Okay, folks, ready or not...here are my opinions regarding our experiences interviewing 3 ped's over the past week....I apologize in advance if I go on and on and on and on.....
While breastfeeding, co-sleeping, etc are very important issues for us, my dd is almost 4 so we are past those discussions...we don't have a boy, so non-circ is not on our radar screen. Respect of vax decisions is however a hot topic right now, respect of one's immune system, especially a developing one is high on our list, whether the health care provider agrees or disagrees with the parents choices regarding vax. Just respect in general actually, is pretty much a requirement. (After our family's research, we chose to delay our dd's vax and so far have not found any need to pursue them....)
Dr. Jennifer Clark at Woodlake Ped.--a previous poster said she was worth the drive and I must agree! I was completely impressed with her office, staff, personal attitude and apparent professional abilities. I was anxious about going into vax's and dd's lack of them (with anyone, much less doctors) for fear of being lectured on what a bad parent I am or being asked to leave...she was fabulous. She seemed saddened that parents have these fears of being turned away from dr's b/c they are trying to make conscious educated choices that happen to be different from what the medical model suggests is best. She was absolutely happy to work with us from where we come...she will meet us at our point of health and do her best for our dd. She has privileges withChippenham Hosp. but due to her experience in the ER she is capable of doing some minor stitching and also bone setting in her office, negating a trip to the ER!!!! She was very interested in developing a relationship with us and our dd, not in ordering us about; she genuinely appeared to respect us as parents and our dd as a growing individual.
Dr. Gayle Smith near Short Pump--was terrific also. We agree with all previous posters, all positive comments were found to be true by us. I definitely felt respect and a willingness to meet us where we are as a family. She seemed to have a "circle" of doctors that she uses for referals, like stitches (plastic surgeons should they be required) or bone issues and that are all smallish practices that she has developed a relationship with. They do have the "glue" for smaller cuts, but others she would refer to ER, as with bone setting. We did not meet Dr. conrad. She was very kind and tried to put us at ease in our search for a dr. for dd. Our vax choices so far, were totally respected and we moved right along. Hardly a blip on her screen. She has privielges with Henrico Doctors and St. Mary's Hosp.'s.
Dr. Mary Shweiker at Monument Ave. Ped.--Here comes the negative reaction...her arrogance and superior attitude were very dispappointing and offending. She most definitely implied that she and the "medical establishment" are the ultimate authority. She also simply stated that vax is the parents decision and then proceded to lecture us that it will be our daughter who infects the helpless 2 month old with pertussis and it will be our fault that 'we' are unable to wipe out diseases like chicken pox and other more serious ones. She implied that the research we had done was merely opinions, on blogs and such, (NONE of my info has come from a blog!!) and one statistic I tried to put on the table she interrupted and said was wrong, and 'here's the study to prove it'.(The look on her face combined with the rolling eyes said she believed I was an ignorant misinformed fool.) I don't carry with me a list of books and articles I have read that assisted my decisions, I also don't carry a list of studies and who funds them, plus I was so shocked that she was entering into this attack at a meet and greet that I was left practically mute. Plus she made it a bit difficult to get a word in. I know where to go to get that info to back up my choices, but I can't spit it out like she could. Any rebuttal I tried to make was efficiently shot down, so it seemed pointless to try and "discuss" with her, epsecially when I didn't have my own research ready for 'spitting'. She was most definitely in attack mode...so she carried on and on about the wonders of vax and that she would not turn us away, would be willing to work with us, but she made it clear that we were "wrong" and she would look down her nose at us forever more. This experience told us she expected folks to do as they are told and move along; as long as you agreed with her all would be well. I know a previous poster had a positive experience with her and I merely offer a different experience. We all respond to individuals individually depending on what's on our plate at that moment.....she certainly made our decision easier.
I hope that what I've said is not inappropriate...just trying to put our experience out there for others looking for ped's for their children.....We had two wonderful experiences and I'm sure there are others out there who offer similar respect to parents.....
