Teresa Polito
Teresa Polito, MD
Attending Physician, Pediatrics
NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health, Morrisania
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Creating a Bond That Lasts a Lifetime
Doctors get a lot of questions, but few like this one. Recently, a mother of two pediatric patients — who both suffer from severe eczema — had a very rare question for Dr. Teresa Polito.
Would she please attend her wedding?
“It was my proudest moment,” said Dr. Polito, who is an Attending Physician in pediatrics at NYC Health + Hospital/Morrisania. “That made me feel very happy, trustworthy of their care, and also a part of their family.”
“I believe in the public health system,” she added. “Patients are more grateful for the care which they receive, and the relationship built between a physician and a patient seems to last longer, sometimes even a lifetime.”
That uncommon bond with patients is common around Dr. Polito.
“She is a joy to have as a colleague in Morrisania Pediatrics,” said Dr. Nelly Maseda. “She is kind, intelligent and very funny — she even cracks herself up.
“Her affectionate ways with her patients are touching, and her popularity is such that many patients insist they ‘only want to see Polito’ if offered an appointment with another provider. She is always fully booked but still manages to fit in extra visits and rarely turns away a walk in.”
She is extremely personable — fluent in English, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish (American, Brazilian, and Italian citizenship come in handy). During her pediatrics residency in Rio de Janeiro, she evaluated patients in community-based ambulatory clinics.
It’s the kind of devotion to care that is inherited from a mother’s love.
“My mother inspired me to become a doctor,” she said. “Although she never attended medical school, she was always willing to help those in need in our community. Seeing her love and care for others inspired me to want to pursue studying medicine in a professional setting. I always remember her and I am very grateful for the amazing example she left me.”