Dr. Maria Komer, with her husband, Dan, is Akron Children’s newest pediatrician at our North Canton location.
From an early age, Dr. Maria Komer always knew she wanted to work in medicine. Though not the traditional path you might think: Caring for animals as a veterinarian was what she envisioned for herself. She has always had a strong affection for animals, but her love for helping and nurturing people, specifically tiny humans, eventually won out.
Dr. Komer is living out her dream as our newest pediatrician at Akron Children’s Pediatrics, North Canton, in her hometown. She’s thrilled to treat her community’s kids with minor to acute medical conditions and educating families about health and wellness. She enjoys most the opportunity to watch her patients grow up, seeing them from birth through their teenage years for well visits, developmental milestones and any illnesses along the way.
Dr. Komer’s goal is to be a support system and reliable source of information to help children reach their full potential. After all, the best part of her day is celebrating patients’ successes — from first words and steps to first dates and driver’s licenses, and everything in between.
Why did you choose to come to Akron Children’s?
I was attracted to Akron Children’s culture of collaborating together to provide the best possible outcome for every child.
Describe your role at Akron Children’s and what you hope to accomplish.
I am a general pediatrician. My primary goal is to be a support system and reliable source of information for children and families to help them reach their full potential.
Dr. Komer (left) with her mom, who was diagnosed with cancer, and her sister, Monica, says this experience helps her better support patient families through their own challenging journeys.
What is your area of expertise and why did you choose it?
As a general pediatrician I get to take care of children from birth through their teenage years for all of their well visits, developmental milestones and any illnesses along the way. I love the variety of my job and getting to watch my patients grow up!
When did you decide to become a provider and why?
I always knew I wanted to work with kids from an early age, so combining my interest in medicine and pediatrics seemed like a perfect fit for me.
What do you like most about being a provider?
I love most interacting with patients and their families. Taking care of children and getting to know their caregivers is really an honor that I’m grateful to be a part of every day.
What impression do you hope to leave with your patients each day?
I hope to leave my patients with the impression of confidence. When families come into my office with a sick child, I want to prove to them that they’re in a safe place where everyone is focused on getting their child better. Whether it’s educating how to care for their child at home or escalating care to another facility, I want to provide the tools and confidence to know they’re getting the very best care.
Dr. Komer and her husband, Dan, enjoy spending time with their pet Sheepadoodle, Cooper.
What’s the best part of your day?
The best part of my day is celebrating my patients’ successes.
What unique or different skills do you have that help you practice medicine?
My mother was diagnosed with cancer during my residency training. That abrupt pivot from working as a caregiver to also being on the other side shifted my entire world. Going through the uncertainty of a devastating diagnosis and how scary that unknown is I think helps me better support children and their families through their own challenging paths.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Canton and am thrilled for the opportunity to take care of the children in my hometown. I love this area! You can find me walking at parks with my dog and husband, and visiting Handel’s Ice Cream for some Gram Central Station.
Who makes up your family, including pets and their names?
My family includes my husband, Dan, and our Sheepadoodle, Cooper!
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a veterinarian.
What are the small things that make your day better?
Coffee always makes my day better.
What was your first paying job?
My first job was at The Children’s Place at Belden Village Mall.
Dr. Komer (third from left) with her loving family enjoys the variety of her job and watching her patients grow up.
