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Barstad\u2019s commitment to instilling confidence is intentional. \u201cI share my own failures and remind them that perseverance matters. I try to speak with positivity and encouragement, always aiming to build their self-esteem.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Barstad\u2019s approach to pediatric care is grounded in clinical discipline paired with emotional intelligence. \u201cI stay grounded in evidence-based protocols, practice guidelines, and critical thinking to ensure that every decision is informed and safe,\u201d she explained. At the same time, she prioritizes relational care. \u201cI strive to connect with every patient on a personal level, using age-appropriate language for the children and clear, compassionate communication with parents.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Education is a consistent part of her role. \u201cSometimes I am educating with facts and percentages, and sometimes I am educating on basic parenting skills,\u201d she shared. Building mutual trust with both children and caregivers, she believes, is essential for treatment adherence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For Barstad, one of the greatest rewards in pediatrics is the authentic affection children give. \u201cThey love big and with their whole hearts,\u201d she said. Hand-drawn pictures, handwritten notes, small gifts, and warm hugs from her patients reinforce the impact of her care. \u201cWhen I hear some of them pretend to be me, \u2018Ms. Sherry,\u2019 while they are playing at home, it warms my heart. Their love lifts me up, and they make me a better person. They are my reward.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n During her 35 years at Highpoint Medical Center, Barstad has seen pediatric care transform significantly. She has witnessed shifts in accessibility, technology, and mental health support. Technology has enhanced parent involvement. \u201cTechnology has made it easier to track a child\u2019s growth and development through electronic health records, and I love that parents can now be more involved by accessing those records directly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She also notes a critical change in the last five years. \u201cI have noticed a powerful and much-needed focus on mental health. More children are being screened and treated for anxiety and depression, and I have been part of that change \u2014 helping kids feel seen, heard, and supported in ways that were not as common before.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Continuity of care has been a meaningful privilege over the years. \u201cI\u2019ve cared for children who are now adults with children of their own, and today, I care for their children. They are no longer just patients; they\u2019ve become like family.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Still, challenges persist in pediatric care, especially rising mental health concerns and limited access to specialized support. \u201cI have seen kids as young as 8 years old struggle with anxiety and depression, and it\u2019s heartbreaking. I have had to look parents in the eyes and tell them there\u2019s a waitlist for care \u2014 and that never gets easier.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Misinformation remains another daily battle. \u201cI spend a significant part of my day correcting myths about vaccines and trying to rebuild trust with families. It is exhausting, but I never give up \u2014 because I know that education and compassion can change minds and ultimately the future health of their children.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Medication shortages and insurance barriers further complicate the treatment process. Barstad often navigates alternatives to ensure continuity of care. \u201cThese moments remind me why advocacy is just as important as clinical care.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Her philosophy for delivering exceptional pediatric care is centered on empathy, active listening, and adaptability. \u201cWhen I work with children, I lead with compassion and empathy. I listen carefully \u2014 not just to their words but to what they might be feeling underneath.\u201d She uses creativity as a tool for connection. \u201cUsing play and imagination during exams helps children feel safe and engaged.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Barstad offers clear guidance to those considering a career in pediatrics. \u201cLook inward and ask yourself, \u2018Do I truly love children?\u2019 Because this path demands more than clinical skill. It requires deep compassion, resilience, and unwavering advocacy. Loving kids isn\u2019t just part of the job \u2014 it is the heart of it.\u201d GN<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" FOR MORE than three decades, Sherry Barstad has dedicated her career to health care, with the last 13 years focused on pediatric primary care. Though her early nursing background was exclusively rooted in adult critical care, her professional trajectory changed during clinical rotations in nurse practitioner school. \u201cAlthough I had been a nurse for 22 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":194,"featured_media":24662,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-24658","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-stories"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/goodnewsmags.com\/franklin-county\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/01\/Story-1-photo1-1024x683.jpg\")
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