What patients are saying
Overall rating
4.75
Average wait time
4.42
Bedside manner
4.80
“Dr. Cruz came highly recommended to me and after our visit with her, it was solidified to our family that we made the right decision choosing her to be our child’s primary doctor. Her warmth and understanding made us feel comfortable. Dr. Cruz took the time to ask pertinent questions and listened intently to gather as much information as possible before she could offer a diagnosis. The nurses and team at the office were nothing short of exceptional. They were friendly and extremely helpful throughout our first time visit. We are so thankful to have been referred to Dr. Mercedes Cruz who is our child’s new pediatrician. ”
Jaya V.December 4, 2025
“Dr. Cruz is an amazing pediatrician! She’s very knowledgeable, kind, and always takes the time to listen and address every concern. We feel so confident and cared for with her guidance!
”
Jessica R.November 11, 2025
About Dr. Mercedez Cruz
Dr. Mercedez Cruz is a board-certified paediatrician. She completed her undergraduate degree in biology from the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida. She then earned her Doctor of Medicine from Howard University College of Medicine in Washington, DC. Dr. Cruz continued her medical education by completing a pediatric residency at Baylor College of Medicine/Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, Texas specifically in the Primary Care Leaders Evaluating and Addressing Disparities (LEAD) Program.
Dr. Cruz is devoted to ensuring the longevity of her patients’ health and developing long-lasting relationships with them while providing compassionate well-rounded care. She takes the time to understand symptoms and give correct diagnoses to ensure the continued health of all her patients. She conducts various follow-ups, well-baby check-ups, annual physical exams, sports physicals and administers routine childhood vaccines. Dr. Cruz is part of BayCare Medical Group serving the Tampa, Florida area. She is also certified in basic cardiac life support and remains up to date with the rapidly evolving field of pediatric medicine as a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics along with the Florida Medical Association.
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Office location
Education and background
Practice names
Board certifications
- Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine (American Board of Pediatrics)
Education and training
- Medical School - Howard University, Doctor of Medicine
- University of South Florida (Bachelor's)
- Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, Residency in Pediatrics
Professional memberships
- The American Academy of Pediatrics
- Florida Medical Association
Languages spoken
- English
Provider's gender
Female
NPI number
1518499912
Patient reviews
All reviews have been submitted by patients after interacting with the practice.
Overall rating
4.75
Wait time
4.42
Bedside manner
4.80
Your trust is our top concern, so providers can't pay to alter or remove reviews. We also don't publish reviews that contain any private patient health information. Learn more here
97 reviews
Most relevant
Dr. Cruz is an amazing pediatrician. Very knowledgeable and friendly. She always takes her time with you and listens.
April 22, 2025Initials hidden
Dr. Cruz is our new go to for pediatrics. Down to earth. Smart. Super engaged and has great energy. So happy.
July 19, 2024Nicole G.Verified patient
The provider was informative and taken her time with my kids and I. I appreciate her so much.
More than 1 year agoInitials hidden
Very happy we came across this office and Dr Cruz! Amazing bedside manner with my soon to be teen!
More than 1 year agoViral S.Verified patient
Dr. Cruz was amazing. She spent 45 minutes with my daughter and I in the office. She was super thorough.
April 7, 2022Hailey D.Verified patient
Absolutely amazing! Couldn’t have asked for a better experience!
July 15, 2024Amelia S.Verified patient
Dr. Cruz came highly recommended to me and after our visit with her, it was solidified to our family that we made the right decision choosing her to be our child’s primary doctor. Her warmth and understanding made us feel comfortable. Dr. Cruz took the time to ask pertinent questions and listened intently to gather as much information as possible before she could offer a diagnosis. The nurses and team at the office were nothing short of exceptional. They were friendly and extremely helpful throughout our first time visit. We are so thankful to have been referred to Dr. Mercedes Cruz who is our child’s new pediatrician.
December 4, 2025Jaya V.Verified patient
Dr. Cruz is an amazing pediatrician! She’s very knowledgeable, kind, and always takes the time to listen and address every concern. We feel so confident and cared for with her guidance!
