Physician
SUSAN KEENEY Neonatologist at Christus St. Michael Hospital
Dr. Susan Keeney is from Texarkana, Texas, and her first job was as a nursing assistant at Wadley Hospital. She attended University of Texas for her undergraduate work as well as medical school, residency and neonatology training. Just five years ago, Susan moved back to her hometown after living in Galveston for 25 years. Now she is a physician and neonatologist at Christus St. Michael Hospital. “I love taking care of babies,” Susan says. “They are such fun and most get well very rapidly.” When Susan isn’t working, she volunteers her time as a board member for Opportunities, Inc. and Texarkana Symphony Orchestra. Susan’s nomination says, “The arrival of a new baby, especially a couple’s first child, is supposed to be an exciting and picture-perfect moment. Every new parent assumes pregnancy and labor and delivery will be textbook and free of complication. No one thinks the unexpected can “Two and a half years ago my or will happen to wife and I went through the them. However, for thousands exact same thing. Dr. Keeney of new parents every year this and her staff are the best.” is not the case. Over 500,000 babies are born premature in the U.S. every year. For any new parent this would be overwhelming and unbearable. Dr. Susan Keeney of Christus St. Michael Hospital is arguably one of the best neonatologists in the country, and Texarkana has the honor of having her practice here. Not only is she highly intelligent, she is also a person of great compassion and love. She takes time, more time than most physicians offer, to explain any and all procedures, lab work, exams, and prognoses to parents. She loves her career, and it definitely shows. She is always upbeat and smiling. She finds a way to put parents at ease in quite possibly the most difficult situation they have ever been in. She always puts her tiny patients first and will do everything in her power to ensure the safety and well-being of her babies. She is always a phone call away and will drop everything to rush to the hospital when she is needed, even when she is off-duty. She made our family’s experience with having a premature infant as painless as possible. She is the sole reason we trusted Christus St. Michael’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit with our 26 week gestation baby boy. She is truly an inspiration for all medical professionals. If more physicians were like her, this world would be a much better and healthier place.”
Q&A Hobbies: Playing the piano, gardening.
What’s one fact about you that others would be surprised to know? I’m very shy.
First Big Break: I got in medical school!
As a child, I spent hours … reading.
One Word that Describes You: Happy
Do you have a personal motto? Every day is a happy one.
Who is your hero? My mentor during my neonatology training.
What is left on your “Bucket List?” I want to go to Africa on Safari.
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ALT Magazine
January 2014