Which would you recommend - Lakewood Pediatrician

bargainlover

Mon, Dec 29 2014, 2:42 pm

I am using someone now, extremely unhappy. Came out of the office in almost tears last time I went with baby - horrible bedside manner, rough with baby.....so I hear Dr. harvey Hirsch at Chemed and West Park Pediatrics would be taking new patients and are good...can anyone chime in on those two based on experience, or any other great drs that take new patients? Not Shanik because u never see him, and I dont want to deal with such a crazy busy office, all the time long wait etc. TIA!!

amother

Mon, Dec 29 2014, 3:43 pm

first of all the waits by shanik are not any longer than other places. I'm usually in and out within an hour, many times even much shorter. Shanik himself is pretty much always there except I think thursdays. He sees many patients and its very possible to see him. For well visits it may be harder to get, but if u make your appointments enough in advance you can get with him. The other doctors are there pple are happy with also. I always feel that if I had an emergency I would want to get Dr. Shaniks opinion, so why would I go somewhere else. Also if you ever have an emergency, as I once did, so I'm talking from experience, he is very on top of it and has the nurses keeping up with you, plus they give an inside number in case you need. They also have a lot of pull at top doctors, in case someone needs an emergency appointment. Dr. Shanik doesnt go to the river avenue office, but there are other doctors there and its usually less busy (and newer and cleaner)

UQT

Mon, Dec 29 2014, 4:29 pm

I haven't seen Shanik himself in over 2 years. I am interested in how you get through to get an appointment by Dr. Shanik himself. That said, I do stay with the practice bec in case my child ever has a medical emergency chv's he's the one to know.

Mon, Dec 29 2014, 4:33 pm

I use the doctors in Chemed (including Dr. Hirsch) and I am happy there. I actually used Dr. Shanik and Dr. Indich and switched to Chemed. I find that you can generally get an appointment quickly, although sometimes the wait is pretty bad. Really depends on the time you go. They also have walk-in hours from 8:30-10 for quick things like strep and ear checks. I especially like Dr. Hirsch and Dr. Kaweblum, although Dr. Kaweblum is very busy now (he is the only spanish-speaking Dr there so the Mexican population also prefers him).

sky

Mon, Dec 29 2014, 4:38 pm

UQT wrote:

I see Dr Shanik pretty regularly, unfortunately, at the Madison Ave office. Just saw him this past Motzei Shabbos. And he recently had me bring my daughter in at 11:00 pm when she was screaming at night.

The wait is long, unless you know when to make your appt.
I like the office mainly because they are very on top of things and when I have had emergencies they were amazing and supportive.
There are other great doctors in the office as well (Dr Golub - well only, Dr Lapidus, Dr Braverman) and some PAs I've been very happy with.
And they are almost always open.

I don't have too much information about it but I heard that some use Pediatric Affiliates in Howell, Dr Haimowitz (part of Dr Shanick's practice so you can always fall back on them during the late hours or weekends). Maybe you can find out more about that office. It isn't too far away.

Last edited by sky on Mon, Dec 29 2014, 4:43 pm; edited 1 time in total

amother

Mon, Dec 29 2014, 4:42 pm

I use Dr. Shanik. I usially go to office on River Ave. but with my toddler I see only him. He caught some major health concerns that could easily have been overlooked and has been completely on top of her care and situation since she was born. I have seen him at home! on Bedikas Chometz night with the results being that I had to rush to CHOP. He expedited things and we were seen quickly and efficiently. He called me throughout our ordeal and had them expedite discharge so we were b"h home for Seder night.

Reesa

Mon, Dec 29 2014, 4:47 pm

I have a hard time understanding peoples' preference for shorter wait time over a top doctor who you can trust!
If you had to see a top specialist you wouldn't complain about the wait time because you need his opinion. I would much rather trust my doctor and know I'm in good experienced hands than to have mediocre care with convenient appointments.
Oh well. Just my pet peeve when I hear complaints about shaniks office! There's a reason so many people are flocking there!

mommyla

Mon, Dec 29 2014, 5:27 pm

Reesa wrote:

My issue is not with the wait time (I actually don't have to wait that long normally) but the fact that you can call at 8 in the morning with your kid who's screaming with an ear infection and hear that the office is all booked for the day (after waiting on hold for half an hour). THAT is what makes me crazy about the practice. And half the time there are no appointments except with doctors or PAs that I don't like.

I go to the Brick office sometimes, it's not that far away and I've never had to wait. I'm just not crazy about the doctors who are usually there, but for a simple ear check or something it's okay.

sky

Mon, Dec 29 2014, 5:30 pm

mommyla wrote:

You can make an appt with the answering service overnight. The closer you get to the morning the more likely they are to be out of their appts (very early morning).

mommyla

Mon, Dec 29 2014, 5:32 pm

amother wrote:

I like Dr. Shanik himself. But you can barely get an appointment with him. The last two times I needed cultures, I waited over half an hour, just for a negative.

You can just go for a culture without being seen if you suspect your kid has strep. You just go straight to the lab.

mommyla

Mon, Dec 29 2014, 5:35 pm

sky wrote:

You can make an appt with the answering service overnight. The closer you get to the morning the more likely they are to be out of their appts (very early morning).

I've done that. There have been times when even the answering service is booked by 10 at night. Or times when a kid wakes up in the morning with fever, or starts getting cranky in middle of the morning, or calls home from school that he's not feeling well...

amother

Mon, Dec 29 2014, 6:28 pm

LO wrote:

Dr Kaweblum is great! The other doctors in Chemed are also very good.

BeingBee

Mon, Dec 29 2014, 6:35 pm

I don't live in Lakewood anymore, but I was incredibly happy/satisfied with West Park Pediatrics.

Every doctor there has their own personality, but all of them have all the time for you, are very knowledgeable, explain things very well, give background information, practical advice on everything and anything.

They're easy to get through to, and they call back quickly if there's a question of if you leave a message with their answering service.

The wait time is not bad, and the staff there is wonderful.

I had a great experience with them.