By Marisol Joven
A visit to the pediatrician is about more than checkups and vaccines. For many families, it is about finding someone they trust to care for the people they love most. That is exactly what Dr. Rinet Fernandes hopes to provide at Garden Tots Pediatrics, Kearny’s newest pediatric practice located at 806 Kearny Avenue.
Garden Tots Pediatrics was created with one goal in mind: to become a trusted medical home for families in Kearny and the surrounding communities. Recognizing the town’s growing number of young families, Dr. Fernandes saw an opportunity to provide more accessible, family-centered pediatric care built on relationships, trust, and compassion.
Her passion for pediatrics began long before medical school.
“I always admired my pediatrician,” Dr. Fernandes said. “Even at a very young age, I was inspired by the kindness she showed to her patients. As I grew older, I realized I wanted to provide that same sense of comfort, trust, and compassion to children and families.”
That philosophy inspired not only her career but also the name of her practice. Garden Tots Pediatrics reflects Dr. Fernandes’ love of gardening and her belief that children, like plants, flourish when they are nurtured with patience, encouragement, and the right environment.
The practice cares for children from the newborn stage through young adulthood, providing comprehensive pediatric services including well-child visits, immunizations, sick visits, developmental screenings, adolescent care, preventive medicine, and nutrition guidance. Dr. Fernandes also provides ongoing care for children with asthma, allergies, eczema, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, learning disabilities, and speech and language delays.
What makes Garden Tots Pediatrics different, however, is its commitment to caring for the entire family, not just the child.
“Pediatrics is unique because we are not only treating the child, we are caring for the environment around the child,” she explained. “A child’s health is deeply connected to their family, home, and community.”
That philosophy begins at a child’s very first appointment. Rather than simply reviewing medical history, Dr. Fernandes takes time to understand each family’s routines, concerns, and goals so she can provide personalized care from the very beginning. Parents are encouraged to ask questions, become active partners in decision-making, and feel confident they have someone they can turn to throughout every stage of childhood.
“I want families to leave knowing they have a true medical home for their children, a place where they can always return, ask questions, and seek guidance,” she said.
Creating a welcoming experience is equally important. The office was designed to help children feel comfortable from the moment they arrive, while Dr. Fernandes takes a gentle, patient-centered approach to earning each child’s trust. Her goal is to make every visit a positive experience for both children and parents.
When asked what has been the most rewarding part of her career, her answer captures why she chose pediatrics.
“Some of the most rewarding moments are when children come back and say things like, ‘I missed you,’ or ‘I love you,’ and when parents feel comfortable enough to share their concerns openly and honestly. Knowing that families trust me, feel heard, and know they can always come back means the world to me.”
Garden Tots Pediatrics also believes healthcare extends beyond the office. Through
partnerships with organizations including the New Jersey Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Reach Out and Read New Jersey, WIC, and the New Jersey Pediatric Psychiatry Collaborative, the practice connects families with resources that support children’s health, literacy, nutrition, and emotional well-being.
The practice is currently accepting new patients, and families transferring from another
pediatrician can complete secure online registration while the office coordinates medical records to ensure a seamless transition.
What’s Next?
As Garden Tots Pediatrics begins serving Kearny, Dr. Fernandes hopes to become more than a pediatrician, she hopes to become a trusted partner for families as their children grow. Her vision is to build lasting relationships, support every stage of childhood, and ensure parents always have a place where they feel heard, respected, and welcomed.
For Kearny, Garden Tots Pediatrics is a wonderful addition to the community, and for local families, it offers something every parent hopes to find: compassionate care close to home, where children are nurtured, families are supported, and every child has the opportunity to thrive.
Marisol Joven is a longtime Kearny resident, freelance writer, community advocate, and one half of the Mari Twins, with family roots in Spain and Ecuador.
