Madhura Phadke, MD

Even as a young kid I knew I wanted to make a difference in people's lives, so becoming a doctor felt like a natural choice for me. Then, I was drawn to gastroenterology because I can do procedures in the hospital and still get to connect with people in the outpatient setting. Gastrointestinal disorders really affect patients on a day-to-day basis, so it is very rewarding to develop plans to help them feel and function better.

I focused on pancreatic disorders in my fellowship, which led me to get involved in the cystic fibrosis (CF) world. While most people think of CF as a lung disease, it has a huge impact on the liver and digestive system, too.

It's been wonderful to build these fantastic relationships with patients. The best part about being a doctor is getting to know the patients and their families. I consider it a privilege to be able to treat patients, so I want to work together as a team. Part of that means listening to the patient and their parents because I value their perspective.