CAROLINE GERHARDT, MD

As a member of the Orthopaedics team, my focus is on pediatric orthopaedic care. The pediatric population comes with great challenges and rewards as children grow and develop. What works for an adult patient may not be suitable for a child. My approach to orthopaedic care for children is conservative, preferring to exhaust all nonsurgical options before recommending surgery. When surgery is the best option, I provide the best evidence-based surgical treatments available. Children cannot take care of themselves, so it is crucial to have their parents engaged when formulating a treatment plan. I consider parents to be key and active members of our team and I strongly encourage family members to ask as many questions as possible when it comes to treating their child's condition. The very best part of my job is helping children get better so that they are able to return to their preinjury activities, whether that is sports, dance, gymnastics, horseback riding, or simply just getting back on their bikes. For children with special needs, this means exploring ways to maximize their function through conservative and, when necessary, surgical means. I have the privilege to take care of other people's children, and it is my strongest belief and approach that kids are kids first and patients second.