Maine "Crunch Friendly" Peds., etc.

[serenekitten]

The search is on! Lately, I've had several people bring up the question, "Have you found a pediatrician, yet?" So I guess it's time to put some serious thought into it.

- I'm currently within easy driving distance to Bath, Brunswick, Lewiston/Auburn, and Augusta, but may eventually be moving further south to the Sebago Lakes area.

- I'm already seeing a midwife at Midcoast Hospital in Brunswick, and I'm pretty happy with them, so far.

- I do not intend to circumcise my child, so I need to find someone who knows how to deal with intact boys and won't be snip-happy.

- I'm debating selective/delayed vaccinations, and I'm aware that it'll be difficult to find a professional who won't freak out over it.

- That said, the professional doesn't have to be a pediatrician. I'd be open to other suggestions.

I'd appreciate any help I can get. You're also welcome to PM any suggestions of who to stay away from. Thank you!

[shayinme]

If New Gloucester is not too far, I would recommend Paul Balzer. He is an MD but doesn't vax his own kid, we have been with him almost 4 years since my dd was born. Despite being a 45 mon drive away, he is well worth it IMO.

[lincap]

Try Dr Andrea Loeffler at Bowdoin Medical in Brunswick. She is AWESOME and she is a mommy here on MDC.

http://www.bowdoinmedicalgroup.com/sites1.php?id=1%26

In that practice I have seen I think all the docs. (srorry if I mis-spell names!)

Dr Wilkoff- is retiring this summer, uber mainstream BUT was FINE with me select and delaying vax. Pro- breastfeeding and he liked my cloth diapers!
I am really upset he is retiring. He is Pro-CIO, but didn't mind when I said I wouldn't be doing that. He totally kept me from feeding foods that would have killed DS1 due to allergies... dairy and eggs just because DS1 had eczema. He is really on top of the current AAP stuff and research, he was more on top of allergy research than DS1s allergist.

Dr Debra Haggler - met her when I had DS2 at Midcoast with Elsa Levy. She was GREAT. She came in early in the morning while we were co-sleeping, and she checked him out and brought him back to bed with me. We saw her one other time for a week old weight check and she was great, pro-breastfeeding and didn't care that I didn't give Hep B at hospital. Said "you won't be circing him, right?" totally on board with no circ!

Dr. Andrea Tracy- saw her once. She is my least fav. She did not listen to me when I was concerned wtih DS1 possible allergies at 4 months old. FINALLY I saw Dr Wilkoff who really was on top of allergies and breastmilk etc etc. She had no personality, she didn't look me in the eye.

Dr. Andrea Loeffler- Saw her once for DS1 and she was so kind and gentle wtih him. Most of my friends have her as their primary pedi. She is wonderful and I am sure you will find more moms here who see her.

Dr. Alyssa Goodwin- she is new. I like her because she is thorough, and speaks well to DS1. She is very kind and listened to all my concerns. We had a very long conversation about not giving MMR and Pox vax, she supported my decision to not give these to my boys. The only thing I didn't like was her interest in supplementing DS2 with soy formula because his weight was 20lbs at 12 months and she thought he might get the failure to thrive diagnosis by 18 months. We can't do dairy due to DS1 allergies so she pushed the soy formula. But we just don't do that. DS2 breastfeeds and does coconut milk in his cheerios etc.

Hope this helps!

[serenekitten]

Originally Posted by shayinme

If New Gloucester is not too far, I would recommend Paul Balzer. He is an MD but doesn't vax his own kid, we have been with him almost 4 years since my dd was born. Despite being a 45 mon drive away, he is well worth it IMO.

It is a little bit out of my way, but I'll keep him in mind. Thanks.

Originally Posted by lincap

Hope this helps!

As usual, your information is very helpful! I think it was your experience with Midcoast that helped point me in their direction when I was looking for a midwife.

[mamatojackn]

if you are able to pay out of pocket, sarah ackerly is a wonderful naturopath who specializes in pediatrics (among other things too!) she is at northern sun family health care in topsham.

[Kayaking Mama]

I second everything lincap said. We have also seen all the peds at Bowdoin Medical, with Dr Loeffler our primary. She's fabulous.

[llauzier]

I agree, Dr. Balzar is excellent. He doesn't promote vacs, he's always available to talk and not quick to prescribe meds, for example, whe our DS had a small ear infection Dr. Balzer never prescribed anitbiotics, it cleared up in a day.

[Commanda13]

Another Recommendation for Dr. Loeffler

We have Dr. Loeffler too and love her! She gave Ken a big talk to not anyone force our boys' foreskins back, which we already knew. Preaching to the choir!

I liked Dr. Tracy there too and Dr. Haegler even better. But I still think Loeffler is my favorite there.

Another thing Dr. Loeffler did is cure my friend's son's dry cracked feet with Lansinoh!! Love that stuff.

[serenekitten]

Resurrecting the thread!

Well, the little one is here. While in the hospital, he was looked over by Dr.'s Haggler and Tracy from the Bowdoin Medical Group. Then when I tried to get him enrolled with the practice, I found out that they weren't accepting new Mainecare patients from my town. I was very disappointed.

I ended up with Midcoast Primary Care, down the road from the hospital. We've seen Dr. Wnek three times. I'm not sure I want to stay with her. So far, no red flags, but I'm just not completely impressed.

So. Any other suggestions? I'm still considering options in the Sebago Lake area, since we travel that way often.

[Trish101]

I second the recommendation for Northern Sun, although it does get expensive paying out of pocket. We saw Dr. Willette, but she's leaving and I've only briefly talked with her replacement. I can't remember the new doctor's name, but she seemed very nice. She's also a midwife, so she's used to kids from what Dr. Willette said.

