Matheena Akhtar, MD

Dr. Akhtar was raised in a culture in which young girls pursued higher education to help their community, not to earn a living. As a very young child, Dr. Akhtar wanted to provide valuable humanitarian service to her community that would reward her with intellectual and personal fulfillment. She found that perfect fit in medicine, taking care of children. She completed programs at Vanita Maha Urdhyaleya, Osmania Medical College and Nlofer Children’s Hospital in India. Her dedication to learning won her the Indian Council’s Research Gold Medal in biochemistry and physiology.

 

 Dr. Akhtar appreciates being part of a team, and Will County Medical Associates offered a caring and compassionate group of individuals that shared her goal of tending to children. She enjoys the diversity of her practice, from the little ones to college-bound kids. She builds relationships with her patients and their parents while offering advice and support.

 

Dr. Akhtar’s husband, Rasheed, is a physician as well. They are the proud parents of a son and daughter, both young adults. In addition to children, Dr. Akhtar has a passion for cooking, sewing and reading in her free time.

 

Dr. Akhtar reminds parents to really listen to their children, in an unrushed and attentive manner. She enjoyed being able to be a kid all over again as a parent, and encourages other parents to do the same. She believes that good health is a lifelong pursuit and health in later life is often predicated by behavior and interventions earlier in life. Preventative care in children is an opportunity - even an obligation - to address problems early in a person’s life. This is not only to ward off a later condition, but to give children the best chance at a fully productive life.

 

Dr. Akhtar is board-certified in pediatric medicine.