Starting Strong: How Ruthann is Helping Her Daughter Build a Positive Relationship with Doctors

Watch Ruthann share her story

As a practicing attorney, Ruthann Stenger has a lot going on in her life—including raising her nine‑year‑old daughter, Millie.

The hustle and bustle of family, work and life can be a lot to balance, but there is one aspect Ruthann isn’t worried about.

“I love having a pediatrician I know I can get into and not just have to go the urgent care or the ER,” she said of her daughter’s physician, Dr. Abigail Stein. “It’s just more comforting to have a familiar face and knowing you can get in to them, even last minute.”

When Millie began having mild, but recurring symptoms, Ruthann didn’t wait around for her daughter’s upset stomachs and headaches to become worse before deciding to act.

“We went to have it checked out, and Dr. Stein looked at her and ran a couple tests,” Ruthann recalled.

Although everything ended up being alright, Ruthann believes that at the very least, Dr. Stein taking it seriously helped ease Millie’s mind.

It was also an opportunity for Millie to build trust with her physician.

One aspect of parenting that Ruthann has taken seriously has been helping Millie develop a positive relationship with health care, learning to advocate for herself and not be afraid of medical professionals.

“My daughter is not scared of the doctor, and I think part of that is because of the interactions she’s had at the practice since she was born,” said Ruthann. “Dr. Stein always makes sure that Millie understands what’s happening.”

Beyond the care and attention her daughter receives from Dr. Stein, Ruthann appreciates the convenience offered by her TriHealth Pediatrics office.

“One of the things I love is the 24-hour nurse line—we have utilized that A LOT since Millie was born,” laughed Ruthann.

And while they have luckily never needed to take Millie to an emergency department due to her symptoms, Ruthann said that she has been able to get same-day appointments for things the nurse line deemed concerning.

“A lot of the times it’s 3 or 4 in the morning, I’m on the phone with the nurse line, and they’re getting us in for an appointment at 8 or 9 o’clock,” Ruthann said. “That nurse line has been a life-saver for us a few times in the sense of calming my husband and I down.”

Learn more about TriHealth Pediatrics and book an appointment today here.