Karin Schiffman (Berkeley, CA)
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Karin Schiffman (Berkeley, CA)
Editor Note (2008): Karin Schiffman was previously with Alameda Pediatrics
and past reviews can be found on that page.
July 2010
Re: Looking for a hassle free pediatrician's office
Worth Driving For: We really like Dr. Karin Schiffman with a
private practice at Alta Bates in South Berkeley. FRIENDLY
office staff--doctor very personable and exceptionally
competent. I just searched for some reviews online, and
here's the link:
http://www.yelp.com/biz/karin-schiffman-md-berkeley
All the Best,
Thankful
Feb 2010
Hi ,
Can parents who use Dr. Shiffmann as your pediatrician share
their experience? I would like to hear how
supportive/helpful she is with regards to breastfeeding,
co-sleeping and delayed vaccine schedules. Have you found
her available when you needed her? Has she handled your
medical issues well? Has anything ever gotten lost in the
shuffle?
Thanks
baby coming soon
We love Dr. Schiffman.
First off, she is an extremely dedicated and capable doctor.
She's up on all the research, really listens/notices, asks
the right questions, and explains options very clearly.
Also, her practice is extremely well-run. Her office is
immaculate, and we have never waited even five minutes for
an appointment. We've had about 3 things come up where we
needed to call her off-hours, and again, she called back
within five minutes (they were all fine). We always see her,
never a nurse. And she always seems to have the time to
spend with you and your baby.
Our daughter was born breech and had a hip dysplasia. Dr.
Schiffman diagnosed it right away, which was fabulous, since
it's one of those issues where early intervention is the
key.
I think we went with her after reading Berkeley Parents
listings and have been very, very pleased.
Chris
Dr Schiffman is wonderful. Extremely personable. Takes time
to get to know you and your kids. Her appts last about 30
mins as opposed to about 10 with my previous pediatrician
and she took even longer when my baby was a new born.
Her style is more conservative that mine - I don't think she
would encourage co-sleeping or skipping vaccinations but I
was very up front with her about what I do and I told her
straight up that she was more conservative than me and she
was respectful of any decisions I made.(we coslept for a few
months and did vacinations but delayed them). I am willing
to put up with her more conservative style because I think
her level of care is way more of an upside than that is a
downside.
Very organized office, great staff - I think she is in a
league of her own with the service she provides.
very happy customer
Choosing Dr. Karin Schiffman as our pediatrician is one of the best decisions we
ever made. She is an intelligent caring doctor who listens carefully to all of our
questions and gives us thoughtful, complete answers. We never feel rushed at
appointments and we are always amazed at how much time she spends with us.
She diagnosed a very rare medical condition in our two month old baby and she
has been extremely supportive and helpful. She has helped us get appointments
to see specialists when we were told that no appointments were available. We
had some concerns about going with a solo practitioner in terms of off hours
coverage, especially as a pediatrician, but this has never caused any difficulty
getting the care and information we have needed. We can't recommend her
enough, if only more doctors still practiced this way.
Love Dr. Schiffman.
Interviewed 3 pediatricians, before selecting her. She was
the most thorough. as one little example, she explained
*why* the medical community is shifting to infant Hep B
vaccines, as opposed to just saying that she would support
an alternative schedule. Great facts, research, knowledge
on all kinds of topics. And she give you the time to pass
that information along. (saves me time. I trust her and
she tells me where to look if I want more info, she's open
to sharing both sides.)
We selected her before we realized this. as a highly
analytical engineer / business woman, her Stanford & UCSF
pedigree (& connections at Oakland Children's Hospital)
gives me that extra bit of comfort that she's thorough,
detail oriented, & can find outside resources if she needs
them.
a Schiffman fan
My son, thank goodness, has not been sick too often to
justify frequent vists but I'm not crazy about Dr.
Shiffman. We use a lot alternative modalities and
nutrition to stay well. Maybe its because my son does not
seem too thrilled with her or chemistry but something is
off. On the plus side her office is clean, no long waits,
and referrals have been quick. Just writing this I ask
myself what more can I ask for but I feel repore is
important. We have delayed some vaccinations and I did not
appreciate her initial attitude so that was that. I hope
this helps.
Still considering a move
Sept 2009
Re: billing problems at another practice
Dr. Schiffman has a one-doctor show, although she retuens calls
on weekends and always follows up with us about test results.
She has her own opinions about vaccines, but she lets the
parents make the decision. We are also on a delayed schedule,
and she has no problem with that. We have never had a billing
problem with her office, but if we did, I have the feeling that
it would be taken care of right away, just like everything else
in her practice. She is great with my daughter, too! Good luck.
dawn
April 2009
Re: Pediatrician for 14 and 18 year old daughters
Both of my teen daughters, aged 16 and 19, go to pediatrician Dr.
