Looking for Great Pediatrician in Irvine

I met with Dr. Widjaja today (was seeing Dr. Curtis previously) and wasn't impressed. My daughter was going for a sick visit but he assumed she was there for a well-visit and immediately started talking about vaccines and such. We did not go into details about it since I corrected him and told him we were there for a sick visit instead. BUT, I wasn't convinced initially that he'd be so open to an alternative vaccine schedule, like I've been doing for my daughter.

My main concern is that I then asked him about doing an exam on my newborn 24 hours after birth since I plan to deliver at a birthing center. He must've told me 6 times "I strongly recommend you have your baby in the hospital." I didn't ask him for his opinion on the matter - I just wanted to give him a "heads-up" about the newborn exam but he was pretty hesitant and unwilling to do it for me. It is my 4th child and I am an educated mother, but I found it silly that he wouldn't be willing to do an exam just because I wasn't planning to deliver at the hospital.

I'm on a search for a new Pediatrician as well, but it seems that none of the good ones ever take HMOs. ;(

I had Dr. Curtis as well and am curious as to what referrals you'll get.

I went to Dr. Downes initially but beware if you do an alternate vaccine schedule, or none at all. She is EXTREMELY OPPOSED to it and will bite your head off. Needless to say I had several bad office visits with her when my daughter was 10 days old, then at 7 weeks old. She was very rude/condescending to me and my husband. I felt very bullied and offended by her. When my daughter did get some of her shots, I was not told when she was getting pricked and therefore she got them while I was standing away from her. Sadly, she ended up wetting herself and the cot. I hate that she was lying in her own urine while getting injected.

Other than that, I don't doubt Downes is a good doctor. Just don't expect that she respect your opinions to doing anything other than what the CDC suggests.

I'm sticking with Dr. Curtis's replacement for now since I know he won't give me grief over my alternate vaccine schedule.

Dr Teresa Lee at Doctors of Children ###-###-####... Love her. She's a mom and can relate well to where you are. Her personality is great too.

Pam Middleton, MD
Pediatric Wellness Center
Pediatrician
_____________________________

###-###-#### (KIDS)

1501 Westcliff Drive, Suite 260
Newport Beach, CA 92660

I LOVED Dr. Curtis as well so I was heart broken when he left. We decided to see Dr. Baker who is in the same office as he is. I really like her and she is very down to earth. I am doing spacing between immunizations and she didn't seem to have a problem with it. If you are looking for a doctor who does alternate immunization schedules there is a link on the Dr. Sears website and there are a few doctors who participate in the Orange County area.

We go to Dr. Downes. She is wonderful. Her website is irvinepediatrics.com you can find her phone # there, etc.