Referrals to Pediatricians in Pittsburgh?

Updated on September 04, 2009
K.A. asks from Pittsburgh, PA
10 answers

I'm looking for a pediatrician in the Pittsburgh area for my school aged children. Will you please let me know of any pediatricians that you would recommend and why you recommend that person(s)? I've taken my children to two practices and I'm not feeling satisfied with the care that we have received.

There are several doctors in the practices and it never seems like we can have an appt. with the original pediatrician we started with. I do not care for that and I just do not feel comfortable at their offices.

Also, when my son was an infant, I kept insisting something wasn't right with my son's breathing and I always got, "All newborns snore! You're a new mom...blah, blah, blah." Then every time I mentioned it over the next several years, it seemed I was just considered paranoid. Turned out my son did have sleep apnea due to enlarged tonsils and adenoids. Left me feeling as though I can not trust any pediatrician.

Thanks in advance!

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So What Happened?

Hi Ladies!

THANKS SO VERY MUCH for your advice! It is always good to hear what others say and feel about the same issues I am dealing with. I always like to hear others opinions and suggestions in order to help me make better decisions. Twice in the past, I've only listened to one opinion/suggestion and I didn't further research it. And I've also thought I should patronize those in my neighborhood. Both times I've been burnt and hurt. Now I want to stay informed and you all have helped! Thanks again! =)

Featured Answers

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N.S.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I agree with Brook about Children's Community Pediatrics on Fort Couch road in Bethel Park.

We have been there for over a decade, and a couple of the older ones were there when I was a teen - long established practice. We like Drs. Bickel, Silverstein, Park and Frac best. They are cautious but do not overtreat, and Drs. Bickel and Silverstein (the ones we've seen for serious issues) have been great about following up after the fact when it's comething major. Good luck!

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M.N.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I recently switched from East Side Pediatrics in the East End (Dr. Hildebrant) to Pediatric South in Mt Lebanon. I found that for a first time nursing mom Dr. H was FANTASTIC. I credit him with being the biggest reason I was successful nursing my oldest. I hit major issue after major issue when it came to thrust, mastitis, latch issues, weight gain, etc. He was there an supportive(read: militant) through it all. I had another friend who was being pressured to supplement get a second opinion with Dr H and he was very helpful and supportive to her as well. He never pushes medication and is *very* low intervention all the way around the bend. I loved this about him and am still sure that if a new ped recommends an antibiotic I will think to myself "I just don't know. What would Dr. H do?"

We switched because I found him to be less than sensitive concerning some other health issues my (now older) son had. I had to FORCE him to allow us to see a specialist (needed a referral from insurance) on two separate occasions. Now that we are working on transferring peds the office staff is being extremely difficult. I have had to ask them to fax/mail transcripts a total of SEVEN times. As of today, the new pediatrician has still not received them.

We've had two visits at Ped South. I saw the NP Barb Brauman both times and I just loved her. She was very knowledgeable, laid back. I felt like she listened to me, didn't judge, and understood. She was also very low intervention, favored the "wait and see" approach to my son's issues but did feel a visit to a specialist if he wasn't improved in a certain amount of time was necessary. I was not hassled about vaccines and didn't have to wait at all.

I will sorely miss seeing only one doctor like at East Side. But I will NOT miss the abbreviated office hours, him being on vacation and closing the office, the hours between questions and call backs, the no weekend or evening hours OR the drive over there.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.T.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I take my kids to Pediatrics South in Mt. Lebanon. They also have offices in Peters Twp and McKees Rocks/Robinson. We see Dr. Ascherman but I like the other peds in the practice as well. The nursing staff is nice and friendly. They sent my son to a specialist upon seeing some slightly abnormal results in some bloodwork. It turned out he has leukemia. They have worked very well with us in regards to my son's health issues as well as the general health of both of my kids. They have never brushed me off and I feel they truly to listen to my concerns.

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J.K.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I take my infant to East Side Pediatrics in East Liberty. There is one pediatrician (Dr. Hildebrandt) and a PA. They are wonderful and really laid back. I always feel so empowered as a first time mom when I am done with my son's appointment. I have called a number of times with questions about my son, even sniffles or other little things, and Dr. Hildebrandt always gets back to me shortly. He doesn't seem to have any judgments about parenting but helps you think through your options and gives you information. I have never heard him say "you're a new mom" implying that I don't know what is going on with my baby. He is very respectful of mom's intuition and he just is excellent to work with and he has a wonderful staff.

