Dr. David Margolis
Professor of pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin
Section chief, hematology-oncology transplant, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
“Doctor” is a title David Margolis holds dearly. He also is known as son, brother, husband, father and teacher.
Margolis is a professor of pediatrics and associate chair of pediatrics at the Medical College of Wisconsin, as well as interim section chief for hematology-oncology transplant and head of the bone marrow program at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin.
He is a nationally known oncology physician, a mentor, a consummate professional and a tireless patient advocate.
“He is fiercely loyal to his patients and his fellow caregivers, who hold him in the highest regard,” said John Cary, executive director of the MACC Fund, an organization with which Margolis also is heavily involved.
Margolis has the ability to communicate effectively with all types of people, including doctors and oncologists all over the country, devastated parents and his patients.
Many families have moved to the region specifically to be treated by Dr. Margolis and his team. He takes the time to answer emails from inquiring parents with personal phone calls.
He often provides counsel and advice, and sometimes a second opinion for parents and patients all over the country.
At Children’s Hospital, his patients are some of the sickest children in the hospital, and yet Margolis knows attitude is everything.
He gets to know his patients on a personal level, knows what keeps them motivated and makes it a point to engage regularly, despite his busy schedule.
Recently, Margolis entered a Chicago Cubs fan’s room with a “W” flag and sang “Go Cubs Go” to make good on a bet. He’s also let patients color his hair when the Milwaukee Bucks made the playoffs, and he recently brought Pokemon Go to Children’s Hospital as a way for kids to get out of their rooms to exercise.
Those experiences lets kids be kids, Margolis said.
But it also helps with the healing process. Children who are up chasing Pokemon are not necessarily focused on the exhaustion or the recovery pain. They don’t realize they are walking laps or strengthening their muscles.
The kindness and compassion he has for his patients and their families is unmatched.
