Making the Rounds with Dr. Mandakini Sadhir

For this edition of Making the Rounds, we interviewed Dr. Mandakini Sadhir, Chief of Adolescent Medicine at Kentucky Children’s Hospital.

We spoke with with Dr. Sadhir about her work with young patients and the advantages of working in an academic healthcare setting.

Tell us about your work with adolescent patients

I have a great passion for taking care of adolescent patients. That age is so delicate, and it's so important.

I get the opportunity to take care of them, support them when it comes to the identity development. I counsel them for high-risk behaviors. I help them with supporting their mental health and physical health.

What kind of issues do you address in your clinic?

We see kids for puberty concerns, kids who may be struggling with weight issues, body image issues, eating disorders, kids who may be struggling with weight management.

We (treat) a lot of kids who may be struggling with anxiety, depression, all kinds of stressors related to school, related to personal relationships, related to bullying or cyberbullying, and take care of the kids who are maybe engaging in high-risk behaviors to help them prevent the chronic conditions or prevent conditions that could affect their health in adulthood.

What are the benefits of working in an academic healthcare setting?

It provides a great opportunity for us to provide excellent patient care and also increase our knowledge through research. I think it's an excellent way to get everything in one place, and that's our model of care; It's providing comprehensive integrated adolescent care, which is just possible in an academic center.

Watch our entire conversation with Dr. Sadhir: