Q&A with Rachel Mifflin, MD, assistant professor, Division General Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine
Hometown: Middleton, Wisconsin
Educational/professional background: I graduated from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in 2019 and completed my pediatric residency at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2022. I worked in private practice in Asheville, North Carolina, for nearly three years before I moved back to Madison. I now work at the Junction Road Pediatrics Clinic.
Previous position (title, institution): private practice pediatrician
What is your field of research or area of clinical care, and how did you get into it? I work in general pediatrics in a fully clinical position at the moment. I enjoy working with patients of all ages and their parents and watching children grow and learn.
How would you describe your work to a 5-year-old? I help make sure that children are healthy. I give them medicine when they’re sick and answer questions that their parents may have.
What attracted you to UW–Madison? I grew up in the Madison area and have always loved the energy of the city and the access to the outdoors, sporting events, and family-friendly activities. UW Health is a great fit for me because the office where I work feels like a small community practice, but it is connected to a larger network of resources.
What is your favorite thing to do in Madison? Cheer on the UW volleyball team or bike one of the trails to get ice cream.
What’s one thing you hope trainees will learn from you and your work? Do you feel your work relates to the Wisconsin Idea? If so, please describe how. I hope that they’ll learn that it’s ok if you don’t always know the answers. Admitting that to patients can go a long way in building trust and rapport.
What’s something interesting about your area of expertise you can share that will make us sound smarter during video chats and parties? Engaging in exercise outdoors increases endorphins and mood more than the exact same exercise indoors. Obviously exercise anywhere is healthy, but getting outside every day makes a big difference too!
What are some of your hobbies and other interests? Spending time with my family and friends — we especially love exploring the state and county parks, biking, and trying our hand at gardening.