Hi, I'm Anita K. Patel, a double board-certified Pediatrician & Pediatric Critical Care Attending at Children’s National Medical Center…
…but most importantly, someone who’s dedicated to helping children thrive and supporting the parents who love them. With over a decade of education, research, and practice in pediatrics, I’ve dedicated my career to understanding and improving how we care for children, especially in critical moments. Being a parent is one of the most rewarding—and sometimes overwhelming—roles you can have. When it comes to your child’s health, you want answers you can trust, delivered with care and compassion. That’s why I created this space—so you can find reliable information, expert insights, and practical advice from one mom to another. With years of experience caring for critically ill children and conducting research to improve pediatric outcomes, my mission is to equip you with the knowledge to make informed, evidence based decisions.
Today, I practice as an Attending Physician at Children’s National Medical Center, where I also serve as an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at George Washington University School of Medicine. My work combines clinical practice with research, powered by big data and AI-driven predictive analytics. From managing sedation and delirium in critically ill children to understanding severity of illness, I focus on improving outcomes for our most vulnerable patients—and I’m honored to do so.
More About Me…
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Why Evidence-Based Matters
Parenting comes with countless questions, and the internet often has more conflicting opinions than it does reliable answers. My goal is to cut through the noise. I’ve developed a passion for combining data with real-world application. Whether it’s deciphering the science behind sleep routines, vaccines, or feeding milestones, I prioritize facts grounded in research. As a fellow of the Society for Pediatric Research and a co-lead of the “Docs in Data Science” special interest group, I’m at the forefront of utilizing data and technology to improve pediatric care—making medical science real, approachable, and practical for moms like you.
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Mom of Sita & Bodhi Bean
Beyond medicine, I’m a mom, too. Being a mother has given me a firsthand understanding of the anxieties and concerns moms face. I understand how overwhelming it can sometimes feel to make the “right” decision when it comes to your child’s health. My goal is to simplify the science, ease your worries, and deliver reliable, evidence-based answers you can trust. Now, I would be remiss not to mention that another MAJOR role I have is as a wife to the best man I have ever known (and a man I believe is one of the best and kindest people on the planet) - my husband. He is a human rights lawyer and I am thankful for him every single day.
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What drives my work
What keeps me motivated are the stories I hear every day—from the exhausted mom at her wit's end to parents facing medical challenges with their child. It’s not just about delivering treatment or recommendations; it’s about offering reassurance, guidance, and evidence that you can depend on. No matter what stage of motherhood you’re in, I'm here to equip you with the information and confidence you need. We’re in this together, and every question you have matters. Whether you're navigating a health scare, looking for tips to foster wellness, or just seeking reassurance, you're not alone—I’m here to help.
The Qualifications aka Receipts
My qualifications are NOT to brag. In fact I used to be very embarrassed talking about my credentials, but that embarrassment has faded with time as I become increasingly proud of the physician that I am today. I’m telling you all of this so when you digest information from me, you KNOW the position and perspective I am coming from. I encourage you to ask - if it isn’t expressly clear - what qualifications a “medical influencer” you follow has before you trust what they are saying.
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Undergrad: University of Pennsylvania
Medical School: University of Virginia School of Medicine
Pediatrics Residency: Cornell-New York Presbyterian Hospital
Pediatric Critical Care Fellowship: Columbia-New York Presbyterian Hospital
Double Board Certified: Pediatrics and Pediatric Critical Care -
Attending in Pediatric Critical Care, Children’s National Health System
Associate Professor of Pediatrics, George Washington School of Medicine & Health Sciences
NIH Funded Researcher: Current K23 Awardee through NICHD, former KL2 Awardee through the CNHS-GW Clinical and Translational Sciences Award Program -
I would be remiss not to mention that another MAJOR role I have is as a wife to the best man I have ever known (and a man I believe is one of the best and kindest people on the planet) - my husband. He is a human rights lawyer and I am thankful for him every single day.
