Dr. Annamária Wilde (the W is pronounced like a V) has been working at FirstMed as a pediatrician since April 2014. In a short time, she has become extremely popular among her young patients, their parents, and her colleagues. With her friendly demeanor, Dr. Wilde is rarely seen without a smile, and her strong character leaves a positive impression on everyone. Even in her initial weeks, she came up with great ideas to improve patient care. Now, let’s take a few moments to get to know her better:
How did you become a pediatrician?
During university, people around me predicted that I would become a pediatrician. This was long before I had chosen my specialty, and I never understood why. But as fate would have it, I studied under an excellent pediatrics teacher in my fifth year. This influenced me, and I realized that pediatrics was the path I wanted to take. I believe a pediatrician must have a personality that has not lost the ‘inner child’ so we are still able to understand the language of children. We need to treat them as partners if we want to get closer to them.
Is it difficult to work with children?
It’s not difficult once you gain their trust. When I hear that they want to come back to Mrs. Panni (a nickname for Annamária), it melts my heart. My profession is deeply satisfying. I know that to keep my professional passion alive, I, like most pediatricians, need the reassurance and trust that comes from the eyes of the children under my care, as well as a supportive and compassionate work environment. I feel lucky that I can have this at FirstMed.
Please tell your patients about your practice at FirstMed.
FirstMed is a well-structured and substantially equipped clinic with a positive work ethic, which I particularly like. A private outpatient medical center must maintain a high level of quality to provide outstanding service for patients. It is our shared responsibility to deliver quality care, which is a challenge I am happy to accept.
I like the way patients are treated at FirstMed. I firmly believe that good medical treatment can only result from a balanced co-operation between patient and doctor. One-sided communication needs to be updated, where the doctor dictates to the patient. I see a snapshot, a cross-section slice of the young patient’s life. Good communication adds to what I see. Also, parents need to be included in the process assertively, as they are the ones who know their children best.
Can you describe your usual manner of treating a young patient?
We must start with a complete medical history. It provides a helpful picture for me to see where my boundaries are, where I need extra information provided by the laboratory or an x-ray image, when I may require consultation with other doctors, or when I need to send the patient straight to a specialist.
Are you involved in clinic activities?
Yes. I have engaged in some administrative tasks for the clinic. This gives me some insight into the other aspects of my work, aspects other than ‘hands-on’ patient care. At the moment, I am working on reviving the Baby Club and the Prenatal Education Classes, plus updating the related information material. I also attend various outside events, where I have a great chance to meet the parents who entrust me with looking after the health of their children.
Can you sum up your medical philosophy?
My medical philosophy is deeply rooted in patient care. I am constantly challenged by the need to fully understand the medical issues my patients present. An accurate diagnosis is the key. It’s easy to misinterpret signs or symptoms; it’s easy to blame a virus. I like to spread a “safety net” to my patients. The strength of the net is cooperation. Together, we will surely find the root of the problem.
What does the future hold?
With five and a half years of experience, I am a young doctor. However, fresh knowledge has its benefits. I plan to broaden my professional skills during the upcoming years, especially in gastroenterology and pulmonology, which I find interesting. I am excited about the future and the new services we can offer at FirstMed.
Thank you for the interview, Dr. Wilde. I wish you all the best in your career at FirstMed!
The article originally appeared in July 2014.
Update: Dr. Annamária Wilde obtained pediatric gastroenterologist qualification in October 2024. This means we can now offer specialized care for children with stomach pain, diarrhea, bloody stools, constipation, bloating, nausea, vomiting, weight gain, or weight loss. Book an appointment with her to avail of these services.
► Read Dr. Annamária Wilde’s full bio here.