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J.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I have an 11 yo son and a 5 yo daughter. We go to Childrens Community Pediatrics in Mt. Lebanon. Love them and can't say enough good things about the office staff, nurses and especially the docs.

Their number is ###-###-####

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B.W.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I go to Childrens Community Pediatrics South Hills at 88 Fort Couch road in bethel park. I really like them. I see Dr. Stephanie Ciampa. I have also seen the nurse practicioner Karen Kavanaugh(only when I came in on a 15 minute notice). Both are really nice and have kids and we seemed to share the same issues with our children. They seem very understanding. I really like the fact that as moms they can relate to us and also sympathize because at one point they were also first time moms.
http://www.cc-peds.net/south_hills/overview.shtm

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N.R.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I HIGHLY recommend my children's doctors--Dr. Wolf and Dr. Wolyn at Pediatric Alliance Southwest division (Squirrel Hill and another office near Century III mall). Both doctors are extremely gentle and patient with kids and adults. They are extremely well informed of the newest research and their offices participate in studies. I also appreciate that they are not the type of doctors that prescribe medicine for every little thing. They are more willing to take time and look at a child carefully than just write for meds. Well visits can always be scheduled with your preferred doctor. For sick visits you may have to see other doctors, but they are all excellent. There are also several female doctors on staff if your daughter prefers a woman. You can look them up at www.pediatricalliance.com --Divisions--Southwest.

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M.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I see the doctors at Children's Community Pediatrics (GIL) in East Liberty near Trader Joe's (they used to be in Magee). They are calm about everything and never make me feel as if I'm making a unnecessary fuss about anything. They don't judge me about my parenting decisions, either. I especially like the ones who started the practice--Drs. Indorato (ours), Levine, and Glick.
http://www.cc-peds.net/gil_ped/overview.shtm
I hope you find a doctor with whom you're comfortable!

B.K.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Hi Kim, I take my girls to Children's Community Pediatrics in Monroeville. We have been going to this practice since we moved here in 2000 and I have been pleased with them since day one. There are 3 Dr.'s in our office and if you make an appointment you always get the DR. of your choice. If you need an appointment cause your child is sick they always seem to be able to fit you in (although you may have to see one of the other Dr.s) and the wait is never long. They have evening hours, have great nurses to answer questions, and are very intutive. We changed Dr's a year ago because my girls got to the age of wanting a female dr. and there were no problems or hurt feelings. They recommend great specialists when you need them and they recommened a great Ped's dentist when we moved here that my girls LOVE. (Funny, the dentist is now on the first floor of the same building!) I can't say enough great things about both our pediatrician and our dentist (Dentistry for Kids). I don't blame you for having trust issues, following your instincts is always best. Good luck in your search! Best wishes.

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R.M.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I do't know if you found a doc yet by we see Dr. Aracri and his group - only someone else when it's okay with us or we have to because it's a sick appt and we don't want to wait - my niece sees another doc in same group b/c that's who her mom prefers - basically all the same philosophy but some persoanlity differences - we interviewed Joe Aracri when I was pregnant the first time - I'm sure he'd schedule to meet with you - make sure you write a list of questions and ask them all - he'll be honest - I like that he doesn't over use meds that don't really help anyway (i.e.: dimetapp) - but our youngest has allergies, has had some respiratory episodes, seen a ped dermatologist, allergist, GI doc - he'll recommend to specialists but will also do what you want - so, if you expressed your concern that something is going on he'll say, okay, then let's see what's going on and here's a doc to check it out - very nicely and genuinely - not like some who are patronizing you or coneceding - he has 2 young children himself and a great personality - he's definitely a family man and it shows - our kids love him - good luck - I know how hard it can be dealing w/ children's health issues - and I myself have apnea (undiagnosed most of my life), as does my mom and my father-in-law - I worry about the kids b/c it's hereditary - the best of luck and good for you for keeping on them until it was diagnosed - this can lead to serious complications long-term if untreated - prayers w/ you and your family! Dr. A ###-###-#### Greentree

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