Multi-Generational Connections

Mothers and daughters, fathers and sons and every combination of family ties are present somewhere at an organization as large as Bryan Health. The prior generations have influenced the current ones working at and interacting with Bryan today. The current generations will, in turn, influence the ones to come.

Sue Springman, MD and Alex Keating, MD

Over the years, a few doctors at Bryan have had the opportunity to work at the same place their parents did, or even their grandparents. For Drs. Springman and Keating, the mother and daughter duo get to work together at the same pediatric practice.

Dr. Springman is a Nebraska native. She grew up in Waverly and received her medical training at UNMC. Her older sister, Jann Carlson Quaife was her inspiration, as she is also a pediatrician.

After school, she came to work in Lincoln to be close to her family. She’s practiced in Lincoln her entire career and has been with Complete Children’s Health for 26 years.

Dr. Keating has wanted to be a pediatrician ever since she can remember. Throughout her life, she had consistent moments of affirmation that it was the right path for her. She loved babysitting and nannying and, of course, had her mother as an example.

“It was such a privilege to see my mom love her job every day,” she said. “I had friends at school come up to me and say, ‘Oh, your mom is my doctor.’ I thought that was so cool.”

Dr. Keating also went to UNMC for medical school. She moved to Iowa for a three-year residency program, but she and her husband wanted to be closer to home. They moved back to Lincoln around four years ago, when Dr. Keating joined her mom at Complete Children’s. She has one son, Coleman, and was expecting another child at the end of May.

Both mother and daughter have a deep passion for pediatrics. They love establishing long-term relationships with families. Dr. Springman has been to countless high school graduations for kids she has treated for their whole lives. Dr. Keating is excited to experience that feeling someday.

“I feel like I’m part of the family,” Dr. Springman said. ‘It’s such a joy to watch children grow and help them go through the different challenges of their young lives.”

The two pediatricians work at different locations of Complete Children’s, but they are in touch every day for professional reasons as much as personal. They will sometimes discuss challenging cases with each other.

“It’s been incredibly rewarding to watch Alex start out and apply her training,” Dr. Springman said. “She’s very passionate about her job, and I’m just so proud.”

“It’s a huge benefit to me,” Dr. Keating added. “I’m able to ask questions, and the nice thing about it being my mom is I know there’s never any judgement involved. It’s so fun to collaborate with her.”

Dr. Springman has a long history of healthcare workers in her family, including her mom, Elizabeth Carlson, RN, who was a labor and delivery nurse at Lincoln General Hospital. Her son, Connor Springman, MD, is joining Nebraska Emergency Medicine, PC, at Bryan Medical Center this summer.

Outside of work, the pediatricians maintain a normal mother-daughter relationship, one full of quality family time and loving support.

“It’s fun to work together, but it’s also nice that we’re able to set work aside,” Dr. Keating said. “We still get to enjoy each other as a family,”