Dr. Michael D. McKenzie, MD
Co-Founder, Family Rhythms
Dr.
Michael D. McKenzie has a dream: to create a company that nourishes
the emotional lives of family members through sharing, participation,
and engagement with each other and the world. As Michael says,
"Learning to live as a family is one of nature's most robust
rhythms."
Of course, it's no surprise that
this native New Zealander loves working with families. He's been doing
it for over two decades as a pediatrician.
After completing medical school
at Otago University in New Zealand in 1976, Michael went to Canada
to study pediatrics as his specialty training. He was a Resident in
Pediatrics at Vancouver General Hospital in Vancouver, British Columbia
from 1979-1983. This work fueled Michael's passion and belief that
babies and young children represent a time of exciting possibilities
in life…and for families.
In 1983, world-renowned Dr. T. Berry
Brazelton invited Michael to Boston for additional training in Child
Development at Children’s Hospital. In 1985, Michael earned
a Master’s of Science degree in Public Health from Harvard School
of Public Health. In 1986, he became Board Certified in Pediatrics
and began his career in private pediatric practice.
Michael often remarks about "witnessing
a miracle" every time he watches parents welcome a new baby into
the family. He also is intrigued with what makes a family work, noting,
"There is no one right way to be a family — each family
must create a way that is right for them."
As a result, Michael has studied
and worked tirelessly on behalf of babies, children, parents, and
families. From 1985-1987, he was a lecturer in Child Development at
Boston's Children's Hospital; from 1987 to 1989, he was a Senior Staff
Physician in the Comprehensive Child Health Program, also at Children's;
and from 1988-2000, he was an Instructor in Pediatrics at Harvard
Medical School. His hospital appointments include St. Elizabeth's
Hospital in Brighton, Massachusetts; Franciscan Children's Hospital,
also in Brighton; Framingham Union Hospital in Framingham, Massachusetts;
and, currently, Newton Wellesley Hospital in Newton, Massachusetts.
His research reaffirms his desire
to learn about and help families. From topics such as "Obesity
and Infant Feeding Behavior" to "High-Risk Parenting: Mental
Health Service Intervention" to "Adolescents' Conceptions
of Discipline: Encounters with their Parents and Teachers," Michael
has cultivated a sincere interest in issues that affect parents and
children.
Michael has held numerous consultant
positions over the last 25 years, including Pediatric Developmental
Consultant at I.S.E.C. School, University Hospital in Boston from
1988-1993. His community involvement is far-reaching as well —
he's participated in support groups for mothers, workshops for daycare
providers, and has given various "talks" to parents, such
as "Parenting is not a Spectator Sport" at the Charlotte
Dunning Elementary School in Framingham, Massachusetts in 2004.
In addition to Family Rhythms,
Michael maintains a private pediatric practice in Natick, Massachusetts.
He co-founded Family Rhythms with his wife, Lee
McKenzie, who is a pediatric nurse practitioner
and developmental psychologist. Together, they combine their
50+ years' worth of knowledge to help moms, dads, and children
live a more satisfying family life.
Michael says, "What families
are looking for is a sense of 'well being.' Well being does not come
through things, objects, or control. It comes from within individuals
and through our relationships with others. It is an outcome of living
in harmony with our self, our family and friends, and with the planet
upon which we are wholly dependent." This, in essence, has become
the McKenzies' mantra — Family Rhythms…Fostering harmony
in family life.
Married since 1983,
Michael and Lee make their home in Sherborn, Massachusetts,
and share the pleasure of parenting three children.
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