“Meet Our Doctors”
Gary Palicka, MD, Pediatrician at MeridianMD in Dunkirk
Why I enjoy being a pediatrician:
“One of the most rewarding parts of my work is when a child has a medical condition, is being treated successfully, and no longer has symptoms. It’s like the problem never existed and they can go back to being a kid.”
When treating children, I believe:
“A little humor goes a long way. Especially with a child who has anxiety, a little humor can turn the uncertainty of a medical visit into an enjoyable experience.”
“Being truthful is very important when taking care of children. For example, I never tell a child that a vaccine, “does not hurt.” I say that it hurts like a pinch and then it’s done. They feel a little better because they know what to expect.”
Family input and participation is very important and valuable:
“When choosing a specific medication for a child, the parent might say that one medication has worked well for family members while another has not. This is valuable information for creating a treatment plan for the child.”
“Opportunities in medicine sometimes appear unexpectedly. I was evaluating a child for anxiety, and after hearing the questions, the teenage sibling asked to be evaluated also. Sometimes the medical care of one sibling benefits the others.”
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Palicka, call MeridianMD in Dunkirk at 765-768-3188 or visit meridianhs.org/virtualvisits to request a virtual or in-person appointment.
