Physicians with Heart: Dr. Rachel McKay

From Local Roots to Pediatric Heart Care at Children’s

Born and raised in the metro area, Rachel McKay, MD, knew of the excellent reputation of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta long before she began pursuing a career in medicine. Now that she’s a pediatric cardiologist at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Cardiology, she experiences firsthand the importance of teamwork in caring for kids.

“Completing my training at Children’s really highlighted that this is a group I would be lucky to work with. My colleagues have the same goal of taking the best possible care of our patients and want to continue learning in this quickly evolving field of medicine,” Dr. McKay said. “The teamwork here is second to none, and it’s clear everyone is passionate about their role.”

Passion for Pediatric Cardiology and Family Education

Dr. McKay says during her clinical rotations, she fell in love with the unique combination in pediatric cardiology of treating acute complex conditions and following patients long-term. She is passionate about educating others about congenital heart disease and treasures the relationships she forms with patient families.

“I know it’s scary any time we’re talking about a child’s heart,” Dr. McKay said. “It can be overwhelming to process and understand the complex nature of cardiac issues. To anyone facing this, I recommend they find a provider whom they trust and ask as many questions as it takes for the family to have a solid understanding of the diagnosis and plan.”

A child living with congenital heart disease can face a long journey with uncertainties regarding symptoms and surgery. Dr. McKay advises families to stay present and take things one step at a time.

In addition to pulmonary hypertension, fetal echocardiography, and general cardiology, Dr. McKay’s interest in education has led her to help create educational webinars and lecture series for general pediatricians and residents—key first-line providers in identifying cardiac concerns.

She is also developing a series of educational videos for heart families to help them better understand complex heart conditions after their appointments. “It helps to have videos and diagrams to review later and even share with loved ones,” she said.

A Doctor, Mother, and Advocate for Families

Becoming a parent herself to two young daughters has given Dr. McKay even greater empathy for other parents navigating their child’s health.

“I recognize the level of stress and anxiety that can sometimes be present,” she said. “I want parents to advocate for their children and voice any ongoing questions, concerns, or fears they may have. I let parents know they’re not alone in this now—we’re a team.”

Outside of work, Dr. McKay enjoys staying active by playing tennis, working out, hiking with her family, and traveling. “I’ve learned what an honor it is to take care of someone’s child, and I don’t take it lightly,” she said. “Our patients are so resilient and strong, and so are their families. It is truly inspiring.”

Areas of Focus