Dr. Reinaldo Garcia-Naviero, director of Pediatric Gastroenterology
As the director of Pediatric Gastroenterology at Akron Children’s, Dr. Reinaldo Garcia-Naveiro has built a thriving division that will one day be his legacy.
“The difference between building a clinical practice and building a division is that when you are gone, so is the clinical practice. A division is permanent and not dependent on one person. It’s here to stay to continue to serve patients,” he said.
Dr. Garcia joined Akron Children’s in October 2013 and under his leadership, the division of Pediatric Gastroenterology has grown to 11 physicians and six nurse practitioners.
“We have also expanded our footprint to improve patient access, now seeing patients at 10 locations across the region,” he said.
Although pediatric gastroenterology may be one of the oldest pediatric sub-specialties, it continues to grow and evolve. Dr. Garcia is committed to ensuring that Akron Children’s keeps pace with advancements and remains on the cutting-edge. This includes a multidisciplinary pediatric motility program that now provides state-of-the-art testing and treatment options for dysmotility in children.
Akron Children’s is also one of the few hospitals in the country that use gastric electrical stimulation therapy for children with gastroparesis, particularly those who have not responded to traditional therapies.
Future goals include creating a fellowship training program in pediatric gastroenterology, adding new advanced endoscopy procedures and strengthening nutrition services for children with gastrointestinal issues.
Growing up in Venezuela, Dr. Garcia was fascinated by Jacques Cousteau and dreamed of one day becoming a marine biologist. However, he was also interested in medicine and knew that becoming a physician would enable him to attain a better life.
“I knew I wanted to work in pediatrics, but I was drawn to pediatric gastroenterology during my training, especially complex conditions like short gut syndrome and congenital malformations,” he said.
Bryson Proctor, who was born with a condition known as short gut syndrome, is under the care of Dr. Garcia.
He’s proud of his team and hopes they feel a sense of pride for the care they provide, always guided by doing what is best for the patient.
“It’s hard to be a provider. I try to minimize my partners’ stress and make sure at the end of the day, they go home smiling,” he said.
During his training, Dr. Garcia looked up to Dr. John Udall, a pediatric gastroenterologist and mentor who inspired him “as a physician, as a leader and as a person.”
“John was a saint who always did the right thing. As a junior attending, I would often think about what he would do in certain situations,” he said. “I never met anyone like him and he was definitely an inspiration.”
In his spare time, Dr. Garcia helps his wife Monica with LatinUs Theater Company, a small Spanish-speaking theater company that she founded in Cleveland.
“We are very low-budget and don’t have the money to hire technicians for lights and sound, so I’ve watched a lot of YouTube videos to learn how to do it,” he said.
He once stepped in to play an Italian waiter in a small scene when the original actor unexpectedly dropped out. However, he doesn’t have any plans to take the stage again, preferring to help Monica behind-the-scenes.
They have two grown children, Sebastian and Paloma, who recently graduated from college. The family also includes an Old English Sheepdog named Polo.
