Q&A with Serena Wagoner, DO, assistant professor, Division of Child Protection
Hometown: Boston, Massachusetts
Educational/professional background: I graduated from the University of Vermont with a BA in biological sciences. I then worked as a medical assistant at the University of Vermont Medical Center for two years in an outpatient clinic specializing in the treatment of infants exposed to opiates in utero. I earned my medical degree from Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine. My pediatric residency was with Akron Children’s Hospital in Akron, Ohio. After that, I completed fellowship training in Child Abuse Pediatrics at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri.
Previous position (title, institution): Fellow, Children’s Mercy Hospital
What is your field of research or area of clinical care, and how did you get into it? I have wanted to be a child abuse pediatrician since before medical school! While working as a medical assistant, I saw firsthand the significant impact trauma can have on children. In my view, ensuring a child has a healthy and safe home is the foundation to promote health and well-being in children. Through that job, I also worked closely with community agencies, such as law enforcement and child protective services, and really enjoyed that multidisciplinary approach to treating the child and family.
How would you describe your work to a 5-year-old? I help ensure that kids’ bodies are healthy and safe.
What attracted you to UW–Madison? The people, cows, cheese, fresh produce, outdoor recreation, weather (I love snow!). What DIDN’T lure me here?!
What is your favorite thing to do in Madison? The official answer is TBD, but I love that I have a local farmer’s market to visit almost every day of the week.
What’s one thing you hope trainees will learn from you and your work? I hope they learn just how AWESOME and unique this field is. There’s so much opportunity for community involvement and powerful advocacy.
Do you feel your work relates to the Wisconsin Idea? If so, please describe how. Of course! Keeping children safe and healthy is truly a team sport — I can’t fully do my job without the help of community partners. My favorite part of my job is the opportunity to collaborate with child advocacy centers, law enforcement, and child protection workers in my community. Part of that includes providing education to these agencies about medical findings and evaluations so that they can be the best child advocates in their respective fields.
What are some of your hobbies and other interests? I love animals. In Kansas City, I volunteered at a local pig rescue and spent my weekends taking care of its sweet, snouted residents. My husband and I just started backyard chicken-keeping, and that is keeping us busy. If I’m not taking care of animals, then you’ll probably find me cross-stitching and listening to a true crime podcast.