Jay Schwartz, MD

My first clinical rotation in medical school was Pediatrics at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago. I had lots of great role models who really cared for the patients, had fun, and clearly enjoyed their job. I wanted to be one of them. I felt at home and comfortable on the pediatric ward. I have kept in touch with some of my mentors and they are still practicing medicine 10 to 20 years past the usual retirement date. They are doing what they were born to do. I've had 2 of my former patients become pediatricians and have a few more in the pipeline so I feel I've been a positive influence like my own mentors.

I've been fortunate to have gained the respect of my peers. At Northwestern University Medical School, I was student body president my second year. have been Chief of Pediatrics at BSW Centennial Medical Center and Midland Memorial Hospital. I served several years as Physician Consultant to Midland ISD. I've been on Big Pharma's speaker's bureaus for the topics such as appropriate antibiotic use in Children, ADD/ADHD medication, asthma medications and more recently, new changes in infant formula.

Recent issues I've been personally tracking include the increase in autism, skyrocketing food allergies and more stressed-out kids. The COVID 19 pandemic has had a negative effect on the mental health of my patients and this is something I am very mindful of and want to help them with.

For my expectant and new parent families, I have a tip I always like to share. The baby's first 2 months are exhausting so you need to divide up the duties, especially at night. I want to reinforce in new parents that they should be confident and trust their intuition. Our practice in Collin County is an international melting pot and each culture has their own way of raising children. There are so many options out there it can be overwhelming. I'll give you the middle of the road, proven options.

My own family lives in Frisco and I have been blessed with 5 sons, plus a stepson. My wife recently adopted a female kitten so she would not be the only girl in the house! My fifth son was just born, making me a 50 something year old father. My perspective has definitely changed, I have much more patience.

Outside of my medical practice, I've wanted to climb Kilimanjaro, do some Greek island hopping, take on a Doctors Without Borders role, see Willie Nelson in concert one more time, and to be in the bleachers at Wrigley Field when the Chicago Cubs win another World Series.​