New pediatric emergency medicine physician is a lifelong learner

Meet Dr. Anya Kleinman — our new pediatric emergency medicine physician

To Dr. Anya Kleinman, there’s no such thing as extra knowledge. Whether traveling, reading, raising her 2 boys or saving the lives of patients as Akron Children’s new pediatric emergency medicine physician, she is always eager to ask questions and expand her knowledge base to further explore her passions. It’s that love of learning that she hopes to instill in her kids — at home and at Akron Children’s.

What did you eat for breakfast? If nothing, what’s your favorite breakfast?

My favorite breakfast is waffles with hot chocolate sauce and ice cream.

When you curl up on the couch to watch a movie, are you most likely to have a bowl of popcorn, chocolate or box of tissues?

I am most likely to be eating chocolate and coffee ice cream.

 What is the first thing you do when you wake up?

My kids almost always are the ones to wake me up, so I try to smile when they do.

My Monday–morning must have is … .

A large cup of coffee.

What piece of advice did someone give you when you were young that still resonates with you today?

One of my mentors once told me that “there is no such thing as extra knowledge” to encourage me to always be learning and asking questions.

Where did you grow up?    

I grew up in Boston, in the Chestnut Hill area.

Who makes up your family, including pets and their names?

I am married to Benjamin and we have 2 boys: Nathaniel, 4.5, and Jedages, 2

What was your favorite childhood toy?

My favorite toy was a soft, stuffed rabbit with carrots on the underside of his paws.

What couldn’t you live without?

I couldn’t live without books. My current favorite is “All the Light We Cannot See” by Anthony Doerr.

In the past, I would borrow books from the local Cuyahoga library, but with my longer commute time to Akron and Youngstown now, I am looking forward to exploring audio books, as well. With 2 small children at home, I may not be able to travel as widely as I would like, but books transport me to far-away lands and allow me to meet a variety of people I cannot as easily access in day-to-day life.

What is your greatest achievement?

Raising my 2 boys. It’s very much a work in progress, but it’s definitely my greatest achievement.