Ariana Barkley, MD, didn’t expect to become a pediatric neurosurgeon but her sister’s sickness set her career path on a different trajectory.
“She was in the ICU when I was applying for college,” Dr. Barkley recalls, “and I remember being there and just realizing that was where I wanted to be.” That experience sparked a calling to care not just for patients, but for entire families during their most vulnerable moments.
“In pediatrics, I tend to have a lot of similar interests as the kids, so it’s easy to connect with them on that level,” she says. She often uses toys or favorite characters to explain procedures, helping children feel more comfortable.
Through every interaction, her goal is simple: help kids feel safe and understood, while giving families confidence in their child’s care at Children’s Hospital Colorado.
Learn more about our Pediatric Neurosurgery Program: https://www.childrenscolorado.org/doctors-and-departments/departments/neuroscience-institute/programs/neurosurgery/?slid=surg_neuro_slr&utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=mod
Connect with Children’s Colorado:
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Website: http://www.childrenscolorado.org
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