Heidi Killefer, MD

Heidi Killefer, MD, knew she wanted to be a doctor when she was 6 because of the way her doctor interacted with her. During ear exams, he'd pretend little people were living inside of her ears, and he'd give her updates on them.

"Once I was older, I realized how special the relationship can be between a doctor and patient," said Dr. Killefer, a pediatrician with Methodist Physicians Clinic. "I decided I would dedicate my career to helping patients navigate their health."

She enjoys caring for children of all ages, but she's drawn toward working with kids who have special needs as well as adolescents.

"With my experience of taking care of pretty sick patients in the hospital, I know a lot about kids who have multiple needs at the same time," she said. "And I feel really comfortable talking to adolescents."

Dr. Killefer believes that The Meaning of Care involves establishing caring relationships with her patients' families.

"I want them to know that if something isn't going right at home, they can call me, even if they don't have an appointment that day," she said. "I'll take their call and give them reassurance."

Outside of work, Dr. Killefer enjoys traveling with her family, gardening, baking, reading and listening to true crime podcasts.