Catherine Butz ’84

Catherine Butz ’84, a pediatric psychologist, crosses paths with more than her fair share of kids. She is associate clinical professor in the Department of Pediatrics at The Ohio State University, director of the pediatric psychology fellowship program, and is on the staff at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus.

 

“I specialize in stress and pain management,” Butz says, “and work largely with a chronic pain population implementing biofeedback technology.” She also provides clinical care to burn victims and those having surgery, and works with neurology, cardiology and rheumatology medical specialties. Using virtual reality to minimize the stress of medical procedures has landed the alum in guest spots on radio and television news programs. Her research also focuses on pediatric burn problems.

 

Butz, who lives in Columbus, received her Bachelor of Science in human development from Cornell University and her master’s and doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She notes that her father imbued her with a strong work ethic and that her experience at Gilmour provided “a level of dedication and investment in each student that exceeded just encouraging and tracking academics,” she says. “Faculty worked at educating the whole person.” Butz emulates this in her own profession by working with individuals to identify barriers and ulti-mately achieve their personal potential. Although Butz hopes to visit Gilmour sometime soon, she says, “I am sure I will hardly recognize the place.”

 

Living in Columbus with her husband, Brad Hughes, an attorney, and children, Matthew and Helen, Butz is active with the children’s ministry at her church and serves on its staff parish relations board. She also volunteers at a community resource center providing meals to the community. She enjoys boating on Lake Erie, running, organic gardening and cooking.

 

“While I love what I do professionally, I also love being a mother,” the psychologist says. “As a working mom, achieving a balance is key. Among busy schedules and to-do lists I strive to be in the moment.”