This is my first visit here and I am enjoying what it offers! I have also read a number of the pediatrician threads already posted, but wanted to see if there were any suggestions for a similar but different situation.....
My son (15 months) currently sees a doctor from Children's Healthcare Associates. I have never been blown away by their practice and generally dislike the nursing staff. For example, for my son's first set of shots, I "asked" if I could nurse him through it and was told by the nurse that I wasn't allowed to because he could choke and would also associate pain with nursing!!!! His doctor is knowledgeable and lets me do the Sears' delayed vax schedule but she wouldn't recognize either me or my son if she saw us without an appointment and his medical chart. Fast forward to the WORST experience ever with another one of the doctors there who accused me of putting my son at risk for dying and gave me a lecture on safety and I am done.
I am looking for more personalized attention such as "Oh "O" you have gotten so big since I last saw you". I am also having a hard time with the vax because we are now "off schedule" due to the unavailability of the separate MMR shots. I need someone who will guide me back onto the track I want etc. I need some guidance with sleep and food, but who will be open to the fact that I am still breastfeeding. I also HATE waiting forever and a day for a call back from a nurse, etc. If I have gathered the courage to finally call and bother the doctor, I would like a call within 1-2 hours to at least see what I am freaking out about.
I was originally referred to Dr. Donald Brown (before my baby was born) but after a less than appealing conversation with the receptionist when I called I chose to look elsewhere. However, after reading some of the posts, I wondering if I should reconsider.
I was also referred to Dr. Minkus in Skokie. I don't know if I need/want to have a doc so far from where we live (West Loop). Also is he associated with Children's Hospital?
Does anyone have any thoughts based upon our particular needs?
Wow this is long. I am sorry about that. thank you in advance!
This is such a great forum and I am so glad I found it. Thank you all for your suggestions. I will try and come back and give a report once I have chosen and seen the new doctor.
Edited to add: Dr. Brown's office and Lakeview Pediatrics are both closed for new patients.
We use Dr. Brown's office, and see Dr. Starr. She is truly great. The practice as a whole though, will not do a delayed vaccine schedule. I do believe they will let you "space" the vacs though. Good luck!
I am a new first time mom. My daughter is 3 months old and I love my pediatrician. Dr Peter Hwas and northwestern pediatrics group. He is very informative and patient with me and all my questions as a new mom. He is on halsted.###-###-####
I adore Dr. Aleta Clark at Child and Adolescent Health. As mentioned above, the office is at 1030 N. Clark (Oak St.). She gives us as much time as we need, never rushes us.
I really like Dr. Hirsh at Northwestern Children's Practice. All the docs in the group are good, but I've been really pleased with the personal attention she gives me and my 2 girls (6months and 3 years - been with her since the 3 year old was born). The nurses are helpful and call back right away. There's a lactation consultant too. Good luck!
We see Dr. Paul Martin at the Northwestern Memorial Physicians Group on Halsted between Division and North. He is very good with both of my kids and will take the time to go through all my questions and concerns each visit without feeling rushed. If I call after hours we definitely receive a call back within a half hour - from the doctor on duty not necessarily Dr. Martin. They always have sick baby appointments available if needed same day. The nurses and office staff are always friendly to us. Not sure what his opinion is of different vaccination schedules as we have followed the normal schedule, but he has always been open to alternative options for issues with my kids, so he would seem the type to be open to alternative vaccination schedules as well.
