At Akron Children’s Hospital, we’re big on our welcoming culture and inspiring teamwork—but rather than tell you about it, we’d love to show you…

For Dr. Naa Allotey, a pediatric emergency physician and EMS medical director, compassion and dedication drive her to do her best for her patients and team. After immigrating to the U.S. from Ghana to do her pediatric residency, she made the decision to stick with Akron Children’s following her fellowship. She credits a caring team and program leadership to making her decision. Now, she thrives most when she’s collaborating with her team and providing life-saving interventions to critically ill patients.

“Anytime I enter a patient’s room, I ask myself how I would want my sons to be treated if I were the parent,” Dr. Allotey shares. “It gives me a good perspective on how to treat my patients—taking time to listen to them, understand their expectations and provide the care they deserve.”

She says providing hope for patients and their families is what keeps her passionate about what she does. As a mother, having empathy for patients’ families underscores her commitment to caring for every child as her own. Taking time for herself and to be with her own family recharges her, so she can inspire her team and patients.

“Spending time with family, my church community and traveling are essential parts of my self-care routine,” she says. “Maintaining a work-life balance is crucial; without it, my productivity at work and home suffers. I know I’m off balance when I feel overwhelmed and moody, so I intentionally take time for myself.”

I cannot say enough about my work family; they make Akron Children’s more than a job for me. For anyone considering employment here, create your niche in whichever department you find yourself in. Any department that doesn’t have teamwork cannot be effective, so make connections with the people you work with and set a goal to make an impact.