Caring for Kids, Watching Them Grow: Meet Megan Whisler

Pediatric care at DCHC is about more than treating an illness. It’s about getting to know children and families, helping them stay healthy, and being there as they grow.

For Megan Whisler, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner at Davis County Medical Associates, caring for kids is something she has wanted to do for almost as long as she can remember.

“When I was little, I said I wanted to be a pediatrician,” Megan said.

Her eventual path into pediatrics took a few interesting turns. Megan first became a nurse, worked in emergency care, and then spent six years as a flight nurse with Air Evac Lifeteam. When she decided to continue her education and become a nurse practitioner, she knew where she wanted to focus.

A Personal Path to Pediatric Care

Megan’s decision to specialize in pediatrics was shaped not only by her professional experience, but also by being a parent herself.

As a mother, she experienced the challenges of finding healthcare for her own children. When the opportunity came to advance her nursing career, that experience helped point her toward becoming a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner.

Today, Megan practices at Davis County Medical Associates, DCHC’s rural health clinic, where she works closely with hospital staff and maintains a strong working relationship with DCHC emergency providers.

And after six years as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, she has no doubt she made the right choice.

“I have always had a love for peds,” Megan said. “Interacting with littles and trying to calm their fears gave me a sense of purpose.”

She also appreciates something children bring to the exam room that adults sometimes lose: an optimistic way of looking at the world.

“I love interacting with youth all day, seeing the world through little optimistic eyes and being able to teach them and help them.”

Treating the Whole Child

For Megan, a successful pediatric visit isn’t necessarily one that ends with a prescription.

Sometimes reassurance, education, and practical advice are exactly what a child and parent need. Even when Megan determines that nothing serious is wrong, she sees the visit as an opportunity to help families better understand their child’s health.

That philosophy is part of the approach to pediatric care at DCHC.

“In the Peds Department here at DCHC, we take pride in providing competent and comprehensive care to our patients,” Megan said. “We strive to listen to our patients and their families and are interested in treating the child as a whole.”

It also means balancing parents’ concerns with the individual needs of the child and evidence-based recommendations — something Megan identifies as one of the more challenging aspects of pediatric care.

Three Things Megan Wants Parents to Know

Caring for children doesn’t happen only in the doctor’s office. Megan points to several fundamentals that can make a difference in children’s everyday health.

Antibiotics aren’t a cure-all. Not every illness requires an antibiotic, and using one when it isn’t appropriate can sometimes do more harm than good.

Not every symptom requires an immediate office visit. A runny nose or cough can often be managed at home initially. Parents can monitor symptoms and seek care when needed.

The basics really matter. A good sleep routine, proper nutrition, good hygiene, and regular handwashing all play an important role in keeping kids healthy.

Those simple habits become especially important as children return to classrooms and spend more time around classmates.

Healthy Habits for the School Year

Megan recommends establishing a consistent sleep schedule — and doing it before school begins when possible. Parents can use age-based sleep recommendations to determine an appropriate bedtime and then make the routine consistent.

Handwashing is another priority. Children should wash their hands not only after using the restroom, but also before eating, after playing outside, and after blowing their nose. Covering coughs and sneezes helps reduce the spread of illness, too.

And don’t overlook breakfast. Megan recommends making sure children eat in the morning, whether at home or at school, with a protein-rich breakfast helping prepare them for the day.

Her final recommendation is particularly straightforward:

If your child is sick, keep them home.

Megan understands that attendance requirements can make parents reluctant to have children miss school. But when a child is ill, home is often where they need to be. And missing school doesn’t automatically mean a child needs an office visit.

For Megan’s established patients, parents can call the office with concerns. Depending on the circumstances and the provider’s judgment, the family may be able to receive care advice without an appointment.

Growing Along With Her Patients

Perhaps Megan’s favorite part of pediatric care is that the relationship doesn’t end when a child leaves the exam room.

She gets to see patients again. And again.

She gets to welcome new babies, care for brothers and sisters, learn about families, and watch children change as they grow.

“I am also starting to feel like I am part of the community and am getting to know all the different families and dynamics,” Megan said.

Looking ahead, she wants to continue building those relationships while being a dependable source of pediatric healthcare for area families.

“I am excited to continue to get to know my patients and watch them grow,” she said.

It’s a simple aspiration that says a lot about pediatric care at DCHC: caring for the child in front of you today — and being there for who they become tomorrow.

Looking for Pediatric Care?

Megan welcomes new patients, and no referral is required. Parents can call Davis County Medical Associates to schedule an appointment. If your child has an existing medical history, having those records available before the first visit can help Megan become familiar with their healthcare needs.

Schedule an Appointment / Contact Davis County Medical Associates at (641) 664-3832