Meet Renae Snyder (second from right), pictured with her family at her daughter’s recent high-school graduation. She’s Akron Children’s newest certified nurse practitioner at our New Philadelphia primary care location.
What stands out most about CNP Renae Snyder? An energetic, outgoing and inviting personality. Just ask her family and friends, they’ll tell you she has never met a stranger in her life. It’s this personality trait that better helps Renae connect with patients on a personal level, build trust and ultimately, offer individualized care and support.
As our newest certified nurse practitioner at Akron Children’s Pediatrics, New Philadelphia, Renae brings that bright and upbeat vibe when diagnosing and treating children and teens with minor to acute medical conditions. She hopes to become a reliable and trusted community provider by memorizing important details about every patient’s care and medical history, and prioritizing their concerns at every visit.
With 4 kids of her own competing in various levels of sports, Renae has a special interest in Baseline Concussion Testing, a pre-injury exam to assess an athlete’s brain function to use in comparison if a child ever suffers a concussion. Her goal is to one day influence legislation to make testing a requirement for all student athletes. It’s a testament of her dedication to not only provide outstanding care to patients, but also to make a positive impact on all children through advocacy and education.
Why did you choose to come to Akron Children’s?
I feel a strong connection to Akron Children’s mission to provide outstanding care, advocacy and education for patients and families. This aligns strongly with my personal philosophy and how I hope to lay the foundation to build my practice.
Describe your role at Akron Children’s and what you hope to accomplish.
I will be working at the New Philadelphia pediatric primary care office. I hope to become a reliable and trusted co-worker and provider in the community.
In her new role, Renae (center, pictured with her parents and 2 sisters) is most looking forward to meeting her first newborn patient. As a mother of 4 herself, she hopes to be that reliable source of information for new parents in this time of worry and uncertainty.
When did you decide to become a provider and why?
At the end of 2019, I was reevaluating my career and personal goals as we were about to begin a new decade. (Little did I know how Covid would change our world and health care!) I felt the ability to see children grow and mature was missing from my nursing career. I found myself enjoying my teenage and adult children, just as much as when they were toddlers. As a nurse, I loved educating patients and felt that an advanced degree could incorporate this love in a whole new way.
What achievements are you most proud of?
With the building of a new high school underway in my community in 2016, I worked with a fabulous group of staff and community members to host a season-long commemoration of those who played in our old Charles “Red” Ash gymnasium. We honored each decade, and highlighted teams and coaches that reached regional and state playoffs for men’s and women’s basketball over the 80 years that our school was in existence. The final game was played in February of 2017 and was a packed house. We gave this special gymnasium a fitting send off.
What are you most looking forward to?
I am most looking forward to interacting with my first newborn of brand-new parents. There is so much worry and uncertainty when beginning the journey of parenthood, and I hope to be a reliable source of information and reassurance for my families.
What excites you most about medicine?
Medical advances are ever evolving, and I am excited to see breakthrough research in vaccines for viral illnesses over the next decade.
Renae married her middle-school sweetheart and together they have 4 children: (oldest to youngest) Silas, Caroline, Jack Henry and Cecelia, plus 2 Golden Retrievers.
Where did you grow up?
I was born and raised in Canton, Ohio.
Who makes up your family, including pets and their names?
I have been married for 25 years to my middle-school sweetheart, Jack, and we have 4 children together. Silas is a recent graduate from Kent State University and is working in accounting just down the road from the New Philadelphia office at Rea and Associates. Caroline is a junior speech and language major at Kent State. I have two teens in high school, Jack Henry is a junior and Cecelia is a freshman. They are busy with sports and activities!
We also have two Golden Retrievers named Baker and Beatrice and they are my joy! We love walks in the field and playing in the creek behind our house.
What are your favorite podcasts, books, movies or TV shows?
My favorite book is “She’s Come Undone” by Wally Lamb. I have read it multiple times since college and with each reading, I find myself relating to a different character. It’s about grief and loss, and highlights the childhood, teen years and adulthood of a complicated main character named Delores.
What was your first paying job?
My first paying job was at a little diner just across the street from my high school called Jack’s Kwik Shake. We sold burgers and ice cream, and it was a popular hangout for kids after school. I think everyone should work in food service at least once. It teaches you great time management and communication skills.
