Moving to Area and Seeking Pediatrician for My Children

I too have to agree with the two that already said Dr. Katherine Keely!! She is a wonderful pediatrician, and has an amazing calming effect on both the children and parents:) My 6 year old and 3 year old love her! Plus the waiting room is actually a fun place for the kids. Her other office is on East Ave (in Midtown Plaza behind Benigans) and the phone number there is ###-###-####. I drive 30-45 minutes from Venice to see her, I think she's worth it! Also, I have heard very good things about the other Drs in the practice. I hope this helps you as you try to decide.

I cannot say enough about Dr. Mark Brus with First Physicians Group. His office is on Clark Rd. He is a family practice physician. My 2 yr old, 3 1/2 month old and myself all go to him. He is excellent. He is very laid back, but extremely attentive and since he is a teaching physician, is willing to answer all questions and does so with respect and clarity. His office number is: ###-###-####.

My youngest has a cleft palate and he has been great in making sure that she is getting what she needs. He made an effort to see to it that she was feeding properly and gaining the weight she needed to from day 1. He helped me understand her situation and has been very supportive of my exclusively pumping to make sure she gets breast milk instead of formula, as she cannot nurse at the breast. I wish he had been my older daughter's pediatrician when she was born. Things for both of us would have been SOOOO much better in those early days!

I HIGHLY recommend Dr. Katherine Keeley for a pediatrician. She has an office up off of exit 213 in Cooper Creek that we love. She also has an office near Sarasota Memorial. We rarely have to wait - which is great! And she helped our preemie son get the correct care he needed when he was born and it saved his life. There are other doctors in the same office that I have also heard rave reviews about. Here phone number is ###-###-####.
~M.~

We moved into Sarasota going on 3 years now..came from PA. Welcome! I highly suggest Dr. Ted Meyer ###-###-####) as your pediatrician. It would be about a 15 minute drive for you; he's absolutely wonderful! The nurses and staff are very helpful and resourceful as well. When I call for an appt, I always get in that same day! They also have a 7:30 drop-in time each morning for early morning visits - no appts necessary.

Most of the moms I know use Dr. Featherman (Comprehensive Childcare Associates) as the pediatrician for their kids. My kids really like him, and he is well respected in the medical community. There are three other good doctors in the practice, so you can always get an appointment that day when your child is sick. The office has both a well and a sick waiting room. They are located on Cattleman Rd. and their phone # is ###-###-####.

With regard to OBGYN's - I can personally recommend
Dr. Michael Finazzo. I go to him, as do most of the women in my family. He is great, and very caring. A friend of mine goes to Dr. Hertz and really likes him as well. Both have a very good reputation in the medical community.

I hope this helps. Best of luck in this new chapter of your life - and welcome to Sarasota.

Pediatrician: Dr. Suzanne Southerland ###-###-####)is excellent. She is a young mother of two, extremely knowledgeable and compassionate. She was trained at Cleveland Clinic. Her partner (Dr. Phyllis Yonker)is great also. One of the best benefits of their practice is that they always cover their own after hours call. So if your child is sick, you get to speak to a doctor that knows your kid. Every other pediatrician in the area participates in a "call group" - so in the middle of the night, you're likely to get a doctor from a different practice who has never seen your child. Go meet Dr. Southerland - she offers a free consultation (on her lunch break) to meet her and answer questions. I can't say enough great things about her and the nurses!
OBGYN: The best is Dr. Michael Finazzo ###-###-####). His partner Maureen Maguire is great also if you prefer a female.

I used Dr. Deanna Doyle as my OB and now as my GYN. She's awesome. She's located in the Doctors Hospital building, so not too far from where you'll be.
We use, and LOVE, Dr. Ted Meyer for our pediatrician. He's on 41, but the drive is not bad at all from where you'll be. Appointments are quick, they get you in quickly, short waits, etc. He's AWESOME with the kids.
Gest of luck!

Katherine Keeley for pediatrician - very gentle, thorough, listens, has children and is very respected in the community.

Aaron Sudbury or Jennifer Swanson for OBGYN - Wonderful bedside manner, very thorough, err on side of caution and a wonderful birthing experience.

I moved here from New York 4 years ago and have been going to Dr. Dyal ever since. She came to me highly recommended. During my first pregnancy I was looking for a new OB and went to Sarasota Memorial to ask around. I figured, "these people work in the medical community. They're in the know. I want to go to who they go to." I was continually referred to Dr. Dyal. I have since had a miscarriage, D&C and a host of other issues and she always delt with me with caring & understanding. She has even been the one to call me back at 12 midnight when I had questions following my miscarriage. She is very well respected in the medical world and really knows her stuff. I always feel confident and secure in her care. Now that I am pregnant again she has been extremely helpful and understanding and has even scheduled an extra ultrasound for me to ease my worried mind. She NEVER makes you feel like your taking up too much of her time--even when I know I am. I can't recommend her highly enough. As for pediatricions--I'm finally looking for one too so I can't help you there. But otherwise, good luck! I've heard some great things about Dr. Finazzo too so whomever you choose, you will be in good hands!