In 2011 I remarried and became a blended family. With my two children, his one and our one we had four total. His child had been seeing Beach Peds for years and mine had been using a local Long Beach Dr for years. My local Dr although very convenient in proximity had only one Dr on staff and hours were sometimes difficult. So I decided to move my two and begin my youngest at Beach Peds. It was the best decision I've ever made about their healthcare.
Dr Jonisch, tows the western medicine line, but when I express concern about treatment, she listens carefully and always has facts and statistics to back up her opinions. And if we still disagree with treatment, she is respectful and accommodating.
When hurricane Sandy hit, the baby had a high fever and was on a nebulizer. With power lines down, cell towers inoperative, it took several days of sporadic texts but eventually Dr Jonisch was able to touch base with us. Without any hesitation she had us bring our baby to her home where she examined him on her couch with a flashlight. There was no power anywhere, fallen trees we had to navigate around and their office was under water. (I had taken him to south Nassau and mercy er's only to be turned away by 5-hour wait times and very sick people around us.) Yet, she made sure he was seen and taken care of. I'll never forget her dedication and kindness that night. Thank you Dr Jonisch.
When our baby was older and had a mysterious fever that lasted two weeks, the protocol would be to bring him to a hospital and have a spinal tap done. Yet because his fever was sporadic and came every other day (yes strange) Dr Schinder didn't rush to judgement and send us anyway she allowed us to monitor him at home but she called us every day from her home/cell to check up on him. Two solid weeks. He got better and without a risky spinal tap or any secondary infections caught in a hospital. Thank you Dr Schinder.
These are just stories of one of our children who seems to always be a challenge. They don't reflect the many other visits for colds, flu, mono, pneumonia, asthma, bumped heads, sprained ankles, sore throats/strep, puberty, sports injuries or of course wellness visits. I have dozens more positive stories about those as well.
And now they have a male Dr on staff as well, Dr Cuccia. Yay for my boys! He's just as wonderful as the lady Dr's in the practice, Dr Minkin, Dr Jaffe.
As you can imagine, with four kids, when one gets sick we all tend to get sick and the Dr's visits are unending. So much so, that I've joked that we live in the office and never leave. Which is why we know all of the support staff and nurses by their first names as well. Each one has been helpful and supportive in her own way too. Debbie and Anne, with their patience dealing with our insurance carrier who terminated our insurance even thou they kept cashing out checks. Karen who always seems to have the perfect last minute appointment available for me and Anita who always has a kind word when I've been up all night with a child with the croup or a nasty fever.
Deborah. Nurse Deborah, I don't think I've ever not seen a smile on her face. Years of smiles, years of making my children laugh. Years of tickles. Even when they are facing a dreadful vaccination my kids are happy to see her. Right cookie? (Anyone who knows her gets that joke.)
I know there are more stories and more people in the practice who I didn't mention. But these few are the ones who touched our lives and the ones I think of when someone asks me for my opinion about the Beach Peds practice.
Finding a practice this wonderful is actually life changing. I couldn't be happier or more supportive of these incredible people, who, as we often forget, have their own lives, their own challenges and illnesses to deal with. Yet, I've never seen or experienced a nasty attitude, a frown or a hasty decision in the total combined 45 years of my children's treatment there. I know there are other great dr's and practices out there and I'm happy for those people who are content with their treatment. But for those who aren't happy, you should give Beach Peds a try. As you can see, I have nothing but raving reviews. :) read more