Progressive Pediatrician?

Updated on June 03, 2008
D.M. asks from Kansas City, MO
4 answers

I saw someone else make this request, but didn't see any response so I thought I ask again. I'm looking for a pediatrician who is progressive and an advocate for a natural approach to health and wellness. I'd prefer someone with a traditional medical education and is board certified but is also familiar with acupuncture, homeopathy, etc. Not too kooky, but forward thinking. I'd love any recommendations.

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So What Happened?

It seems as if others are very much interested in finding a holistic provider but aren't having any luck. I did remember that I met a woman, Bethany Klug <www.bethanyklug.com&gt; who lead the Mindfulness sangha at Unity who was also a physician. I liked her personally and she really practiced what she preached but when I looked at her resume, I wished she had more experience with children. I may end up calling her since I'm not finding many other options. If anyone ends up talking to her, let me know. Thanks everyone!

UPDATE 6/4/08:
I saw the new posts. Thanks so much for the names - I'll definitely look them up.

More Answers

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T.J.

answers from Kansas City on

I love our pediatrician, Dr. Sarah Gladstone at Lee's Summit Physicians Group. I wouldn't say she is into alternative medicine, but she is incredibly smart and up to date. She is very knowledgable and asks questions like, "what is your mindset on vaccinations? what do you want to do about them?" with the birth of my daughter. She didn't automatically assume I was on the AMA/APA ride, which I appreciated. She is very practical and non-intrusive and in my opinion has great perspective.

I had my first child in the SF Bay Area in CA, and used primarily alternative medicine for myself and with him. Living here I am now somewhere in the middle. My chiropractor has seen all my children after birth and any major falls. ( I have found I often have ear pain or other strange symptoms when my neck is out) my chiropractor also does accupunture. When I was in CA I had an awesome accupuncturist, trained also in chinese medicine, he would collaborate with me in treating my then toddler very effectively with chinese medicine. I have friends in Seattle that are Naturopaths, but haven't research such around here because it is not covered by insurance. They do blood workups, pap smears, all kinds of conventional medical diagnosis, but their treatment approach is completely different. Focusing on tailoring your diet and natural supplements primarly, and other lifestyle choices, ridding your body of parasites like yeasts, which can dramatically impact every aspect of being/health food allergies, joint pain, headaches etc to get you in optimal health.

My doula, Sarah Wallbaum, with my most recent child, is well connected with the alternative medicine in the KC area, look her up at KC doulas and send her an email. I am sure she'll have good ideas for you. Wishing you the best on your journey.

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P.M.

answers from Kansas City on

I tired to follow the 'look for a DO' advice and it backfired on me.

I interviewed a doc who was a DO and highly recommended.....

I got lectured b/c my Ds hadn't been vaxed for MMR at 12 mos. I repeatedly told him that in Ohio the schedule they followed was to do the MMR at 15 months (which my ds had just turned when we moved -and are move was short enough notice that I didn't get him in before we left)

(And you should have heard him when I said I didn't want to vax for CP)

Anyway, we finally settled on a Family practice doc. - Douglas Brooks - with Covenant Healthcare in Olathe. He is an MD and probably not as progressive as you are looking (and may not be taking new patients) but I felt he was a good fit to my philosophies. ( I always feel comfortable asking his staff or him questions and he does advocate a modified vax schedule - which was really important for me)

I guess the big thing for me is to not be treated as stupid or whacky for my views.

He has one PA who seems to be really up to date on the more 'natural' appraoches to health and wellness. And the one time he 'insisted' on a treatment for me - where he said I couldn't argue -- he explained to me exactly why. (He had let a patient with the same problem talk him out of the medication - and he landed in the hospital! So I trusted him on that one - and w/in 48 hours I was MUCH better)

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L.C.

answers from Kansas City on

I'm also looking. Is there no one around here? I've been looking for 3 years. It seems doctors are very allopathic in the midwest. I'm also looking for a somewhat holistic dentist.

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C.M.

answers from Kansas City on

I don't have any specific doctors that I can recommend but you might try looking at a DO instead of an MD. They are board certified and know all the same stuff as an MD but usually are a little more forward thinking. I like to describe a DO as a chiropractor who can also write you a prescription. I have been to several (not in the area however) and have always loved them. If you have a provider look up option with your insurance, you can just look for a pediatrician who has the DO after their name. Hope this helps!

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