Zest Pediatrics of Solon

PEDIATRICIAN

PRESIDENT OF ZEST PEDIATRIC NETWORK

Andrew "Drew" Hertz, MD is a seasoned pediatrician excited to be starting at a new practice with a new care model. Dr. Hertz practiced at UH Suburban Pediatrics in both Shaker Heights and Solon for 25 years where he provided exceptional care to countless families. He also served as a physician executive with University Hospitals where he was the Vice President of Community Women and Children Services where he established the Rainbow Primary Care Institute and oversaw 200 clinicians. He left UH in 2021 to co-found Thrive Pediatric Network - a new model of care that enhances access and patient/physician relationships.

Dr. Hertz attended medical school at Case Western Reserve University and performed his pediatric training at UH Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital where he spent an extra year as Chief Resident. Early in his career, Dr. Hertz was both a pediatric hospitalist at Rainbow and a community pediatrician at Suburban Pediatrics. He eventually devoted his clinical time solely to pediatrics in the community. Dr. Hertz is also a pioneer in telemedicine, is a founding member and past Chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Telehealth Care, and was active in telemedicine almost a decade ago. He has always believed that an abundance of care can be provided to patients outside the traditional walls of the office.

Dr. Hertz is married to Linda Rae, a long time Keithley Instruments executive who now runs a division of GE Digital. They live in Shaker Heights and have two grown children. In his spare time, Dr. Hertz enjoys hiking, yoga, gardening, traveling to new places, and playing with his dog, Milo.

PEDIATRICIAN

Dr. Perisa is a board-certified pediatrician and an active member of the American Academy of Pediatrics. He has spent most of his life in Northeast Ohio, completing his undergraduate degree at Case Western Reserve University then medical school at Northeast Ohio Medical University. He then called Columbus his home where he completed pediatric residency at Nationwide Children's Hospital then entered into a brief pediatric cancer and blood disease fellowship at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Shortly after starting fellowship, a few family members developed new health issues which brought him back to northeast Ohio, practicing as a general pediatrician. He couldn't be happier with his decision as it has allowed his wife and his growing family more time with loved ones.

As much as he loves providing care to young patients and the families that support them, the standard model for practice which prioritizes quantity over quality of care is the leading reason for his entrance into direct primary care. He never wants his families to feel rushed or that they can't discuss additional concerns but this can all too easily happen when trying to fit patients into the standard 20 minute time slot for their yearly well check. He feels his proudest at work when his families feel actively engaged in their child's care and they are able to work together to develop a care plan that fits with each specific patient's needs. Additionally, he has a strong passion for addressing pediatric and adolescent mental health issues which have so severely worsened in the past few years.

When not at work, he enjoys spending time with his young children, wife, and two Siberian huskies in addition to any sort of outdoor activity including biking, hiking, swimming or just exploring all that the beautiful greater Cleveland has to offer.