Virteeka Sinha, MD

Pediatric Emergency Medicine

Hackensack University Medical Center

30 Prospect Avenue Hackensack, NJ 07601

Phone

I specialize in Pediatrics and Pediatric Emergency Medicine, currently serving as the Chief of Pediatric Emergency Medicine and Medical Director at the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital. I believe that a visit to the emergency department (ED) can be one of the most challenging experiences in a patient's life. My goal is to provide care with the highest levels of compassion, expertise, and professionalism, ensuring that patients feel confident and supported during this difficult time.

Philosophy of Care

My philosophy of care revolves around empathy and patient-centeredness. I firmly believe that to truly serve patients and their families, one must put themselves in their shoes and involve them in significant decisions regarding their care. Joint decision-making is far more effective than simply advising without considering the patient's preferences, beliefs, cultural values, and personal stories. Patients are not just numbers or statistics; they are real individuals with unique experiences. I take pride in my ability to engage and involve patients and their families in their care.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top 3 questions you are typically asked by patients within your specialty? And how do you respond?

1. How to control or treat fever? I give them options for treating the fever, with a constant reminder that it is more about how the child looks than the temperature, which should prompt them to seek medical attention.

2. When should we come back? I always give them advice on how they should care for their medical condition at home and provide instructions. I end by saying that if they are concerned about their child, they should always seek medical attention.

3. Should we hold off on vaccines until the children are older? I give them information on all the conditions vaccines can prevent, and the risk vs benefits discussion about giving age-appropriate vaccines as recommended by the AAP.

What health and wellness advice, related to your specialty, do you often share with patients to maintain their health?

I always advise that pediatric safety and home childproofing can go a long way toward preventing avoidable harms and unforeseen injuries that can change a patient's life.

What medical or health care topics are you most passionate about sharing with the community?

I am most passionate about patient-centered care and pediatric safety. A large proportion of accidents and serious injuries can be avoided when caregivers pay extra attention to making homes and surroundings safe for children. Child proofing homes, water safety, helmet use, storing medications out of reach of children, and using appropriate safety devices can prevent harm and secure living conditions. I try to discuss these during a visit to the ED so it can have a lasting impact on patients and families