Susan Nofziger,
MD
West Virginia University
- Position
- Associate Professor, Division of Hospital Medicine, Vice Chair of Education, Pediatrics
- Phone
- 304-293-6307
Susan Nofziger, MD
Susan Nofziger
Board Certification: General Pediatrics, Pediatric Hospital Medicine
Medical School: SUNY Upstate
Residency: UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
Faculty Rank: Associate Dean
Special Clinical/Research Interests: Medical Education, Critical Thinking and Bias, Coaching
Is there a particular population of students (e.g., ethnicity, spiritual, sexual orientation) that you would particularly like to advise?
No preference, anyone interested in Pediatrics or coaching would certainly be a good fit!
What does a typical day in the life of a Pediatrican include?
As a Pediatric Hospitalist at WVU Children’s, I have the privilege of leading a team of residents, APPs and medical students as we care for children of all ages admitted to the hospital. Each day kicks off with family-centered rounds — a unique opportunity to connect directly with patients, their families and nursing to share updates, and build a collaborative care plan together. These conversations are often the highlight of the day — filled with many moments that remind you why you chose pediatrics.
The rest of the day flows with purpose: coordinating with consultants, reviewing imaging and labs, admitting new patients from the ED and referring hospitals, and keeping communication clear across our team and with our patients. It’s a steady pace, but often includes time built in to read, and deepen your medical knowledge. Our academic environment values team-based learning and meaningful patient interactions.
What is the biggest challenge of being a Pediatrican?
In my mind, the biggest challenges facing medical education right now include keeping up with rapidly evolving medical knowledge and embracing the efficiencies and support of AI while also preserving critical thinking and excellence in our future physicians
In pediatric hospital medicine, we have growing medical complexity of patients, workforce challenges, increasing mental health needs of our patients and geographic disparities.
How do you foresee Pediatrics changing over the next 20 years?
AI will integrate into many areas of our workflow. We will adapt in a way that we can work alongside these tools to enhance patient care, support decision-making and personal efficiency. That said, it will be essential to maintain and continually develop our clinical reasoning, communication skills and the human connection at the heart of our personal interactions with patients.
What advice would you give a student who is considering a Pediatric residency?
Pediatrics is a deeply rewarding specialty. The environment is often more colorful and playful, and the medical complexity can match what you'll see in adult medicine. If you finish your pediatrics rotation or a shadowing experience feeling energized, engaged, and excited to come back, take that as a strong signal that this might be the right path for you.
As a pediatrician, you’ll be reminded daily — through small, meaningful moments with patients and families — why you chose this field. Helping a worried parent understand a diagnosis, celebrating a child’s recovery, or advocating for care a patient truly needs – it is these experiences that give purpose to your daily work and help build the resilience you’ll need for a long and fulfilling career.
One of pediatrics' greatest strengths is also its variety: whether you're drawn to outpatient continuity care, inpatient medicine, procedures, or subspecialty work, there's a place for you. Talk to pediatricians in different roles and ask what they love about their work. Most importantly, find a mentor you trust — someone who can offer honest guidance, answer your questions, and help you navigate the next steps.