David Epstein, MD, MS, FAAP

Pediatric Intensivist; Father of 3; Married to the Best Therapist

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- ABOUT -

Category(ies): Critical Care Medicine | Pediatrics | Physician

Being board certified in general pediatrics and pediatric critical care medicine, I work in the pediatric ICU, caring for children with congenital heart disease and critical illness, and practice pediatric urgent care as well. My wife and I opened a pediatric urgent care in 2015 which was acquired by PM Pediatrics in 2021. My passion is online healthcare education and advocacy which includes an active social media presence and a blog to provide useful information about medicine, in general, and acute care pediatric issues.

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"My goal is to leave this world a little better than when I found it."

David Epstein, MD, MS, FAAP

"My goal is to leave this world a little better than when I found it."

@davidepsteinmd Tweet

Book(s) or Blog

Blog: Epstein’s Pearls

David Epstein MD’s blog explains medical issues having to do with the health of children, relays perspectives on current events from a medical standpoint, discusses how to create medical content, and describes personal experiences in medicine.

My SoMeDocs Content

Navigating Anxiety from Online Reviews with Dr. Epstein [Episode]

Dr. David Epstein explores the emotional and professional toll of online reviews, especially Yelp, on healthcare providers, drawing from his own urgent care experience to highlight the need for clearer communication and deeper understanding between patients and clinicians.

Unveiling the Power of “Share the Ignorance”

David Epstein, MD, MS, FAAP discusses how we don’t know everything and sometimes we need to “share the ignorance”.

When Yelp Becomes a Source of Anxiety

David Epstein, MD, MS, FAAP writes about how we should frame feedback to be more constructive than a negative Yelp review.

Are We Really Special?

David Epstein, MD discusses how we are special, even if we don’t think that we are.

Beyond The Obvious

David Epstein, MD, MS, FAAP discusses the difference between intelligence and wisdom, and how wisdom can be overlooked.

Beyond the Checklist: How Diverse Thinking Shapes Better Care [EPISODE]

Dr. David Epstein shares how fostering psychological safety and curiosity can transform team dynamics and spark meaningful innovation in healthcare leadership.

Breaking the Mold: The Power of Diverse Thinking

David Epstein, MD goes over how teams that embrace diverse perspectives unlock innovation, adaptability, and better decision-making, avoiding the stagnation and blind spots that come with one-track thinking—because when everyone thinks the same, no one is truly thinking at all.

The Evolution of Medicine: A Double-Edged Sword

David Epstein, MD, MS, FAAP shares the advancements of medicine and how we need to keep pace in other areas to deliver the best care possible.

Beyond the Blueprint: How Protocols Enhance Medical Autonomy

David Epstein, MD, discusses the purpose of protocols and how they augment autonomy and don’t detract from autonomy.

Standing on the Shoulders of Giants: Boosting Your Creativity

David Epstein, MD discusses ways to boost one’s creativity.

Understanding the Impact of Business on Medical Staff: Beyond Dollars and Cents

David Epstein, MD, MS, FAAP explains how the intersection of business and medicine poses challenges, as the transactional nature of the business clashes with the relational aspect of healthcare.

Curiosity Didn’t Kill the Cat — It Changed Everything

David Epstein, MD challenges the old saying, “Curiosity killed the cat.” Curious minds don’t just accept things at face value—they ask questions, dig deeper, and uncover new possibilities.

Mind the Gap

David Epstein, MD examines how we define gaps in our lives, in different contexts.

Teaching for Impact: Less is More

David Epstein, MD, MS, FAAP dissects the importance of teaching as a function of quality and not quantity.

The Evolution of Medicine: A Double-Edged Sword

David Epstein, MD, looks into how medicine has evolved into subspecialized groups because of the vast amount of knowledge acquired over the centuries.

Choosing the Right Tool for the Job

David Epstein, MD, explores the critical importance of aligning tools and strategies with their appropriate contexts, illustrated through his experience transitioning from intensive care to urgent care.

Living with a Broken Door: A Lesson in Addressing Life’s Blind Spots

David Epstein, MD covers, through assessment and perspective, how a “new normal” may not be normal. It may, in fact, be a blind spot.

