The Next Generation of Care: Moms Shaping Pediatrics in Miami

Five women. One shared mission: stronger, healthier families.

Family healthcare in Miami is being led by women who bring both expertise and collaboration to the forefront. This group of five professionals represent pediatric medicine, psychology, physical therapy, nutrition, and family therapy, building a network of care that gives families access to support across every stage of childhood. By sharing knowledge, supporting one another, and building strong patient relationships, they are redefining how families experience medicine in their respective fields. Their collective vision: a healthier, more connected Miami where children thrive and parents feel supported every step of the way.

Dr. Taryn Dubin | Pediatrician, Sunset Pediatrics

Known for her compassionate care and tireless dedication, Dr. Taryn Dubin has become a trusted partner to families across Miami. At Sunset Pediatrics in South Miami, she and her team provide comprehensive care from newborn visits to adolescence and young adulthood, blending evidence-based medicine with a highly personalized concierge-style approach. Parents know Sunset Pediatrics for its warm environment and its reputation for accessibility,families feel seen, supported, and cared for at every stage. For Dr. Dubin, pediatrics is more than treating illness,it’s about guiding families with knowledge and building a foundation of lifelong health.

Advice for Parents:
“Do what works for you. There are many 'right' ways to do things when it comes to raising children, and what matters most is doing what is best for you and your family. I try to encourage parents to take the pressure off and focus less on what they think they 'should' be doing, and more on all the things that they are already doing right.”

Website: sunsetpediatrics.net | Location: South Miami

Monica Auslander, MS, RDN | Family & Pediatric Dietitian, Essence Nutrition

As the founding dietitian of Essence Nutrition, Monica Auslander leads a team of registered dietitians serving families, schools, and businesses across Miami. Her practice is known for making nutrition approachable, engaging, fun and customizable, offering everything from one-on-one consultations to grocery store tours and home pantry makeovers that help families tackle picky eating, allergies, sports nutrition, eating disorders, autoimmune diseases, and virtually every human condition, especially that of hunger. Monica was the team dietitian for the Miami Marlins, has designed corporate wellness programs for global top law and finance firms, and counseled and guided countless parents, families, couples and individuals who want practical solutions that work in real life. Her mission is to empower all bodies with tools that create healthy, joyful eating habits at home and beyond.

Advice for Parents:
“You do the feeding, your child does the eating. Nourish yourself first only then can you nourish others.”

Website: essencenutritionmiami.com | Location: MiMo, South Miami, and Virtual

Dr. Emily Wald, Ph.D. | Pediatric Psychologist, Behavioral Health Services

At her Coral Gables practice and through online sessions, Dr. Emily helps children, adolescents, young adults, and families navigate the complexities of mental health with compassion and expertise. As a pediatric psychologist, she specializes in evidence-based therapy for a wide range of challenges, including anxiety, depression, ADHD, low self-esteem, bullying, sleep difficulties, OCD, trauma, and social-emotional or behavioral concerns. Dr. Emily’s approach blends science with empathy. Drawing on cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), behavioral modification, mindfulness, motivational interviewing, and family systems theory, she tailors treatment to each individual. Her goal is to equip clients with practical strategies and skills that help them thrive at home, at school, and through life’s transitions. Known for her warm, approachable style, Dr. Emily makes psychological care feel safe and stigma-free. Parents, teens and children describe her practice as a supportive space where growth feels possible. By combining individualized treatment with parent guidance, she integrates mental health into the broader picture of child wellness empowering families to move forward with resilience and confidence.

Advice for Parents:
“Parents are only as happy as their least happy child. Change is absolutely possible, but it takes time, patience, and consistency. Therapy is an investment in your child’s future, we work together to build skills, reduce distress, and restore confidence. Most importantly, reaching out for help is a sign of strength, not failure. Children are incredibly resilient, and with the right support, families can achieve lasting positive change.”

Website: waldbhs.com | Location: Coral Gables & Virtual

Amanda Witherspoon, PT, DPT | Founder, Making Strides Pediatric Therapy

As the founder of Making Strides Pediatric Therapy, Amanda Witherspoon has created one of Miami’s most trusted concierge-style pediatric physical therapy practices. With more than a decade of experience, she brings expert care directly into the comfort of families’ homes, blending clinical knowledge with a nurturing, play-based approach. Amanda and her team specialize in early intervention for children from birth to age three, with a particular passion for supporting newborns, NICU graduates, and toddlers as they achieve foundational gross motor milestones. Making Strides focuses on improving musculoskeletal alignment and quality of movement, along with the timely development of age-appropriate skills What sets Amanda apart is her philosophy of empowering both children and their families. By making therapy feel like play, she creates an environment where children are eager to participate, and families feel genuinely supported and engaged. As part of her concierge model, the Making Strides team is available as a support system to parents outside of the therapy sessions, maximizing progress towards goals.

Advice for Parents:
“Movement is medicine, even in infancy! Get on the floor and play with your baby, it’s the best way to support motor development and bond together.”

Website: makingstridespediatrictherapy.com | Location: Pinecrest / South Miami / Coral Gables/ Coconut Grove

Dr. Elissa Martinez | Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Dr. Elissa Martinez has dedicated her practice to strengthening individuals from the inside out. As a licensed marriage and family therapist, she provides counseling and support for parents, children, and adolescents. She specializes in treating trauma, eating disorders, anxiety and relationship dynamics. Her conversational-style sessions focus on practical, evidence-based tools that her clients can take home, whether that’s building stronger connections between parents and children or improving their relationship with body image and food. Miami families know Dr. Martinez as a thoughtful, warm presence who helps them not only solve immediate challenges but also build long-term resilience together. She offers her services virtually, or in person in South Miami and Miami Lakes. In addition to her private practice, she serves as the Director of Clinical Operations for Recovery Record and has served as an adjunct professor for Barry University's counseling program.

Advice for Parents:
“Be mindful of how you speak about your body in front of your little ones. They are always listening.”

Website: elissamartinezphd.com | Location: South Miami, Miami Lakes & Virtual

A Shared Vision: Building a Village of Care

Individually, these women represent excellence in their fields. Together, they form a powerful network committed to reshaping family healthcare in Miami. Their approach is holistic and collaborative, addressing not just the child’s body, but also their mind, environment, and relationships. Their work is a reminder that every family deserves a village of care, compassion, and encouragement.

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse