Q&A with Leah Colligan, MSN, NP, CPNP-PC, pediatric nurse practitioner in the Division of Genetics and Metabolism
Hometown: Appleton, Wisconsin
Educational/professional background: I completed my training at Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. I started my career in primary care pediatrics in Annapolis, Maryland. I later moved to Chicago and worked for Lurie Children’s Hospital in the newborn nursery and pediatric surgery.
What inspired you to pursue a career in nursing? My grandmother was a nurse and an inspiration to me. I was always drawn to a career where I could work with children and give back.
How would you describe your work to a 5-year-old? I help the families of children with all kinds of differences that make them special and unique. I support them to be the healthiest they can be!
What attracted you to UW–Madison or UW Health? I completed my undergraduate degree here, and I’ve always loved Madison. This opportunity allowed me to work for an exceptional health care system while remaining connected to family/friends.
What is your favorite thing to do in Madison? Biking!
What’s one thing you hope trainees and students will learn from you and your work? Know your resources to continue learning and growing, and understand the importance of empathy and active listening while supporting families through difficult rare diagnoses.
What’s something interesting about your area of expertise you can share that will make us sound smarter during chats and parties? The human genome consists of over 20,000 protein-coding genes.
What are some of your hobbies and other interests? Biking, yoga, any dog-related activities (Prairie Moraine dog park), music, and reading.