I was having my first child, and like any over-joyed parent, I was preparing myself and seeking a pediatrician; researching High and Low, I was between two practices [one very conventional, old school] before finally settling on Hales Pediatrics [non-conventional, new-age; see below for examples]. So many reviews wrote how elitist this practice was. I'm so glad I'm a person who forms their own opinion based on personal experience. If you have any doubts, schedule a visit, and go see for yourself. That's what I did; at my tour I received some literature which contained bios on each of the physicians in the practice, the packet of forms and a book for new moms on how to prepare for baby. Of those physicians, I personally opted to see Dr. Milvid. Although their were occasions when she wasn't available I saw others. Dr. Gorman is very good and friendly as well, she was the attending pediatrician at the hospital for my second child. The only negative, and I don't know if its any different now, but when I was having my son, the physicians of this practice did not perform circumcisions, it worked out for me that the other practice I was looking at did. So the other practice performed it, but ultimately I ended up bringing my son to Hales for his first doctor's appointment. If you are wondering what the deciding factor was for me in choosing Hales over the other practice, it was Office Administration. I didn't like how the administration handled my queries; they were attitudish, rude, impolite and crass. The doctor on the other hand was not, but before I get in to see the doctor I have to call the office, and that was just not something I was willing or able to do. The staff of ladies at Hales, have always been pleasant and courteous. However, there was/is one that I feel has personal feelings and seems to be prejudice, but she stands alone in that department. I have never felt it from any other member of the team. I can't completely say that this practice is all about the health of the child; it is a business, a medical one at that. They are in the business of making money, and you are flipping the bill so remember to utilize all the services they provide, if you need them. There were times my child(ren) were not feeling well, I didn't know what to do, I called the emergency line, the messaging center notifies the doctors, and the doctors call you back. Sometimes it can be up to an hour, but I have always received a callback. They are affiliated with Children's Hospital, so they will refer you to After-Hours Care in Metairie or the ER. Hopefully you will have a great an experience as we have. Just a Note* Non-conventional, New-age: child sits on parents lap during visits, combo vaccines, child does not remove all clothes, and all medical questions and test results will be told to you by physician. read more

I saw Dr. Hales when I was a child til 18 years old and now my two children see Dr. Haydel since Dr. Hales is retired. We have seen different doctors in this practice and are happy with all! read more

Wow. The disparity of the non-filtered reviews on this practice forced me to write this review. I hope others do too, because this is a very popular pediatric practice, and a thorough vetting by Yelpers might help expectant parents a lot. Although they came highly recommended when I was pregnant, I am not sure about the cult-like devotion mentioned by a prior poster, but it wouldn't surprise me. There's cult-like devotion to almost every decision you could make regarding a newborn, many of those decisions being mutually exclusive. Take all of it with a grain of salt, if possible. There are other very fine pediatric practices in the area, and none of my friends who have chosen differently seem to be dissatisfied with their choices. That said, I have been very satisfied with Hales Pediatrics for my children. Things to know about the Hales group's well-baby visits: No, they don't disrobe a young child to inspect him or her. Rather, a parent holds the child on his or her lap, and they lift the shirt up, inspect the diaper area, etc. piecemeal. I assume that this is to keep the child calm, and I have never thought that my children's lack of nudity during the exams was in any way skimping. I personally like that the well-checkups and shots are always given by the doctors themselves. Another poster recommended Dr. Milvid and Dr. Hales by name. There are two other doctors in the practice, Dr. Oates and Dr. Gorman. I have found all of them to be extremely knowledgeable, although my favorites are Hales and Oates. Oates is a little more granola without being in any way too much so and has a very impressive resume, and Hales has the most practical experience of the group, so I try to have my kids alternate between seeing those two so there are always two knowledgeable people in the know about their health. That said, during sick visits when we see whoever we can get, we've always been treated professionally and, happily, accurately. So, yes, I heartily recommend this practice, but I won't go all cultish on you about it. Do your own research, go interview them, and see what you think. You might very well see what I do in them. read more

