Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, Baltimore Commissioner of Health

Five Things I Have To Have Now

January 6, 2008

When he was just 28 and a pediatrician-in-training, Dr. Joshua Sharfstein made headlines by helping write a report linking poor housing conditions to children's health. More recently, he made news with another fight on behalf of children's health when he led a group of pediatricians opposed to giving common cold medicines to infants and toddlers.

Sharfstein, 38, a pediatrician who grew up in Montgomery County and spent summers in Baltimore with his grandparents, has been the city's health commissioner for two years. He is married and has two sons, ages 5 and 7. He and his family live in Mount Washington.

1. 24-hour on-call relaxation therapist

"I'd like someone I could call in for my staff, assistant deputy mayor, my wife and whoever else I might be stressing out at the moment."

2. Norwegian milk chocolate

"My mother-in-law always sends me some for the holidays, but never quite enough."

3. Carl Kasell's voice on my answering machine

"I'm a fan of his NPR show, Wait Wait ... Don't Tell Me. One of my life's ambitions is to be a contestant on the show."

4. Trip to the Baseball Hall of Fame

"The perfect trip with my kids would include an explanation of the steroid era."

5. Afternoon at Port Discovery, the aquarium or the science center, with enough free passes for all the kids and families in Baltimore

"It's great when kids are learning while having fun."

[LIZ ATWOOD]