Q&A with Laura Dos Reis, MD, assistant professor, Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine
Hometown: New Paltz, New York
Educational/professional background: I attended Boston University School of Medicine for medical school and the University of Wisconsin for residency in pediatrics.
What is your field of research or area of clinical care, and how did you get into it? When I was 5 years old, I told my parents that I wanted to be a pediatrician when I grew up. Although my path to medicine was not direct (I studied mathematics in college), my intuition as a 5-year-old was ultimately correct. In medical school, I delighted in interacting with kids during well checks and learning about the illnesses that impact kids — pediatrics was an easy choice.
How would you describe your work to a 5-year-old? I am a doctor who checks in with kids once a year to make sure their bodies and minds are healthy and growing well. I also take care of kids when they are sick.
What attracted you to UW–Madison? I loved my residency training at the University of Wisconsin, especially my primary care training at Union Corners.
What is your favorite thing to do in Madison? I love exploring dog parks with my husband and our energetic dog, Amy, who is a black lab mix.
What’s one thing you hope trainees will learn from you and your work? I hope they will learn an approach to performing a thorough physical exam on babies and toddlers, which can be a simultaneously challenging but incredibly rewarding aspect of pediatrics.
What’s something interesting about your area of expertise you can share that will make us sound smarter during video chats and parties? As many as 80% of people with a penicillin or amoxicillin allergy may outgrow it within 10 years. Children can be evaluated by an allergist for penicillin allergy delabeling.
What are some of your hobbies and other interests? I enjoy swimming, running, and playing board games with friends.