Meet Dr. Zizzy Bucchieri (right), pictured with her daughters, Erica and Laura. She is Akron Children’s newest pediatrician at our Beachwood location.
Much like her nickname may suggest, Elizabeth “Zizzy” Bucchieri, MD, likes to think of herself as a silly and playful spirit. She loves to laugh, is friendly and approachable, and if you catch her on a good day, she might even admit to expressing potty humor, from time to time.
“I just love kids!” said Dr. Zizzy, who couldn’t say, Lizzy, as a child, and instead called herself, Zizzy, and the nickname has stuck ever since. “They are fun. They want to be happy and healthy, and they bring a lot of joy to my day.”
That’s why, as our newest pediatrician at Akron Children’s Pediatrics, Beachwood, Dr. Zizzy ensures high-fives, giggles and big smiles are a part of appointments. To her, it’s a great way to connect with patients and families and ease any nervousness kids—or parents—may have, while treating and diagnosing them with minor to acute medical conditions and maintaining their health.
As she joins our team on Sept. 1, Dr. Zizzy looks forward to promoting wellness and providing the very best care to kids from birth to age 24, while also helping parents on their journey through parenthood.
“I love helping kids navigate all the challenges that come with growing up, whether it’s an illness, emotional or behavioral issue, or problem at school, and keeping them healthy by encouraging good choices,” she said. “I also really enjoy helping parents become confident experts in the challenging and rewarding job of parenting. It’s truly a privilege to build strong doctor-patient relationships as children grow from birth into adolescence.”
When she’s not busy treating kids, Dr. Zizzy enjoys the outdoors, whether biking, hiking or walking, hanging with family and friends, and snuggling her cat.
Dr. Zizzy has served as a pediatrician for 28 years. She received her medical degree from Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City and completed her pediatrics residency program at Johns Hopkins Hospital. She is board certified in pediatrics and serves as a fellow for the American Academy of Pediatrics.
In her new role, Dr. Zizzy’s goal is to provide personalized care to every patient and, in step with our mission, to treat every child as if her own.
“I’m excited to work in a smaller office setting for a more personalized approach, yet one that has the resources and support of Akron Children’s,” she said. “I’m also looking forward to working alongside a friend and dedicated colleague, Julie Hertzer, MD, and continue to build upon the positive office culture at Beachwood.”
Dr. Zizzy ensures kids are the center of every appointment by talking to them directly. She gets to know them by asking questions about their favorite color, animal, sport or activity. Her easy-going and responsive nature gets them going and by the end of the appointment, she says kids are comfortable sharing all kinds of things about themselves.
No doubt, a career highlight came from a nine-year-old patient. In her first-day-of-school picture, the patient was holding a chalkboard sign that read: “I want to be a pediatrician just like Dr. Zizzy.” It’s moments like this that remind her of the positive impact she makes on patients and confirms her love for what she does day in and day out.
“My office is covered in pictures that kids have drawn for me,” Dr. Zizzy said. “I’m eager to grow a patient base here and connect with Beachwood families so I can experience many more moments like this one, while providing high quality, accessible care to children.”
To schedule an appointment at Akron Children’s Pediatrics, Beachwood, call 216-591-1515.
