Seeking a Pediatrician in Oakland

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Parent Q&A

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  • Pediatrician in Oakland or Berkeley

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    Jan 26, 2022

    Good Morning!  My wife and I are expecting our first child in the coming weeks and wanted to work on lining up a pediatrician.  If anyone has any recommendations for anyone they have enjoyed working with in Berkeley or Oakland it would be greatly appreciated.  We are located in the Oakland Hills above Piedmont for geographic reference.

    Thanks in Advance!

    Jan 26, 2022

    I can't recommend Berkeley Pediatrics enough! All the doctors are amazing, the staff, nurses and medical assistants are all great. They are UCSF affiliated. The office is not remodeled but that doesn't matter; it's the care that's important.

    The doctors take their time with you, your appointments are not rushed. They really care about their patients. With that being said, pre-pandemic, there were times we would wait a while to see the doctor during our appointment. However, that didn't bother me because during my appointment our doctor wasn't rushing to catch up. When with the doctor, the doctor's full attention is on your child and the care they need. I also greatly appreciate their take on all preventative care. If something is going on and while it's probably nothing, they refer you to a specialist/seek testing immediately vs. the it's probably nothing let's wait and see approach.

    We personally have long term experience with Dr. Learned and Dr. Woods, but have seen the others on same-day sick appointments in the past. You can't go wrong with whichever doctor you choose.

    Feb 2, 2022
    Recommended:
    Berkeley Pediatric Medical Group

    Our kids go to East Bay Pediatrics (https://www.eastbaypediatrics.com/) and the doctors are wonderful. Our primary doc is Dr. Tracy Evans Ramsey, but we've also seen Dr. Handler, Dr. Handelsman and Dr. Vo regularly and they're both fantastic. Before we had our first daughter we were able to set up a meeting with Dr. Tracy to make sure she was a good fit and it was reassuring to know her by the time our baby arrived.  

    Feb 2, 2022
    Recommended:
    East Bay Pediatrics

    Congrats on your little one! We’ve been very happy with Dr. Pickering at East Bay Pediatrics (and also loved the other doctors we’ve seen there).  Dr. Pickering has done so much to put our first time parent anxieties at ease while also being thorough and thoughtful with any questions or issues that came up. Would highly recommend!

    Feb 2, 2022
    Recommended:
    East Bay Pediatrics

    We love Dr Michael Linn at Stanford Children’s Health in Berkeley. 

    Feb 2, 2022
    Recommended:
    Bayside Medical Group Berkeley

  • Pediatrist recommendation in Berkeley/Oakland

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    Jul 5, 2021

    Good morning.

    I'm expecting my first child and am looking for a pediatrician. Do you have any recommendations around the Oakland/ Berkeley area?

    Thank you!

    Jul 5, 2021

    We love Dr. Franks at Berkeley Pediatrics!

    Jul 7, 2021
    Recommended:
    Berkeley Pediatric Medical Group

    I highly recommend Berkeley Pediatrics in north Berkeley. We have been going there for seven years now and have had an excellent experience. We also know a lot of other families who take their kids there and all have had a great experience. We see Dr Olivia Lang, but I think all of the doctors (most are UCSF-trained) are excellent. 

    Jul 7, 2021
    Recommended:
    Berkeley Pediatric Medical Group

  • Seeking Info re Bayside Medical and Sutter Pediatricians

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    Feb 10, 2021

    Hi, all.

    We're expecting our first kiddo in May, and are trying to narrow down and pick a pediatrician.  My OBGYN is through UCSF and I've had a mixed experience; we're sticking with UCSF for delivery, but my husband and I are not particularly interested in the UCSF system/UCSF pediatricians.  I'm wondering if folks have thoughts/recommendations for either Bayside Medical Group or Sutter Health? 

