Q&A with Dr. Kamath

Sophie Baldwin, 7/30/24

• • Pursue clinical and educational research

  • Screen families for social determinants of health

  • My research is a mix of clinical research and quality improvement 

What is most exciting about your job?

• • Working with great families

  • Getting to know patients and their families

Why did you decide to pursue medicine?

• • Loved science and helping people; medicine merges the two

  • Liked working with kids and parents

  • Love doing preventative medicine (e.g. teaching healthy habits)

  • There are lots of options in medicine; you can make things fit

What is one moment in your career that made you appreciate medicine?

• • There are lots of cases that stick out every day

  • Pediatrics is not just runny noses; is an amazing spectrum and it never gets boring

If you could go back and choose a different specialty, would you? Why or why not?

• • Would not change what I do now

  • I was interested in internal medicine, and it was difficult to decide 

  • You have to be able to see your future in it, and you should do what gets you excited

What was the most difficult aspect of your journey to medicine?

• • It is a lot to learn and it is always changing

  • Residency hours and the amount of information you have to learn are difficult

How are you able to manage a work-life balance?

• • Recognize that you have a support system at home and at work

  • It is difficult but sometimes you need more attention in one specific area

  • Rely on your family and colleagues

  • You will figure out as you go along

What is your advice to students interested in pursuing medicine?

• • Work hard

  • Seek out mentors and support

  • Reach out to people to ask questions