'My Mom is a Doctor!' A Special Mother's Day Gift to Alice Phillips, M.D.

Annie Phillips, MCN, RD, LD, is a clinical dietitian and nutritionist for our Outpatient Cardiology team. She also happens to be the daughter of Alice Phillips, M.D. , MPH, FAAP, a pediatrician and Medical Director for Ambulatory Quality and Safety. We asked Annie if she would share with us some thoughts on her mom for Mother's Day. To learn more about Dr. Philips, click here.

My mom started working at Cook Children’s 28 years ago. As a child, I spent many days at her office, watching Barney in the back, saying, “hi” to all of the nurses, and repeatedly measuring how tall I was.

I was always so excited as a child whenever someone would ask what my mom does for work. I would very proudly say, “My mom is a doctor!”

I maintain this pride in my mom’s work ethic and commitment to Cook Children’s to this day. There are some downsides to having a pediatrician as a mom growing up though. I always had to get my shots. I always had to eat my vegetables. I never got to fake being sick. 

But seriously, working as a full-time pediatrician with two kids of her own was no easy task, but my mom never missed a soccer game, cheerleading practice or dance recital.

She proved that she could do it all, and she continues to prove that she can do it all.

While working full time with two kids, she got her Master of Public Health. More recently, she has recently discovered her love for health care administration by taking on the role of Medical Director of Ambulatory Quality and Safety.

One thing will never change about my mother though, and that is her passion for her kids and this organization. I am thankful that my mom was able to instill that same passion in myself for Cook Children’s. I now not only get to proudly say that my mom is a doctor at Cook Children's but she's my coworker here too.

So thank you, mom, for showing me what hard work, relentless dedication, and incredible care for the people you serve looks like.

Happy Mother’s day!