    Of course, we'd like someone with a good rapport with kids, knowledgeable, etc.  We certainly don't want unnecessary medication/treatment and are on-board with caring for both physical and emotional health, but finding a staunch holistic provider is not an absolute for us; we definitely want to get all recommended immunizations.  Based on my experience with UCSF, one of my concerns is avoiding bureaucracy/miscommunication/poor communication/lack of communication from the doctor or staff.  We're also hoping to build a connection with the pediatrician (i.e. see that provider consistently) and not get bounced around a variety of providers - perhaps that is a pipe dream given how medical care functions today.

    Anyway, thoughts/recommendations/reactions welcome!

    Thanks, Lauren

    Feb 10, 2021

    We've had good experiences with Dr. Paula Brinkley at Bayside; our teenaged daughter has seen her the past couple of years. The office and medical staff also are warm, friendly and efficient, and in my observation have handled COVID precautions very sensibly. 

    Feb 17, 2021

    We use Bayside pediatrics and it's been great! We see Dr. Katya Gerwein. We love her. We always see her unless it's urgent and she isn't in in which case we see another doctor (all of whom have also been great).

    The practice doesn't require on schedule vaccination but she said the vast majority of their kids vaccinate. I haven't asked about alternative medicine things (It's mostly not our thing) but it's definitely not being pushed on us. Katya has been great and there have been no beurocratic hassles at all. I love that I can easily ask questions on my chart and get a response too!

    Feb 17, 2021

    Hello—our family pediatrician is with Bayside and we’ve had a great and consistent experience with them and their staff. All of the milestone appointments have been with our chosen pediatrician in the group and really only last-minute urgent appointments have been with other colleagues who were also wonderful. 

    Feb 17, 2021

    My favorite pediatrician is Dr. Katya Gerwein at Bayside Medical.  I love her!  When we were required to switch our insurance to Kaiser, she was the one that I had a hard time letting go.  She definitely took the time to go over my concerns, and would ask about my well being which felt very important during the postpartum period.  Bayside medical also has a really good lactation consultant that I used for both of my children.  For all well visits I had my appointments with her, but for sick visits she wasn't always available.  My children felt well cared for at Bayside Medical. 

    Feb 17, 2021

    I've recommended Bayside Medical group to others on this community. We have been exceptionally pleased with the pediatricians there. We moved briefly to Washington, DC, and one of the things I was so excited about returning to the Bay for was getting my kids' pediatrician back. We love Dr. Gerwein, but she's usually hard to book. We've had great experiences with Dr. Linn (male pediatrician) and Dr. Boal. The other doctors we've seen have been lovely, too. One of our kids has emotional/regulatory challenges, and I've always admired how unjudgmental and supportive of our kids the doctors have been. Cannot recommend them enough. Their practice is extremely well managed, as well. Q is one of the front desk people, and I love interacting with her. The physician assistants are warm and caring and remember the kids. 

    Feb 17, 2021

    Thank you, everyone, for your replies! We really appreciate your thoughts and experiences (and you taking the time to post!!).

    Feb 19, 2021

  • Seeking a Pediatrician - UnitedHealthcare - Berk/Oak

    –
    Sep 20, 2018

    Just got a new job and insurance - woohoo!

    I have UnitedHealthcare. Does anyone have a pediatrician recommendation? For a 3 year old girl no major health issues.  We live in South Berkeley, so Berkeley or Oakland.

    thanks!

    Sara

    Sep 20, 2018

    BPMG Berkeley Pediatrics Medical Group, the one at 1650 Walnut in Berkeley is great.  I believe they take United Healthcare.

    Sep 26, 2018

    Not sure about the insurance but they take mediCal so seems likely to me

    My almost 3yo and I really like Paula Brinkley and her office group, in Berkeley 

    Paula Brinkley, MD - Stanford Children's Health
    2915 Telegraph Ave #200, Berkeley, CA 94705
    (510) 843-4544
    https://goo.gl/maps/Y8jwx1Ap9f92

    Sep 26, 2018
    Recommended:
    Bayside Medical Group Berkeley

    We also have UnitedHealthcare and live in Berkeley. We took our 3.5 year old to East Bay Pediatrics to see dr Courtney Pickering who was really sweet, understanding and caring. My daughter really liked her and so did we. 

