Where is your office located? How would kids and their families find you?
Dr. Peterson is a Pediatric Cardiologist based in Madison, WI and works for the UW Health System at the Pediatric Preventive Cardiology Clinic (PPCC). Dr. Peterson is also available through outreach clinics through Aurora Bay Care in Green Bay, Aurora Clinic in Oshkosh, and Aspirus Hospital in Wausau.
Why did you choose the Pediatric Cardiology field as your specialty?
In medical school, I knew I always wanted to work with kids. They are fun, interesting, and you can make an impact for a lifetime. I also practice fetal cardiology so I work with patients from as young as 20 weeks old across their life span. We are privileged to care for patients across their lifespans.
I also find the heart fascinating. There used to be few treatment options for children with heart problems. Now, there continues to be exciting advances happening.
How did you become interested in Lipids?
Kids’ cholesterol is a new conversation. The more you learn, the more fascinating it becomes. We’ve been able to reach out and help a lot of families. It’s generally not just the kids, but other family members as well because many times the problem is genetic. It is a narrow sub-specialty niche, but you can take care of the family and the child throughout their whole life.
Lippy is really good at delivering cholesterol. What are you really good at?
I’m proud of my ability to talk with children and families. I have two small children so my training is “in the trenches”. When I make suggestions to parents and kids, I personally understand the challenges when trying to adapt a healthier lifestyle.
Now be honest…who is your favorite cholesterol friend?
Tee Gee because Tee Gee gets better when people make better choices. You can see the progress with Tee Gee faster than with the others so it is immediate gratification!
FAQ – Why should I get my kid’s cholesterol checked?
Cholesterol abnormalities are much more common than people realize. If you catch it early, you can make a big impact on the child’s life. As one of my patients says, “It’s just a poke.”
If my child’s cholesterol levels are high, will they need to take medication?
Most kids don’t need medication, but if it is needed it can be extraordinarily helpful.
Is there anything else you’d like others to know?
If your child has high cholesterol levels, don’t panic. There is lots of good information out there, but be aware there’s bad information, too. Find a doctor is qualified to treat your child’s cholesterol that you trust. Work with them to make your child’s life as healthy as possible.
Biography
Dr. Peterson earned her medical degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She completed her internship and residency at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin and her pediatric cardiology fellowship at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Her special interests include lipid disorders in children, fetal diagnosis of congenital heart disease and transesophageal echocardiography to aid in diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart disease. Dr. Peterson is a pediatric cardiologist and a board-certified clinical lipidologist.
Interviewed December 6, 2015
