Valen J. Radimecky, MD

​I originally wanted to be a neonatologist, and in medical school and residency I took quite a few electives in that field. Then I discovered that I really liked the diversity of working with all different age groups. I also enjoyed sports and fitness and coaching my kids' teams when they were younger, so I developed an interest in assisting young athletes. I learned that the prospect of helping families to raise their kids was very appealing, and fun, so I decided to become a general pediatrician - that way, I could do it all, from newborns all the way up to age 18.

There are a lot of health care systems, but I chose to work at Cook Children's because of their commitment to family-centered care. One of the most important things one can do is to help raise healthy children and to help children with special needs.

After the privilege of caring for over two generations of kids and families, I recently retired from my role as a primary care pediatrician and joined the urgent care team to have more time to be with my family, while still doing what I love. I have the satisfaction that every day I get to do that, and I feel honored and blessed to be able to do this.

When I'm not busy seeing patients, I have diverse interests that keep me busy. I love spending time with my adult kids and my grandchild. I enjoy spending time with friends and family, my church and people from my bible study. I love fitness and sports and workout regularly. I enjoy the arts, reading, writing and doing home projects. I'm a die-hard Rangers and Cowboys fan and have season tickets to both. I love to travel and to learn the history of the various areas where I travel. I'm also a great cook - or so my kids and friends say!

I'm a U.S. Air Force veteran and served honorably in the late 1970's. I graduated from Midwestern State University, summa cum laude and am a member of Alpha Chi Honor Society; graduated from the University of Texas Medical S​chool at San Antonio with honors and a member of Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society; and was given the Outstanding Teacher Award from the University of Oklahoma Children's Hospital Pediatric Residency program during my internship. I served as an adjunct clinical professor in the department of nursing at the University of Texas at Arlington teaching nurse practitioner students.