November 11, 2025Jessica R.Verified patient
I love this doctors office. There are locations closer to me, but I choose to drive a little further just because they are very attentive. They have great follow up. They’re very clear and precise. And it is overall a great location. Dr. Cruz is very attentive to my child and remembers her not just by looking at her chart but as a person and I really appreciate her.
July 8, 2025Kealani J.Verified patient
Dr. Cruz is the absolute best pediatrician. She has been my daughter’s pediatrician since she was a newborn. Dr. Cruz has always been meticulous at managing my child’s care and ensuring that she stays up to date on the care provided by other specialists involved in my daughter’s care. She educates us on best practices and is detailed in her assessment. She always dots every i and crossed every t! She is quite literally the BEST.
Less than 1 year agoInitials hidden
I am going to come back, I recomend this doctor 100%, excellent attention, explain everything, she answered all my questions, detail physical examination.
June 15, 2025Guillermo G.Verified patient
Doctor was with me and my two boys for one full hour. Amazing attention to their needs and mine. I am so happy to have found her - as we were looking for a new pediatrician
May 27, 2025Kathleen L.Verified patient
Dr Cruz was perfect! Very knowledgeable, fast, communicative, informative and great listener! I will definitely keep bringing my children to her.
February 5, 2025Simon I.Verified patient
Horrible experience and rude staff. They would not listen to my insurance company even though my insurance allows all claims. Lazy staff just didn’t want to help me and my sick 10 year old son.
January 22, 2025Initials hidden
It was great
January 6, 2025Miaya M.Verified patient
We absolutely love Dr. Cruz, she is very knowledgeable and has an excellent way to communicate with the children.
We trust her as a professional.
December 17, 2024Natalia D.Verified patient
I had a great experience, Dr Cruz was friendly, detail oriented , knowledgeable and she took time to listen and go over everything. The appointment was timely and office was clean and staff was nice.
December 4, 2024Remya M.Verified patient
She was great! Will be setting up
October 26, 2024Medina E.Verified patient
DR Cruz is very informative . She ask those questions that are needed to be asked so she is aware of the care we are supposed to have and she’s supposed to provide . She doesn’t sugar coat , very sweet but very direct
October 24, 2024Cheneece S.Verified patient
Dr. Cruz is our preteen’s primary care physician. Both my husband and I are very happy with the level of care she provides. She’s an excellent doctor whose treatment philosophy is in line with ours. She has a wonderful bedside manner. She’s great at communicating directly with our son and really listens to his concerns, taking each one as seriously as she would if he were an adult. She encourages him to speak for himself and asks us for clarification or more information when needed. Our son would like to add that she’s a really nice person.
October 21, 2024Walter L.Verified patient
Dr Cruz is wonderful, was my first time meeting her and felt like I have known her forever! Glad to have her as my daughter’s pediatrician.
September 11, 2024Seema P.Verified patient
We just LOVE Dr. Cruz! She’s wonderful!
August 21, 2024Chloe H.Verified patient
Dr. Cruz bed side manner was above expected. She listened to my concerns about my child and offered her professional opinion in a caring way. We were seen right away and did not have to wait long. I would definitely allow my child to return for a visit.
August 3, 2024Timothy C.Verified patient
Booked through ZocDoc then the office called day-of to say the appointment was input incorrectly because the systems did not correlate, so they had to reschedule me.
I waited a month just to get that appointment and what they had available did not work with my schedule. The office would not accommodate the appointment I made. They blamed the informatics from ZocDoc for the error, but obviously still continue to use the service so the office should have made an accommodation. All around miserable experience and waste of my time - will not use either service going forward.
July 29, 2024Emerson S.Verified patient
Dr Cruz and staff was very helpful and friendly!
July 29, 2024Zohar Y.Verified patient
Dr. Davis consistently provides outstanding care to our son. when our son’s pediatrician is out of the office. She is friendly, patient, knowledgeable, and very helpful. our visit was on time, and she was clear and quickly helped identify what was going on with my son. Thank you Dr. Davis.
More than 1 year agoPauline R.Verified patient
Dr Cruz is awesome and very knowledgeable!
