Page 8 - MidWeek - Sep 29 2021

8 MIDWEEK SEPTEMBER 29, 2021
Although she was born in Minnesota, Dr. Rachel Santiago has been raised on O‘ahu since she was 6 months old. She grew up in Mililani Mauka and moved into town for high school, where she attended Hawai‘i Baptist Academy.
DR. RACHEL SANTIAGO, pediatrician, Hawai‘i Pacific Health Medical Group, located at Straub Medical Center – Mililani Town Center Clinic
Interviewed by Don Robbins
Excited To Serve The Community
Pediatrician Dr. Rachel Santiago examines a young patient.
PHOTOS COURTESY HAWAI‘I PACIFIC HEALTH MEDICAL GROUP
“I was a pediatric patient of Straub Mililani Town Center, so I feel so privileged to have come full circle and practice medicine where I grew up. It really does take a village to raise a child, and I’ m very thankful for the Mililani community that raised me,” Santiago says. “I am so excit- ed about being able to serve my childhood community of Mililani and the surrounding communities. This is a great place for children to grow up and I look forward to support- ing their health and success.”
As a pediatrician, I work with families to keep their keiki healthy through regular checkups and counseling, im- munizations, and visits when their keiki are sick. I serve as their “medical home” and can refer them to specialists or other resources if need be.
Anticipatory counseling is done at every wellness visit with your general pediatri- cian, and is done with both parents and children; it’s the practice of your physician considering what kinds of is- sues or concerns may come up before your next visit and then providing counseling on those issues. These topics may in- clude introducing solid foods to your baby, sun protection, water safety, school readiness, tantrums, etc.
Outside of work, Santiago’s personal interests are arts and crafts, reading, spending time with her husband and daugh- ter, and relaxing beach days.
What advice do you have for families with children deal- ing with the pandemic?
Currently, she’s also trying to improve at stand-up pad- dleboarding. Santiago shares more about her career and ad- vice for families with children.
How has your medical school education prepared you?
How can childhood obesity be prevented and what is an- ticipatory counseling?
What do you do as a pedi- atrician?
Attending the University of Hawai‘i John A. Burns School of Medicine and completing pediatric training through the University of Hawai‘i Resi- dency Programs have exposed me to the medical issues that are commonly seen in our local population. I’ve had the priv- ilege of working and learning from many general pediatri- cians and pediatric specialists here and know how to navigate the health care system here in Hawai‘i.
I wholeheartedly rec- ommend the 5-2-1-0 daily healthy habits: 5 or more servings of fruits and vegeta- bles, 2 hours or less of recre- ational screen time, 1 hour or more of physical activity and 0 sugary beverages. Preventing childhood obesity is a family matter, so get Mom, Dad, sib- lings, Grandma and Grandpa involved to make healthy changes together.
What inspired you to pur- sue pediatrics?
What advice do you have for young people considering a career in medicine?
I wanted a career in which I could help people, and I have always loved working with children. Children are so re- silient and have so much po- tential, and my hope is that I can help them reach their full potential by keeping them as healthy as possible. I love connecting with my patients and their families.
Explore and work hard! The road to becoming a physician is long and difficult, but if you remember your motive for starting your journey, it will be a satisfying and rewarding experience. Expose yourself to all the different fields with- in medicine because there are many careers within the med-
ical field that you may have never heard of, and each one is so important to patient care.
ly and more. Getting outside of the home with your small circle of people can help relieve some of this stress: Take a walk with your family around the neigh- borhood, go to the beach or go hiking. Stay safe while in school and during other activ- ities by wearing a mask and washing your hands often.
The pandemic has taken a toll on children: physically, mentally, emotionally, social-
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