Hi S.,
I would highly, highly recommend my pediatrician, Dr. Charles Crotteau at Advocate Family Practice. He is affiliated with Advocate Illinois Masonic hospital, and is absolutely wonderful. I moved out of the city over a year ago and still make the hour plus drive every few months so we can see him. (Going tomorrow in fact!) We interviewed a few pediatricians at some of the bigger, more well-known practices, and by far I got the warmest feeling with Dr. Crotteau. He has called me on his day off to check in on the kids, always responds quickly to questions or concerns, he knows our family well, and I definitely don't feel like a number there. He has been very open-minded with me about an alternate vaccination schedule, and I breastfed my son for over two years, and he was very accepting with that as well, and actually has a lactation consultant on staff at the office. They actually were encouraging when I told them I was co-sleeping and gave me information supporting how wonderful it is for the baby! I honestly can't say enough good things about the practice, and it sounds like they could be wonderful for you and your family's needs. If you have any other questions, feel free to get in touch. And if you get any advice about doctors in the Crystal Lake area, please pass it along! :)
S.,
We see Dr. Gonzalzles at Riverpoint Pediatrics (Ashland and Fullerton). It is easy to schedule appts and he responds himself to email or phone questions. Because he is the only doctor (although I think he has brought on an asst. now) you do need to go to Children's for any after hour issues.
When we first started, he was willing to have a long discussion with us about his view on vaccines, autism, etc. and we do a delayed vaccine schedule with his support. We never feel rushed or that he is not interested or doesn't have time for our concerns. So far we have had only good experiences.
As far as personalized approach... he "friended" all of his clients on Facebook and recently shared pictures of his daughter's wedding, his summer vacation, etc. He has also commented to me on different Healthcare postings I have made so I think that is pretty cool. Gives me a different perspective of his life than just his doctoring.
Anyway, good luck!
HI my name is J. and My son name is Jermaine and he is about to be four next month but to the point he has been going to the same doctor since birth and her name is Dr. Buckner and she is truly a great doctor to have for your kid she's always been very caring and helpful even over the littlest things and shows no judgement but she does try and offer advice when she feels you may need it but its never pushy here's the number to the office just in case you want to give her a try ###-###-#### there located on north avenue and narragansett. the staff is very friedly and the office is always in tip top shape whenever i go and they have a nurse hotline that you can call 24/7 and there quick at returning calls or helping you with whatever your problem is
Good luck and sorry for such a long response
Hi S.:
I actually go to doctor Donald Brown's office but I see Dr Megan Lynch and I REALLY REALLY like her. She has a son close to my sons age and TRULY understood what I was going through with breastfeeding and gave me great tips on b/f, feeding, sleeping through the night, starting solids etc. I have seen Dr Brown as well and he is wonderful.
That beign said, I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU MEAN ABOUT THE FRONT DESK STAFF. Truly,it is not just you. In fact, my husband and I call one woman grumpy bear because she is really in the wrong profession. I'll spare you the details.
Best of luck with your search. I just wanted top give my thoughts on Dr Brown's office. Feel free to send me a message if you have any questions.
TG
Someone already mentioned him - Dr Crotteau. He's great. Open and knowledgeable and very attentive. He is a family doc so he treats my 5 year old, my year-old twins and me as well.
THe Ravenswood Practice is pretty good in general - sometimes the receptionists are a bit gruff but other things are so good that it doesn't bother me. I have had positive experiences with all the docs there (with a big exception - Dr Ali - I have had several awful experiences with her). AND there is even free parking!
Check out Dr. Nava Segal at the Rush Physicians Lincoln Park office at Sheffield & Diversey. I've gotten calls back from her within 10 minutes when she's on call. She's a pediatrician. She is not our doctor, but while doc was on maternity leave we took both kids to see her. She's warm & intelligent. And she will definitely remember who you are if she saw you on the street! Our doc just moved out of state with her husband, and we're considering staying at that practice with Dr. Segal. We really prefer the D.O. approach, though, and have always had a family physician who was a D.O. since our kids were born. They tend to be much more personal and more invested in developing a relationship with the patient/family. I can also recommend the Illinois Masonic Family Practice. They have lots of amazing physicians there. I didn't LOVE the nursing staff, but they do have a Developmental Specialist on staff, which is really helpful.
Hope this helps!
