Looking for a Holistic Pediatrician in Massachusetts

[hskoconnor]

Hoping this wonderful vast community can help me. I'm looking for a Peditrician who practices Holistically in the Central Massachusetts area. I'm in Worcester area. I don't mind having to travel a bit, so do mention those Doctors to me, if you know of them.

Thanks so much, Heather

[sbgrace]

Welcome to MDC! I'm going to move this to the Massachusetts FYT so that you might find people who know the area easier!

[lao]

Holistic Pediatrician

Dr Arlene Dijamco is an integrative pediatrician (Harvard and Andrew Weil's Center for Integrative Medicine) in Cohasset.

[jessjgh1]

Lao- do you like them? I believe they are fairly pro-vax from the impression I got hearing about a talk (I wasn't present, but others commented). I think they prefer people vax, may be flexible about scheduling, but for those interested, I'm not sure if they will see no-vax patients or not.
We are moving closer to that area so I'll shift pedi's at some point.... was thinking about this practice.... but Cohasset would be pretty far for the original poster.
Jessica

[lao]

Holistic Pediatrician

I switched to Dr. Dijamco when my kids were 2 and 7 & they were up to date on their vaccines. The only vaccine proposed so far was the varivax booster which I declined with no issues. I could let you know more when I go in July and decline the MMR for my 4 year old! I did ask her last year if the state would accept a titer test for MMR and she didn't know;she didn't say not to do that and to get the vaccine. I found out later the state does accept a titer test. I would love to have the kids see a functional medicine doctor but those doctors don't take insurance
Cohassett is far for me and my husband flipped when I switched to her I do like her. I switched after my youngest had a string of ear infections after starting MOntessori School. I asked previous peds if there was anything I could do to avoid future ear infections and was told no. Then I learned there were many other things. They were not overly supportive when I declined antibiotics and Tylenol and let his body take care of the infection ("It's dangerous not to treat" etc). He never had another ear infection after that!

This website http://novaxdoctors.webs.com/ lists the following doctors as not opposed to parents who skip vaccinations in MAssachusetts:

DoctorCityPhone NumberAccepted InsuranceSubmitted By
Dr. KisielAdamsUnknown Unknown Patient
Dr. David SolomonBrooklineUnknownUnknownPatient
Dr. Janet LevatinChelmsfordUnknownUnknown Patient
Dr. KennonHollistonUnknownUnknown Patient

Hope this is helpful!
Lisa

[jules33]

holistic pedi

I use two doctors for my son, the first is a mainstream family practice doctor in Arlington, Laura Zucker. She would prefer that I vax but is respectful of my decision not to and while she gently gives me her opinion on every visit, I don't feel too pressured.

I have seen Janet Levitan in Brookline (some posts list her as Chelmsford, this is incorrect) as well. She is much more holistic minded, prescribes homeopathy first, but if you really needed an antibiotic, she could prescribe that as well. She's an MD and a Homeopath. She no longer gives vaccinations, so if you are delaying or selecting, you'll have to go elsewhere for that.

The only reason I don't use Dr. Levitan exclusively, is that she is unable to accept HMO insurance so I have to pay out of pocket to see her. If you have a PPO though, you're covered.

Good luck!
juliet

[hskoconnor]

Sorry forgot my log in way back when & never responded to this post. thanks for all the help, ideas everyone!  I did find someone on Boston area who is a Naturopath. Not covered by our insurance to see him, but he is very reasonable for apts. He will see both boys for the $150 or so range. (don't quote me on price/visit,  going on memory here) His site is here: http://www.naturalmedicineboston.com/ So far tho I've done a lot of reading on natural healing & herbs etc. I think for the most part I can DIY this myself. With our veg lifestyle we have very few illnesses. I also found out you can omit vaccinations pretty much everywhere, with any doctor. Even if you homeschool or send them to the school system. All you have to tell them is it's against your Religion. Just those words, no specific Religion needs to be mentioned either. 

Thanks again. 

[Annie Thibodeau]

hi, im on the northshore, and the best pedi i could find is on rte 1 in saugus. dr michael coffey at north shore physicians center. he is on dr. sears list of no vax friendly drs., and believes in the '4th trimester' parenting philosophy. i have only seen him once, as my daughter is 7 wks, and we had a bad dr for 1 wk visit...but i really liked  him and his nurse.  he prefers to selectively vax, but promised not to pressure me...