Alexandra (Ali) Vanatta, MD, understands that going to the doctor can be a scary experience for young children. As a pediatrician, she hopes her "playful" approach puts her patients--as well as their families--at ease. She believes building positive, long-term relationships is key to offering the best care possible.
"I like to spend time with families during their visits so that I can adequately listen to their concerns," Dr. Vanatta says. "Children cannot always tell you what is wrong, thus pediatrics requires significant medical knowledge and physical exam skills. Every patient is special and unique, and you never know what each day has in store."
A graduate of the University of Arizona College of Medicine, Dr. Vanatta was inspired to pursue a career in medicine by her father--an interventional cardiologist who set the bar high for his daughter by his own example.
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Alexandra (Ali) Vanatta, MD, understands that going to the doctor can be a scary experience for young children. As a pediatrician, she hopes her "playful" approach puts her patients--as well as their families--at ease. She believes building positive, long-term relationships is key to offering the best care possible.
"I like to spend time with families during their visits so that I can adequately listen to their concerns," Dr. Vanatta says. "Children cannot always tell you what is wrong, thus pediatrics requires significant medical knowledge and physical exam skills. Every patient is special and unique, and you never know what each day has in store."
A graduate of the University of Arizona College of Medicine, Dr. Vanatta was inspired to pursue a career in medicine by her father--an interventional cardiologist who set the bar high for his daughter by his own example.
"My father's passion for medicine and dedication to his patients is inspiring," Dr. Vanatta says. "I share his passion, and I have always been motivated to follow in his footsteps."
During her residency at Phoenix Children's, Dr. Vanatta initiated an award-winning quality improvement project to enhance the hospital's discharge summaries for children with complex medical conditions. This effort has improved communication between inpatient and outpatient providers, resulting in greater continuity of care for patients.
Now, Dr. Vanatta is grateful to be part of a caring team that works closely with pediatric specialists, who offer advanced care for children and adolescents with chronic or serious illnesses.
"I have a passion for working with children with complex medical conditions, and I love that Phoenix Children's is a medical home for many of them," she says. "I also love the collaboration between several specialty groups here. It truly is a family of providers."
Outside of work, Dr. Vanatta enjoys being the fun aunt to a niece and nephew who "light up my world." An avid runner, cyclist, swimmer and hiker, she is training for her first Ironman Triathlon.
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