I need a new pediatrician. Some of the problems that I have with my current ped that we've been seeing for two years are these:
1. I need someone who trusts that I am an intelligent person and an experienced mother. I've been a mom longer than my ped has been a father and I have three times the children. But I dont feel like he trusts my judgement. I'll tell him things that I'm concerned about or things that happen and he blows them off or tells me that they're not possible.
2. I need someone who can get us in for SICK visits the day of, like emergency visits, when they get sent home from school or spend all night up sick. I understand that someone who always has tons of openings, probably doesnt have a good faithful client base or they wouldn't have openings. I just mean for emergency type sick visits.
3. I need someone who speaks English clearly, like a native speaker. English is my ONLY language, unless you count Latin =) and I can't understand some people that we've tried.
4. I want someone who is Board certified in pediatrics. I have two children with special medical needs, who have specialists, but I need a pediatrician who has a strong knowledge and experience base.
5. I don't mind traveling 20 minutes from where I live in Craig Ranch to see someone good. I go somewhere nearby now and I would rather drive and be happy.
6. I need someone with good bedside manner. Two of my children scare easy.
7. I need someone who is not prescription happy BUT will give prescriptions when they're necessary. I dont want an all-natural place. I don't want a pharmacy kickback doctor either. But I would LOVE someone who would CALL IN prescriptions sometimes. I would LOVE that.
Please give me any recommendations that you have.
I don't care if the doctor is male or female.
If the doctor is young, I would love there to be an older doctor also on staff so that the young doctor had some older experience close by.
I would rather there not be TOO many doctors practicing at the same place. I've found that those places seem more like factories and the receptionists and nurses never remember you.
I'm really looking for somewhere to go for the next 18 years with my kids.
Hospital priviledges don't matter to me right now. Our specialists take care of our kids when they have to be in the hospital.
Thanks so much for your suggestions. I have a few meet and greet appointments set up this week. This is such a big decision!
Hi Sara,
I take my son to Dr. Kessinger. He is in McKinney off of Eldorado. I love him and would highly recommend him. His number is 9.###-###-####.
I have used Dr. Chad Guetersloh (Dr. G) for 15 months at Centennial Hospital in Frisco. I've heard the other doctors (Newton and Nail) are very good too. Dr. G was recommended by a co-worker and several twin/multiples moms. I have been satisfied. He is probably 35-40 years old and has children of his own. I believe he has a special needs child, but I have not inquired about that.
We have only been sick once and had a small battle with eczema...so I don't have a lot of experience with sick appts. Sick appts are scheduled in the morning for that day (can't schedule ahead of time).
I ask a ton of questions and want to understand "why". He is very patient and will talk to you as long as you have questions.
His office calls back fairly quickly when you leave a message. I have used their after hours phone service once (they now charge a small fee) and am satisfied. I have not used their after hours care facility (After Hours Pediatrics at Legacy/Independance - used by many Pedi's in the area - charges a copay - yeah!).
He will personally call you and talk to you on the phone about any of your needs/concerns prior to selecting him. If you want to meet him in person, I'm sure they could schedule you in.
I don't know if he is taking new patients.
We love, love, love our pedi, and he seems to fit all of your qualifications - esp. about the prescriptions and not prescribing stuff too quickly (only when necessary). He is in Frisco, and he is with 2 other doctors. However, I've seen him for 5 years now with my oldest and never had a complaint. His name is Dr. Christopher Newton with Centennial Pediatrics in Frisco. ###-###-####
I second ABC Pediatrics and Dr. Suzanne Dugopowski she is wonderful. We love the entire practice!
Sounds to me that Dr. Bain in Frisco is the perfect one for you. I found her by the GRACE of GOD, seriously, and gladly drive from McKinney....read her website and her profile....you will know after you do.
One visit my four year old would not pee in a cup to rule out an infection....she gave me the cup, told me maybe she would relax at home and I could get the sample...told me what to look for and if I saw it to call and she would fax a Rx....I was shocked. My old pedi would have cathed her or made us keep trying...turns out she was fine and there was no fuss...I love that she acknowledged I have a brain and could follow her simple instructions out of the best interest for my child. I love this office. She is currently the only MD in the office.
I recommend Dr. Menchaca at Pediatric Healthcare Associates. She is young, energetic, a mother herself and I feel very comfortable with her. I had switched to her when my daughter was 2yo after going to ABC Pediatrics with Dr. Dugopolski. I was very unhappy with her practice, she is all about prescribing antibiotics for everything (which I'm not really a fan of), her staff wasn't super friendly and in the one yr I was there, she had 2 different partners and I think has a different one now since then....hmmmm. Good luck with your decision.
I would also reccommend dr Kessinger. he is a older gentleman and is great with my special needs child. we had just moved here 3 years ago and needed to get seen by a dr and i chose him because he was on my list. i have never regreted it since. on our first visit he told me that if i ever needed anything to give him a call, if he couldn't help me out then he new many drs that would be willing to help. i think there are about 4 or 5 drs in the practice but every time i need to take my son in i always ask for him and i get him. so good luck. he really is a great man.
Centennial Pediatrics, on the border of Frisco and McKinney I think. All the DR's that work there are awesome. They do make follow up phone calls, when needed. Our DR (Dr. Newton) knows me by name and has been seeing my kids for 8+ years. He takes the time to make sure all of your questions are answered and definitly does not push meds on you. He plays with the kids not just makes sure they are healthy.
4401 Coit Road
Suite 203
Frisco, Texas 75035
###-###-####
I highly recommend Dr. Suzanne Dugopolski at ABC pediatrics on virginia parkway in McKinney. I don't even know where to begin telling you about how great she is.... There are only 2 doctors in the practice, her and Dr. Rodriguez (who is also fine, but a bit more prescription-happy than Dr. Suzanne is). She is relatively young--late 30's, I would say--but really knows her stuff and always answers all our questions thoroughly. My attitude towards medicine is that I want to be given all the information, have the options explained, and then make the decision myself. She's great with this. DD was born with a congenital heart defect, and Dr. Suzanne first spotted it, then was great with supporting the cardiologist (even called us at home the day after we got home from the hospital to check in). We always get in same day for sick visits--once we even called from the car on the way to the ER for stitches, and she said don't go to the hospital, come straight here, and she then stayed through her own lunch hour to stitch up DD herself! She'll also meet you for an interview at no cost if you'd like to talk to her before you make your decision--she has a particular day that she'll do this--presumably when things are slow. GL, I know it can be tough to find a dr. you love!
