CHOC wants its referring physicians to get to know its specialists. Today, meet Dr. Christine Bixby, a neonatologist. She completed a fellowship in neonatology, as well as her residency and an internship in pediatrics at Harbor UCLA Medical Center. She attended medical school at University of California, Davis. Dr. Bixby is the president of the Orange County Breastfeeding Coalition. Currently the medical director of lactation services at CHOC, she has been on staff at CHOC for ten years.
What are your special clinical interests?
Newborn and premature care, and breastfeeding and breast milk use in extremely low birth weight infants.
Are you involved in any current research?
Breast milk handling, breast milk use in low birth weight infants, breast milk and feeding in entire Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) population.
What are some new programs or developments within your specialty?
Through CHOC’s NICU initiative, the increased number of private rooms will help further facilitate family involvement in infants’ care and allow for a better transition to the family for breastfeeding. It will allow them to be as close to their baby as possible.
What are your most common diagnoses?
Prematurity and respiratory distress in newborn.
What inspires you most about the care being delivered at CHOC?
We’re trying to continually push the envelope of providing better and better care from both a technical standpoint and also from a supporting families standpoint.
Why did you decide to become a doctor?
My father experienced a serious injury at age two, and only survived it because of the great medical care he received. Once I was older I got the chance to see what medicine was really about, and I realized it’s about using critical thinking skills to get people through a challenging time, both medically and emotionally.
If you weren’t a physician, what would you be and why?
I’d be a park ranger because my father was a park ranger. I love being outside and spending quiet time in nature.
What are your hobbies/interests outside of work?
I love spending time with my children and family, crocheting, inline skating, hiking and camping.
What have you learned from your patients?
I’ve learned the incredible strength of babies. We underestimate them as a society, but a sick baby is often stronger than a sick adult. I’m continually impressed by my patients’ families and the way they handle challenging diagnoses. They are put into a difficult position, but they process the information and move forward and are wonderful advocates for their children.
