Joanna E. Betancourt

MD, FAAP

Dr. Betancourt started Salud Pediatrics in 2004, just 3-years after she completed her Pediatric Residency at the University of Illinois, Chicago. She is a board-certified pediatrician and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and a former adjunct associate professor at Northern Illinois University.


Dr. Joanna Betancourt has pursued several endeavors outside of the practice. In 2013, Dr. Betancourt was tapped by the American Academy of Pediatrics to be the spokesperson for the nationwide launch of healthychildren.org in Spanish. In 2015 she served on the board of Two Riverside HeadStart Agency. And in 2016 she was a member of the council for the non-profit Ingage.


Dr. Betancourt often emphasizes that her focus as a primary care doctor is to center on the whole child; looking at the physical, mental and social health issues that might affect a child’s growth and development.


She also highlights that her role as your pediatrician is to educate, counsel and be an advocate for children and their parents or guardians. As a wife, a mother of three children, business owner, and full-time working mom, she empathizes with parent’s needs and anxieties.

 

  • Besides being a pediatrician, how do you spend your time?

    Besides being a pediatrician, I dedicate most of my "off work" time to my 3 children.


    I also make time to work-out. I believe that a healthy body reflects in a happier person. I enjoy kayaking, running, but my favorite work-out activity is cardio kick boxing.

  • Tell me about the decision to become a pediatrician?

    I became a pediatrician because the most enjoyable rotation for me during medical school was the Pediatrics one.

  • If you weren't in medicine, what career do you think you would have chosen?

    I think I would be a teacher if I could not be a pediatrician.

  • What is your favorite thing about being a pediatrician?

    My favorite aspect of being a pediatrician is enjoying the relationship with my patients and their parents as the kids grow and face new challenges.


    It's funny, even the loss of a 6 year olds' tooth is a huge deal to you when you have known that child from the first day of his or her life!


    It is truly difficult to find the words to express how much joy my career brings to me.

  • What can you tell us about Salud Pediatrics and why it may be the right practice for parents?

    At Salud Pediatrics, our mission is to provide unsurpassed, compassionate care to our patients. We all work as a team to provide comfort, preserve and restore wellbeing to every child under our care.


    Each day we strive to run the extra mile to achieve our goal and every decision we make begins with our patients at the center.


    But most importantly, I offer my patients the care that, as a mom, I would like to be offered from my children's pediatrician.