I am fortunate to be able to offer prompt appointments in most cases. I’m committed to seeing sick children the same day or the next day, depending on when I hear from you, and can also schedule routine check-ups without much delay. Did you just hear about a wonderful summer camp with an application deadline of tomorrow? I’ve often been able to squeeze your son or daughter in for the required camp physical.
Why solo?
While I often wish I had extra help, I find solo practice very rewarding, in that I feel that we get to know each other very well. Families coming to me from larger practices sometimes say that they can’t remember their former doctor’s name, or they see a different person every visit, or get a stranger on the phone when calling with an emergency. When I hear from you at night in your worried phone call, since we already know each other, even if just a little bit, communication is much easier. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing newborns grow into teenagers, young adults and even parents themselves. It really feels to me as if I’ve been a part of their lives.
Mission Driven Pediatric Practice
As a pediatrician I see my mission not just to do check-ups, give vaccines and treat colds and fevers. I want to see the children grow and mature into independent self-sustaining adults. One of the best things we can do as parents is to teach them how best to take care of themselves.
The elements of self care, in my opinion are the following:
- Proper diet
- Proper sleep
- Proper hygiene
- Exercise and activity
- School and learning
- Responsibility for self and others
As parents and as their physician, we need to let children know that we work on taking care of ourselves with attention to all of those factors. We need to look at ourselves and see what we do well, and what needs improvement. Then, we need to show our children what we do well, and show that we are working on bettering the areas that need work.
We need to be a good model for them. Also, we need to praise them when they do well, and tactfully encourage them in their areas of weakness. Let me remind you that our children are our most loyal fans, but also our severest critics. Let them see that we’re doing our best to take care of ourselves.