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Lacey Gowdy, MD

Dr. Lacey Gowdy

Hometown: Broomfield, CO

Medical School: Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine

Why did you choose Valley Children’s Pediatric Residency? 
I chose the pediatric residency program at Valley Children's Healthcare because of its robust clinical training, supportive mentorship, and strong commitment to serving a diverse patient population in a family-centered environment. The variety of clinical experiences will enhance my skill set and allow me to be the best primary care pediatrician I can be.

Hobbies:
I love doing anything with my family, including visiting the library and bringing home heaps of stories to explore, crafting Lego empires, and taking walks where we talk about nothing in particular, letting the rhythm of our feet wash away worldly worries. I also pursue adventure in its many forms, such as moving sight-unseen to a bustling city of 1.1 million in Ulsan, South Korea, and later to a rural town of 125 people in Roy, MT.

Advocacy and Research Interests and Accomplishments: 
During my time at Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine, I conducted a needs assessment to evaluate how well the existing curriculum prepared medical students to care for patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). I identified the need for early and specific exposure to this patient population, collaborating with community organizations like Special Olympics Connecticut, Oak Hill, and Connecticut Healthcare Advocacy for Adults with Disabilities. This led to the development of a fourth-year clinical elective at Oak Hill’s state-of-the-art sports and long-term care facility and the integration of pre-clerkship curriculum for first and second-year medical students. Additionally, I co-wrote a successful grant for the National Curriculum Initiative in Developmental Medicine, securing $25,000 to enhance training for medical students in the care of patients with IDD. I learned an incredible amount during my four years of research, and I am forever grateful to the patients, families, and care teams who were so generous and collaborative with their time, resources, and experiences.

Care Philosophy:
In my opinion, pediatricians are the luckiest doctors in the world because they get to form bonds and provide support and guidance to not only the patients, but family units as well. There is something very special about being there for many of life’s pivotal moments, from that first fever and boogery mayhem to high school graduation and beyond. Through mentorship and clinical experiences at Valley Children's, I will advocate for comprehensive, holistic care that honors a family’s values and beliefs so that everyone in the family unit might thrive and the children might achieve optimal health and wellness.