Pediatrician Jessica Larson, MD, helps children and teens become the best versions of themselves
Since 2005, Pediatrician Jessica Larson, MD, has had the joy and honor of providing primary care to children and adolescents at M Health Fairview Clinic – Elk River, always keeping advocacy and a little playfulness at the forefront of her care.
At M Health Fairview Pediatrics, we’re here for the everyday needs, including well-child checkups, routine immunizations, and sports physicals. But we also offer care for more complex medical conditions across 60+ different medical specialties, as well as comprehensive mental health care. Here, our providers are passionate about giving children and families strong starts, to build stronger futures.
We caught up with Larson to learn why she is passionate about caring for kids and families.
Why did you pursue pediatrics?
I truly enjoy children and teens. They have a unique worldview and bring me joy daily.
I have always enjoyed preventive medicine, and working with children is a natural fit. Being able to talk to families early on about things like healthy eating, regular exercise, and adequate sleep makes such a difference later in their children’s lives. I have also always been interested in advocacy. Children are completely reliant on the adults around them to give them a voice. I feel passionately about children and children’s issues, and it’s an honor to advocate for them in the medical system and in the community.
How do you view your role?
As a pediatrician, I’m an expert in children’s health. What makes pediatrics so unique is that children and teens are part of a family. Therefore, my role as a pediatrician means I have a relationship with the child and their family. I see myself as a resource and a partner. Parents often have questions about different advice they’ve gotten from friends or things they’ve read online. I enjoy helping them sort through information to make the best decision for their child. I see it as my responsibility to share what I know with my families.
How do you approach care with a child and their family?
As much as possible, my attention is on the child. I always try to make kids comfortable and get them engaged in the visit. At the same time, engaging with parents to help their child be comfortable in the visit and to support them to become independent is a huge part of what I do. I think it’s important for children and teens to have positive interactions in the healthcare setting while learning about their health and how to navigate the healthcare system. It takes flexibility and creativity, but it’s a lot of fun!
What is your philosophy when caring for children and teens?
I want each child or teen to grow into the best version of themselves that they can be. My job is to support them and their families to get them there.
What makes you passionate about what you do? Why do you love your job?
It is a joy and honor caring for children and teens. I love the relationships that I have with my patients and their families. It’s amazing to watch children grow up and to be part of that process. That leads to a sense of responsibility, and it is what makes me so passionate about my job.
What are the most rewarding aspects of your job? What are the most challenging parts?
It’s the little things – a hug from a toddler, the gift of a picture drawn just for me, a smile from a teenager, a “thank you” from the parent of a sick infant that I worked into the schedule. Pediatrics is a marathon, in that the results of my work may not be seen for decades. But when I get small tokens of gratitude, it helps me to trust that my work is having an impact. The most challenging aspect of my job is walking with families through difficult times. When a child dies or receives a serious diagnosis, it’s devastating for everyone. It’s hard to manage my own sadness, while also supporting the child and their family.
What little things do you do to make a difference for patients?
I truly enjoy getting to know my patients and their families. I try to make our visits as much fun as possible. This includes laughing, playing together and asking about their lives. I try to remember things about them, such as sports they play or the names of their pets. If we need to do something hard like give shots or draw blood, we talk about how to make it go as well as possible.
