Fall 2010 - SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center

Q&A
Anand Palagiri, M.D.,
Division Director, Pediatric Urology
Front from left: Nurse Practitioners Nancy VanCleave, PNP, and Jeanne Hermann, PNP;
clinical coordinator Kelly North-Lepsky, RN. Back: Anand Palagiri, M.D.
Q: What is the most challenging part of your job
A: In pediatrics, parents entrust you with the care of their
child and that is not something we take lightly. We want to
make sure that child has a great future. It’s a daunting task,
but I look forward to the challenge. I want to do everything
and anything in my power to make sure the parent has
absolute trust in the services we provide.
Q: Why is your Division important to the health care of
children
A: Continence equals independence. It is extremely important
to parents and their children and has a lot of social impact.
Urology also has an evolving role as diets change, not always
for the better, creating issues such as kidney stones that we are
witnessing at younger ages. These issues need to be addressed
at an early age so we can equip these children with what they
need to ensure a healthy future.
Q: Why did you choose pediatric urology
A: As a urologist, my father played a pivotal role in my career
choice. I grew up watching him care for patients and make
their quality of life better. During medical school and urology
residency, I had an excellent exposure to colleagues in the field
specific to pediatric urology.
I’ve always enjoyed the surgical reconstruction as well as
the challenges urologic problems pose in children. Urologic
problems are not widely known because of the personal
nature of the issues. Those who are in the specialty dedicate
their time to the patient and their families to validate their
concerns. We understand these concerns are never trivial,
especially in terms of reconstruction of the genitalia and
voiding issues. These are a huge part of a child’s self esteem in
today’s society.
Q: How has technology impacted your specialty and how
will it in the future
A: Technology has improved significantly in terms of size of
instruments. Because of this, we are tackling procedures that
were once foreign to pediatric urologists due to the lack of
instrumentation. We as technicians should strive to improve
just not our skills, but our tools for surgical perfection.
To reach DR. Palagiri
Please Call:
(314) 268-2700
ext 6843.
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