Why She Was Nominated:

Dr. Issac didn’t always plan to work with youngsters, but as she’ll tell you, “once I get an idea, I go full-force.” She chose the pediatric route by process of elimination and now brings a special brand of warmth and thoughtfulness into her practice: extra-long appointment times, remembering fun facts about every kid and family and a mellow, cozy office setup and vibe that often prompts young patients to ask if she lives there. She also treats special-needs kids, and (pre-Covid, at any rate) sometimes made house calls.

Why She Became a Dentist:

“I wanted to become a veterinarian, but when that didn’t work out, several family members who are dentists—who knew my scientific nature and that I liked to work with my hands—directed me toward dentistry. I ended up loving it.”

Philosophy:

“Every visit should be positive. There might be a few tears, but as long as we made progress from our last visit, I consider that a win. I always make sure we say ‘great job’ to each kiddo.”

Something People Don’t Know:

“I do some part-time modeling, including runway. I appreciate that parents—especially those who have young girls—can show them a three-dimensional role model. You can do this and that.”