Dr. Rosemary Klenk

After first considering a career teaching classical piano and four college majors later, I recognized that I was destined to be a late bloomer. Medicine did not appear on my radar until I had finished college as a history major, completed a second bachelor's degree at Columbia University School of Nursing, worked for two years as a pediatric nurse at Babies & Children's Hospital, Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center and finally two more years as a pediatric oncology research nurse at Memorial Sloan Kettering. During my third year in nursing, my future husband suggested, "Why not become a doctor?" I wasn't sure I was smart enough, thought I might be too old, and needed at least two more years of pre-medical courses before I could even apply. I decided to "go for the gold" and the rest is history. I was fortunate to attend Cornell Medical College in NYC, near my family, and to do my pediatric training back at my alma mater, Babies & Children's Hospital.

I especially enjoy caring for healthy children, particularly newborns and new parents, as well as managing complex medical problems such as anorexia, ADHD, Lyme disease and asthma. What I find most rewarding in practice is to help families to see their children's developmental and medical challenges in the most positive light possible, and to help each child to thrive as a member of a family and of a community. Given the complexities of modern family life and health, my years of personal and professional experience allow me to provide much-needed guidance and reassurance to the families in our care.

In years past, I have served on the Board of Directors of the Child Guidance Center of Southern Fairfield County, the Medical Executive Committee and Associate Chief of Pediatrics of Stamford Hospital. Currently I am an active member of the Stamford Hospital's Pediatric Executive Committee and serve on the Board of Arts for Healing in New Canaan. Since 2000 I have been named a Top Doctor each year by Castle Connolly.

I grew up in Stamford and reside in New Canaan with my husband and family, all of whom have provided the love and support a working mother cannot do without. As one of fourteen siblings, and the mother of six children, I seem to be a natural match for pediatrics. Remember, sometimes in the end, it pays to be a late bloomer.