UNS — Social media has become a powerful platform for spreading valuable health information, especially in pediatric care. However, with this convenience comes the need for caution in choosing credible sources. One prominent figure in this field is dr. Miza Dito Afrizal, Sp.A., BMedSci., M.Kes. He is a well-known pediatrician and a proud alumnus of Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta. He consistently shares reliable health education content on social media.
Affectionately known as Dr. Miza, he graduated from the Pediatric Medicine Specialist Program (PPDS IKA) at the Faculty of Medicine, UNS. He completed this program in 2016. Prior to this, he earned his general medical degree from Universitas Indonesia (UI).
A Passion for Pediatric Medicine
Speaking to uns.ac.id, dr. Miza revealed that his passion for pediatrics emerged during his clinical training. He found the Pediatrics rotation the most exciting and engaging part of his medical education.
“It was the only rotation that made me excited to leave the house. I wasn’t lazy, and I never felt like studying was a chore,” he recalled. This strong interest solidified his goal to become a pediatrician.
“I loved the Pediatrics rotation so much that I decided I would only pursue a career as a pediatric specialist. If I couldn’t, I would rather not become a doctor at all,” he added.
Studying at UNS
Interestingly, he did not plan to study at UNS. A casual conversation with a cousin studying at UNS led him to apply to the Faculty of Medicine there.
During his specialist training, dr. Miza experienced a supportive learning environment without excessive seniority or bullying. He appreciated how the faculty focused all learning activities on patient welfare. “At UNS, there was no unnecessary seniority. Everything we learned was genuinely for the benefit of patients — that’s something I experienced from day one,” he said.
Still, adjusting to a new city presented its challenges. Originally from Jakarta, dr. Miza encountered culture shock after moving to Solo.
“That was my biggest challenge. I even contacted my family several times. But thankfully, both FK UNS and Dr. Moewardi General Hospital offered a very supportive learning environment,” he added.
Expanding Pediatric Education Through Social Media
After graduating, dr. Miza returned to RSIA Tumbuh Kembang in Depok, where he had previously worked. Since 2016, he has served as a pediatrician there for over eight years.
In addition to his medical practice, he uses social media as an educational tool. His Instagram and TikTok accounts now have over 500,000 and 90,000 followers, respectively. He began creating digital content in 2017, starting with Q&A sessions that later evolved into engaging video reels.
“It started with Instagram Q&As in 2017 — a kind of semi-consultation. I wanted to make credible pediatric health education accessible to more people,” he said.
Together with three colleagues, he also co-founded klinikkecil.com, a platform initially created to provide teleconsultation services during the COVID-19 pandemic. The site has since expanded to include webinars and online classes on children’s health topics.
“It started with teleconsultation, and then we expanded by creating online classes covering specific pediatric health topics,” he explained.
Encouraging Active Fatherhood and Resilience in Learning
As a father, dr. Miza also advocates for paternal involvement in child development. He urges fathers to spend meaningful, focused time with their children, free from distractions. “Even if it’s just one hour a day, make it 100% presence. No phones, no meetings, no chatting with others. That one hour should be fully devoted to your child,” he advised.
To medical students and learners at UNS, he emphasized the value of learning from failure. “While you’re in pre-clinic, clerkship, or residency, take every opportunity to fail and make mistakes. The most valuable process is learning from those failures. In college, you still have people to correct you — you still get second chances,” he concluded.
Final Thoughts
dr. Miza’s journey proves that a doctor’s influence can extend beyond hospital walls. By embracing digital platforms and applying the compassionate values he learned at UNS, he continues to educate and inspire a wider audience. He does so one post at a time.
Humas UNS
