Nicole Bart and her family.
For Nicole Bart, choosing a pediatrician for her three children was an easy decision. Dr. Sabrina Ben-Zion, who was Nicole’s pediatrician during her childhood and teenage years, was the natural choice.
“My childhood was not ideal. I had a lot of mental and physical health problems because of childhood trauma, and Dr. Ben-Zion helped me and made sure I felt safe,” said Nicole, who began seeing Dr. Ben-Zion at age 7 at Akron Children’s Pediatrics Wadsworth.
When Nicole became pregnant at 17, Dr. Ben-Zion referred her to the appropriate specialists.
“She remained my doctor until I was 21,” Nicole said. “She was an important part of my well-being through my formative years.”
Choosing a pediatrician for her own children, now aged 13, 9, and 7, was an easy choice for Nicole.
“I’m old school. If someone treats me right, I’m loyal to them,” she said.
Both her oldest and middle children, Jaydin and Rylan, were diagnosed by Dr. Ben-Zion with enlarged tonsils and had their tonsils and adenoids removed. Dr. Ben-Zion also helped the family when they discovered Jaydin was allergic to penicillin.
Nicole said Dr. Ben-Zion and the staff at Akron Children’s Pediatrics Wadsworth remember the details and are interested in the things her kids do like karate, track, 4-H and lacrosse.
Nicole noted that her children often have unusual medical conditions.
“Dr. Ben-Zion diagnosed Jaydin with a salivary gland condition that required surgery,” she said. “Jaydin had developed a lump in her salivary gland under her tongue. Dr. Ben-Zion prescribed hard candy for Jaydin to keep her salivary glands active until she could have surgery. She even needed a doctor’s note to eat candy during class!”
When Rylan was 3 months old, Dr. Ben-Zion diagnosed him with asthma after other providers had suggested he had bronchitis. Six months ago, Rylan got a urinary tract infection. Dr. Ben-Zion ordered additional tests to ensure there was no underlying cause.
“She’s always very thorough and she always follows up with us,” Nicole said.
Nicole’s youngest child, Kenzley, began experiencing unexplained weight loss last year.
“Dr. Ben-Zion discovered she had lactose intolerance, which was making her feel unwell and not want to eat,” Nicole explained. “We’ve removed lactose from her diet, and she is doing much better.”
Nicole emphasized that Dr. Ben-Zion excels not only during sick visits but also during routine care.
Dr. Ben-Zion gave Kenzley her stethoscope so she could listen to her mom’s heart.
“Kenzley is deathly afraid of needles,” she said. “When she needs vaccines during her well checks, Dr. Ben-Zion and her staff are great with her. They are very comforting.”
While Akron Children’s offers convenient scheduling and messaging through MyChart, Nicole prefers the personal touch of calling directly when she has questions or needs to make an appointment. The continuity of care from her own childhood to her children’s lives has created a unique bond that goes beyond medical treatment. Dr. Ben-Zion and her staff have made a lasting impact on Nicole’s family.
“Even though times have changed, and things have evolved since I was a patient there, they always work with me,” Nicole said. “They remember the details, like the fact that my kids do karate, track, 4-H, and lacrosse. They even remember my mom and my sisters and will ask about them. They make us feel like part of the family.
“Having a doctor who knows me/us so well and cares means everything,” Nicole added. “It’s more than just health care—it’s a lifelong relationship built on trust and compassion.”
Recently, Dr. Ben-Zion made a point of telling Nicole how proud she was of her for all that she had overcome.
“Coming from her it meant a lot. I’ve had to work very hard to overcome my past trauma so I could thrive in life for my children,” says Nicole. “For someone to notice is a big deal considering I don’t have many people who truly understand what I went through.
“I’m not an emotional person but that day she made me cry,” she added. “She’s an amazing person and an amazing doctor.”
Akron Children’s Pediatrics has 42 offices in 15 counties. Find a location close to you.