Karin Schiffman in Berkeley on Milvia. They appreciate her very
warm,respectful and informative manner. Her office number is 510-854-
0300.
karen
Karin Schiffman, 2500 Milvia St, Ste. 102, 845-0300. Fabulous. Love
her. I've posted multiple times recommending her--I can't recommend
her enough. She just helped us through an extremely scary health
issue (requiring a hospital stay) for my 10 year old. She was
responsive, thorough, and understanding through it all. My daughters
(10 and 13) think she's the best. I agree wholeheartedly.
Holly
Dec 2008
Re: Doctor for nine-year-old girl
My daughters, 13 and 9, LOVE Dr. Karin Schiffman. She is
fabulous! For at least the last few years, she has spent
part of my older daughter's appointment times meeting with
her alone. They have talked about puberty--both the
physical and the emotional changes. Peer pressure,
depression, boyfriends--all are subjects that Dr. Schiffman
has brought up and discussed with my daughter in private.
Amazing. Dr. Schiffman is extremely responsive. She always
returns emails and phone calls promptly. Monica, in the
front office, is friendly and so efficient. Dr. Schiffman is
in Berkeley, 845-0300. Call her, meet her and see for
yourself. She is the best!
Holly
Jan 2008
Re: looking for a new pediatrician
My girls have a fantastic pediatrician in Berkeley.
Her name is Karin Schiffman 2500 Milvia
845-0300
Karen
October 2007
I am wondering if anyone has had Dr. Robin Meezan or Dr. Karin Schiffman as
a pediatrician. Dr. Meezan is new to the Pediatric Medical Group on Woolsey
in Berkeley (she's been there about a year). Dr. Schiffman has been written
about in the archives BUT there is a big change in her practice - she's gone
into private practice and moved to Berkeley, so I'm wondering if anyone has
experience with that. I am torn between having a kind of old world
experience with one doctor...but am wondering if it's wiser and more
practical to go with a group of doctors, as is the case with Dr. Meezan.
Plus, I'd like to know if anyone has feedback on Dr. Meezan in general. She
seems youthful and kind, ... but this is my first child and I would like to
be reassured that people have trusted their children with her, medically!
Thanks!
--Didn't even know you had to ''interview'' pediatricians
After interviewing a large number of pediatricians, we selected
Dr. Karin Schiffman for our twin girls (born March 2007). We
have been extraordinarily pleased with our decision.
We wanted someone who would give us all the information we ask
for, and the information that we didn't know to ask for( being
new parents and all), and who would then respect our choices
for our girls. Dr. Schiffman does that about medical issues
and about general developmental issues.
I also wanted to have a pediatrician for the girls that they
could develop a real relationship with
(like when we were kids) so that they'd be comfortable talking
to her, getting advice from her, etc. Dr. Schiffman is that
kind of a doctor. When you make an appointment, you get Dr.
Schiffman, not whichever doctor is on call that day.
She opened her own practice in Berkeley about a year ago, and
provides fantastic care. We never have to wait when we get
there (she respects our time) and her office staff is
wonderful, too.
I was also hung up on what happens off-hours...I didn't want to
have a pediatrician who we'd have to go through a nurse-service
gauntlet to talk to if we really were concerned about
something. Dr. Schiffman responds to her own afterhours calls.
She has made time to see one of my girls on a weekend and on an
evening.
Perhaps as important, when we were at Alta Bates for the girls'
birth, and then a week or so later when one of them had to go
to Children's, she was completely on top of the situation. She
helped manage the hospital care, and really made sure that we
knew all of the issues and options we had to work with. We got
far better care in both places, I am convinced, as a result of
her involvement.
We could not be happier with Dr. Schiffman.
Kara
I love ''Dr. Karin'' (Karin Schiffman). She was my daughter's
pediatrician for over a year. We switched from a family
practice in Alameda to her practice after I ''interviewed''
her. I talked to her for over an hour during this process; she
encouraged it and was very generous with her time. I met
another Alameda doc that I also liked a lot, but my daughter
instantly clicked with Karin. By age 2, she had become
frightened by going to the doctor, but immediately trusted Dr.
Karin - I really appreciated her kind and caring manner and her
way with kids (as well as with parents)! She cares about
getting to know the kids and doesn't treat anyone as another
patient (or worse, a ''number'') she is interested in having a
relationship with the kids so they don't feel intimidated. I
don't know what the structure of her new practice is, but I
wish she would've stayed in Alameda. I have 2 kids now, and I
want a local doc, otherwise, I'd have followed her!!