Trisha

[mooliette]

We love Dr. Sarah at Northern Sun, wished would could afford the out of pocket expense. Our family goes to Parkview Family Health, Dr. Rand is accepting new pediatric patients only, but Dr. Linville is accepting all new patients so you could transfer your family's care if need be.

Dr. Rand has been Anna's provider since she was 2 months old. We did do selected/delayed immunizations. It took me 2 years to make the decision and on day 1 with Dr. Rand I told her I wasn't ready to talk about shots, she told me to let her know when I was ready. When Anna turned 2 we worked out a very delayed schedule together, she supports my choices 100% and lets me take charge of her care.

[mooliette]

Originally Posted by Trish101

I second the recommendation for Northern Sun, although it does get expensive paying out of pocket. We saw Dr. Willette, but she's leaving and I've only briefly talked with her replacement. I can't remember the new doctor's name, but she seemed very nice. She's also a midwife, so she's used to kids from what Dr. Willette said.

Trisha

I'm sorry to hear that Dr. Willette is leaving the office.

[femalephish]

Originally Posted by mooliette

We love Dr. Sarah at Northern Sun, wished would could afford the out of pocket expense. Our family goes to Parkview Family Health, Dr. Rand is accepting new pediatric patients only, but Dr. Linville is accepting all new patients so you could transfer your family's care if need be.

Dr. Rand has been Anna's provider since she was 2 months old. We did do selected/delayed immunizations. It took me 2 years to make the decision and on day 1 with Dr. Rand I told her I wasn't ready to talk about shots, she told me to let her know when I was ready. When Anna turned 2 we worked out a very delayed schedule together, she supports my choices 100% and lets me take charge of her care.

Dr. Linville is my doc! I love her! She was pregnant when I first saw her (I think she is out on Mat.leave right now, but she might be back already) She asked if I knew the gender of my babe, I said no we haven't had any ultrasounds. And she said that she hadn't had any either! "People have been having babies forever without ultrasounds" she said.

My mum see's Dr.Rand and loves her, too. But she wasn't accepting new people when I needed a doc.
Good Luck!

(ps. I also really like their receptionists. Very friendly, if that's important to you)

[serenekitten]

Originally Posted by femalephish

(ps. I also really like their receptionists. Very friendly, if that's important to you)

That would be a wonderful change, yes. (The receptionists at my local health clinic are sooooo rude. Ugh.)

As for Northern Sun, can anyone give me a ballpark figure on the out of pocket costs?

[mamaofthree]

::: i live in brunswick (just moved to maine) and have been looking and looking for someone! i am so happy i stumbled on to this thread!

thank you

h

[serenekitten]

Originally Posted by mamaofthree

::: i live in brunswick (just moved to maine) and have been looking and looking for someone! i am so happy i stumbled on to this thread!

thank you

h

Welcome to the area!

[lincap]

Originally Posted by mooliette

We love Dr. Sarah at Northern Sun, wished would could afford the out of pocket expense. Our family goes to Parkview Family Health, Dr. Rand is accepting new pediatric patients only, but Dr. Linville is accepting all new patients so you could transfer your family's care if need be.

Dr. Rand has been Anna's provider since she was 2 months old. We did do selected/delayed immunizations. It took me 2 years to make the decision and on day 1 with Dr. Rand I told her I wasn't ready to talk about shots, she told me to let her know when I was ready. When Anna turned 2 we worked out a very delayed schedule together, she supports my choices 100% and lets me take charge of her care.

Dr Rand is my doc. I really like her. Also at that practice who is very nice is Dr.Jeff Maher.. he saw me when I was hospitalized for a rare food poisoning and was super nice and was all into good nutrition instead of dietary supplements (I lost a ton of weight and potassium among other things were way low.)

[Jenna.]

Joined MDC just to post this.
My daughter Caitlin also goes to Midcoast Primary Care. In the last year we've seen all 5 doctors at least once. I prefer David Enright, but you may want to try to see Amina Hanna. I'll say, Dr. Wnek was my least favorite of the five. Nothing personal against her, she's a nice lady and was really good with Caitie... I just prefer a different kind of doctor, y'know?
And yes, their reception staff is incredibly rude sometimes.

[chefjulie]

Originally Posted by llauzier

I agree, Dr. Balzar is excellent. He doesn't promote vacs, he's always available to talk and not quick to prescribe meds, for example, whe our DS had a small ear infection Dr. Balzer never prescribed anitbiotics, it cleared up in a day.

THANK you for posting this -- he's less than 30 minutes from where we're at now and I called for information and his receptionist couldn't have been nicer! She said that he is open to what the parents wish when it comes to vaccines and doesn't push any - believes some are not necessary and others may be but doesn't pressure or push if parents choose differently.

We're set for an informational appointment to go over his philosophy and to get acquainted!

THANKS again!!
Julie

[serenekitten]

Originally Posted by Jenna.

Joined MDC just to post this.
My daughter Caitlin also goes to Midcoast Primary Care. In the last year we've seen all 5 doctors at least once. I prefer David Enright, but you may want to try to see Amina Hanna. I'll say, Dr. Wnek was my least favorite of the five. Nothing personal against her, she's a nice lady and was really good with Caitie... I just prefer a different kind of doctor, y'know?
And yes, their reception staff is incredibly rude sometimes.

Welcome to MDC!

I think Dr. Hanna was recommended by someone else, as well. Maybe I should try a visit with her...

Dr. Wnek misunderstood me when I said I wanted to selectively vax -- she suggested Pendacel, which is a 5-in-1 combo. Sorry, but the number of jabs doesn't concern me; the number of vaccinations does!