December 17, 2023Initials hidden
Highly recommend Mercedez Cruz! She was able to get through to my teenager, which is not easy. She put my child at ease and was able to answer every question we asked her in such a nice friendly way. She is totally relatable and caring. We will be back, even if I need to get a different insurance to see her.
November 4, 2023Dane A.Verified patient
First visit with for my son as a new patient with Dr Cruz .. She asked all the right questions regarding medical history and any concerns for both patient and Dr .
Took her time to explain and answer any question regarding medication and diagnosis.. Very happy with the visit
February 22, 2023Isaac S.Verified patient
Dr Cruz is great! She made my boys very comfortable during an awkward teenage physical. Her staff is helpful, funny, and caring. Her nurse was hilarious!!
January 20, 2023Bonnie D.Verified patient
The Doctors and nurses were very nice. Very attentive. They listened and they taught me, being a first time mom, important information. Gave me handouts for things to look for and references. I enjoyed my visit and my baby did as well.
October 31, 2022Mateo V.Verified patient
Great pre-check in process online and included co-pay collection! Front office was all ready for us when we walked in and when we were called back for the visit - everything went very smooth. Dr. Cruz did great with my child and spoke directly to her and related to her. My child asked to 'always come here from now on' for her doctor visits.
August 23, 2022Giovanna G.Verified patient
she is so kind and patient, we loved her ??
June 23, 2022Virginia G.Verified patient
Dr Cruz was very nice. She took the time to listen to my concerns. She was knowledgeable about my daughter's medical conditions and knew exactly what I was talking about. Which is refreshing because I've had to explain medical issues to other doctors in the past. Highly recommend Dr Cruz. Oh and it was very convenient to make an appointment
June 2, 2022Aviana H.Verified patient
Less than 3 months agoInitials hidden
November 28, 2025Yadhukrishna J.Verified patient
October 28, 2025Rylee O.Verified patient
Less than 1 year agoInitials hidden
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July 22, 2025Ashley M.Verified patient
Less than 1 year agoInitials hidden
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May 16, 2025Sawyer K.Verified patient
April 28, 2025Liam O.Verified patient
April 1, 2025Jessica R.Verified patient
March 31, 2025Geoffrey B.Verified patient
More than 1 year agoInitials hidden
March 14, 2025Ghislaine K.Verified patient
March 3, 2025Benjamin A.Verified patient
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How soon can I make an appointment with Dr. Mercedez Cruz?
Generally, Dr. Mercedez Cruz has appointments available on Zocdoc within 1 week. You can see Dr. Cruz's earliest availability on Zocdoc and make an appointment online.
Is Dr. Mercedez Cruz accepting new patients?
Dr. Mercedez Cruz generally accepts new patients on Zocdoc. You can see Dr. Cruz's earliest availability on Zocdoc and schedule an appointment online.
Does Dr. Mercedez Cruz accept my insurance?
Choose your insurance plan to verify if Dr. Cruz is in-network.
Can I make an appointment with Dr. Mercedez Cruz online?
Yes, you can make an appointment online with Dr. Cruz using Zocdoc. It’s simple, secure, and free.
What practice does Dr. Mercedez Cruz work with?
Dr. Mercedez Cruz works with BayCare Medical Group.
Where is Dr. Mercedez Cruz's office located?
Dr. Mercedez Cruz's office is located at 18600 Fernview St, Land O' Lakes, FL 34638.
Which board certifications does Dr. Mercedez Cruz have?
Dr. Mercedez Cruz is certified by Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine (American Board of Pediatrics).
What are common reasons for patients to see Dr. Mercedez Cruz?
Dr. Mercedez Cruz frequently sees patients for Acne, Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Hearing Problems, Pediatric Consultation, and Sleep Problems. You can see other visit reasons for Dr. Mercedez Cruz on their profile.
What languages does Dr. Mercedez Cruz speak?
Dr. Mercedez Cruz speaks English.
How do patients rate Dr. Mercedez Cruz in reviews?
97 patients have reviewed Dr. Mercedez Cruz. The overall rating for this doctor is 4.75/5. They have a 4.8/5 rating for bedside manner and a 4.42/5 rating for wait time. You can read individual reviews and ratings on their profile.