Selecting a Pediatrician

I live in the Southern Dutchess area. We have a 7 month old and use Dr. Childs. He is with Mt Kisco Medcical Group, we utilize the Carmel office. Pros- they're generally very accomodating. Example; I was very paranoid about bringing our newborn into a doc's office full of sick kids. They understood and provided an empty office or other waiting area away from other kids until she could at least get certain shots. And they'd do their best to give me the first AM available appointment, which I really cared about requesting. Other things- I just up and dropped in there with her one day without notifying them, b/c I was in the area and I had a paranoid concern at the moment. They were a little thrown off (the nurses especially) but the Doctor was completely fine with seeing her and checking out what I now see as my paranoid delusion (1st time mom, hee hee). More examples, we've had to put our daughter on very expensive formula and they were very gracicous to give us samples, pointers and fought valiantly to try and help us to get the insurance to pay. Overall, I'm very satisfied with them. There are other examples (Doc took care to come meet my baby in the hospital as a newborn. When she had to go back into the hospital for a series of tests due to a scare, he called everyday to see how it was going). My only Cons; he doesn't believe in homeopathic solutions (like most docs) so I was dissapointed not to have suggestions from him about that and he also didn't validate the effectiveness of ones I've tried- but I felt okay being honest with him about it and I didn't feel he was upset or anything. He's very sociable which is a good thing mostly but can also throw a person off track so you should have written down concerns if/when you go to him.

Well, don't know if that's been helpful but hopefully! Feel free to contact me if you want to know anything else.

I have the best pediatrician in Dutchess County! Dr. Joseph Malak at TLC Pediatrics. They have an office in Fishkill & Poughkeepsie. There are many physicians in their practice and they are all wonderful. They have extended hours and are even available on weekends. My Son who is turning 16 feels extremely comfortable speaking with Dr. Malak about everything! I also have 2 preemie babies and he and his entire staff have been wonderful, I mention they were preemies, as we saw them at least once a week during the first 6 months of their lives. :-)

You need to find a physician that you feel comfortable speaking with, one that listens to your concerns and addresses each one of them, not one that will just yes you and ignore your concerns.

Best wishes and good luck!!!
S. :-)

I used to go to a group practice since I thought it would be easier to get appointments. It was a nightmare. We never got the same doctors so the kids never had a chance to get used to anybody. Plus the turnover in staff (and dr.s) was pretty quick. And, to be honest, no dr. knows it all. But when you are dealing with three or more, they usually all say something different about the same issue. It is very confusing and frustrating. We left a group because of that. My sister (who lives near me in Beekman) also uses a group practice. It is probably the most well known one around here but I don't remember the name. She said she does really like their dr. but that 9 times out of 10 they end up seeing somebody else. She has the same experience as I did and is looking for another dr.
Our new Dr. (last two years) is a single dr. practice. He is always the one we see and speak to. There are two staff people and we know and love them both. Going to the single dr. practice has made a huge difference. AND, he is a great dr.! His name is Timothy Vigna. He is in Poughkeepsie but close to Lagrange. I travel 20 minutes to see him and it is worth it every time. He is not taking new patients EXCEPT for newborns so you may be able to get in.
If not, when selecting a dr. make sure that they are in agreement with your values and that he/she has a lot of respect for you as a mother and your instincts.
Good luck!

Hi J.,

I don't have any suggestions for you, but am actually in the midst of a move to Cold Spring, NY--upper Putnam--so if you receive any pediatrician referrals in the area, could you let me know? Thanks so much! And good luck to you!!