Provider Spotlight: Zeina Haidar, MD
As a child, Dr. Haidar greatly admired the pediatrician who worked at her school and in the community health center with her mother. She decided she wanted to be just like her, providing excellent care to the youngest members of the community.
How long have you worked with FamilyCare?
I’ve worked with FamilyCare for almost 11 years. I started in September 2010 at our Teays Valley and Patrick Street locations and have also worked at the clinic in Madison. I’ve been at our clinic at Mary C. Snow West Side Elementary School since it began in October 2011.
Where are you from?
I’m from Lebanon.
Why did you decide to pursue a career in pediatrics?
Working at FamilyCare at the School-Based Health Center is like coming full circle because my role here reminds me of the pediatrician I used to see and look up to. I always knew I wanted to take care of children and loved my science classes, so pediatrics was the natural choice for me.
What is the best part of your job?
I love working at a school-based health center because I have the opportunity to help bridge the social, educational, and medical needs of the students.
What is your proudest professional accomplishment?
I was proud that our clinic at Mary C. Snow Elementary School won the UniCare Quality Wellness Awards for the 2017–2018 year, which showed how dedicated we are to preventive care for our patients. I feel really proud when students approach me to thank me for helping them feel better.
Do you have a favorite memory from your time with FamilyCare?
Any time I have a breakthrough with a student! The students are very brave to trust me when they visit during the school day without their parents. It’s not every day a student comes home from school and shares that they had a tooth removed from their ear that day!
What’s one piece of health advice you wish every patient would take to heart?
I wish every patient would take the importance of preventive care to heart.
What do you enjoy doing most outside of work?
After work, you will probably find me on the boulevard walking by the river and taking photos of nature on my way. I also enjoy travelling, cooking and watching movies with my three daughters.
FamilyCare’s School-Based Health Programs offer medical, behavioral health, and dental services to students and faculty at schools in Putnam, Kanawha, and Boone counties.