Marissa Hendrickson, MD, provides expert emergency care for children – and moments of comfort

When the unexpected happens, M Health Fairview Pediatrics is ready to help your child and family, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

We offer emergency care for children and adolescents at all of our emergency departments, and we have two dedicated pediatric emergency departments designed for kids at M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital and M Health Fairview Ridges Hospital.

Marissa Hendrickson, MD, is a pediatric emergency medicine physician, the medical director of the pediatric emergency department at M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital and an associate professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School.

Although a trip to the emergency department can certainly be stressful for families, Hendrickson helps each child and family feel calm and cared for throughout the process. We asked her how she meets each patient’s needs.

What brought you to pediatric emergency medicine in general and M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital in particular?

I’ve always enjoyed the atmosphere of a children’s hospital – there’s something special about the sense of joy and play present in kids’ spaces – and of course, I love working with kids. I came to pediatric emergency medicine because I am at my happiest and most comfortable in the ER. I like the variety of it, including things you wouldn’t see in a clinic. I like the fact that people come with a specific concern, and my job is to address that concern. We’re all working together on the exact same problem.

I really like working at M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital because we have everything. We have all the specialties, and all the capabilities. That means anything I need to help my patients, I have it right here.

What is unique about a child’s needs when visiting an emergency department, and how do you help families cope with the experience?

One difference is that an ER visit is not something you schedule and plan. People are welcome to see us anytime they have a concern, and we’re there 24/7 to address those concerns. And because it’s unscheduled, sometimes people might need to wait before they’re able to see the doctor, but we do our best to work as fast as possible. I want families to know that we have a process to keep children safe and comfortable. We triage them right away, and we have TV shows, movies, toys, and coloring supplies to make wait time easier.

Another key difference is that unlike care in a clinic or specialty setting, we can’t necessarily get the final answer in the ER as to what is causing a child’s symptoms. What we will do is start the diagnostic process, make sure the child is safe and as comfortable as possible, figure out a plan, and determine next steps.

Also, we’re famous for our popsicles in the ER. They’re very popular with kids of all ages.

From a simple ear infection to a life-changing surgery. From physical to mental health and everything in between. M Health Fairview Pediatrics can handle it all. Learn more about Minnesota’s most accessible and comprehensive children’s health system.

What is your philosophy when caring for children and teens?

I prioritize the child and start with what the child needs and wants. I meet the child first, and then I look to work with their family. I’ve been known to introduce myself to a baby.

I try to meet people where they are, figure out what’s worrying them, and fix that thing. I help families feel better, and an important part of that is helping them feel confident that they can care for their child safely at home while their child recovers. One way I do that is by staying calm. That enables me to communicate that although they are worried, I am confident in the plan and in their ability to be an important part of their child’s healthcare team.

What is one thing that makes M Health Fairview Pediatrics special?

We have what it takes to take care of basically anything that could be wrong with your child, from a hangnail to an organ transplant. It starts in the ER with our team of board-certified pediatric emergency medicine specialists, and it continues with the full range of subspecialists we have at the hospital. There is no kind of help that my patients can’t get here.

What’s an example of a little thing you do to make a difference for families under your care?

Even when the ER is busy, I try to ask every family if they need anything to make them more comfortable. Even though I am a doctor, everyone on our staff has a responsibility for helping families feel comfortable. From a blanket to a coloring book to a cup of coffee, those little things help show families that we truly care.