Shelli Reed (second from left), pediatric nurse practitioner at Akron Children’s Pediatrics, Wadsworth North, and her family celebrate her son’s, Nathan, completion of his Air Force training where he was pinned as an officer. Shelli’s husband (far right), Matt, serves in the Ohio National Guard.
There are so many things that Shelli Reed, pediatric nurse practitioner at Akron Children’s Pediatrics, Wadsworth North, likes about Wadsworth, Ohio. Having grown up there, she knows its history and appreciates its small community vibe.
When she joined Wadsworth Pediatrics in 2011 as a nurse practitioner, she immediately felt at home. Years earlier, she had been a nurse in the practice. It made her proud to now be able to bring the advanced clinical skills she had learned to her patients and their families and know that she is making a difference in their lives.
Prior to mid-January 2023, Wadsworth Pediatrics was a Children’s affiliated practice before transitioning to Akron Children’s Pediatrics, Wadsworth North. Shelli is happy with the change and the additional benefits it brings to her patients, including online appointment scheduling, virtual visits, an after-hours nurse line and access to Akron Children’s specialists.
The transition has also been a sort of homecoming for Shelli.
Shelli Reed and her husband, Matt, are shown at the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland. They spent two weeks in Ireland in October 2019 visiting family and touring the country.
“I actually started at Akron Children’s as a nursing technician while pursuing my nursing degree from The University of Akron,” she said. “After graduation, I worked for 19 years at Children’s in various capacities while raising my family. I like working with children in an office setting, which makes what I do now so rewarding.”
What is your area of expertise and why did you choose it?
I’ve always worked in pediatrics because I enjoy working with kids. I decided to pursue a master’s of science in nursing and become a nurse practitioner so that I could develop and oversee care plans for my patients, ranging from diagnosis to administration of treatment procedures.
What do you like most about being a provider?
I love the interaction with families and children, ages newborn up to age 21. We develop connections and because Wadsworth is small, we might see each other out in the community.
What’s the best part of your day?
Getting a hug or seeing a child smile. We never know what might come out of their mouths and it can be quite entertaining.
How does your personality fit your role?
I’m a very positive person. It brings me joy to talk to and learn from patients and their families.
Shelli Reed and her family have fun on Christmas evening by posing for photos in her town’s gazebo.
What do you think is the hardest part of your job?
The desire to spend more time with each of my patients.
What is the easiest part of your job?
Holding babies.
What is your greatest personal accomplishment?
Raising three wonderful kids: Kailee, Nathan and Gabe.
What is one thing on your bucket list?
Run a marathon.
Who had the greatest influence on you and why?
My mom. She was a hard worker and always helped people. Forty-three years ago, she opened a restaurant in Wadsworth, running it at a time when not many women did that. She passed away three years ago.
Shelli Reed’s family includes her four dogs: Mr. Miller and Tigger (left photo) and Wesson and Smith (in right photo).
What’s your superpower?
I have lots of energy! I’m always working and keeping busy.
What do you do when you aren’t working?
I now manage my mom’s restaurant, the Sub Station in Wadsworth.
What’s the first thing you do when you get home from work?
Pet my four rescue dogs. Walking them is how I unwind from a busy day.
What makes you get up in the morning?
Going to Jazzercise at 5:30 a.m. Mondays through Fridays.
What’s your favorite quote?
I like to post inspirational or faith-based quotes on Facebook. This is one of my favorites: “May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face; the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.”
What values are most important to you?
Honesty and kindness.
What’s your favorite holiday?
St. Patrick’s Day. I’m Welsh and my husband, Matt, is Irish with family still living in Ireland. We visited them in October 2019. It’s our favorite vacation spot.
Who’s on your playlist?
My son’s band, M.O.O.K.Y.
What’s the best thing about your family?
We still hang out together.
Shelli Reed and her husband Matt celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary in August 2022.
If you could invite anyone to dinner, who would it be and why?
It would be all of my family. I’m the oldest of three siblings and my husband is one of five kids. We host Easter and Thanksgiving at our house and often have 50 to 60 people who attend. It’s fun and chaotic.
What was your first paying job?
My family’s restaurant.