Our doctor is Dr. Brown at Streeterville Pediatrics. We think he is great. He has a great personality that appeals to the kids and the moms. I am unsure about his feelings on a modified vaccination schedule as we vaccinate on schedule. Every time I have called with a question or worry, someone has called me back within the hour. There are 3 other doctors within the practice and I like them all. Dr. Brown does book up quickly so I always try to schedule my appointments way in advance.
I really love the pediatrician my son has seen since he was born, Dr. Jeremy Pripstein at Rush Lifetime Medical Assoc. ###-###-####, near Jackson and Ashland. I don't know their feelings on delayed or alternate scheduling for vaccines, but I am sure he'd talk to you about it. I interviewed him before my son was born and he spent at least 20 minutes on the phone with me. He never rushes us out and even though (thankfully) we have primarily seen him for well baby and annual check ups (my son is 5) I am sure he'd recognize us outside of the office. He seems to take a genuine and personal interest in my son's health and development. Oh, and he was totally supportive of my choice to exclusively breastfeed (made it to almost 18 months).
That being said, I don't love the office staff there, but it's worth it to see Dr. Pripstein. Good luck and hope you find someone that suits your family's needs.
Hi S.,
I highly recommend the Advocate Illinois Masonic Ravenswood Family Practice Center (I hope I got the name right, it is very long!) It is on the corner of Ravenswood and Wilson. Everyone there is very nice and accomodating, you can always talk to a nurse 24hrs, or if a doctor's opinion is needed, they will page someone and you will get a call back within 20 minutes. There is also a walk-in clinic available every day except Sunday, for times when something comes up that's not an emergency but you don't have an appointment. We see Dr. Weisberger, she is great, but due to that she is also very booked, so if that is frustrating, all of the other doctors there, including the residents, have been awesome! I hope you try it out and like it!
go to dr minkus in lincolnwood or skokie. he is totally ok with whatever your decision on vaccines is and is a HUGE breastfeeding advocate. Did not bat an eye when he learned that my kids didnt wean til age 5.5 and in fact, brought in a med student so I could show him how "normal" I was! As far as sleep and foods, you have to go to more alternative doctors bc minkus is supportive but not as knowledgeable about some of these topics in the way i hear you describing yourself. good luck!
Have you tried Drs. Cahan, Weinstein, taxman and panoushis. I would try them. They are affiliated with Northwestern hospital. I have only been once sincemy baby was born 4 weeks ago but they are very nice particularly dr. Weinstein and Dr Panoushis. I called during week on a Sunday and I got a call back within 1hr. Also, I know they schedule consultation appt at no charge. Hope this helps. We live in West loop too and find having pediatrician closer is key!
Hi S.,
My daughter's first pediatrician was Dr. Minkus. We stopped seeing him when my daughter was around 5 or 6 yrs old. We had like 3 incidents and I finally said no more. One time when my daughter was sick we waited for over 2 hours, the nurse came in two or three times and was a little surprised he hadn't come in yet. We left. Got a call the next day, saying I'm sorry I thought I was being a good doctor. Next, until then the nurses were great. She would get her shots, wouldn't even cry the nurse would distract her and calm her down. One time my husband took her for her shots and he said the nurse was mean and impatient. Last time I was there my daughter had a double ear infection and when he tried to look into her ears she started to cry a little bit and he snapped at her "I said stop crying". I think he needs to retire. I just wanted the prescription and to get out of there. I can't imagine him getting any better with age.
I definitely don't recommend him.
LOVE our pediatrician, Dr. Li at the Northwestern Children's Practice. She's young, has kids herself and I feel like she understands what we're going through as new parents. We called her at 5 in the morning once with a question and she was so patient and talked to us for almost half an hour. AT 5 IN THE MORNING!
Highly recommend her!
Hi S.,
Dr. Elizabeth Lojewski in Niles, www.oakmillperiatrics.com.
Wonderful doctor, great stuff, open to hear parents sugestions,open to late vax schedule or no vax at all.
She has been my kids doctor for 14 years!
Good Luck S.!
D.
Dr Joseph Terrizzi NorthShore Health. Evanston Northwestern affiliate.