Finding Hope and Motivation in Small Victories

David Epstein, MD, MS, FAAP writes about the small victories that we need to recognize in order to realize bigger ones.

Infant RSV Problems: Mucous, Mucous, and More Mucous

David Epstein, MD, MS, FAAP discusses the major problem with RSV infections, the significant upper airway congestion from the large amount of mucous production in the nasopharynx.

Beware the Jabberwock…or Unnecessary Lab Tests

David Epstein, MD, MS, FAAP: This article discusses the dangers of ordering unnecessary lab tests or studies.

Sailing Through Burnout: What Healthcare Can Learn from Cruise Ships

David Epstein, MD, MS, FAAP discusses the observations of how operations on a cruise ship may help the battle against fatigue and burnout in healthcare.

When Every Symptom Could Be a Red Flag: The Pediatricians’ Paranoia

David Epstein, MD, discusses pediatricians’ challenges, specifically having to pick up on rare diagnoses when they see many children with similar symptoms that turn out to be benign illnesses.

Don’t Underestimate the Risks of Over-The-Counter Medications for Your Kids

David Epstein, MD, MS, FAAP discusses the importance of recognizing that over-the-counter medications can cause poisoning in infants and children.

From Hot Yoga to Leadership: The Art of Checking In

David Epstein, MD, MS, FAAP discusses how everyday encounters, and specifically check-ins, present us with opportunities to lead better.

How to Be Creative When You Don’t Feel So Creative

David Epstein, MD, explores methods and mindset for breaking through the creative block we all experience.

5 Limitations of Pediatric Telehealth That Parents Need to Know

David Epstein, MD, MS, FAAP discusses some limitations of telemedicine technology on medical visits for kids.

Is Yelp Constructive or Destructive?

David Epstein, MD, MS, FAAP discusses the effects of Yelp on the business owner.

Crack in the Armor

David Epstein, MD, MS, FAAP shares the insecurities we have in medicine as physicians and how protecting ourselves from these insecurities or self-doubt may not be the best thing.

The Smartest Person in The Room

David Epstein, MD, MS, FAAP discusses why a leader should not be the smartest person in the room.

I Have to Wait How Long?!?!

David Epstein, MD, MS, FAAP discusses why it takes time to be seen for an acute illness and what makes up a medical visit.

6 Traits of a True Leader

David Epstein, MD, MS, FAAP discusses 6 traits of a true leader and their importance in how they affect a team or organization.

6 Questions to Ask When Considering What Kind of Doctor You Want to Be

David Epstein, MD, MS, FAAP explains what kinds of things to consider when you’re deciding what kind of doctor you want to be.

Naloxone: Back from The Dead

David Epstein, MD, explains what naloxone is and why it is important in the battle for lives during the opioid epidemic.

What Would the World Look Like Without Pharmacists?

An Ode to the Pharmacist

David Epstein, MD, MS, FAAP stresses the importance of pharmacists in the medical community.

Invisible Illness

David Epstein, MD, MS, FAAP explores why we respond differently to visible and invisible illnesses or diseases.

6 Medical Terms that Can Be Confusing

David Epstein, MD, MS, FAAP: This article discusses six medical terms that parents should understand better, from a medical professional’s perspective.

Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone

David Epstein, MD, shares a lesson he’s learned from stepping outside of his comfort zone, and involves compressions on an open chest.

Do I Know How You Feel?

David Epstein, MD, discusses the misconception that doctors can feel what their patients or their families feel during times of severe illness.

A hand holding a wooden doll that's limp, and looks sad.

How Not to Succeed in Pediatrics

David Epstein, MD, MS, FAAP: This blog article discusses what to NOT do in the pediatric encounter and helps trainees prepare for a successful career in pediatrics.

Should You Be Concerned if Your Child Has Chest Pain?

David Epstein, MD, discusses the symptom of chest pain in children and the potential causes of the chest pain.

Why I Write

David Epstein MD discusses the reasons for why he writes, as reflection of filling a number of needs.

