Can anyone highly recommend their pediatrican?
A lot of moms gave great reviews for doctors at Pediatric & Young Adult clinics, but my problem with them is that they rotate locations so I'm not assured the same one each visit. That is important to me b/c my son gets sick so often & I want to be able to see someone who knows him, his history, our family.
Other qualities:
*highly qualified of course
*able & willing to take time to explain to me an illness & treatments (not just name a diagnosis & hand over a prescription b/f running out the door!)
*genuinely interested in & concerned for the child (doesn't act like he's just one of the hundreds sick kids s/he sees all day)
*not so quick to prescribe meds (unless of course it's necessary)
*doesn't have conceited attitude ("I'm the doctor here, so just do as I say")
This isn't too much to ask for in one doctor, is it? It seems pretty basic to me, but it's not easy to find.
We're in West St. Paul. But we're not far from downtown St. Paul. Someplace nearby would be great.
Thanks!
Dr. James Hocks. PACE Pediatrics on Livingston in WSP. ###-###-####.
He has made Mpls/St. Paul magazine "top peditricians" the last 2 years in a row.
He is AWESOME. He will LISTEN and EXPLAIN!
Good luck!
I love Dr. Conroy at the Health Partners Riverside clinic. I am lucky to have a healthy 1 year old, so I haven't had to deal with any serious medical issues, but would highly recommend her. Only thing I don't like is she only takes appointments in the afternoon because she spends her mornings with the newborns in the NICU at the hospital.
My kids see Dr. Crosby-Schmidt at Central Pediatrics in Woodbury. She is an excellent doctor and like you were requesting explains everything about concerns, medications, etc. My kids sometimes see other doctors at the clinic as well when they come in for a sick visit and I would say that the majority of them are excellent. I love the fact they (Priority Peds which is part of their clinic) have walk ins for sick kids and late night hours (5-11 pm) and weekend hours (Sat and Sun) for unexpected illnesses. I am not sure if Woodbury would be too far for you to go but I think they also have an office in St. Paul.
Hi, Kate. My son sees Dr. Kurt Elting-Ballard at Allina Shoreview--he is a Ped/Internist, so would be a good doc to grow up with. He is wonderful; my son is very active, curious, and precocious, and his little office antics and investigations and questions do not in any way irritate Dr. Ballard; he seems to genuinely enjoy my son, asking questions about what my son likes to do, as well as addressing our health concerns. He listens to both of us, answers all our questions, takes time with us. He does not over-medicate, but neither does he under-medicate. The whole clinic staff is wonderful; they also have a great after-hours/urgent care clinic, whose staff is fantastic.
Good luck finding someone who fits your family's needs!
I have been so blessed with my daughter's pediatricians. We started out her life with Drs. Howard Stang, Elsa Keeler, and Leonard Snellman at White Bear Lake Health Partners. These three doctors are incredible! I was their patient when I was a little girl, and I was amazed with their care of my daughter. I was SO disappointed when my insurance changed and we had to switch doctors.
However, I have now found another incredible doctor at the Health East Woodbury clinic - Julie Faulkner. She is amazing. She always takes lots of time to listen to our concerns and to talk with both me and my daughter. She always gives us lots of information and is extremely conscientious (spell??) to make sure that we understand everything. I ADORE her. What's more, my daughter adores her.
Good luck finding a new pediatrician!
Tim Johanson of Metropolitan Pediatric Specialists. He practices out of Edina and Shakopee. He's been our doc for 10 years. He fits all your criteria. I can't say enough good about him. If you want specifics about our experience, I'd be happy to elaborate through private messages.
Kate,
I'm not sure why them going to different offices is an issue? I called on Peds for 8 years as a Pharma rep, and almost no pediatricians stay in one single location if their office has multiple locations. I got to PYAM (Dr. Tami Plotnik- she's amazing!) While they have multiple offices, she's primarily out of WBL and Hudson, WI. You can request your child's physician at whichever office is convenient... in the event it was their day off or they didn't have an available opening for a last minute appt (which can happen at EVERY Ped. office) I've NEVER been disappointed with the care I've gotten. Dr. Delahunty is spectacular like Dr. Plotnik and have also been thrilled with Dr. Coyne- he diagnosed my son with pyloric stenosis at about 10 weeks. Just ask for the appt at you preferred location when you make an appt.
One thing you may NOT know about this group that is priceless and I've NEVER found anywhere else, is that the pediatricians each carry a phone with them during office hours. If you have a question/concern when they're in the office, you call and speak to them DIRECTLY, ON THE SPOT! No leaving a message for a nurse and waiting for a call back. This alone will make me never leave this practice!!!
And they absolutely don't prescribe meds if not needed. My kids have barely been on meds (my son is almost 3 and my twins are 11 months).
I'd take a second look before going elsewhere.
P.S. What I love about Dr. Plotnik, (and the others)- is I get lots of time to ask my questions, and I also get two insights. The "Pediatrician's" answer, and the "I'm a mom and this is my experience with my own children". I love , love love that group! Good Luck
