Pediatricians Recommendations for Lancaster PA Area

Although my dh works in Lancaster, and we live in Palmyra, I take our kids to a family practice in Harrisburg. All 3 kids started out at a Ped office, and I was NOT happy with the service, atmosphere and attitude of the people there. I recall calling one time around dinner time on a Saturday, and when the Dr called me back I could hear him banging his fork (or some utensil!) on his plate...as if saying "how dare you bother me at dinner". This was my first child. This same Dr had me in tears shortly after #3 was born because I chose not to breastfeed....he pretty much harrassed me about 5 hours after giving birth!!

The family practice we're at now, I've been seeing this Dr since I was pregnant with my 2nd (1997). We know them very well, and they know us well, and I've found that there are times when I walk in there, tell them what is wrong with my kids and he says "you should have just called, we would have taken care of it over the phone". If I were to have another baby, and I know I'm not gonna, I wouldn't even start at a Ped office.....but that's just my opinion.

B.

Hi T.!
I have a 2-y.o. daughter, and we have always taken her to Lancaster Ped. Assoc. My reasoning has always been to see a specialist in what ails you. A ped. is a specialist and all they see is kids. A fam. practioner sees everything (but probably most of all elderly patients and sore throats) and is quite limited in scope--they are only knowledgeable to a certain point, and could miss things that a ped. probably wouldn't. I feel that if my insurance allows it, I should seek out the very best care. It costs me the same to take my daughter to a ped rather than the family doctor, so why shouldn't I choose a specialist?

I have been very happy with the standard of care, waiting time, response time, etc. that I get from LPA. If you want to see the same doctor every visit then ask when you schedule--it is as simple as that. You don't have to go with whomever they suggest, just ask when you call. My daughter has had about 90% of her visits there with Dr. Paulson, who was the 1st one to see her in the hospital when she was born. We like him and she responds well to him. But I have liked all of the other doctors we have met there as well.
Good luck!

From the time I was 2 till I was 16 i always went to Norlanco in Reems/Mount Joy. They have a wonderful staff and you could continue to use them as your children grow.

I've taken my son, almost 4, to Manor Family Health in Millersville since birth. I've been particularly pleased with Dr. Emmert and Dr. Baird and their Nurse Practioner, Lynn, is excellent with children. My personal preference is having the family all at one practice.
Kids who are around other children pretty much will have colds one after the other. My son was home with me until he started pre-school this past fall and he's had one cold on top of the other since starting school. My mom's ENT doc said under 5 or 6 years old, in a daycare or school setting expect 1 or 2 colds per month, each lasting 10 days to 2 weeks through out the cold and flu season. In other words, continuously. I guess the phrase "snot-nosed kids" came about for a real reason! Is your concern that there is something other than a cold going on? Go to an allergist or ENT for a second opinion. Your doctor should be happy to give you a referal if your insurance requires it. Otherwise just make the appointment and go on your own. Good Luck.

T.,
I would recommend to you Beittel-Becker Pediatrics. They are located off of Rohrerstown Rd near Stauffers of Kissel Hill. The phone number is ###-###-####. They are wonderful, caring doctors! I have a daughter who will be 6 in March and another one on the way. They have convienient hours and I have never had any trouble getting in to make appointments! They just recently moved to this new building in August and previous to that they were located on Columbia Ave next to Carlos and Charlie's. I have not been to the new office yet as I am fortunate my daughter does not get sick (knock on wood) but from what I understand it is beautiful. My daughter has been a patient there for almost 6 years and I wouldn't hesitate for once recommending them. They give you more personalized service rather then the other 2 well know & LARGER pediatricians in Lancaster (Lancaster Pediatrics & Roseville Pediatrics). We were a patient at Lancaster Pedatrics when my daughter was 1 month old and there was a discrepency with the insurance billing and they wanted to discuss it right then and to me my daughter was priority not how they insurance made a mistake. They didn't even consider me calling at a more convienient time which disturbed me. Then on top of all this as my daughter was now crying she had to go in and get shots and the doctor didn't even seem to care. I knew right then and there this was the wrong office for me. I can say going to the doctor's is not stressful for either of us and I am so glad that I changed when my daughter was young. I especially like the fact that the doctors encourage you to hold your child when they get shots so that they are comforted and feel safe. That didn't happen at Lancaster Pediatrics...my daughter was all but naked (only a diaper on) and laying on that cold paper, crying, just broke my heart. I want my daughter to feel confident that she can trust her doctor and I can honestly say I am condident that has been accomplished. I would make one other recommendation about the office. If you like a doctor that comes in gets to the point and doesn't say things to make you worry or maybe too little info then I would recommend not seeing Dr. Hilary Becker. She is older and maybe has more of the "older style" methods. I think she is a wonderful doctor as I prefer her method...why worry when you don't have too...but others feel she is cold and doesn't give enough info. That would be for you to decide. They are open for you to come and visit the practice and it will take some trial and error finding the doctor you are most comfortable with. I have seen all the doctors and I am not picky when I make my appointments and set up those times with who is available. I have faith in all of the practitioners and feel that they have have that one common trait....the best interest of my child!! Hopefully, I have helped and good luck finding a pediatrician or keeping your current doctor.
H. :-)

Pros and cons of a Ped.
Pros: you have drs that specialize in children and infants. Personally I felt better taking my kids to a Dr. who dealt with babies and kids on a constant daily basis, rather than a general Dr. whos main group of patients consisted of elderly people. You also have (in most cases) a Dr. who is on-call after office hours who can give you advice if your child gets sick or you have an emergency.
Cons: sometimes a longer wait, but I always felt it was worth it.

I used to use Lancaster Pediatric Associates (we moved to York Co. and had to switch.) I loved the team of Dr's there. I don't know why that other mom had such a bad time there. I first went back in 2001 before I had my first son to discuss different things w/them and see if they matched what I was looking for in a Ped. I was very happy with them, and chose them to be my baby's ped. From birth, the team of Drs were excellent w/my child. The Dr. on duty @ the WBH came and talked w/me about everything going on in the hospital...from hearing test, apgar scores, to circumcision. He was polite and had better bedside manner than most Drs I've met.
I was happy that LPA offered on call Drs who were prompt at returning your call, whether it was just after the office closed, or if it was 3 in the morning. I always held my kids during shots, and was encouraged to nurse them after they got the shot to help sooth them. The Drs and nurses always took the time to ask questions, and make sure my questions were answered.
I would still use them today if the practice wasn't so far from my new home. I was concerned that in an emergency, we would not be able to get to the practice, or a hospital that the Drs have rights to.
I would recommend that you make appts with Peds that you are interested in using to go and talk w/them and find out more about their practice. I didn't get charged for my consultation.

Hi T.!
one year my son got horribly sick on Thanksgiving morning...one of the doctors on call at my pediatrician's office met me at the office becuase I was so nervous that I couldn't get my 1 year old to stop vomitting or keep fluids down. He ended up needing to be hospitalized. I really felt the pediatrician made the best call and I don't think I would have gotten that service from a family doctor. The only con that I can think of is that with a lagrger ped. practice there are so many doctors that your kiddo might see a different one each time he is sick...just make sure to schedule your well visits with the same one for continuity!!! We go to Roseville Pediatrics.