Hales Pediatrics came highly recommended to me by many families when we moved to NOLA from Portland. My kids are 14 and 12, so we don't have long, involved well-childs anymore, but Hales is incredibly easy to get an appointment with and is so efficient when you actually are in the office. It's nice to not have to worry about the doctors being insanely behind schedule. Saturday sick hours are a nice service as well. When we needed a copy of my son's immunization records, they were prompt in getting it to us quickly and offered to pop it in the mail if picking it up wasn't convenient. I know we'll be wrapping up the need for Peds in a few years, but in this home stretch of childhood, it's nice to be happy with Hales. read more

As far as doctors go, I wish this could be my doctors office. As far a pediatricians go, I hope my kids stay with Hales until 18. I grew up in Detroit seeing the same doctor from birth. I have fond memories about going to the pediatrician and Hales give me the same feeling. I love the get right to it attitude the doctors take. I like the sit down and talk about it, rather than the informal hop on the table and let me look at you. I have time to ask all my questions and the environment is very welcoming and comforting. With that said, I think we have seen every doctor except for Dr. Hales. My fave being Dr. Gorman, who is difficult to get an appointment with. I don't really have anything bad to say about them. I researched a pediatrician before I moved to New Orleans and I think it was the best decision made. I don't get the cult feel everyone is talking about, but maybe that's just my social circle. I can see that happening, but the ritzy uptown people are like that with everything. read more

The doctors and staff at Hales Pediatrics have seen to our children's medical needs for nearly two decades! As we outgrow their services, it seems hard to replace such a well run medical office. We highly recommend them! read more

Our Pediatrician Dr. Oates is GREAT. However, the rest of the staff : nursing assistants , front office people are abrasive,unprofessional, very unpleasant to deal with. They simply are not very friendly. It's a shame because we love our Dr here. But it ruins the experience having a small toddler in itself is crazy to control in a Drs office . Put unsupportive and abrasive staff as your trying to check in and trying to get your toddler to stand on the scale to be weighed is absolutely chaos. read more

This is an updated review after talking with the spouse: My four kids have been patients at Hales for several years and there is truth to some of what the critics have said, but not completely: - Almost any doctor is going to believe they are the smartest guy in the room, to include you if you're in a room with them. If I need a doctor, I really do hope they are. - The exams are not as thorough as we're used to. They can do a 'Well Baby Visit' without removing a stitch of clothing. On the other hand, with what insurance normally pays these days, they have to move quickly to keep up the bottom line. Yes, health care is absolutely a FOR PROFIT BUSINESS and if you believe otherwise, move to Canada. - We perceive the lack of thoroughness to be a missed attempt at making the experience more relaxed for the kids. - If you are a patient and need to be seen quickly, THEY WILL ABSOLUTELY get you an appointment the same or next day, though it may be with a different doctor. - They are responsive to questions and concerns, return calls if we have health issues, and the kids generally like the place. - We see the same doctor every time we go in - Dr. Milved and she is not only a great physician, but also a mom of 4 and knows where you're coming from. - I would recommend Hales and Dr. Milved to anyone looking for a pediatrician. read more

