Q&A with Samantha Cordum, MD, assistant professor, Division of Neonatology and Newborn Nursery
Hometown: Boise, Idaho
Educational/professional background: I earned by undergraduate degree at the College of William and Mary. I attended medical school at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine and completed my residency at the University of Wisconsin.
Previous position (title, institution): Pediatric Resident, at the University of Wisconsin
What is your field of research or area of clinical care, and how did you get into it? Ankloglossia and newborn car bed testing. I got into both of these projects during residency and plan to continue my clinical research work while working at the UW.
How would you describe your work to a 5-year-old? I take care of healthy babies right after they are born.
What attracted you to UW–Madison? I love the city and the culture. After residency, I couldn’t help but stick around.
What is your favorite thing to do in Madison? Explore all of the local dog parks with my husband and our two dogs.
What’s one thing you hope trainees will learn from you and your work? How to be efficient, thorough, and thoughtful in all aspects of clinical care, and to facilitate a comfortable, open working relationship among patients, their families, and our staff.
How does your work relate to the Wisconsin Idea? I feel that it is a privilege to take care of all babies, regardless of background, race, income, family status, etc. This is an ideal that is reflected in the Wisconsin Idea and should be a foundational element of care for all patients.
What’s something interesting about your area of expertise you can share that will make us sound smarter during video chats and parties? Breast milk is a food source perfectly made for human infants, and it includes nutritional components as well as immune factors, growth factors, anti-inflammatory factors, and hormones.
What are some of your hobbies and other interests? I love participating in trivia nights at the great local restaurants and breweries in Madison.