Real Pediatrics: Dr. Gregory Alan Barrett
I’ve lost track of him following Covid but recently found his site has been “camped on” by someone having taken over the URL and trying to gouge someone into buying it—obviously a ‘something-for-nothing-flipper’ using the popularity my friend created. I’ve located most of his articles (I think) and have decided to re-post them here for safe keeping until he wants them back (or this blog suffers a similar fate).
They are nearly all precisely as he wrote them; except, of necessity, I had to add back the headings and photographs because they had not been archived in the ‘way-back machine.’ Additionally, I did, on occasion follow the spell-checkers advice as well as update medical advice on at least one post (a thing I believe the good doctor would do himself if he were here).
The description on his (former) home page described the reason he began creating his blog and what he hoped to accomplish—I think that it will make a good lead to this series. I know you will enjoy them, he has quite a sense of humor, lots of anecdotes and a highly skillful way of explaining things.
WELCOME TO REAL PEDIATRICS
by Gregory A. Barrett, M.D.
It has been my great honor to practice pediatrics for a number of years, and at this stage of my career I’d like to take the opportunity to share some of my observations, experiences, and insights.
There does exist a secondary reason behind the development of this site. The art of child-rearing seems to have veered seriously off-track recently due to a variety of misconceptions and false priorities. The only voices being heard these days are those of the extremists, and as a result parents are growing increasingly unsure about their roles and responsibilities. Mothers and fathers alike are questioning themselves as never before (“What should I say?… What should we do?”). A need exists for a philosophy which is simultaneously simple, consistent, and common-sensical. Real Pediatrics, if you will.
Being a parent is a serious assignment, perhaps the single most important task we face in our lives. However, if performed with the proper attitude it should also be both fun and rewarding. My primary objective here is that a few of the ideas presented may prove successful in providing the reader a novel or alternative method of conceptualizing common issues regarding his or her children.
But in addition, as I encourage each of you to recall, relate, and reminisce while hearing about my own family’s various trials and misadventures, I hope that on occasion it may succeed in making you smile.
☤
Gregory A. Barrett, M.D.
Gregory A. Barrett, M.D. has only moved once in his life, from his small hometown to Columbus for the purpose of attending college. He graduated from the Ohio State University with a degree in English in 1974 and earned a Doctorate of Medicine from the Ohio State University College of Medicine four years later. Subsequently he performed an internship and residency in Pediatrics at Columbus (later Nationwide) Children’s Hospital where he received the Excellence in Clinical Teaching Award. Following completion of his residency Dr. Barrett was named Chief Resident of Pediatrics. In 1982 he entered private practice at Riverside Pediatrics.
Dr. Barrett has twice been the recipient of the Chester T. Kasmersky Award from the Children’s Hospital house staff for Outstanding Teaching and Practice of Pediatrics. He is a Clinical Associate Professor at OSU and has received the Distinguished Educator Award by the Ohio State School of Medicine, the highest honor given by the school for clinical teaching. In 2002 he was named one of the Best Family Doctors in America by the Ladies Home Journal. He has served as Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics at Riverside Methodist Hospital and is the past school physician for Upper Arlington Schools. In all three “Top Doctors in Central Ohio” surveys (2004, 2007, and 2010) voted by the physicians themselves Dr. Barrett was named the Outstanding Pediatrician. He is a founder and Executive Board member of Central Ohio Primary Care, the largest privately owned primary care physician group in the United States.
In 1976 Dr. Barrett wed Darla Hall, an elementary school guidance counselor from Youngstown, Ohio. Greg and Darla had two children, Rachel and Keith. They turned out okay. Rachel has an MSW from the University of Washington and is currently a school social worker working with behaviorally handicapped children in Seattle. Her brother Keith is a recent graduate of Capital Law School.
Dr. Barrett is a widower. His beloved wife of thirty-one years passed away in April, 2008, from complications of breast cancer. This site is dedicated to her memory.
Appendix A
Dr. Barrett’s Original Blog Description
I have always envisioned my primary role in medicine as that of being a teacher, and I have discovered over the years that delivering the intended message with a quirky expression and then elaborating on its meaning has served me quite well in attempting to convey instructive points. Now I do not claim to have personally invented all of the phrases which headline the chapters to follow, and I would most happily give credit where credit is due if I could only remember, but most are fairly original and the interpretations are entirely my own.
These essays are not lectures handed down by some higher authority but rather the observations of a fellow traveler, a father who also happens to be a physician. Roughly a third of what I have to say regarding these subjects is derived from all my formal medical training, a second third from experience gained through long hours put in over many years in my pediatric practice, but the origin of the final (and probably most valuable) portion of these insights are the result of having children of my own. Yes, Rachel and Keith have taught me much about the art of being a parent, both regarding what works and most definitely what does not, and anecdotes about my family will liberally pepper these pages as instructive lessons in humility. Mine, that is. And oh, my, have I ever been humbled….
The following opinions are entirely my own, and I guarantee in advance that none of you will find yourself in complete agreement with what I have to say. But that’s okay, because out of controversy or disagreement often emerges a new way of looking at an old subject. Even if you do find my approach somewhat difficult or it becomes a little prickly at times I hope I never fail to entertain.
Appendix B
Dr. Barrett’s Original Disclaimer About Medical Information
The information and reference materials contained here are intended solely for the general information of the reader. It is not to be used for treatment purposes, but rather for discussion with the patient’s own physician. The information presented here is not intended to diagnose health problems or to take the place of professional medical care. The information contained herein is neither intended to dictate what constitutes reasonable, appropriate or best care for any given health issue, nor is it intended to be used as a substitute for the independent judgment of a physician for any given health issue. All visitors to this and site agree to read and abide by the complete terms of this agreement.
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