    Sep 26, 2018
    Recommended:
    East Bay Pediatrics

    We have United Healthcare and we go to Berkeley Pediatric Medical Group (now called Sutter East Bay Medical foundation) at 2500 Milvia (Milvia and Dwight.)

    I have teenaged twins who have been going there since birth, and we have liked the practice.  Our primary doctor is Dr. Petra Landman, but we have also seen many of the other doctors when she is unavailable.  We have been happy with Dr. Landman.  She is very down to earth, seems on top of the latest research, and is very willing to consult her fellow practitioners for additional expertise if needed.  We also like Dr. Kowaleski, and haven't had a bad experience with any of them.

    I will just add a caveat that our kids have overall been pretty healthy, so we haven't had to use the practice for any serious health issues.  Mostly annual checkups and the occasional bump, bruise or fever.

    Sep 26, 2018
    Recommended:
    Sutter Health Pediatrics on Milvia

    Berkeley Pediatrics. 510-848-2566. Every doctor there is amazing and we’ve been with them 20 years. 

    Oct 22, 2018
    Recommended:
    Berkeley Pediatric Medical Group

  • Seeking excellent female pediatrician in Berkeley/Oakland

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    Apr 3, 2018

    Hello, I am seeking an excellent female pediatrician for my newborn in Berkeley or Oakland who takes Blue Shield PPO.

    Apr 3, 2018

    You should always call to make sure your specific plan is accepted, but we see Juliana Damon at East Bay Pediatrics  (offices in Berkeley and Orinda) and she is FABULOUS.

    Apr 4, 2018
    Recommended:
    East Bay Pediatrics

    We have Blue Shield PPO and use Dr. Lisa Kalar at Berkeley Pediatrics. We absolutely love her and would highly recommend her, as well as the practice. 

    Apr 4, 2018
    Recommended:
    Berkeley Pediatric Medical Group

    We love Karin Schiffman. She's in solo practice. Her office is vey well run. I've never had issues with billing or had to wait more than a few minutes for an appointment. She gives you her cell phone for after hours. She responds to email quickly. She's very evidence based in her practice and takes her time with you. For a newborn your appointments could be 30 minutes or longer if you have questions. I love the solo practice aspect, but it does mean that if you have an emergency after hours you would need to use Urgent Care. I have three kids and we've only had to do that twice. 

    Apr 4, 2018
    Recommended:
    Karin Schiffman, MD

    Dr. Katya Gerwein at Bayside Medical Group: she identified my son's physiologic heart murmur at week 1 or 2 and heard it whenever she examined him (she sent us to a ped cardiologist, who diagnosed the heart murmur), but few other pediatricians we've seen (we moved briefly across country) recognized it during basic exams.
    We also had positive experiences with other docs there, Dr. Boal, Dr. Brinkley, Dr. Perlman and (not a female, but I really liked him) Dr. Linn.

    their practice administration used to have some issues, but they've really improved immensely!

    Apr 4, 2018
    Recommended:
    Bayside Medical Group Berkeley

    I’ve been taking my son to Stanford Children’s on telegraph. We go to Dr. Brinkley, but I know all the other doctor’s are just as friendly. They also have an off hours number to call in case of an emergency, and will also squeeze you in for an appointment if you’re worried about something. 

    http://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/location/bayside-medical-group-berkeley?utm_source=local&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=gmb

    Apr 4, 2018
    Recommended:
    Bayside Medical Group Berkeley

    I couldn’t recommend One medical enough. They have been my general practicioner, prenatal care, and now pediatrician. AMAZING! Offices in Oakland and Berkeley. 

    Apr 4, 2018
    Recommended:
    One Medical Berkeley

    We love Kiwi Pediatrics. They keep up-to-date on best practices, can get us in when we need to be seen (including after hours for urgent issues), and have had us send pictures of rashes, etc. when we are traveling to let us know if we need to take the kids to a local doctor or if it can wait until we get back.

    Apr 8, 2018
    Recommended:
    Kiwi Pediatrics

    We love Dr. Petra Landman at Alta Bates. Very respectful, takes time for any questions / concerns, sweet with kids. We also have Blue Shield PPO.

