Christina Propst, MD is a highly regarded and trusted American Board of Pediatrics-certified General Pediatrician with over 25 years of expertise in compassionate, data-based pediatric medicine.
Dr. Propst maintains close relationships with her patients and their families who trust her excellent evidence-based medical care and value her support and compassion. In addition to her experience and expertise in general pediatrics, Dr. Propst maintains a particular interest and knowledge in infectious diseases, public health, infant and child development, allergies and asthma, injury prevention, nutrition and gun violence/firearm injury prevention.
Dr. Christina Propst is highly regarded among her peers, colleagues and patients for consistently going above and beyond for those in need and for tirelessly helping her patients and the broader community. She is well respected for her compassionate yet data-informed practice, as well as her vast knowledge base and expertise in pediatrics.
Dr. Propst co-authored the article “Keeping Children Safe” with then American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) President Dr. Fernando Stein, wrote Op-Eds published in the Houston Chronicle, and organized Texas Children’s Hospital’s Pediatric Grand Rounds: “Gun Violence & Pediatrics” in March 2017 – underscoring her advocacy for children’s health and safety at both the clinical and community levels.
Dr. Christina Propst is a member of various medical associations and societies, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Harris County Medical Society (HCMS), and the Texas Medical Association. In the past, she has served on the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Council on Children and Disasters, the Memorial Hermann Pediatrics Clinical Program Committee (CPC), the Texas Pediatric Society’s (TPS) Committee on Infectious Disease and Immunization, and the TPS Committee on Injury Prevention and Environmental Health.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
Start by practicing gratitude and appreciation.
Exercise. Stretch
Eat a healthy fruit, whole grain and protein based breakfast.
Catch up on medical literature and developments in your field.
Patient care: complete focus on the patient and their family.
Take notes on paper if you must to fill in EMR gaps after hours.
Family time after work.
Cook, relax, read, stretch.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I have always been a doer: I seize the moment and walk the walk.
What’s one trend that excites you?
The rise of explicitly evidence-based medical practice is crucial for up-to-date, appropriate and effective patient care. Patients should be entitled to solid medical evidence and data as the basis of their care plan.
I am also excited about the rise of Direct Primary Care, a model that facilitates a cohesive physician-patient relationship while encouraging efficiency and accountability by minimizing insurance company interference.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
I am deeply committed to practicing compassionate, evidence-based pediatric medicine. Parents know that I care for their children as I do my own; with a laser focus on helping their children heal, blossom and flourish.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Do not listen to the naysayers or get distracted by the profiteers, quacks and snake-oil peddlers. History will reveal them for what and who they are. Follow your instincts and trust your expertise, as patients (and their parents) can always tell who genuinely cares for their children and whose heart is in the right place.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
Proper and thorough pediatric care cannot be limited to a 10 or 15 minute time slot.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
I recommend that pediatricians really get to know their families which takes time and effort. Take the time to ask how they are doing and listen!
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
To refocus, I breathe deep and actively prioritize, minimizing mental clutter and static.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Show up to community events and be a helper – volunteer, advocate for your patients and their families, speak to your expertise only with reputable media organizations.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Staying too long in a big-medicine group practice that over time did not value my expertise, skills, commitment and contributions, was a mistake. When your employer does not support or appreciate your commitment to excellence in your field of expertise, or your moral compass, it’s time to leave. You are more than a readily replaceable cog, regardless of how non- expert administrators may treat you.
Know the value of your expertise and advocate for yourself. It’s that simple.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Telemedicine is the future of rural medicine in the US.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Electronic prescribing has streamlined medical practice, though it is not perfect.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?/
Personally, I value spending on experiences rather than things. Recently I took a small boat tour of a gorgeous Maine harbor on a perfect day. It was worth every cent.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
For evidence-based, unbiased medical and health information, I recommend that my patient families read web, blog and social media posts by The American Academy of Pediatrics, Unbiased Science, Those Nerdy Girls, GAVI, The Infectious Disease Society of America and Your Local Epidemiologist.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
“Canoe Dig It?”! is a hilarious movie about the niche sport kf freestyle canoeing. Go see it.
Key learnings
- Value your expertise.
- Know your worth.
- Trust your instincts.
- Leave toxic situations whether personal or professional.
- Starting over can be hard, but it can lead to a far, far better future.