Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Stacy Cary-Thompson.
Born in Washington D.C. and raised in Maryland, Dr. Stacy Cary-Thompson earned her undergraduate degree from Lafayette College, her doctoral degree from Howard University College of Medicine, and completed her pediatric residency training at the Medical College of Georgia. She is now a board-certified pediatrician and the founder of Cary Cares Parenting LLC, the digital space where you can have an in-depth conversation with a pediatrician about some of the social determinants of health that oftentimes don’t get enough attention in your typical office visit. In her clinical practice, the children are the focus. With Cary Cares Parenting, the parents are the focus, but the children ultimately benefit. Dr. Stacy is passionate about bringing you perspective through the eyes of a pediatrician and transforming lives for generations™. Parents may often think they’re doing what’s best for their child because they love them. Cary Cares Parenting is love + intentionality™!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Absolutely not! I’ve had dreams of becoming a physician since 2nd or 3rd grade, but my path to medicine has not been linear. Two of the most devastating days of my life actually occurred while I was in medical school. It was like my world shattered, and I honestly didn’t know if I would be able to do everything that was required for me to graduate. During my 1st year of medical school, my father was diagnosed with cancer. This was compounded by the fact that my grandmother, who I affectionately referred to as my Main Squeeze, was already in the midst of her own battle with cancer. I remember when my mom came from the hospital to tell me and my sister about my dad’s diagnosis. I collapsed and literally cried for HOURS. I’ll never forget it. That news knocked the wind out of me! I felt shocked, and hurt, and scared, and angry. Because medical school is so rigorous and demanding, I questioned if I should still focus on a career in medicine. I was also pained by the irony that I was learning to take care of others but could not save him from this diagnosis.
But without the question even being posed, my Daddy made it clear that he wanted both my sister and me to continue to strive toward our ambitions. At the time, my sister was pursuing her MBA, which he lived to see her complete. But unfortunately, he didn’t live to see me become Dr. Stacy. The 2nd most devastating day of my life happened two years later, when my dad passed away. I was a third-year medical student with one more year to go. Along with my mother and sister, I was at his bedside as he coughed up blood and deteriorated. We watched him take his last breath. Nothing prepares you for that. My drive home from the hospital that night is a blur, but I learned several important things through his illness. One of them is to do what you can do when you can do it. So I do my best not to take for granted the time I have to impact people in my little corner of the world. I’m intentional about building a legacy for my son, and positioning myself to do things that I’m passionate about. I believe my Daddy is proud that I’m walking in my purpose.
We’d love to hear more about your practice.
In my career, I’ve encountered thousands of patients and families – across cultures, and socioeconomic levels. There are several differences, but many constants as well. One thing that holds true is that partnerships are required for the maturation of our youth. I am someone who wholeheartedly believes that it takes a village to raise a child. However, people that know you personally will naturally have some bias. Biases are blinders. As a pediatrician, I know children. I understand development. I’m accustomed to providing anticipatory guidance for parents. I understand human behavior. And I have experience working closely with other professionals that work with children and families. With Cary Cares Parenting, I leverage all of that expertise because it’s my job to see what’s in your blind spots.
I don’t approach this from a place of perfection, because even with my expertise, I have the same concerns that I think all parents have. I don’t know how my kid will turn out! There are many independent variables. Of course you can hope that things turn out for the best, but you can also choose to be intentional. That’s where Cary Cares Parenting comes in. I help parents tap into their phenomenal parenting power™. And when I say parents, that includes parent-proxies. If your family structure is nontraditional, that’s fine. If you fulfill a parent-like role, then this is for you as well.
Think about it – we’ve all seen individuals that are the product of their parent’s missteps. So with my coaching program, I help families recognize and break negative familial patterns. But it’s not just for people that have identified some type of problem. It’s also for people who want to open themselves up to a different perspective, while still maintaining their own special sauce. It’s for new parents, and it’s for parents that have been doing it for years. I help families understand their children’s behavior. I help parents grow with their children through various stages of development. I teach parents how to develop their child’s conscience and esteem. And I help parents navigate situations both ordinary and extraordinary. Ultimately, I help families have a the connection with their kids that they desire.
The clients in my one-on-one coaching program meet with me virtually once a week, over the course of several weeks. Together, we walk through the curriculum that I developed. It’s very thought-provoking. We get very personal. I let my clients know that they may not like me all the time. But, for those that really open themselves up and make an effort to implement the things that we talk about, the reward pays dividends for years to come.
For those that are not ready for that kind of commitment, there’s also the option to have a 30-minute pick-your-brain session to talk to me one-on-one, and I provide my professional opinion. The expectation is that clients come with a well-thought-out question or a couple of questions for me. It’s not the opportunity to ask me about a sore throat, a rash, immunizations, or prescriptions. It’s not about the medical staff. It’s about the other stuff – the relational stuff. That’s what Cary Cares Parenting is.
What were you like growing up?
I like to think I was a pretty good kid. I was sometimes sassy, which got me in trouble at home, but I always did well in school. I loved the school. I excelled, and was even valedictorian! But I wasn’t just about academics. I enjoyed activities like track, softball, choir, and dance ensemble. I was social, yet shy and quiet if that makes sense. I liked writing, yet was utterly terrified of public speaking! But my high school would do this fantastic Christmas show performance that I wanted to be in, so in my junior year, I decided to thrust myself into drama class with Mr. Savoy. I enjoyed that class so much! The memories I have are something that I still smile fondly about, and I absolutely loved being in the Christmas show! It was the beginning of me taking deliberate action to stretch beyond my comfort.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://carycaresparentingdrstacymd.as.me (Enter code “VOYAGE” to receive 25% off of services until October 10th, 2020!)
- Email: info@carycaresparenting.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drstacymd/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drstacymd
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/drstacymd
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