Everyone needs help sometimes. People are people.

The Strategy for Creating the Best Medical Program or Practice

David Epstein, MD, MS, FAAP discusses the best way to create a successful medical program or practice by creating an organizational system.

A Noodle Shop Without Noodles

David Epstein, MD, MS, FAAP discusses the experience of limited resources in medical practice and how it affects medical care.

What Evidence Do You Have?

David Epstein, MD, MS, FAAP reflects on evidence-based medicine and its importance in the practice of medicine.

Babies Don’t Read Medical Textbooks

David Epstein, MD, addresses how, in pediatrics, children don’t always respond to medications as expected, or present with typical symptoms during illnesses.

Challenging Dr. Google

David Epstein, MD, discusses the challenges of managing patient encounters after patients have consulted the internet first.

Do Medical Institutions and Organizations Have Their Physicians’ Backs Online?

David Epstein, MD, discusses how medical professionals may not feel supported by their medical or healthcare institution or organization when engaging in the fight against medical misinformation online.

The Miscommunication Landmines of Medical Lingo

David Epstein, MD, discusses judicious use of medical jargon to prevent miscommunication and misunderstandings with patients and their families.

How Do I Discuss This with My Daughter?

David Epstein, MD, discusses the recent supreme court decision, explaining that it does not support a woman’s right to autonomy, with regard to abortion.

Putting the “Difficult Parent” of Pediatrics into Perspective

David Epstein, MD, discusses the “difficult parent,” a term that is sometimes used when conflict arises between parents and the medical team.

Heat-Related Illnesses and Injuries in Kids: Part 1 – Burns

David Epstein, MD, MS, FAAP writes about heat-related illnesses and injuries, specifically thermal burns.

What TV Medical Dramas Can Teach You About Being A Doctor

David Epstein, MD, addresses what TV medical dramas can offer us as to what it is like being a doctor, in their own special way.

When to Seek Medical Care for Your Child: Part 5

Poisonings in children are most often preventable. Dr. Epstein, pediatric intensivist, discusses the most common poisons for children and what to be concerned about.

Medical Futility: Just Because We Can Do Something…Should We?

Dr. David Epstein, a pediatric intensivist, shares about the idea of medical futility.

When to Seek Medical Care for Your Child: Part 4

Dr. Epstein, pediatric intensivist, discusses when to seek medical care for your child with regards to delirium and the definition of lethargy.

I Have No Words

David Epstein, MD, pediatric intensivist, responds to the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, one day after news has broken.

Why is the Infant Formula Shortage Dangerous?

David Epstein, MD, discusses the current infant formula shortage and the dangers with trying to make your own.

Know What You Don’t Know

David Epstein, MD focuses on the idea of knowing what you don’t know. If you know what you don’t know, you can learn to ask the right questions.

When to Seek Medical Care for Your Child: Part 3

Dr. Epstein, pediatric intensivist, discusses when to seek medical care for your child with regards to breathing, respiratory distress, and trouble breathing; in particular, what to look for in the case of respiratory distress.

I Realize Now that I am a Teacher, Even in Medicine

Dr. Epstein never realized how important teaching was, in medicine, and writes about how poorly prepared we are, when we’re studying to become physicians.

When to Seek Medical Care for Your Child: Part 2

Pediatric intensivist David Epstein discusses when to seek medical care for your child, as it refers to infection, the difference between viral and bacterial infections, and when an infection is cause for concern.

A Night in The Pediatric Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit

David Epstein, MD, pediatric intensivist, shares his experience and perspective, while on overnight call in the pediatric cardiothoracic intensive care unit.

When to Seek Medical Care for Your Child: Part 1

Dr. David Epstein, pediatric intensivist, introduces us to a series on when to seek medical care for your child, with general principals discussed.

My Website

You can find more of me here in my own online space.

My Website

Inquiries

Business inquiries only please: journalists looking for quotes, businesses looking for advisors/consultants, podcasts looking for guests, or events looking for speakers. Be sure to include your best contact details so they may easily get back to you. NO MEDICAL ADVICE OR INQUIRIES please.

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