Doctor recommendation in N/NW suburbs

[beckylynn]

We just had a horrible experience with our ped when when told him that we wanted to delay/separate the MMR. We've been mostly up-to-date on shots so far and are reconsidering based on our own research. He told us that he would not separate them for us (even if we ordered the separate vaccines from a pharmacy) because it was "dangerous" and didn't think anyone else would do it either. I think that's crap.

We live in Brooklyn Center and the closer the better but we really want someone that will support our decision of a modified vaccination schedule and who'd be willing to separate shots like the MMR.

Thank you! This is my first post here from a long time lurker. :-)

[lindsayjean]

May I ask which doctor/clinic you're at? We had been seeing a PA at North Clinic (very close to Brooklyn center, across the street from North Memorial) and she was fine with me delaying MMR (and other vaxs for that matter). I just said "I've done my research and we will not be doing that vax for now." All she said was "well, I'm glad that you've done your research and are comfortable with your decision" and then we didn't do it. No further questions. I could tell she didn't necessarily agree with me, but she did not prod me further.

She's very new and young so it's super easy to get into her whenever we feel like it, but she's not exactly all that knowledgable in my opinion, but I do a lot of research and have a retired MD grandfather who lives down the street so I don't exactly go to her with questions- actually starting to wonder why we even go in for well baby checks when she's not getting the vaxs at that visit so we skipped her 18 month appt. I know, I'm bad... lol

Good luck!!

[irishmum]

Hello,

We really like our pediatrician -- Dr. Fred Sakkal out of Fridley Children & Teenagers (right next to Unity Hospital), which may be close to you. He is an older gentleman and I think he was originally from a foreign country. He has such a nice bedside manner.

Dr. Sakkal is very pro-breastfeeding and from the very beginning, he has been fine with not/delayed/selective vaccinating. At our two month visit (DD is now 15 months old) we told him that we were not interested in a lot of vaccinations, but we were looking at the tetanus, Hib, and the PCV. He was fine with this and said he would look into ordering tetanus as a separate vaccine for us. Initially, when we asked him what vaccines he thought were important to get, we braced ourselves for a "well, all of them are important, of course." We were pleasantly surprised when he just said polio. (He is from a foreign country and apparently saw a lot of polio.)

Since then, we decided that the only vaccination we want is the tetanus vaccine. However, there is some confusion about this vaccine -- the clinic tells me it doesn't exist on its own and my midwife tells me that it does. (The pharmacy tells me it does exist, but it sounds like it could have confused it with the tetanus booster.) Dr. Sakkal looked it up and showed us the red book that indicates that it is not a separate vaccine at this time (other than the booster). We still haven't clarified this issue. (It's on my to-do list!)

I actually went to Fridley Children & Teenagers b/c another person on this board recommended Dr. Marion Collins from there, but she was out on maternity leave when we visited. She also has a reputation of being very pro-breastfeeding.

Also, we have supplemented dd's care with care from our midwife/naturopathic doctor Dr. Amy Johnson-Grass. Unfortunately, though, insurance doesn't cover any of that. (We plan on using our flex spending account.)

I hope this is helpful!

P.S. My midwife also recommended Jane Spencer at Partners in Pediatrics, specifically b/c of the vaccination issue. Contact info: www.pipstop.com, 501 Oakdale Medical Building, 3366 Oakdale Avenue North, Robbinsdale, MN. I don't have any firsthand knowledge about this provider, though.

[dknees]

We see Dr. Janelle Keplinger at Anoka Riverway. She's fantastic and doesn't have a problem with delayed/no vaccinations. She generally doesn't give any parenting "opinions" unless I've asked for them specifically.

[beckylynn]

Thanks everyone! We are currently seeing Dr. James Bukstein at the Brooklyn Park Partners in Pediatrics practice. I'll definiately check in with one of the doctors you guys have recommended!

Lindsey, I gave birth at North Memorial and we had started out bringing our daughter to North Clinic but were turned off at the cold bedside manner of the nurses we saw. We liked the more child-friendly surroundings of the pediatrician but I'm now rethinking that (obviously).