He has been my son's ped since he was three. He is now 15. He remembers everything me or my son ever told him when he walks into the room he greets my son like an old friend that he saw just yesterday. He is very skilled and his staff is wonderful.
I am sure that you have received a million responses to your request at this time! But here is another if it will help you. I go to a wonderful family practice doctor in Western Springs, Dr. Rebecca Preston. She is off of 47th and Central. I live in Chicago, but make the drive because she is great! Both of my daughters are on the delayed shot schedule. My choice and never pushed. The staff is small, but amazing! My children sometimes get to go behind the counter and get lots of hugs! When I have a problem or question, I almost always get a nurse when I call, not leave a msg. If I want Dr. Becky to call me personally (which is always okay with her), I usually have to wait until the end of her day of patients. And, I can always get in the same day if something is serious. It's worth a try, and she is fabulous. She and her husband (now passed) have delivered many babies in my family. She is my doctor, my OB and my pediatrician, try her if you still haven't decided. She even accepts Meet and Greet patients if you want to meet her but are not sure if you want to transfer all your records. Good luck and all the best to you!
I also recommend Dr. Minkus in Skokie, although I don't know what he may be like now. The inconvenience for you is a major consideration, but then again, avoiding all of that aggravation, and not having to second-guess your pediatrician all the time, is worth something too, right? (That is, unless the story told here is more commonplace in his office now). He's supportive of partial or non-vaccination of children. I'm actually surprised to hear that he would give antibiotics for an ear infection! He's a former colleague of Dr. Robert Mendelsohn, author of How to Raise a Healthy Child In Spite of Your Doctor.
http://www.amazon.com/Raise-Healthy-Child-Spite-Doctor/dp...
I also recommend this group of family-practice physicians They treat the whole family, cradle to grave, and they are supportive of parents' wishes on vaccinations, and they are very informative about alternatives to using antibiotics...
http://www.homefirst.com/index.php?option=com_content&...
Best wishes,
J.
Child and Adolescent Health associates at Clark and Oak. We see Dr. T and love her, but they are all great! I follow the Dr. sears delayed schedule and she has been great with it.
S., I'm curious as to which doctor was so rude to you. I also go to that practice. I love my doctor, Lyons, but completely agree about the nursing staff. I will say the staff at their Northbrook office is wonderful. The 2 nurses there really take time with you and they know the patients. Even the receptionist the other day remarked on how much my daughter looks like my baby. My daughter had not been in the office for 2 months. Dr. Lyons also calls me back within 1-2 hours when I leave him a voicemail. I know you are "done" but I wanted you to know there are some good ones in the office. Good luck.
Hi Sarah. :)
We actually go to Dr. Minkus in his Lincolnwood location on McCormick location...not sure if that helps the distance issue. Dr. Minkus is always overbooked and never on time...we have waited 2 hours with a newborn. :(
On a separate note, Dr. Minkus is not associated with NW so when our two little boys were born, we used Streeterville Pediatrics, which is where Dr. Brown practices. We have had GREAT experience with Dr. Brown, Dr. Starr and Dr. Lynch. They are all professional and very responsive to questions. I would suggest trying them again and letting them know of the receptionist issue. If we lived closer to their office, we would have gone there. Streeterville is assocated with Children's Memorial as well per their website. http://www.streetervillepediatrics.yourmd.com/ypol/user/u...
Hope that helps. :) Good luck! K.
Sorry you are having trouble with the practice.. I too go to the same practice and really have had positive experiences so far. We see Necheles and he knows who we are are has supported the Sears delayed vax schedule as well. The nurses let me hold my baby when he is getting a shot. I have called him several times and left him messages on his voicemail and he has always called within a couple of hours... you have some good suggetions here, but I like the fact that this practice is busy and sees so many kids as they know what they are talking about. Dr. Necheles sees about 120 kids a week, I would rather him be busy then have the time to remember all of the details about every single child he sees. Just my thoughts! Good luck.