Alameda mom of 2 kids
My daughters LOVE Karin Schiffman. I do, too. We met her at
Alameda Pediatrics and followed her to her private practice in
Berkeley. We live in Alameda, so it would have been easier to
choose another pediatrician in Alameda, but we decided that it
was more important to continue to receive her great care rather
than just go with what was convenient. She is
wonderful--caring and knowledgeable. She relates really well
to my daughters--talking directly to them and explaining
medical ''stuff'' to them in ways they can understand. I
recently scheduled annual physical exams for them, and she
scheduled and spent one hour appointments for each. Amazing
and thorough! Monica, her office manager, is efficient and
friendly. Yet another aspect of her office that I love (though
I haven't used it yet) is that Dr. Schiffman doesn't use an
answering service. She has a voice mail system that gives you
the option to page her directly if you have an urgent matter,
and she'll return your
call--herself. I recommend her whole-heartedly. If you have
any questions about how her office operates, I would suggest
you call her office and ask. Feel free to call me if you have
any questions. She's so wonderful--I only wish I could find a
doctor just like her for myself...
Holly
[Editor] Reviews were also received for Robin Meezan
May 2007
Re: Primary care physician referrals
We have recently discovered a fantastic new pediatrician for infants and
adolescents. She has a warm and welcoming manner and is incredibly thoughtful and
thorough. My daughters ages 14 and 17 highly recommend Dr. Karin Schiffman 2500
Milvia Berkeley 845-0300.
Karen S.
Feb 2007
In search of a Pediatrician w/a holistic approach
My daughter will be coming into this world next month (yay!) and we are looking for
a pediatrician in the Berkeley/ East Bay area who uses a human/ holistic approach.
We are delivering with midwives and have found their care to be in this genre. Her
daddy and I are very much for traditional medicine, but we are looking for a great
doctor who considers the emotional aspects of our bodies, has a great bedside
manner, will take time to ask questions and do a thorough visit, and is not to
narrow minded to consider how other types of medical practices (like Eastern
medicine) might evaluate the situation. Of course, at the base, we want a
competent and careful doctor. Are all of these too much to ask? If you have a rec.,
would you also speak to appointment availability, parking, or any other issues I
might not have thought of? Thank you!!
snapmama
Dr Karin Schiffman 510-845-0400 in Berkeley. She really takes her time with people, she
seems to be always available and parking is easy. Also she referred out to John Nieters,
Licensed Acupuncturist. as an alternative to drugs for food allergies and asthma related
chronic issues. When my son fell and cracked his head, we had an ambulance ride to
Children's Hospital she met us there in ER. Jen
Our beloved pediatrician has recently started her own practice so she
can provide exactly the type of service you are asking about. Her name
is Karin Schiffman. I am including below a posting she recently sent to
BPN to let people know about her new practice:
I'd like to welcome you all to my new pediatrics office! My name is Karin Schiffman, and I'm
a primary care pediatrician who has been practicing in the east bay for many years. As many
of you know, I finally decided to open my own practice so that I can provide the type of
personalized care that I think people like best. My philosophy is that you deserve to have a
pediatrician who understands what is important to you and can help you sort through the most
current medical information in a nurturing environment. Some families prefer a ''just the
facts, ma'am'' approach, and others prefer more guidance and emotional discussion; my goal is
to work within your values to help you make the best decisions about your child's health,
development, and emotional well being.
I graduated from UCSF School of Medicine with honors in 1994 and completed my residency in
pediatrics at UCSF in 1997. After two years of additional training in children's cancer and
blood diseases at Stanford, I realized that I really wanted to focus my career in primary
care. I have been in a group practice for most of the last seven years, but I frequently
felt limited in my ability to tailor my practice to the needs of the families I served. I
have spent the past year planning to create an environment where children and families come
first, where expert medical guidance is easily accessible, and where you can consider your
family to have a medical home. I have also continued to work and teach in the emergency
department at Oakland Children's Hospital. Although
my training is in western medicine, I am always delighted to coordinate care with other
complementary types of medicine.
If you would like to make an appointment to meet with me and tour the new office (with no
charge for the visit), please call my office at 510-845-0300.
I look forward to seeing you in Berkeley!
Karin Schiffman, MD (510) 845-0300
Tori
Feb 2007
Re: Looking for a Wise and Supportive Pediatrician
There is a great Pediatrician in Berkeley. She has been our Dr. since our first
Daughter
was born. She just opened her own practice in Berkeley. She has been a rock and
shelter when we have needed her. Our second daughter was born needing special care
and Dr Karin Shiffman has been at our side (literally) making sure we get the best
care
that is possible. She is what a doctor should be, loving and attentive and extremely
knowledgeable and caring. She loves her patients as if they were her own. She always
has the time for you and never ever makes you feel like even your silliest question
is
unimportant. Dr Karin Schiffman 510-845-0400
Christa
this page was last updated: Dec 26, 2011
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