Katrina M. Hood graduated from college in 1987 from the Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois with a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics. She later attended Medical School at the University of Louisville and graduated in 1994. Dr. Hood joined the United States Navy and completed her pediatric residency in 1997 at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego, California. She then served as a pediatrician in the Navy until she joined PAA in June of 2001. She is board certified in pediatrics and is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.  Dr. Hood's family has set priorities to keep active in sports, to eat out less and to spend more time together.

What are your hobbies?

Running and needlepoint.

Advice for expecting parents:

Relax.

Advice for new parents:

Love your children. Be the parent of your children. Eat family meals together. Be active and healthy role models for your children.

Advice for parents of teenager:

Parent your teen. Don’t always try to be their friend. Set clear expectations and stick with them.

Most important thing you’ve learned by being a parent yourself:

Each child is different. The parenting strategy has to be flexible.