Please help...Sarasota Area

We see Dr. Ted Meyer (Meyer Pediatrics AKA Dr. Ted's Circus) on Mound (41). He is awesome. The kids love him, my husband and I love him, he is knowledgable and non-judgmental. Appointments are easy to get, quick, and you don't spend hours in the waiting room.
As far as dentists, we use Dr. Silas McAninch (Dr. Mac) on 41 (near Webber). Again, amazing. He does not take insurance at all, but dental care is just plain expensive no matter what. He is fair, great with the kids, etc. Appointments are TOUGH to get, though, as he is one of only a few in town. Plan MONTHS early if you want an appointment. Also, he has VERY strict times that he'll see kids of any age and makes ZERO exceptions. If the time he'll see you is 12 noon, it's 12 noon. Not much in flexibility. But they 'run a tight ship' and you are in and out quickly. Both of my boys (3 1/2 and 5 1/2) went about 2 weeks ago. They were actually excited to go as they both love him. My oldest is even excited that Dr. Mac is going to give him a filling (!) in August.
Good luck and best wishes!

We also LOVE Dr. Katheine Keeley. We go to he office up on Univesity which in addition to being new and lovely we never have to wait. She is an outstanding doctor and a very sweet and understanding woman. Our son had a very difficult start to life and we really feel like Dr. Keeley saved his life. We can't recommend her more.

I really like Dr. Minella in Sarasota. She is part of Comprehensive Childcare on Cattlemen. Dr. Featherman and Dr. Carrol are also good in the practice. It was important for my daughter to have a female pediatrician because I had some issues with a male doctor when I was young. Dr. Minella is patient with us and respects my opinion as a mother. She takes a lot of time with us each visit and makes me feel like I am talking to another mother. Hope this helps.

I really like Dr. Katherine Keeley. She has an office in Sarasota (corner of Bahia Vista and East Ave) and another one just north of University Ave. I have a 16 month-old daughter, and Dr. Keeley has been very sweet and caring, always making my daughter comfortable. She was recommended by my OBGYN before my daughter was born, and she was recommended by another friend of mine, who's daughter just turned 18 and doesn't want to switch doctors, so she still goes to a pediatrician.

I have also heard that children can get free shots from the health department, so you might want to look into that until you get your insurance.

Regarding daycare, I looked at LOTS of facilities around town, and I ended up going with a licensed family daycare - a lady who takes care of kids out of her home. I had a hard time tracking down the family daycares, but once you start looking, most of the providers are in associations, so they can usually give you names of other providers. I visited about 10 before I found someone I really trusted. My lady doesn't have any open space right now, but here's another provider who is really nice and can probably redirect you, if she's already booked:

Gail Molinaro
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I think she lives down near Proctor and Beneva.

Good luck!

-L. H.

Careful re Gail Molinaro - she isn't who she says she is, whole thing about her & Lee a lie - she was formerly known as Gail Wilk. Look on Sarasota County Clerk of Court. Also, a baby died in her care and she has been caught taking over the limit on # of children allowed.