Looking for Pediatrician in Perry Hall, MD

Think about what you might need after the office closes! That seems to be when babies and kids do things that would need a doctor's care. Ask your potential pedi how they handle after hours problems, are they on call, do they have someone to handle their off days, do they just refer you to the emergency room or make you wait until the weekend is over, do they take newborns and up to what age? What hospital(s) are they affiliated with-your insurance will work better with you if your doc goes to the same hospital as your insurance wants you to go to.

Do you feel comfortable with the doctor? If you do, more than likely your baby will too. Are they willing to answer questions without making you feel rushed (and or like you are annoying them by asking)? Do they have someone that can help out with those little things that just need a reassuring answer like a nurse practioner or physician's assistant in case the doctor is busy? Who gives the baby their injections? My pedi's never gave the shots...saying that it ruined the rapport between the child and the doctor, prefering to let the nurse "do the dirty work".

One that I work with that I know is good and the patients rave about in that area is Ari Silver-Isenstat. He works out of Franklin Square Hospital and I think has his own office. He has a wonderful bedside manner and the kids love him. (moms do too!!)

Dont be afraid to shop around until you find the one that is the perfect fit for you and your baby. You both have to be comfortable!

I have to second the recommendation for Maryland Pediatric Group! I am a nanny and have taken a couple children that I cared for over the years there, they are excellent!

Hi C.,
we were in the same boat, and hadn't chosen our pediatrician before our son came 3.5 weeks early. Since we delivered at Hopkins, we chose the Hopkins pediatrics practice at White Marsh before checking out of the hospital, sight unseen. We ended up with Dr. Maureen Burke and we absolutely love her. I have also heard great things about Dr. Pinto there. Dr. Burke is just the right mix of a good listener and authority on children and offers advice without being condescending. Her staff has been super, too. when we come for well baby visits, we never have to wait for long in the waiting area. Some questions you may want to ask your pediatrician, (keeping in mind not all these will necessarily be important to you, just a place to start):

1)Do they have evening and weekend hours?
2) Will they call you back in a timely manner, no matter how little they may think your concern might be?
3)Do they agree with/ will they support your feeding (breast/bottle)decision?
4) Do they support your vaccination decisions?
5) How long have they been practicing? (This can be important, because we initially interviewed a ped. at GBMC that had been in practice for many years. He was highly recommended but ended up retiring when our son was 6 months old. thank goodness we didn't go with him)

6)walk in-no appt hours at a time convenient to my work schedule, and
7)separate well and sick waiting rooms.
8)Will they give you references?
9) proximity to your house!! we never thought this would be that important, but for the entire first week of our baby's life, we had to see the doc and he needed blood work because his bilirubin (baby jaundice) was elevated. It was very very nice that it was only 10 minutes away.

The most important thing is that they share your parenting philosophy and that they will not make light of your questions and concerns.

We can always count on our pediatrician to spend a lot of time with us and answer all of our 5 million questions without making us feel like a retard. I think you will get a vibe when you talk with them - and trust your gut.

Good luck, Hope this helps!

I have a friend who uses Honeygo Pediatrics on Sandpiper Circle and a friend who uses Johns Hopkins at White Marsh docs (Maureen Burke_). BOth are very pleased. I actually live on this side of town and travel to Greenspring. I love my ped....Maryland Pediatric Group.

Hope this helps

Dr. Yamcek is a great doctor. She is located at the North Parkville Medical Center, right off of 695 towards Carney. She has been my children's doctor since I had my youngest, who will be turning 3 in January. I highly recommend her.