Mentoring Profile: Laura Deon, MD, Rush Medical College

The Rush Women Mentoring Program fosters professional development and a sense of community and collaboration among women faculty at Rush University. In this series, we highlight program mentors and mentees and learn more about how mentoring has impacted them.

Laura Deon, MD, assistant professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Rush Medical College, joined Rush in 2011.

Tell us about your background.

I completed my physical medicine and rehabilitation residency at University of Texas Southwestern and my pediatric rehabilitation fellowship at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. I currently care for patients with cerebral palsy, spina bifida, traumatic brain injuries, and other congenital or neurological injuries that can affect normal development in childhood.

What inspired you to get into your field?

The chance to change the lives of children with disabilities and improve their comfort, care and quality of life drew me to my specialty.

What excites you about your work at Rush?

It is a wonderful hospital system that was missing a pediatric rehabilitation program. I was excited to develop a new program in a place where there was a great need.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship?

It is a wonderful opportunity and can be beneficial to everyone involved when you are able to match with someone who has time in their schedule and has common career paths or ideals.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Do as much as you can in the way of clinical rotations, volunteering and research.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I enjoy traveling to new places, exercising, dancing, entertaining family and friends, and cooking.