This article features Associate Professor of the Division of Neonatology and Vice Chair for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, Catherine Bendel, MD, who has been a Neonatal-Perinatal Physician for over 30 years. In this interview style article, she shares some challenges she has faced in her career such as making sure she provides to the best of her abilities and communicates with families sufficiently so that they get what is needed to reach their full potential. Dr. Bendel talks about how she helps families within the NICU by being honest and asking specific questions when facing challenges with the families in tough situations because she recognizes that families from disadvantaged communities don’t have maternity/paid leave to care for their child. We also learn that what keeps her sustained in her field of work is knowing babies leave the NICU well cared for, and the reward of getting to see them thrive when their parents bring them back later. Dr. Bendel sees a reward in sending one patient home, but is continuing to research to find a breakthrough that could do the same with hundreds of patients.

Also highlighted for their outstanding work in the field of pediatric medicine and research is Professor in the Division of Pediatric Genetics and Metabolism, Susan Berry, MD, who is a medical geneticist at the University of Minnesota. She was named to the board of the National Organization for Rare Disorders as the premier voice in the field. Dr. Berry has two major parts to her job. She helps children and babies to discover if they have any genetic conditions or birth defects, helps pediatric and adult patients with counseling for their diseases, and helps patients with problems in their metabolism by providing diagnosis and treatments. Dr. Berry works with genetic counselors and loves to be on journeys with her patients – it is actually the idea of being able to make a contribution on so many people’s lives is what led her to medicine. Dr. Berry also likes to see parents come together when their child may be facing the same disease, and see that they’re willing to do anything for them. She finds her purpose from her patients and families

To read the full article and view more information on Dr. Bendel and Dr. Berry’s outstanding work in the field of Pediatric Medicine, follow this link. To view the full 2022 annual list and the awardees of the 26th year of Top Doctors in the Mpls St. Paul magazine, follow this link.

To read the University of Minnesota Medical School's statement regarding the physicians' contributions to the medical field, follow this link.