Healthcare Heroes: Keith Breglio, MD

“When I was in high school, my cousin was in a terrible car accident. For three months, she was in a coma in the pediatric ICU.? I would visit her as often as I could. At that young age, I remember being comfortable in that setting.? I was amazed witnessing the care she received.? I realized during that time that being a doctor and caring for someone like her was something that I could do, and wanted to do.? From then on, I focused on becoming a doctor.” Read more from Dr. Keith Breglio! #HealthcareHeroes #WeAreStonyBrookMedicine #HospitalWeek?

“When I was in high school, my cousin was in a terrible car accident. For three months, she was in a coma in the pediatric ICU.? I would visit her as often as I could. At that young age, I remember being comfortable in that setting.? I was amazed witnessing the care she received.? I realized during that time that being a doctor and caring for someone like her was something that I could do, and wanted to do.? From then on, I focused on becoming a doctor. My cousin eventually recovered and I know she is going to read this and laugh.? I can hear her saying “You are still using that story after 30 years? You owe me!”

Working in pediatrics has allowed me to care for a population of patients at a critical point in their lives, specifically their growth and development through childhood. As a Pediatric Gastroenterologist, I am able to care for these children, incorporating various diagnostic and therapeutic procedures as part of their treatment, which is something I really enjoy. Oftentimes in my specialty, I am lucky to follow my patients for months to many years. I see many of my patients as they grow well into their college years, which is very special to be a part of.? It is a privilege to have the trust of the family to treat their child, and as a parent myself, I take that very seriously.? I care very deeply for each of my patients, and I approach each one with compassion.? I make a point to try and bond with each child on their level and hope that my bedside manner has made the kids, and their parents, feel at ease.??

Stony Brook Children’s Hospital is an incredible place to work because the focus is truly on the entire well-being of the child. Hospitals can be intimidating for kids and parents alike.? That is where Stony Brook Children’s Hospital sets itself apart. In addition to the top tier medical care families here will receive, our amazing staff, including a wonderful child life program, dedicate their lives to make the experience for these children as pleasant as possible.

I have always prided myself on the way I take care of my patients.? Being at an institution like Stony Brook allows my colleagues and I to provide the best care possible, to a tremendous population of children with complicated diseases, while striving to help these children focus on being a kid and not their disease. I feel very fortunate to work at an institution like Stony Brook that supports us in this noble endeavor.”

Keith J. Breglio, MD, Director, Pediatric Endoscopy?

Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Stony Brook Children's Hospital