that always wanted to be a dentist. I used to pull teeth for quarters on the playground. (I guess I always knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur too!). When in college I considered social work but also knew I wanted to still be a dentist. In pediatric dentistry, I get to do both. I am proud to be a resource for families inside and outside the mouth.
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Jalan Burton is not your average pediatrician. She visits her patients instead of them having to come to her, and practices telemedicine. “Dr. J,” as Burton is often called, doesn’t even have a formal office.
“All of my care happens in the patient’s home,” explained Dr. Burton. “House calls just make sense. They are well-suited for busy families, families with newborns, families with multiple children, families with working parents, families with children with special or complex medical needs, children with allergies and asthma. You name it,” she said while describing the various types of patients she sees on a regular basis.
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It’s that time of year. In my practice, I am seeing more children and parents with sneezing, puffy eyes, itchy eyes, forehead sinus headaches, you name it. Look outside and the reason is clear, our region is plagued by significant amounts of tree and plant pollen and flowers and trees are blooming. The pollen blankets our sidewalks, cars, and homes with fine, green powder that causes a range of allergic symptoms.
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Anyone who knows me knows, if I can put a healthy spin on something, I will. I am the mom who sends clementine oranges for Valentine’s Day, the one who sends baked goldfish crackers, granola bars and allergy-free alternatives like fruit bars for my oldest son’s school birthday celebration. I see far too many cavities and behavior problems caused by too much juice, a lack of sleep, and way too much candy! Thankfully I have a husband who shares in my feeling about sugar intake and we do our best to limit our little one’s sugar intake lest he turn into a Gremlin!
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It feels so good to work hard for my own vision. For the last 5 years I have worked extremely hard for visions that were often established by hospital administrators or the organizations that I worked for. Too often, these visions fell short of what I knew my colleagues and I were truly capable of and far short of what patients really wanted and needed.
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I truly believe that it takes a village to raise a family and it takes a tribe of girlfriends to keep a mama sane and thriving. Over time I have come to realize that it is impossible to be everything to someone and as such I have been able to find over time that all of the different qualities my girlfriends have make for some diverse, sound, and priceless advice. I have never been a one-best-friend type of girl even though I wanted to be and instead do much better with a cadre of lady friends.
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Living in DC and taking the metro regularly provides me with ample fodder for social analysis and ample opportunities to be upset and amazed by humanity. For example, I get upset when able-bodied people see disabled, elderly, or pregnant people standing and sit in their seats anyway. Especially while pregnant, I spoke up very loudly (ex. As able-bodied men crowded on an elevator as I waddled to catch the door for a man in a wheelchair. I stared everyone down and said someone needs to get off so he can get on; we were obliged begrudgingly.). I am amazed when folks step in and help someone in need during an emergency.
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My husband and I are products of public school education. Don’t get me wrong, we are both extremely motivated and successful but we both believe that our education was lacking in very significant ways. My husband now teaches college students who have only been taught under “No Child Left Behind” and we are both very concerned about the results of this method of learning. As the parents of an extremely bright and energetic 2.5 year old, many of our conversations revolve around preparing him for a future that requires tools that traditional education will not provide him with.
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It is pretty darn hard making food that is healthy and nutritious when you are working 80 hours a week in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) or 50 hours plus commuting in clinic. Add to that the eating preferences of a 2 year old and you have very stressful situations at least several times a week.
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I didn’t think it would happen but I fell in love with my Neonatal Intensive Care Unit babies. Here’s how it went down.
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I pumped when I could and if my infant son hadn’t gone on an expressed milk strike, I am not sure that I would have been able to keep up with his demand. My husband and I found our rhythm somewhere toward the end of my first week of work and thankfully, Zo has started drinking the bottles that I so diligently work to pump 3-4 times while we are apart.
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