Seeking Pediatrician in Brentwood/Santa Monica Area

Dr. Vicki Paterno in SM. Smart, cautious. Not warm and fuzzy with parents, but is with kids. Was there for me when I came home with a 4lb 5oz preenie. Raised a great daughter.

Dr. Hamilton in SM. Big practice and has a big family, but is very kind and thorough and always has good people on call. They are in the same building.

Remember, great doctors see a lot of patients because they are great at what they do. They don't always have the time to "connect" with parents. Just go with someone smart.

I don't know one in your area, but if you're willing to drive a wee bit, I go to a really great pediatrician for my little one. Her name's Dr. Noosha Shaheedy and she's in the Beverly Hills area. Her number is ###-###-####. She also does free consultations, so you can meet her and ask her a ton of questions.

Also, when we first brought our son home from the hospital and being new parents, we totally freaked out one evening and called her around 11pm. She responded back really promptly and totally set our mind at ease.

Good luck and congratulations!!!

i LOVE our pediatrician. She is young and into a more holistic approach to medicine. Dr. Jody Lappin on Montana and 9th. She is a part of Dr. Jay Gordon's practice. www.drjaygordon.com

However, they do not take insurance. You have to submit your bills yourself for reimbursement.

Dr. Jay Gordon!!!! He's in Santa Monica. Google him and check out his website.

Sharon Kamiker is fabulous. She is young, smart and lovely. She is in practice with Marshall Sachs who I think no longer takes new patients (He is my children's doctor :)). He's great!!!
Office is in SM at 23rd and Wilshire.

Our pediatrician is wonderful - Dr. Marna Geisler. She is in Santa Monica, right near St. John's hospital, and has always been very patient and informative. I have 2 beautiful little girls, and she has seldomly prescribed anything - giving their little bodies a chance to heal themselves. We love her! Good luck!

Congratulations! I love my pediatrician, Dr. Sheila Phillips. She is so considerate, takes her time and is willing to answer questions without making us feeling rushed or anything. She is in the twin towers next to St. John's hospital and this is the only hospital she is affiliated with. Her office is small but I've come to really like this. Sick children are seen the same day as parents call!

Good Luck!

Hey Roxane,

My daughter's Pediatrician is wonderful! Dr. A Etolie Davie. She is located in Pacific Palisades. This may be a tad further than you were looking for but she is located right off of Sunset on Monument. We live in Westwood and we drive that far because out of all of the canidates we interviewed she clicked the best for what we were looking for. My husband, being from France, had a million questions for the doctors based on the french health care system. He did TONS of research on this matter he was especially concerned with vaccines. I like the fact that her office consists of three people. Her the nurse, Elvia and the receptionist Noreen. That is it and they have been there for as long as I know. You really feel like a person and not a number. When you call and tell them who you are they know exactly who you are. She takes Blue Cross and Aetna as far as I can remember.
This is her number ###-###-####

Dr Jody Lappin ###-###-####

I think she is great and fits your needs. She is in Santa Monica.
Any questions, let me know -J.
____@____.com

Our doctor is Marna Geisler in the St. John's bldg. We originally had a doctor at 10th Street Pediatrics. That office was too big and too busy. They also stopped taking insurance. We switched before the birth of my third child. Dr. Geisler is great. She doesn't like to prescribe antibiotics if they are not needed. She has a small practice and she really takes the time to sit and talk to you after your appointment. She NEVER rushes you out the door. In the larger practices I have noticed that they want you in and out ASAP. She takes insurance, and her staff is really great too! Good luck!

We LOVE our pediatrician! Our six month baby boy has seen Dr. Carla Tardio since day one, She's with the 10th Street Pediatric Clinic (1450 10th St Ste 304, 10th Street Pediatric Med Grp, Santa Monica, CA).

First Time Mom in SM (41 years old)

Jay Gordon was our pediatrician years ago. He used to be with Paul Fleiss... who, in my opinion has always been the best in L.A. Each Doctor is wholistic, compassionate, a good listener, really tuned in to child and parent dynamic, and extremely knowledgeable and reassuring.

Best to you in your search... and remember to trust your OWN inner knowing.

M. Maxwell-Smith

I take my son all the way to Encino for doctor visits. Dr. Alison Mann is an amazing doctor.
She made housecalls when my son was born, scheduled Sat. appts., to keep him away from the sick kids, gave me her cell number and said to call anytime.
When we take him for check ups or anything else, she spends an hour with us, if we need it without making us feel like we are keeping her from something.
She is up on all the latest research but mitigates the info with common sense. She's young with a great bedside manner. Does not prescribe anything you don't need. Seriously, she's worth the extra few miles. Dr. Alison Mann, Encino off the 101 and Balboa.