So here is my delima. I have been a Sharp patient for years and love it. Now that I am staying at home we are switching to Kaiser in an effort to save more money. We will be saving over $150 per paycheck!!! I need some help with finding a top notch OBGYN for future babies and a fantastic Pediatrician for Grace. I am considered high risk when pregnant, and I am really nervous about leaving Sharp. I am hoping some of you wonderful ladies can give me some good feedback and names of Dr.'s. Did I mention l live 5 miles away from Sharp Mary Birch. Yeah, total bummer.
Different people have different recommendation about their obgyns and pediatrician, read the article for more details.
Thanks for all the help. It makes the switch seem a little less dreadful to hear all of your good comments!
I was considered high risk and I has Dr. Casper at Zion. I loved her she was great... My pediatrician is in Rancho san diego he is great but is retiring.
Hi R.,
I've been happy w/Kaiser. Prenatal care you're usually see by midwives but since your high risk you'd probably be seen by doctors. I saw a few different midwives and was happy w/all of them. There was only one doctor I didn't like.
For pediatrics I go to Clmt Mesa and love our pediatrician. Her name is Dr.Siano. I've also heard high remarks about Dr. Martinez. Good luck!
P.S. I know Kaiser gets a bad wrap sometimes but to me and my family it's been a very good.
I'm also high risk. I absolutely loved Dr. Piacquadio and her midwife. She's a perinatalogist, so that's who you'd be going to with a high-risk pregnancy. She works out of Kaiser Zion hospital.
Hi, I am a nurse at Kaiser and had my daughter there 3 years ago. The OB/GYN I would recommend is Dr. Steve Richards in El Cajon. I'm sure there is someone closer to where you live. Just remember, you can always change doctors if you are not satisfied with the one you have. I have a great pediatrician at Clairemont,Dr. Ireland. There is also a great one near the hospital at Vandever named Dr. Cantrell, both female doctors, very caring. Also, for specialized care for your children, you can't beat Kaiser. They have the best!
Hi R.
I also like Dr. Piacquadio (I never know how to spell, much less pronounce her name, but I know it's the same one that Meghan mentioned - -) anyhow, I have never delivered with her or had prenatal care with her but I did see her for a consult and I really liked her. She will be my peri if I do have the good fortune to conceive. (she told me so! she was like 'you be sure to call me as soon as you get a positive PG test!"
As far as the OBs at Vandevere go, I have seen several nurse practitioners and I liked them all, but as far as OB's go, I would avoid Cantu and Bekkar (not sure on the spelling; Dr. (name?) Cantu is a woman and Dr. Bruce Bekkar is a man). I have heard that Cantu comes highly recommended but I thought she had an awful bedside manner. Same goes for Bekkar. I really like Dr. Ann McKiernan. She's very caring and kind.
For Grace - We love Dr. Patricia Cantrell at Vandevere. My boys have been going to her for several years now. She's wonderful. We've seen others over there too and everyone we've seen has been great so far.
Best of luck. -Suzanne
Oh, and PS - - Not gonna lie to you - Delivering a baby at Zion is not anything close to delivering at MB or at Scripps in terms of comfort and 'personal space'/privacy, but the medical care is great and you can be assured that you and your baby will be well taken care of.
Hands down, the best ob/gyn ever is Dr. Cantu. I'm having my third child, within the next couple of days!!, through Kaiser and Dr. Cantu is the best. I see her at the Vandever location.
My pediatrician, at Clairemont Mesa location, is Dr. Luevanos. Very down-to-earth, easy-going, listens to us and the children.
Kaiser's prenatal care is top-notch, truly.
Good luck
Hi There~ I've got 2 older kids and now an almost 10 month old baby-girl. I was in the complete Opposite position! I've always had Kaiser and had to switch to Sharp Doctors during my last pregnancy.
I think the BEST peds doc is at Kaiser Vandever...Dr. Cantrel. A young mom herself, she really has the full picture when she treats patients.
Hi R.,
I love Dr. Mc Keirnan. She has been my OB/GYN for the last 6 years. She is phenomenal! When I became pregnant, she had recently adopted a baby and her schedule was not flexible so we opted to see Dr. Cantu(I was not a high risk pregnancy so I had to fight to see a doctor). I couldn't have been happier. I am a natural worrier:( but somehow Dr. Cantu brought a calm to my pregnancy. She constantly reassurred me that everything was okay and my husband and I never felt rushed(this was our first pregnancy). We were very pleased with our experience and recommend her without reservation. We also have an awesome pediatrician name Dr. Rita Feghali. She is located at Vandeveer. Overall, with the care of the aformentioned physicians,our experience at Kaiser has been positive.
I had Dr. Piaquadia for the birth of my daughter in 2007. I was considered high risk and the staff was great and very attentive. It was great seeing her develop, as we went in every two weeks for appointments and in-room sonograms. Good luck
