Leigh M. Ettinger, MD

Wild Kratts

I read Ender's Game by Orsen Scott Card as a teenager and have re-read it several times since. Ender's tactical brilliance in various stressful situations shows how to look at hard challenges at new angles.

Do fossils count as a toy? I was a serious kid who studied dinosaurs long before they were made cool by Jurassic Park. I am proud to say my fossil collection was displayed twice at the local public library while I was still in elementary school.

Carl Sagan was an astronomer and an advocate for critical thinking and the scientific method. He had a gift for making difficult scientific topics understandable to the public. Likewise, I try to clearly explain sometimes complicated medical processes to my patients and their families so that they can make informed decisions about their care.

Road and gravel cycling. Adventure Travel. Family time.

I went to a Montessori preschool where the philosophy was "Play is the work of children." My professional goal is to help sick children get back to the business of play. Lately, I have been inspired to guide families with preventative medicine to combat the long-term effects of the pediatric obesity epidemic. Children with obesity who grow into adults with complications of obesity may face challenges in the workforce. So, now I am motivated to improve the work of children and adults.

I was a pediatric kidney doctor for 16 years before coming to Children's Medical Group. This time spent working closely with families with complex medical conditions helps me to now support patients with all sorts of health challenges. I also earned Board Certification in Obesity Medicine in 2019 and worked for 3 years at a hospital-based pediatric weight management program. I enjoy helping families tackle this modern struggle. I value communication and mutual understanding. I won't let a family leave the visit until all their questions are answered.