Looking for a Good Pediatrician in Smyrna/Austell Area

Updated on August 01, 2009
V.N. asks from Alpharetta, GA
7 answers

Hello Mamas,
I am due in September expecting my first baby boy! I need some good references for pediatrician in Smyrna/Austell area. Someone who is friendly, easy to get appointments and experienced too. I will be delivering at Wellstar Cobb hospital located in Austell. I was told one pediatrician, Dr.Prakash Desai M.D of the Cobb Pediatric Associates that my Ob referred. I am trying to look up some reviews about him but in vain. Has anyone any reviews about him? Any good references most welcome. Thanks!

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So What Happened?

Many thanks for all your references Mamas! The earliest prenatal appointment with Dr.Avril Beckford is Sep 21. Thats pretty close to my due date. Hence I had to schedule my prenatal visit with Dr.Sivanthini Hines from the same Cobb Pediatrics group. Also for hospital visit on the day baby is born, looks like whoever is on call that day in Wellstar Cobb will only attend to the baby. Hopefully for subsequent pediatric visits, I should be able to schedule with Dr.Beckford! She seem to have tight schedules..

More Answers

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B.M.

answers from Atlanta on

Try Dr. Thomas Gearhard. He is located on Mulkey Rd next to the hospital. He is a Family Practicioneer (SP) The good thing is since he in not specifically a Pediatrician if he or you think there are any problems, he refers youto a specialist immediately and you don't have to worry about him doing a trial and error on your child - you will see a specialist in what he thinks the problem may be. Have been with him for almost 10 years. Love him and the whole office.

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J.C.

answers from Atlanta on

I absolutely love my pediatrician - Dr. Avril Beckford. She has two offices, one in Austell and one in Smyrna. She does rounds at Cobb Hospital, too. She makes appts for pre-natal consultations so you can ask her anything you want, and she is very experienced. You will find a lot of information for her online. Good luck!!

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L.S.

answers from Atlanta on

I reccomend Dr. Avril Beckford. She is a part of wellstar, and she does attend Cobb hospital after you give birth. I gave birth at Cobb as well, and she is GREAT!! She is genuine and you can tell that she really loves her job as well as children. She has an office on Cooper Lake and one on Mulky Road. It is pretty easy to get an appointment with her, and her staff is good for the most part.

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J.D.

answers from Atlanta on

I love Kennesaw Pediatrics! It's a little north on I-75, off Wade Green, but well worth the drive. Was with East Cobb Pediatrics, but Kennesaw's better -- completely individual entrances for newborn, sick and well kids, and will work with you for alternate shot schedules (love that Dr Sears!). East Cobb Peds puts everyone in the same room to wait, just with dividers, and were total butts when I suggested an alternate shot schedule.

I would suggest you phone screen any office -- be sure they are friendly and take time with you on the phone 'cause you'll be asking them plenty of questions on the phone with your baby: what are their hours or even weekend hrs; sick appointment times/walk-in hrs; how many patients per hour for well appointments; how long typical wait times; how many doctors/nurses can you see or must it be your primary care physician (very important when yours is on vacation)?

Do they have a newborn/lactation consultant -- that's the most important the first few months. East Cobb Peds had a newborn/lactation consultant and I loved her (Barbara Cossman would always call me back, even if she had to after hours for any crazy breastfeeding/newborn question), but moved my son after he was 1 1/2, so unsure if Kennesaw Pediatrics has one.

And get the Dr Sears book on Vaccinations -- really great book and I wish I had checked on it with my firstborn. It talks about each vaccine individually -- what the ingredients are in each shot per manufacturer and what they are made with -- as well as what the total ingredient load is per typical vaccine schedule versus alternatives should you decide. I combined both the typical with an alternate, and felt better for it.

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Y.A.

answers from Atlanta on

Hi V.!

My 2 yr. old daughter & my child #2, who is coming any day now, pediatrician is Dr. Desai. And we LOVE him!!! He's patient orientated. I have a hindi background, so he advices us on also on our indian food & rituals. He's not closed-minded, he's VERY open to any discussion! I know right now he's not in the office for he had some surgery done & took some time off. But I have a friend who takes all her kids there and one of children is almost 16 years old! But I would HIGHLY recommend him! If you have any questions for me, don't hesistate! Hope this helps!

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S.S.

answers from Atlanta on

We love Dr. Avril Beckford at Wellstar!! She is the President of the Pediatrics Association, very knowledgeable, super nice, extremely professional, and most importantly loving.

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J.D.

answers from Atlanta on

Hi V.,
I highly recommend Dr. Crystal White of Smyrna Pediatrics (Wellstar) on Concord Rd. in Smyrna. I'm pretty sure she has attending rights at Cobb Hospital. I take my 2 month old to her and she has been great so far. Great bedside manner. Happy to answer all of my questions. Her front desk staff is very nice, too. My only complaint is that you have to walk through the sick area of the waiting room to get to the examination rooms.

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