Meriel Rongstad, MD, earned her medical degree from the then University of Wisconsin School of Medicine; her pediatric residency then took her to the University of Florida in Gainesville. She joined the UW Department of Pediatrics in 1998, after five years in private pediatric practice in Florida and Madison, Wisconsin.
Rongstad is a member of the Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, practicing as a primary care pediatrician at the UW Health Junction Rd. Medical Center since 2016. She also served as the Behavioral Health Liaison for the division.
She will retire this month.
Five Questions for Meriel Rongstad, MD
How has your career surprised you, compared to how you had expected it to develop when you began?
My career has been flexible and I was able to balance my work life and personal life. I didn’t think I would have this degree of flexibility as a physician. I started with a full-time practice and pivoted to part-time work as my family needed more attention. I then returned to practice as a PCP and picked up an additional role on the leadership team of behavioral health.
What do you consider to be your biggest achievement?
My biggest achievement has been the connections I have made with families. I tell medical students that as pediatricians we are not performing life-saving surgeries, but if we can help a child — and in turn their parent — to sleep through that night, that is huge!
The biggest obstacle to overcome?
My biggest obstacle are the notes, MyChart messages, and follow-up phone calls that are all crucial for excellent patient care. But they take a toll. I have been extremely fortunate to get the chance to use AI in my last year of patient care to help ease that burden. I’m excited to see what technological advances will come to improve patient care and physician well-being.
What advice would you offer to new physicians just starting out?
Don’t be afraid to say you’re not sure about something. No one knows everything! Tell the patient you are going to do some research and will get back to them. Patients appreciate your honesty. Make sure you get back to them! Let technology work for you, such as setting reminders, getting notified when a lab is back so you don’t have to constantly check. Be kind to your staff, learners, colleagues, and yourself. Take your vacation!
Do you have specific plans for your retirement?
I will be spending time with my kids, grandchildren, and my parents. First, my husband and I are going to Disney World!