CHOC wants its patients and families to get to know its specialists. Today, meet Dr. Jennifer Ho, a pediatric hospitalist. Dr. Ho attended UC Irvine School of Medicine and completed her pediatric residency at CHOC. She has been on staff for six years and is a member-at-large of the Medical Staff Executive Committee and member of the Medical Staff Performance Committee at CHOC at Mission Hospital.
Q: What are your special clinical interests?
Care of the hospitalized pediatric patient, infectious diseases, evidence-based medicine and optimization of the electronic health record.
Q: What are some new programs or developments within your specialty?
A: I am excited that the field of pediatric hospital medicine is growing and will soon be a nationally board-certified recognized specialty.
Q: What are your most common diagnoses?
A: Asthma, bronchiolitis, dehydration and seizures.
Q: What would you most like community/referring providers to know about you/your division at CHOC?
A: We now provide 24/7 attending coverage in the hospital at both CHOC Orange and CHOC Mission to ensure the highest quality of care for Orange County children. We pride ourselves on communication and are always available to help facilitate transition of care.
Q: What inspires you most about the care being delivered here at CHOC?
A: As a mother of two young children, it is very comforting to know that if they ever need medical care, CHOC provides the highest quality of care in a family-friendly environment.
Q: Why did you decide to become a doctor?
A: I decided to become a doctor when I was diagnosed with a heart problem in high school. I thought the human body was fascinating and I wanted to be able to help patients through their problems and get the most out of life.
Q: If you weren’t a physician, what would you be and why?
A: I would own a used bookstore with an attached coffee shop and spend my days reading old books and drinking coffee.
Q: What are your hobbies/interests outside of work?
A: Being a mommy to my two little kids, being outside, reading and playing volleyball.
Q: What was the funniest thing a patient told you?
A: From a 3-year-old girl: “I want to be a doctor like you … but only for unicorns and fairies.”
