Problem-Solving for theYoungest Patients

DR. JULIE SANCHEZ, M.D. (B.A., Biology, ’89)

Dr. Julie Sanchez works with Austin Pediatric Surgery, part of Dell Children’s Medical Center, and she co-founded Spoonie Threads.

Interviewed by Emily Engelbart.

When did you decide to pursue pediatric surgery?
It was during my surgery rotation as a medical student at UTSW at Dallas. I knew surgery was where I belonged the very first day of my rotation. I found it thrilling, invigorating and innovative. The fact that you could change people’s lives with your hands captivated me. I was initially attracted to architecture as an undergrad student at UT. I enjoyed working with my hands, using my imagination and creativity to create something unique. I feel like I am an architect of the human body. I especially enjoy the diversity and congenital cases that I deal with as a pediatric surgeon. One moment, I am operating on a neonate and the next, I’m dealing with a multitrauma.

Are there specific issues that come into play working with young children?
Taking care of children means working with their parents. There is a very special bond that is created between parents, their children and their pediatric surgeon. Surgery can be a very stressful journey for parents. They have to trust a complete stranger to operate on their precious children. I love being part of that journey.

You established the Injury Free Coalition for Kids of Austin and became the lead physician for the Austin Safe Kids Coalition. What prompted your involvement there?
Pediatric trauma holds a special place in my heart. Unfortunately, it is one of the leading causes of deaths in children. Sadly, children are injured due to the circumstances around them or because of the poor decisions adults make. As a fellow at Johns Hopkins, I was introduced to their pediatric injury prevention program. Its purpose was to keep children safe, and to reduce the number of deaths and injuries seen around the city. This goal was accomplished through research, educating the community, including caregivers and children, on how to keep children safe. …[In Austin], I brought together community leaders and partners, such as Safe Kids, to build our program. We created workshops on car, home and bike safety. Our booster seat campaign, “Boost Now! Join the Buckleteers,” became nationally recognized. Together, we opened the first injury prevention program in Austin and created the Children’s Education and Community Resource Center. Both programs continue to thrive.

Tell me about the clothing line you launched with adaptive clothes and accessories, Spoonie Threads.
As a surgeon, I saw firsthand the frustrations, needs and complications that my patients were faced with. I wanted to make a difference. Each product has a very special story behind its creation. When an ostomy bag would leak making [a cancer patient and dear friend with rectal cancer] feel ashamed and embarrassed, an ostomy cover gave her the confidence to return to work without that fear. The freedom and independence that she found through the ostomy cover was priceless. This is the reason Spoonie Threads was created. I wanted a way of empowering parents, patients and others to feel confident, included and secure about themselves and their situation. Our mission is to provide a sense of fearlessness and confidence to our customers through fun, bright and functional products that are stylish.