Kristal L. Woldu, MD

Growing up, I always knew I wanted to help people and was drawn to medicine. My father is a physician and spending time with him in the hospital showed me what an amazing relationship a doctor can have with their patients. In pursuing my career in medicine, I found no specialty more intellectually stimulating and emotionally rewarding than pediatrics. Understanding the evolving pathophysiology of diseases in children on the first day, the first month, the first year, and the twenty-first year of life, captivated me. Throughout my training, I have cherished the duty, responsibility, and privilege that a pediatrician assumes when a parent puts their child's life into our hands. I continually strive to be worthy of that trust and give each child the healthy future that they deserve.

Nowhere have I experienced more interesting pathophysiology and more ability to truly impact children's lives than in pediatric cardiology. Understanding the physics of a malformed heart and accurately counseling the family through the initial diagnosis has an immeasurable influence on the care of patients and their families. In particular fetal echocardiography not only allows for diagnosis of heart disease in utero, allowing for invaluable time to prepare and connect with parents prenatally, but also provides the unique opportunity to potentially alter the course of disease. Being the first person to tell a family that there is a problem with their unborn child and to take them through an understanding of what that means is an incredibly powerful and intimate connection, which is never easy but I try my hardest to let families know that this is a road that we will embark on together.

I love spending time with my family and friends whenever I can. We have two wonderful, active, happy young sons and a sweet baby girl as the newest addition to our growing family. Although our little ones keep us pretty busy, my husband (also a physician) and I love to travel, watch a good movie, and enjoy great food. I have always been interested in arts and loved to dance, sing opera, paint, and play piano (when I have the time!). I love to be active, run outside in good weather, and am always up for a new adventure as a family.

Although I am not originally from Texas, it has quickly felt like home. We are lucky to have grandparents and extended family nearby. I grew up in Canada and Idaho before moving to New York for college and lived there for many years before moving to Texas. We feel very lucky to have found this community to call home.