Our practice uses a team approach. Physicians and nurse practitioners work together to help provide the best care for our patients. For the first two years of life, our patients are encouraged to alternate Well Child visits between their pediatrician and one of our advanced pediatric nurse practitioners. This ensures that there are always at least two providers who know your child and family well. These visits provide time to review your child's nutritional needs, growth and development, sleep habits, school progress and any other concerns. A complete physical examination is performed, immunizations given, and developmental changes discussed. At PNW, we believe that all children should be vaccinated according to CDC and AAP guidelines.
The following are the recommended schedule for routine well-care visits:
- 3 to 5 days
- 2 weeks
- 1 month
- 2 months
- 4 months
- 6 months
- 9 months
- 12 months
- 15 months
- 18 months
- 24 months
- 3 years
- 4 years
- And once every year thereafter for an annual health supervision visit that includes a physical exam as well as a developmental, behavioral, and learning assessment.
Prenatal Consultations
If you are expecting a baby, you probably have a lot of questions. We're here to help. Expectant parents are invited to schedule a prenatal consultation with one of our pediatricians. This is your opportunity to speak one-on-one with your baby's future pediatrician and to tour our office. Please visit our provider biographies and once you have chosen a provider, call our receptionist at (617) 969-8989 , and schedule your meet and greet. All providers are accepting newborns.
Hospital Care
We see your newborn daily at Newton-Wellesley Hospital. For deliveries at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Brigham & Women's and the Massachusetts General Hospital, or other local hospitals we have one of our colleagues coordinate the care of your baby during your hospital stay. If your older child's medical condition requires admission, we will manage your child's care at Newton-Wellesley Hospital. More complicated medical admissions will be managed at Children's Hospital or other Harvard Medical institutions however our goal is to still stay involved in your child's care. If your insurance plan is an HMO a PNW provider is required to be listed as your newborn's primary care physician from date of birth. All newborns must be enrolled before the first office visit can be scheduled.
Immunizations
Our Vaccine Philosophy
Our practice believes that all children should receive the recommended vaccines according to the guidelines provided by the AAP and the CDC. Vaccines are safe and effective in preventing diseases and health complications in children and young adults. Regular vaccinations help children ward off infections, and are administered as one of the safest and best methods of disease prevention. Delaying or refusal of vaccinations is NOT our recommendation and we will ask you to find another health care provider who shares your views.
We are happy to discuss your concerns about vaccines at your child's next visit.
Lactation Consultations
If a mother is having breastfeeding concerns, nothing is more helpful than having skilled, one-on-one assistance from a lactation specialist. At PNW we provide breastfeeding counseling and management support to families who are thinking about breastfeeding or have questions or concerns during the course of breastfeeding. A lactation appointment can be made with Kathleen James, C.F.N.P, C.L.C, Certified Lactation Counselor, or Genevra Casais, C.P.N.P. Both have extensive experience in breastfeeding management, as well as, providing pediatric primary care for over 20 years. Kathleen and Genevra are passionate and committed to supporting mother-infant relationships during the breastfeeding experience and beyond. They are both available for private breastfeeding consultations in our office and telephone support. Our skilled triage nurses are also available during office hours and adept at answering a large variety of questions regarding breastfeeding.
Adolescent Medicine
Our physicians and nurse practitioners see patients through age 21. We provide care for a variety of adolescent medical issues affecting both male and females such as acne, puberty concerns, common sports injuries and concussions, testicular concerns, breast or menstrual problems, disordered eating and anxiety. Genevra Casais, C.P.N.P. has a special interest in Adolescent Medicine and Gynecology and is available for consultations.
Dermatology Statement:
Here at PNW, our team, provides dermatology care for children and adolescents. Our providers have had training sessions with Boston Childrens Hospital Dermatlogists. We treat a wide range of dermatological conditions, including atopic dermatitis (eczema), contact dermatitis, acne and warts. Our treatment and therapies are based on the most current pediatric research. We are dedicated to helping children and parents better understand skin conditions and how to treat and cope with them.
How to Make an Appointment:
Prompt appointments are available for our patients with both acute and chronic skin conditions.
Walk-in clinics are NOT the best choice for kids
For many years we have been seeing retail-based clinics (Minute Clinic, Doctors Express, etc.) open up throughout the country. These clinics are primarily staffed with clinicians who are not specifically trained in pediatric health issues. Due to the minimal pediatric training, these providers may overlook underlying medical conditions and may not be familiar with all the nuances of pediatric healthcare.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) first released a statement in 2006 strongly opposing these retail-based clinics. In March 2014 the AAP updated its statement by saying that retail-based clinics are an inappropriate source of primary care for children and emphasized that “the expertise of the pediatrician and the medical home should continue to be recognized as the standard for care of children.”
As your pediatricians, we strive to develop a long nurturing relationship with our patients and families. This relationship allows us to get to know your child’s health history and be better equipped to take care of both simple and complicated medical problems. Continuity of care improves quality of care . We strongly encourage you to call our office for all of your medical questions and concerns instead of visiting these retail-based clinics. We will make our best effort to promptly return your calls and schedule appropriate visits in our office.
*Referral requests for walk in clinics will not be processed by our office. Any billing costs will be your financial responsibility.