[noworries]

So -
I went to see a new pedi. today as the last one we had did not work out for scheduling reasons.
The one today pretty much acted as if anyone who questioned the vax schedule is a complete lunatic, said she was frightened for my baby's life because we did not have him on the vax schedule etc etc etc.
I ended up having vax I did not want to get yet and eventually crying in the parking lot for not having stood up for myself. The main point is I really need to find a new doctor before the year check up where she said she would have to give him the MMR.

 

[hikingmommy]

If you want to consider a family practitioner instead of a pedi., we go to Leonard Horowitz in Danvers (978) 777-8553. He's wonderful. He'll give you his perspective on vacs and other things, but respect your decisions and not pressure you. He also will take as much time w/ you as you need and doesn't have nurses, so you're not left in the exam room waiting for him. He works w/ an NP who also sees patients. He's a homeopath and an MD. We all go to him (DH, DD, and me). He's the first doctor I've had who I actually like!

My understanding is that family doctors tend to be more relaxed and flexible than pediatricians.

 

[Seawen]

ditto
we love Dr. Horowitz's practice for the whole family too! We vaxed according to our own schedule- and he never batted an eye. With our new one he actually asked "if" we were going to vax- didn't just assume we would.

 

[katie9143]

vote no. 3 for Dr. Horowitz - we were actually just there today. amelia loves him as well

 

[noworries]

I guess i better make an appointment with Dr Horowitz!
Thanks for the suggestions - it is a little far for me (from Medford) but if he works out it will be worth it.

 

[popbaby]

We interviwed Dr. Horowitz but ultimately decided against him. Nice guy, but he told us that he was more in to vax than he was before...When we were in his office he pulled out the ear plugs he uses on older kids who get vaxed because they scream....apparently one of his reasons for vaxing younger when they don't remember...but I am sure he wouldn't pressure you on the issue and the other mamas here would know him better than I.

We ultimately decided on Dr. Janet Levatin (www.janetlevatin.com)...She is in Brookline on Beacon St. We have to pay out of pocket, but insurance reimburses us. We had our first appt last week and loved her! We have a 4 1/2 mo old and the exam was so gentle..mostly done while on my lap. She is a homeopath as well, but a medically trained pedi as well..best of both worls IMO. She does not vaccinate except for single does Tetnus.

I don't think you could go wrong with either one.

From her website:

Education
Dr. Janet Levatin has been a pediatrician in the Boston area since 1986. She received her undergraduate degree in 1975, from the University of Rochester, with majors in English and psychology. She then attended The George Washington University School of Medicine, graduating in 1982. Next she completed a pediatric internship and residency at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. She has done advanced postgraduate training in homeopathy and NAET (Nambudripad's Allergy Elimination Technique).

About Dr. Levatin's Practice
Dr. Levatin is pleased to have a medical practice that offers a variety of treatment options to her clients. With over 20 years of experience as a pediatrician, she has expertise in diagnosing diseases of infants and children. She provides a variety of options for the treatment of children, including homeopathy, herbs, nutritional support, and nontoxic allergy treatment, in addition to conventional medicine. She also offers homeopathy and treatment of allergies to adults. Dr. Levatin especially enjoys working with families.

Services Offered
• Holistic pediatrics, including well child physicals and treatment of
illnesses with a combination of conventional and alternative medicine
• Homeopathy for children and adults
• Support for home birth
• Breastfeeding support and nutrition counseling
• Vaccination counseling
• Alternative allergy treatment (NAET)

Hospital Affiliation
Children's Hospital Boston (adjunct status)

Board Certification
Dr. Levatin has been board certified in pediatrics since 1989.

Academic Appointment
Clinical instructor in pediatrics at Harvard Medical School

Professional Organizations
• Massachusetts Medical Society
• American Institute of Homeopathy (serving as secretary)
• Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine

Published Works
• Chapter 15, Clinical Effectiveness of Complementary and Alternative Therapies, in Evidence-Based Otitis Media, second edition, edited by Richard M. Rosenfeld, and Charles D. Bluestone (chapter co-authored by Jennifer Jacobs, MD, MPH and Cora Collette Breuner, MD, MPH)

 

[katie9143]

we live in medford too and it takes about 20-25 mins with no traffic to get there....not a bad drive at all. generally i would rather travel twice as far north as i would go south, especially into the city!!

dr. h did not pressure me into vaxing - we decided to do selected ones and he gave his opinion on which ones he thinks and why, but told me that ultimately the decision is ours and that he would respect what we chose which was nice to hear. i liked hearing his points of view and reasons, it made me feel like he really had done his research rather than just being all for or against. he is also both an md and a homeopath which is also a major reason i chose him too! its good to have one person with the knowledge of both worlds. i definitely am from the school of thought where i like to try natural methods and preventative things, but would not turn down medical treatment if the homeopathic method seemed to not be doing the trick.

goodluck noworries!

 

[noworries]

A friend of mine suggested Dr. Levatin as well - but driving south of boston is a whole different trip than going north. I haven't been able to call Dr H. to make an appointment yet, had a busy weekend with family here visiting (and have to tell my husband we are switching again - he may have some commentary)
Thanks for the suggestions -

 

[veganf]

Quote:

Originally Posted by noworries I ended up having vax I did not want to get yet and eventually crying in the parking lot for not having stood up for myself. The main point is I really need to find a new doctor before the year check up where she said she would have to give him the MMR.

So sorry you got bullied by your ped.

I think that should be illegal.
I hope you find someone new you like who respects your choices.

We used Dr. Levatin for 4 years. We now see Dr. Stacy Maslow in Framingham, Dr. Alan Lobovits in the same practice is good too.

 

[daniusa]

i have heard great things about Dr. Roy Berkowitz Shelton in Somerville. You can probably do a search him in mothering. I actually had him as my PCP years ago but never met him - I only saw his NP so I can honestly say about my personal experience with him. Truthfully when he was my PCP it was all about location to my home and had nothing to do with his practice.

 

[veganf]

Quote:

Originally Posted by daniusa i have heard great things about Dr. Roy Berkowitz Shelton in Somerville.

I've heard nothing but good things too...only "he" is now a "she", but still in family practice. Now Dr. Berschel I think? or something similar. If we'd lived closer to that area still I'd have tried her too.

 

[hurricanehelga]

Hi all, lurker here, we are moving to cambridge for 3 years in september (we are from austria), and i ha ve a 19mths old daughter, and am naturally slightly nervous about finding a pediatrician who i can talk to. i´m not completely against vacs, but our ped. here would tell me his opinion on any question i have and then let me decide... this guy sounds very nice! thanks!

 

[YummyYumYumMama]

Oooh... Dr. Janet Levatin sounds great! And Brookline is close to me! Good thing I read this thread. I will check her out as a potential pedi for my baby due this winter!

 

[veganf]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MmeMuffin Oooh... Dr. Janet Levatin sounds great! And Brookline is close to me! Good thing I read this thread. I will check her out as a potential pedi for my baby due this winter!

She was great with my boys, my older son especially liked her.
At first she was not properly educated about not retracting intact penises though...she is anti-circ, but was still under the impression they needed retracting slightly to clean, so I came armed with wads of AAP, etc. printouts the next time but she didn't mess with it after that. But just so you know!