Smarty Mom: Dr. Stephanie Richter

My first pregnancy was 12 years ago.  Since then, car seats are easier to install, bottles are better for less gassy tummy aches, diaper bags are so very chic and there are just so many more options available for new and expecting moms to be.

There are so many decisions to make when preparing for the birth of your baby. One of the most important decisions that you will need to make is choosing a pediatrician. For me, it was a no brainer, Charlotte Pediatric Clinic.  See, “I’m so Charlotte” that when I was a patient of theirs, they were a small practice located on Abbey Place. Today CPC has grown tremendously and they offer  locations in Morrocroft, Matthews, Blakeney, and Steele Creek, to provide care their patients within their communities.  One thing that has not changed over time with Charlotte Pediatric Clinic, is the care and personal commitment that they make to each and everyone of their patients and families.

When Molly was born, we chose Dr. Marty Baker for her primary provider.  He had been the doctor to give a “group tour for expectant parents” of the practice and we loved him instantly.  I always knew that  “before I knew it”,  Molly would reach that age when she did not  want a male doctor.  I’m sad to say she is there, I am not sure where the time went, but I am so glad that over the years as a patient at CPC we have been fortunate to make the rounds with various awesome doctors. One of those doctors is Dr. Stephanie Richter. She is amazing in every way you and your child, her patient, could ever imagine. She is a past recipient of a Charlotte Smarty Pants Award for being the “Best Pediatrician” that Charlotte has to offer and Charlotte Magazine also awarded her Top Doctor in 2008 and 2011.

I hope that you enjoy reading about this Smarty Momma and if you are looking for a pediatrician, I have a great  recommendation for you! Smarties, meet Dr. Stephanie Richter!

Smarty Mom Dr. Stephanie Richter

Married to: Dennis
Children: Sophia age 15 years and Grant age 13 years.  Lexi the mutt and Hugo the bearded dragon.
Hood: Foxcroft
Hometown: Willis, Tx
Occupation: Pediatrician

When did you know that you wanted to practice medicine? Did you know that you wanted to be a pediatrician from the start? I was encouraged by two of the most amazing women during my last 2 years of high school.  My Spanish teacher and my Biology teacher both saw a potential in me and each challenged me to push the limits of what I believed I was capable of at the time.  Through their guidance and belief in me, they helped me believe in myself and I eventually decided to pursue a career in medicine.  During medical school, I fell in love with all of my pediatric patients, so it was a “no brainer” after my rotation in Peds.

Is there anything trending in pediatric health care ? Or something that you are seeing more of in your practice? I am very concerned about the problem of obesity and inadequate exercise in Pediatric patients.  This is such a difficult problem to treat because it involves so many aspects of the lives of children in our society.  I am concerned about the trend away from frequent , vigorous physical activity in schools.  Many children in Elementary schools have PE only once per week and some high school students only have to have one semester of PE during their 4 years of high school.  For kids who have inability to participate in after school sports due to logistical or financial issues, this really restricts their ability to get the recommended 90 minutes per day of exercise.

I also worry about the number of kids I see with anxiety or depression due to the pressures put on them by our society.  I would love to see kids “be kids” and get to have lots of time outdoors to play!

Typical day: This is what I love about Pediatrics-there is no such thing as a typical day!  Every day is different and exciting in some way.

Work/life balance:  I went part time 2 years ago and I feel that this is the best decision I have ever made with respect to my career.  The changes in healthcare over the past several years were causing my work day to be extended beyond what was healthy for me and my family.  I was becoming burned out and it was affecting my relationships with family and at work.  Now that I am able to work part time, I am excited about going to work because I feel much more connected with my family.  I don’t feel the guilt about missing out on these crucial years in my children’s lives, and I feel much more free to focus on my patients when I am at work now.  I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to do this and I am so grateful to my amazing and supportive partners at Charlotte Pediatrics.  It is such a blessing to be part of a work family in which working parents are valued and allowed to make choices regarding what is best for their families.

Favorite family activity:  We love hiking and camping.

Favorite date night spot:  The Wine Shop at Foxcroft

If you could change one thing, what would it be? Wow…that is a big responsibility…should I say “World Peace” or that all kids could have a loving, supportive home? that there were no bullies (child or adult!)?  that time would slow down so it would not always seem like life is flying by?  that I had an extra hour in every day to laugh with kids? Ok, so you get the idea that I would have a very hard time choosing one thing to change.

Something our readers may not know about you:  I am a volunteer for Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department Animal Care and Control.  I train and exercise dogs along with showcasing dogs at adoption events.  Come see us on the first Saturday of the month at Southpark Mall and meet some awesome adoptable pets!

We also lived in New Zealand for a year for me to work as a hospital based Pediatrician in Whangarei, Northland.  It was a very exciting year for all of us and we had the chance to travel all around New Zealand.  My kids had the most adorable Kiwi accent when we came home which lasted about 5 minutes until they went to school and picked back up with their North Carolina drawl.  It was very funny when they had a “hybrid” of both for a while there.

Thanks for spending your morning with us, Stephanie!