    Apr 11, 2018
    Recommended:
    Sutter Health Pediatrics on Milvia

    Dr. Charles-Mo has been my daughters' pediatrician since they were newborns. We have weathered vaccines, sprains, new vaccine studies, flu, strep throat, acne, etc. throughout the  20 years with her. I trust her implicitly. We have Blue Cross now and had Healthnet in the past.

    My daughters are now in college and do not want to see anyone else. She said she can keep seeing them until 28 I believe.

    Apr 18, 2018
    Recommended:
    East Bay Pediatrics

    Berkeley Pediatrics Medical Group (BPMG) near Virginia near Shattuck.  We love Dr. Franks but everyone we have seen there is good.  They have a website so you can see the doctors profiles.

    Apr 18, 2018
    Recommended:
    Berkeley Pediatric Medical Group

  • Pediatrician close to Rockridge

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    Dec 8, 2017

    Hello,

    My wife and I are expecting our first kids (twins) in the next few months and were wondering if anyone had a pediatrician they recommend? We live in rockridge so ideally one close to that neighborhood.

    thanks!

    [moderator note] there are hundreds of parent reviews of local pediatric practices on the BPN website here: https://www.berkeleyparentsnetwork.org/advice/pediatrics

    Dec 8, 2017

    We love Dr. Katya Gerwein at Bayside Medical, but we've also been very happy with Drs. Linn, Boal, Brinkley, and Perlman whenever we haven't been able to get in to see Dr. Gerwein. Their practice used to be a bit frustrating, but they've actually really impressed us lately with communications and ease of reaching them. http://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/location/bayside-medical-group-berk…

    Dec 13, 2017
    Recommended:
    Bayside Medical Group Berkeley

    Assuming you don't have Kaiser, we love Karin Schiffman. She is in private practice. Very evidence based practice. Never had to wait more than a few minutes for an appointment. Appointments don't feel rushed (she'll often spend 30 mins with you). Gives you her cell phone number for after hours calls. Since she is in solo practice we have had to use Urgent Care a few times on the weekend, but we are okay with that. 

    Dec 13, 2017
    Recommended:
    Karin Schiffman, MD

    Lisa Kalar at Berkeley Pediatrics is fantastic. We’ve been nothing but thrilled with her care, and the practice is pretty good in general too. 

    Dec 13, 2017
    Recommended:
    Berkeley Pediatric Medical Group

  • Seeking Pediatrician Recommendations (Oakland)

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    Dec 8, 2016

    Hi - we are expecting our first child in January.

    We are hoping to find a pediatrician/pediatric group in the Glenview/Lakeshore/Piedmont/Pill Hill area who is an MD, but open-minded to alternative medicine, as well as less aggressive vaccination schedules.

    We have a PPO, so rec's for Kaiser docs wouldn't be helpful to us. ;)

    Thanks in advance!

    Dec 8, 2016

    Did you check BPN's list of pediatricians and pediatric practices in Oakland? https://www.berkeleyparentsnetwork.org/advice/oakland-pediatricians   Lots o' pediatrician reviews there.

    Dec 9, 2016

    We interviewed Dr. Maidenberg of Sage Pediatrics (http://www.sagepediatrics.com/) and really liked a lot about her practice but it was a little outside our means so went a more traditional path with Alameda Pediatrics (https://stanfordhealthcare.org/medical-clinics/alameda-pediatric-associ…) and love them. 

    Dec 14, 2016
    Recommended:
    Sage Pediatrics
    Alameda Pediatric Associates

    The docs at East Bay Pediatrics are wonderful. Also wonderful? Vaccines!! Including the 2 month DTaP shot that helped my son survive "P" of DTaP (pertussis) when he was 3 months old. A "less aggressive" vaccination schedule would have left him completely vulnerable. Just something to think about as you make your vaccination decisions.

    Dec 14, 2016
    Recommended:
    East Bay Pediatrics
    Seeking a Pediatrician Open to Delayed Vaccinations