This Week's Parenting Tip
Dr. JJ -- An Inspiring Pediatrician
By Sherri Proctor
A pediatrician with a passion; Dr. JJ is focused on children and determined to make a difference. This Type A-plus personality holds a wealth of medical wisdom and plans to share it with the world.
“My passion for kids began when I was 12 years old,” Dr. JJ Levenstein of MD Moms said. “I woke up one day and knew I wanted to be a pediatrician.”
Dr. JJ Levenstein, M.D. established her private practice in southern California four years ago. She created a friendly, comfortable and fun-loving atmosphere in her office that encourages her patients to relax and enjoy their healthcare visits. In addition, she makes house calls and provides probono care. She has been voted one of the Best Doctors in America® four consecutive years. “I have never met anybody as passionate about everything that they do--that loves life...that so relishes and embraces every moment of the day, as does JJ,” said Daina Nadler, Director, Marketing and Sales for MD Moms.
She is committed to teaching, providing training on a multitude of subjects ranging from nutrition to safety to mental and physical wellbeing. Her motivation comes from the satisfaction of watching her pint-sized patients grow emotionally and physically and anxious new parents develop into responsible and insightful caregivers.
“Most brand new parents are without instinct for caring; we build instincts through education,” Dr. JJ said. “Safety issues are important to teach and we keep them simple for parents to master without being overwhelming.”
Dr. JJ partnered with her friend and colleague Dr. Diane Truong to become MD Moms in May 2006. They wanted to design baby care products that were problem and solution- oriented. They hired a marketing expert and developed a mom-based focus group to run ideas for colors, smells and needs, so they could determine exactly what current moms wanted. The result, they created products that combined a pediatrician’s knowledge with a mom’s loving care.
“My partner and I have worked pretty hard, but it came easy because we are so passionate about what we do,” Dr. JJ said.
MD Moms are the makers of Baby Silk® products, made with all natural ingredients such as aloe, avocado, grape seed oil, licorice extract, shea butter, vitamin B5 and vitamin E. Products include hair and body wash, daily moisturizing balm, liquid powder, scalp exfoliating cleanser, umbilical cord swabs, diaper rash cream, and the most popular product, sunscreen towelettes.
Baby Silk® products are manufactured in southern California near the MD Moms despite the cost, so they can check and recheck the uniformity of their formulas. Therefore, vendors are supplied with quality products that are never compromised.
In her spare time, Dr. JJ is an amateur chef.
“I love to cook,” she said, “my oven is my therapist.” Dr. JJ will host a two-day “Healthy Baby From the Inside Out” event at Seedlings, a unique children’s boutique, in Tampa on Oct. 19-20. Friday night, October 19, Dr. JJ will host a private, exclusive event, where she will share her passion for cooking with 12 guests. The event costs $100; and100 percent of the proceeds will benefit the Oscar Litwak Foundation, a non-profit foundation that is donating mobile playrooms to local children’s hospitals to help improve the quality of life for children undergoing long-term medical care. Saturday’s event, open to the public, includes a meet-and-greet with Dr. JJ at Seedlings between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. where Dr. JJ will be offering parents medical advice. “It is so refreshing to have your pediatrician speak English, not doctor,” Nadler said. “She really takes the time to make sure you thoroughly understand even the most complicated issue,” Nadler said.
Dr. JJ gets tremendous support from her family. Her husband has been a stay-at-home dad and helps with MD Moms; her son, currently a senior in high school is also active with MD Mom, as are his friends. Dr. JJ intends to slowly shift priorities in the next ten years. She plans to continue making products with integrity that have a purpose. But in addition, she wants to travel the world and help children with medical and social needs.
“It's refreshing to work for people that actually back it up...that walk the walk,” Nadler said. “When you see them practicing medicine full-time, taking care of their kids, running MD Moms...then spending a precious day off working a charity function, you can't help but be inspired to work harder, give more back, be a better employee, mother, woman, person.