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    Dec 30
    Provider Spotlight: Dr. Jennifer Lefner

    Jennifer Lefner, MD, is Saratoga Hospital’s Chair of Pediatrics and Chief of Newborn Medicine. Dr. Lefner and her team at Saratoga Hospital Medical Group – Neonatology provide highly specialized care for newborns who are premature, critically ill, have respiratory difficulties, or birth defects. Dr. Lefner also consults with the providers of Saratoga Hospital Medical Group – Primary Care regarding their pediatric patients.  lefner

    Dr. Lefner is double-board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics in general pediatrics with a subspecialty in neonatal-perinatal medicine. Following her professional education at University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, she performed her internship and residency at Shands Hospital – University of Florida. Dr. Lefner obtained a fellowship at Women and Infants Hospital – Brown University. Dr. Lefner and her husband live locally with their two daughters, ages 10 and 12 years old. 
     

    Q. Why did you choose a career in medicine, and why this specialty? 
    A. Well, according to my mother, I’ve been wanting to become a doctor since I was 4 years old. She was a pediatric hematology-oncology nurse and my inspiration.  

    Initially, I thought I wanted to study obstetrics and gynecology, but it wasn’t quite the right fit for me. While exploring pediatrics and neonatology in my studies, something really clicked. I knew I could make a positive impact for those patients and babies. 

    Q. What quality or area of expertise most sets you apart in your work? 
    A. The nice thing about being here at Saratoga Hospital is that we are working with parents, family members, and babies as well as our OB/GYN and midwife colleagues. We have a collegial connection between departments. Together, we’re working with the family unit, providing guidance on what they need to be successful with their newborns. 

    I offer prenatal consults for moms who are high risk due to certain medications, addictions, or findings that may appear during their prenatal care. I am also obtaining my certification as a lactation consultant. I felt like it was an important undertaking to support families and those women or babies having trouble with it.

    As Chair of Pediatrics, I provide consultation services when needed to the Emergency Department and to our Primary Care offices. If they have a question about a pediatric patient, I am happy to talk them through that issue. 

    Q. What is the personal or professional philosophy that most guides your work?
    A. I am very centered around the family unit, however that is defined—couples, single parent, surrogacy, adoptions, etc. Whenever a family is bringing a new life into the world, it’s a momentous occasion. It requires compassion, clinical expertise, and support. 
    I feel very lucky to do my part for the families of our community and to share these meaningful moments with them. I find it really rewarding when someone comes up to me with a recent picture of their baby or to see my kids in school with the children I cared for here. A community is all about families. That’s what makes this place home. 

    Q. What is the biggest change you have seen over the years in terms of treatments or equipment in your specialty?
    A. In the last few years, an important and substantial change has been in how we care for families with babies affected by neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome.

    Opioid addiction has ravaged communities across the country, and Saratoga County is no exception. Around five years ago, it was still the policy to separate NOWS babies from their families. Not anymore. 

    Since then, we now care for these infants within their family units, and it’s made a world of difference. Our staff has been well-trained in NOWS baby/family care. We prioritize supporting the infant and family, training moms on what to expect and how to provide the necessary care for their babies to recover, as well as helping transition them to outpatient support. It is a welcome change that has led to many successful families. 

    Q. What helpful words would you most like to share with existing or potential patients of neonatology? 
    A. First, if our neonatology services are needed, know that you and your baby are in excellent hands here. We are all very experienced on my team, with excellent clinical expertise. Each of us has worked in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs), so if a baby happens to be born with a health problem, which is rare, we are well able to stabilize and take care of the newborn appropriately, as well as seamlessly transfer to the NICU at Albany Med, if necessary.

    Second, when you look back to the day your baby is born, you don’t remember the doctor or nurse. You remember hearing that first cry. You remember whether you were able to hold your newborn, skin to skin. We can walk you through all those steps that keep you and your baby connected through the whole experience, regardless of whatever happens.

    Saratoga Hospital Medical Group – Neonatology provides both routine and highly specialized care for newborns, offering expertise in evaluation and treatment of infant feeding problems, breathing disorders, infections, jaundice, genetic abnormalities, neurological problems and issues associated with premature births. Saratoga Hospital’s affiliation with Albany Med provides highly coordinated specialized care and seamless transition to Albany Med’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit as needed.