Looking for pediatrician in South Jersey who is open to no vaccines

[SilverMoon010]

I'm looking for one who is open to no vaccines. My current ped is pretty good in that he hasn't pushed us into any and he respects our decision as parents; however, he does have us a sign a no vaccine waiver, which I am not fond of. I'm trying to find a much more holistic type of doctor, although he/she does not have to be. I just need a doc who respects our decision and does not make us sign a stupid form for our decision.

[starbyfar7]

hi Mandy F,

here is a listing of no vax doctors broken down by state

http://novaxdoctors.webs.com/doctorlist.htm

[SilverMoon010]

Thank you, but unfortunately, the cities listed in that list are way too far for me. Most of them are central-north jersey.

[SusanaLaLoca]

I'm in the same boat. I just realized, 9 months into it, that this form the doc has been asking me to sign at every "wellness checkup" for my DS, is pretty darn incriminating! I'm so not happy about it. I'm thinking at his next visit I'm giving them a letter of religious exemption and not signing the form.

I'm thinking of taking DS to a family doc (and holistic practicioners) after his 1yr checkup. As long as they accept children and babies, there's no benefit to going to a ped instead. Actually, I'm starting to think they might be a little worse... they're so closed minded in their views and actually seem to be lacking some knowledge in my experience. The breastfeeding advice and some other baby care advice I've heard myself and from others makes my head spin. I've gotten better advice through message boards on line than my ped, who is supposed to be the "baby expert".

[rumi79]

I'm with you ladies. I can't find anybody here in the area. I live in Atlantic County, it is really south in NJ. Have you heard of anybody?

[staceychev]

South Jersey is pretty big. Can you be more specific about your location?

Anyway, if you're near Cherry Hill/Voorhees, this recent thread may be of use:
http://www.mothering.com/discussions....php?t=1239267

In it, I said that my friend, a no-vaxing naturopath, recommends Kressville. It's where she takes her own three kids (ages 18 months to 8 years old) when they're actually sick.

Oh, and I see you're kinda new here... WELCOME TO MDC!!!

[binga]

I like Dr. Dierkes at Rainbow Pediatrics in Clermont if you are in Cape May county. He doesn't make us sign anything. We are doing delayed vaccinations and he is knowledgeable on which ones to delay so that your child doesn't need as many if that is what you are interested in. The only problem with Rainbow is the WAIT! It is really ridiculous.

[SilverMoon010]

Originally Posted by staceychev

South Jersey is pretty big. Can you be more specific about your location?

Anyway, if you're near Cherry Hill/Voorhees, this recent thread may be of use:
http://www.mothering.com/discussions....php?t=1239267

In it, I said that my friend, a no-vaxing naturopath, recommends Kressville. It's where she takes her own three kids (ages 18 months to 8 years old) when they're actually sick.

Oh, and I see you're kinda new here... WELCOME TO MDC!!!

Thank you. I am very close to CH and Voorhees. I'll have to take a look at that link. I guess they don't make you sign an AAP Refusal to Vaccinate form then? Also, do they do well visits? I read that naturopaths do not need to be licensed in NJ, which kind of deterred me from looking for naturopaths further. Are these licensed naturopaths?

[Think of Winter]

For the pp in Atlantic Co., we see Dr. Lopez Bernard in Galloway at Galloway Pediatrics. He and his staff have been really respectful of our decision to delay/selective vax, however we do sign a form (I have no problem with that) and there are posters about vaccinating around the office, including a couple with worst-case scenarios photos of diseases. We really like Dr. Lopez a lot. The only negative is that sometimes there's a long wait.

If you'd like more options, there's a yahoo group that may help. Pm me for the group name. There's also a Holistic Mom's group that meets in Linwood, I think.

[jbgbmommy]

Mandy just stumbled across your thread, as I asked a similar question today. I was wondering if you had any luck with a ped. and who did you decide to go with? I am also looking for a ped. with a more holistic and natural approach in the South Jersey area (close to Cherry Hill).

[audreyhorne]

my unvaxxed children go to kressville, i have found the drs to be kind, helpful,  respectful of our wishes and decisions and very accommodating. last year, my then seven-year-old needed to be hospitalized for respiratory distress related to asthma, and dr mo(senior) called us every day and visited her in the hospital on his own time. i have heard complaints from some mamas that they've not been terribly supportive of extended breastfeeding, among other complaints, but i've never had an issue with them and we're about as crunchy as they come.

