Doctor Deals With Teen Troubles

By Jane Kwiatkowski

Talk about adolescent angst, Dr. Dalinda Condino sees it every day in some shape or form. As chief of adolescent medicine at Women and Children’s Hospital, Condino cares for what may be the most misunderstood patients: teenagers. Her style is direct. Her insight is amazing. So is her lasagna.

>What kind of an adolescent were you?

I’m the oldest of five children, an American of Italian descent who was raised in a very structured environment. I was a good kid, an overachiever who did all the things I was supposed to do — volleyball, field hockey, tennis, National Honor Society. I played two instruments.

>Do you ever run away?

Never even thought of it. I guess I felt the responsibility of the oldest child. We do represent our families. I never wanted to let my family down. Some of my patients need to think about that. They don’t live in a cave. They live with their parents.

>What is most important to them?

Themselves. It’s a very me-me time. In a lot of ways, it’s a very self-centered time of life. On the other hand, they could be doing very good things, too: athletics, fundraising, environmental causes.

>What made you specialize in adolescents?

Because nobody likes them. I had decided on pediatrics, but changed. Everybody likes babies. Babies are fun. They’re nice. They’re huggy. We love to help babies be well. Teenagers are difficult. They represent a different challenge. This is the last chance we have to make an impact.

>You relate well with adolescents.

I try. I think I get better with time. I listen more now. I try to be open to what they’re saying, but not be afraid to give them an opinion, another view of the world. I’m like their reality mirror.

>How do you deal with stress?

For me, it’s cooking. I do a pretty good lasagna, pesto in the summer. I grow my own basil.

A little traveling. Sports — I like to watch hockey.

>You must have this big Italian family.

Yeah we do. My father’s from the Niagara Falls area. His brothers, my cousins. Only one sister is out of town. She’s a pediatric gastroneurologist in Tampa.

>When did you decide to be a doctor?

When I was 8. My father was president and CEO of a hospital, so we had medicine in our life all the time. It just became what I was going to do.

>What pop star would you recommend as a role model?

I can’t think of anybody who is not totally out in left field these days. Ani DiFranco — though not really a pop star — has shown a real commitment to Buffalo and to young musicians. She gives back to the community, and I think that’s a positive. The more mainstream artists? I struggle with the messages they give to young people. I wonder if the kids are listening to the words of some of the songs. They’re violent and negative and anti-women.

>How many kids cross your path on a daily basis?

From 30 to 60. We see urban, suburban, rural, poor kids, homeless kids, really wealthy kids. Some of them are the same regardless of where they live.

>What do they have in common?

The need to improve communication with the adult people in their lives. They need to know they have to earn things. They need to have expectations of themselves. Things are not always going to be given to you just because you want it. The “I Want” generation.

>Do you have an iPhone?

No, and I don’t have a Web page, and I don’t want either. I have enough phones to work with. I don’t have time to download, and I don’t really feel like doing it. I’m lazy that way, I admit it.

>What is different about growing up now?

I strongly believe technology is the big issue here. There’s also a less sense of self-respect and modesty. Everything is pretty much out there. Did you dress with everything falling out the front? On one hand, it’s good they have a comfort level with who they are, but too much importance is being placed on how they look, what they’re wearing, if they have a boyfriend. I think we need a little of the feminism to come back.

>Anything else?

I want teenage boys to be more responsible. How’s that?

e-mail: jkwiatkowski@buffnews.com

Originally published by NEWS STAFF REPORTER.

(c) 2008 Buffalo News. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.