Eric M. Goodman, MSN, APRN

I maintain a down-to-earth approach with my patients and their families. Parents often encounter a lot of judgment from others for the choices they make, and I strive to be a reassuring presence. There’s definitely some flexibility in how to parent children—while always putting safety at the forefront—and I like to work with families to find the healthcare decisions that are best for them.

I’ve wanted to be pediatric healthcare provider from an early age, but this was cemented for me when I was diagnosed with diabetes as a teen. Growing up with a chronic illness made me want to help others living similar lives with challenges. It also has a lot to do with my personality and demeanor, because I like making patients comfortable with humor. Children can be quite scared of coming to pediatrics, so I try to make their visits as fun as possible. In pediatrics, I get to still be a kid myself, and that suits me.

A successful visit is when patients and their families are able to communicate their concerns and feel listened to. Families say that I show them respect for their opinions, and am not judgmental, because I know parenting is incredibly difficult. I’ve been here long enough that I see my patients become adults, and even become parents of my new patients. It gives me a lot of pride to see them mature, make healthy choices, and look back on our relationship as a significant part of their lives.