[rosepetal2011]

What about Dr. Magazineer in Cherry Hill. He's an MD and doesn't offer vaccines at all. I'm not sure about signing waivers since I took my dd there only once (she was about 6 at the time and was vaxed on schedule until that point minus the 2nd MMR). The one drawback is that he doesn't participate in insurance at all, so the visit was around $200. I'm now pregnant and looking for at least a delayed vax dr (that ideally participates with our health insurance) and is also non-circ, babywearing, extended bf-friendly.

http://www.drmagaziner.com/home

[rumi79]

Just wanted to thank Think of Winter for suggesting Dr. Lopez. I took my newborn and 4 year old there and he was awesome. He asked me sign a waiver but I don't care much about it anyway. I loved him! Pretty laid back and interactive with the kids.

[binga]

For those Moms in Cape May County, I have to tell you that I have given up on Rainbow Pediatrics with Dr. Dierkes. I don't think I have ever gotten out of there without waiting at least 45 minutes to an hour and once it took an hour and a half for about 10 minutes interaction time with the doctor on call.  And when I go with my two year old and 5 month old on my own, it is pure torture.  They have no pictures on the walls and no toys or books.  I am bummed because Dr. Dierkes did Rosa's 1st checkup after her home birth at our house, but it is just too much to ask to wait that long.  I am looking for another office.  I know there are no other delayed vax friendly peds down here and daycare is getting follow up calls from the health dept to see if we are catching up on vaccines so I don't have a lot of choices.  I'm going to try Harborview just because I've heard they don't have the crazy wait. 

[rumi79]

Yes, I agree that Rainbow are ridiculous. I chose them first because of your post and my midwife recommended Dr. Dierkes, but we went there only for the 1 week check up. They made me wait 1 hour with a newborn and my 4 year old DS before we got into a room. After that we waited another 15-20 minutes and in the end we couldn't see Dr.Dierkes because he went to the hospital for a visitation. I was pretty upset that day.

[binga]

Originally Posted by rumi79 

Yes, I agree that Rainbow are ridiculous. I chose them first because of your post and my midwife recommended Dr. Dierkes, but we went there only for the 1 week check up. They made me wait 1 hour with a newborn and my 4 year old DS before we got into a room. After that we waited another 15-20 minutes and in the end we couldn't see Dr.Dierkes because he went to the hospital for a visitation. I was pretty upset that day.

So so sorry to have contributed to that!    Once Dr. Dierkes 'went to lunch' in the time we were waiting and we couldn't see him... ridiculous is an understatement.  Totally inconsiderate might be more appropriate. 

[binga]

Wondering if anyone knows of delayed vax friendly ped or family physician who will take under two's in Cape May County.  We are just now trying to get out of Rainbow after more ridiculous waits and a grilling by a young doctor waving a vax waiver at me (intern?). 

[poopzmom]

So happy I found this thread. I am in Atlantic County and have been going to Tender Care in Nortfield. They are very pro vax. I just had a baby 2 weeks ago and the dr. spent the whole time talking about vaccines. Now this is my 4th kid, so if they haven't convinced me yet I am not sure why they wasted their breath. So the dr. goes on and on about how they will probably stop seeing patients who don't vax. I was so frustrated. I have to take her back in 2 weeks and I am not looking forward to it. I am thinking about changing drs. but the thought Of changing drs. for 4 kids is a little overwhelming. I think I will look into this Dr. lopez.

[binga]

I have a friend in AC who recommends Dr Barry Kessler at Kidscare who does not pressure into vaccinating apparently.  Too far for us unfortunately.

[rumi79]

Dr. Lopez is great! We've been there for two well visits so far, and no pressure at all. All they do is ask you in the beginning of the appointment do you want a vax or not, no comments, no trying to convince you. He made me sign a waiver though at my first appointment, but so everybody else requires it around here, I decided to do it in order to keep them away from vax-ing. He didn't ask me to sign one for my 4 yo DS because he had all his shots up until 2 yo, and the window for the next shots is until 6 yo.

I'm not sure how competent is he, because we haven't really used him for anything serious, but I like him so far. He is friendly with the kids, and spends time to talk with you.