Laura Tryphena Hunt, MD

“I always knew I wanted to be a pediatrician and work with children. The newborn babies I care for remind me every day why I do what I do. They are helpless and voiceless at birth, but they are also the future of our community and ultimately humankind. Consequently, I want to give them, and the parents they depend upon, the best possible start in life.”

Dr. Laura Hunt is board certified in pediatrics with a focus on the care of newborns, from delivery until discharge. She chose newborn hospitalist medicine because it allows her to develop the expertise of a sub-specialist for her youngest patients while still providing comprehensive care of the whole patient.

Dr. Hunt enjoys the mix of the high-acuity situations that can arise at birth or soon afterward, as well as providing counseling and anticipatory guidance. While the majority of newborns have a smooth entry into the world, their parents may still be overwhelmed. She enjoys answering parents’ questions and assisting them through this major life transition, while considering the family's unique social-emotional and economic circumstances in a holistic manner.

Dr. Hunt previously served as the medical director of a newborn nursery in Texas, where she led the development of a unique, hospital-based outpatient service to bridge the gap from hospital to home, 7 days a week, including holidays. This clinic provides jaundice screenings and weight and feeding assessments to newborns delivered anywhere in the community, while mothers receive lactation support from certified lactation consultants. This quickly became a popular and vital service.

Her research interest is in quality improvement, optimizing systems and structures of care, particularly for infants that are mildly premature or ill but not quite needing full-scale NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) care.

Dr. Hunt received her bachelor’s degree at Washington University in St. Louis and her medical degree at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, where she also completed residency in pediatrics and 2 additional years of training in neonatology.

She is married with 3 children and loves spending time with her family. Some of her favorite activities include taking walks in nature, swimming and traveling to new places, particularly where she can enjoy beautiful scenery and wildlife. Dr. Hunt also enjoys shopping, reading, participating in book clubs and other women's events and volunteering in schools and community organizations when her schedule allows.