Berkeley Parents Network: Kaiser Pediatricians

Berkeley Parents Network

Kaiser Pediatricians

The Parents Network > Reviews > Health & Medical > Kaiser Doctors > Kaiser Pediatricians

Questions:

Appointment availability for pediatrics
Can I meet my pediatrician before baby is born?
Kaiser pediatrician for asthma
Kaiser pediatrician flexible on vaccines
Kaiser pediatrician for a Preemie

Reviews:

Appointment availability for pediatrics

Nov 2006

I would like to hear any positive/negative experiences with Kaiser's Richmond or Oakland pediatric services, mainly regarding appointment availability in ''urgent'' cases. Can you get an appoinment for the same day if needed? We've not chosen our doctor yet, neither are not sure whether to take Kaiser or United Health Care, so I'd be happy to hear recommendations on any other pediatric services in/near Berkeley MM

My kids are older now and Kaiser periodically changes their operations, so you might want to call and check, but as of a couple of years ago, you could get same day app'ts every day of the week, incl weekend days. And evening appt's. And major holidays, as they have doctors of different faiths so they can work around each other's holidays. That has been one of the most important features of Kaiser, for which we have endured other shortcomings: same day (they're called ''Urgent Care'') appointments, evening app'ts, and holiday app'ts. I even had the need for stitches in the evening for one my kids falling down on a pool deck, and they took him in and performed the finest little stitches surgery under his chin. You can't see the scar. A mom very pleased with Kaiser Oakland Pediatrics

This is exactly where Kaiser shines. You will absolutely be able to get a same-day, urgent care appointment in Pediatrics. That includes weekends, as long as it is a truly urgent matter (and they err on the safe side in defining ''urgent''). My experience with the advice nurses (who do the phone screening before the appt.) is that if you are concerned, they are concerned, and it's generally the case that they are talking us into a visit more than the other way around! The Peds advice nurses are available 24/7. You won't necessarily get to see your ''regular'' doctor if it's a same-day appointment. Don't know about Oakland, but if you go with Richmond, you're pretty much guaranteed a good pediatrician no matter who you see

More responses to this question are posted under Oakland Kaiser Pediatricians and Richmond Kaiser Pediatricians

Can I meet my pediatrician before baby is born?

Sept. 2004

I'm due with our 1st child in a month. I called Kaiser to sign up with a pediatrician (based on all my friends' advice to find a pediatrician now), but was told I can't sign up with anyone until the baby is born. I think the rep's exact words were ''you can't sign up for a doctor without a Kaiser number, and your baby doesn't have a Kaiser number until she's born, so you can't sign her up with a doctor.'' Oy. Now I'm wondering if that Kaiser rep. was actually correct. So here's the question: have you signed your child up with a Kaiser pediatrician before their birth? If not, have you at least *met* Kaiser pediatricians before the birth? How willing are they to meet with parents for an initial visit to see if we like their style? Thanks!

This was more than 13 years ago, but when I was pregnant with my first son, my husband and I made several appointments at Richmond Kaiser to interview various pediatricians. This was before the newer phone/appointment system they have now. No one squalked, but I have to say the Drs. were ALL surprised because I guess not too many people do this. Don't even tell them when you make the appointment that it's for you,just give the name and your Kaiser number. Good luck, assertive Kaiser member

How great that you are trying to finalize all the details before the baby arrives. I am also a Kaiser mom and tried to pick a Ped before my baby was born, too. But you really do have to wait until the baby is born before getting the M.D. Our baby had some trouble and was in the NICU at first and so we met quite a few Kaiser docs. You know, I have liked all of the Drs. we have met in our son's first year and we have met quite a few given the other problems that he has run up against. He is super healthy now, and the thing that you will love about Kaiser is that it is a great health plan for babies and kids. You will be able to have so much more assistance with Kaiser than with a regular health plan, which is why picking out a Ped for a kid with Kaiser is not so crucial. I have been very reassured by calling the advice nurse at 2 or 3 a.m. to ask about my son's high temp or ''croup'' breathing. And the advice nurse has always been incredibly helpful and has gotten me in to see a Dr. first thing in the morning. You kind of end up seeing whatever Dr. is available when your kid is sick. But the convenience and flexibility far outweigh the drawbacks of not seeing the same Dr. every time. We still see his original Ped that treated him in the NICU for checkups and shots. I also love that they have Saturday hours. The only thing you could start doing is stocking up on Infant Tylenol, Motrin, a bulb syringe (for nose goobers) and a thermometer and memorize the pediatric phone number 752- 1200- you will be calling it often. Best wishes to you! lou

Kaiser pediatrician for asthma

Feb. 2004

I've seen many recommendations for Dr. James Nickelson as an allergy/asthma expert...but does anyone have any recommendations for a Kaiser pediatrician with the same expertise? We could go to Walnut Creek, Oakland, Alameda or Park Shadelands.

Recommendations received:

Caskey Weston NP, Kaiser Oakland

Kaiser pediatrician flexible on vaccines

June 2003

I am interested in finding a pediatrician at Oakland Kaiser who will be open-minded about a child not being fully vaccinated. I read the archives on this and someone had suggested a dr. at Richmond Kaiser but none for Oakland and I thought it was worth a repost. I have also seen the archives on Kaiser pediatricians parents recommended but I would love to hear from any parents currently using Oakland Kaiser. I need a dr. for me too so any recommendations would be welcome. Feel free to email me. Thanks. Susan

Recommendations received:

Roberta Cunningham Kaiser Oakland

Colleen Shipler Kaiser Oakland

March 2002

Can anyone recommend a Kaiser pediatrician who is not pushy about vaccinations? Someone who takes their time and is open to alternative healthcare? A plus if they're a woman of color. Melinh

Recommendations received:

Roberta Cunningham Kaiser Oakland

Colleen Shipler NP at Kaiser Oakland

Dr. Karen Sorrey at Richmond Kaiser

Kaiser pediatrician for a Preemie

April 2002

Can anyone recommend a good Kaiser pediatrician at Oakland or Richmond that has been GREAT with their preemie? Angie

Recommendations received:

Siew Chan-Warner Kaiser Oakland

Ann Tipton Kaiser Oakland

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