Dr. Patricia Kavanagh

Biography

Patricia L. Kavanagh, MD, is an Associate Professor at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine in the Department of Pediatrics. She has developed a national reputation for her work utilizing systems approaches to enhance care for children and adults with sickle cell disease, particularly in emergency department settings. Dr. Kavanagh is an attending physician in the pediatric emergency department, where she has collaborated with colleagues to establish refined treatment standards for this population. Her research interests focus on improving care through guideline-based approaches and individualized pain management protocols. She is actively involved in educating providers through lectures at regional and national meetings in the United States, highlighting interventions that enhance emergency department care for individuals with sickle cell-related pain. Dr. Kavanagh serves on the Committee for Sickle Cell Disease Social Security Disability Evaluations at the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine. Her grant activities are aimed at understanding the impact of screening and addressing the basic needs of families, examining health outcomes for children with sickle cell disease. She completed her pediatrics residency at Boston Children’s Hospital and a fellowship in General Academic Pediatrics at the same institution, underscoring her dedication to the field and the well-being of her patients.

Research Interests

Experience