We’re looking forward to introducing you to Rosana Lastra. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Rosana , it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
The thing that makes me lose track of time and truly find myself again is my community of fellow mom’s.
When I first became a mom, life shifted in a way I didn’t fully expect. Even with my closest friends, things felt different, our worlds were just moving at different speeds. I remember feeling a little guilty that I couldn’t keep up with the carefree, kid-free schedules anymore. But at the same time, I felt so pulled to just be home with my baby.
There was so much newness, so many emotions and changes, that I didn’t even know how to process it all. I quickly learned there’s a big difference between venting to someone who’s trying to be kind and talking to another mom who’s been there.
Another mom can look at you and say, ‘I get it. I know it’s hard. Here’s what helped me, and it really does get easier.’ That was the kind of understanding I was needing, not someone jumping in to fix things, but someone saying, “Yep, some moments really do stink, and it’s okay to feel that, but it’s all so worth it.”
It really wasn’t until after my second baby that I found my consistent mom group, the one I could truly rely on. Over time, that little circle grew into a real community of moms I felt deeply connected to. And eventually, that community connected me to something I didn’t even know I needed, a weekly mom’s night. Having that carved-out time, just for us, has been absolutely life-giving.
I always tell new moms: find your community. It might take a little time, but once you do, it changes everything.
And honestly, that’s the same energy I work to create with Head2Toe Pediatrics, a space where parents feel supported, seen, and never judged. Parenting isn’t meant to be done alone, and having your people makes all the difference.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Rosana Lastra, a mom of two, board-certified pediatrician and the founder of Head2Toe Pediatrics in the Tampa Bay area. I started Head2Toe before I was even a mom, with the dream of creating the kind of pediatric care families truly deserve—personal, unrushed, and built on real relationships. Now, as a mom, that mission feels even closer to my heart. At Head2Toe, we do things differently: families have direct access to their pediatrician, zero waiting room time, and even the option for home visits when life gets busy. But more than convenience, what makes us special is connection—getting to truly know families, supporting them without judgment, and walking alongside them through every milestone. We pair that heart with deep expertise and strong ties in the local parenting community, so families feel like they have both a trusted guide and a neighbor in their corner.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
A moment that completely reshaped how I see the world was in 2023, when I was diagnosed with cancer while I had a one-year-old and was pregnant with my second. Nothing prepares you for that kind of news. I remember holding my baby and feeling my belly with the little one growing inside me, and in that moment, my whole world shifted. My energy, my focus, and my will to live became entirely about them. I wanted to soak in every smile, every snuggle, and every milestone, I wanted to live fully, for them.
That experience gave me a deep sense of power and perspective, the kind that comes from unconditional love and the fierce determination to fight for your children. It also softened me in a way I didn’t expect. As a mom, I understood how fragile and precious these days are, and how much we carry in our hearts as parents.
It changed me as a pediatrician, too. I no longer just see a child in my office, I see the parents behind them, with all their hopes, fears, and quiet worries. I care for my patients’ families the way I needed someone to care for mine during that season: with both medical expertise and true empathy. I want every parent who comes to Head2Toe to feel supported, seen, and never alone, because I know now, in the deepest way, how much that matters.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me how fragile and precious life really is, and how much strength we carry as moms even when we feel like we’re breaking. It showed me the power of presence, how a quiet snuggle on the couch or a shared giggle can matter more than any achievement or milestone.
Success can feel exciting, but it’s often about moving forward, doing more, checking the next box. Suffering forced me to stop, to sit in the hard, and to see the beauty in just being. Being with my kids, my family, and my own thoughts. It gave me empathy in a way success never could, and it changed the way I care for families. I don’t just celebrate their wins; I sit with them in the hard moments, too, because I know that’s where the deepest connection, and the real heart of life, lives.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies in pediatrics is that the traditional insurance-based system is “good enough” for families, that quick, rushed visits, endless waiting rooms, and limited access to your doctor are just the way it has to be. The system tells itself that volume equals value, that if we see enough kids fast enough, we’re serving families well. But as both a pediatrician and a mom, I can tell you that’s just not true.
Families don’t want to feel like a number on a schedule, they want connection, time to ask their questions, and a doctor who actually knows their child’s story. Insurance-driven care often forces providers to choose speed over relationships, and that’s a loss for everyone.
At Head2Toe Pediatrics, we flipped that model on its head. By stepping outside of the insurance treadmill, we get to spend real, meaningful time with families. We answer the late-night questions, we show up at your home if needed, and we actually have the space to focus on prevention and true wellness, not just putting out fires. That’s what pediatrics should be about, care that’s personal, proactive, and built on trust.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Absolutely, and honestly, that’s exactly what parenting is like. You give everything you have without expecting praise, and actually, a lot of the time, you’re questioned for your decisions or told not to do something. From how you feed your baby to the sleep choices you make, there’s always a voice ready to second-guess you. But you keep showing up anyway, because that’s what love and commitment look like.
Building Head2Toe Pediatrics has felt the same in many ways. Starting my own practice came with its fair share of hurdles, doubts, and even people telling me it would be too hard or that it wasn’t the “traditional” way to do pediatrics. But just like in motherhood, my why kept me going. I show up every single day, even when no one is clapping, because I know the families I serve feel the difference.
The true reward isn’t in praise. It’s in a parent’s sigh of relief when they feel heard, a child’s smile when they feel safe, and knowing I’m building something that will make a lasting impact in our community.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.head2toepediatrics.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/head2toepediatrics/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Head2ToePediatrics
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@head2toepediatrics
- Other: https://tiktok.com/drlastra