If you are an expectant parent in New Orleans and are looking for recommendations on pediatricians, you are bound to get several glowing recommendations for Hales Pediatrics. The recommendations I have gotten from other moms are so glowing that they almost made it seem like I would be a bad mother to send my child anywhere else. I have worked in the healthcare field and so I always take this with a grain of salt and will press on for negatives as EVERYONE should have at least one thing they don't like about their doctor. Let me just say that the moms who are fans of this practice are so rabidly fanatical about it that they would get ANGRY with me for even asking questions that might insinuate that this place and the doctors are anything less than perfect. Sorry, but their cultlike devotion is just downright freaky. Hales Pediatrics is certainly not the worst place to send your child (far from, actually), but it's definitely got its faults. I'm placing this review to not "knock" Hales, but rather give an alternative opinion to the flat out hero worship of Hales that prevails in this town. That all being said, if you find a parent that used to go here and now does not, you will get the real scoop. Apparently Dr. Hales and staff think as highly of themselves as their fanbase does. Lets say, for example, you have researched and read information about certain vaccines that scares you. A good doctor should be able to address these concerns objectively, answer any questions you may have, and then let you decide what you want to do. Not at Hales. If you even propose the idea of an alternative vaccination schedule you will most likely be bullied and browbeaten and made to feel like a bad mother because you dared question the opinion of the almighty dollar...errr....I mean doctor. These docs are SO GOOD that they don't even have to disrobe your child and can attest to their well being in 20 minutes flat. (Seems weird, doesn't it?) I think I would rather be kept waiting and feel that my child got a thorough examination. If what a previous poster said is true about "almost any doctor is going to believe they are the smartest guy/gal in the room," then I want a doctor who knows how to at least feign *some* humility. My final gripe about Hales is this: when my company changed insurances I called them to ask if they accepted my new insurance, which they did not, and then asked for a recommendation of a good pediatrician that might accept it. I was referred to a place (the name of which I will not reveal) that is a chain and pretty much like the McDonalds of children's healthcare. The place to which they referred me is so awful that when I asked about setting up a visit to check them out for possibly becoming the pediatric office for my upcoming child, they asked me why I would need to pick out a pediatrician before my child was born. Apparently this place, that came highly recommended by Hales, had not even heard of the concept of the doctor visiting the baby in the hospital when he is born (even though it is standard practice). All I can think is this "recommendation" was possibly made to scare me into getting different insurance so I could go to Hales. Thankfully since all of this, I have found a pediatrician who came highly (but not rabidly) recommended to me and who listens to my concerns, gives me thoughtful advice (yet lets me make the final decision of what's best for my child), doesn't rush us in and out like cattle, and makes me feel like my child (and not my money) is what is important to them. read more

Dr. Hales is the best pediatrician in this city! He is knowledgeable and wise, listens and is wonderful with the kids. They actually enjoy going to the doctor. The office is filled with toys, books and is cheerful. All the staff and the other doctors are friendly. You can always get an appointment the same day your child is sick which is very reassuring. With doctors who are so competent, you always feel like your child is well taken care off. I would never go anywhere else. read more

The good news: good docs and they will honor appointments. Not so good: if you have a sick kid, you'll wait quite a bit and from this experience, not in a sick area. A kid with shortness of breath symptoms watching well babies go in for booster shots isn't the greatest indication of priorities. Next time we'll be at urgent care. read more

As a former patient of Dr. Stephen Hales, from early childhood through my college years, I have to say, Dr. Hales is an outstanding pediatrician. He is extremely informative and cares deeply for all of his patients. The same goes for Dr. Oates, Dr. Milvid and Dr. Gorman - all of whom I've seen in the office. I always immediately felt comfortable and knew that I will be well cared for the moment I walked through the doors. Although I'm older now, I still call the office when I have a question or concern. I always receive a prompt return call and no one ever makes me feel like my concerns are frivolous. His office staff is, no doubt, the most courteous and helpful around. It is so refreshing to have an office staff that cares about you just as much as the doctors do. I've recommended many expecting friends to Hales Pediatrics and all of them feel that their children are in exceptional hands. When the day comes that I have children of my own, there's no question where I place my trust in their well-being; the wonderful doctors of Hales Pediatrics! read more

This is the Uptown Pediatrics for the Uptown crowd. They aren't all bad, and they aren't all good -- but you are definitely in the throws of the privileged masses. In terms of the care: there is a lot of variability between the physicians -- who you see there can really make or break your experience. As a medical professional, I don't think that the care there is top notch... but it's quite good, and certainly the convenience of appointments and access to care from the staff makes up for the physicians being basically good. Should you need more specialized care, you'll be referred or need to find a specialist, anyway. I would never again allow my children to be seen by Dr. Hales. I did this once, and found him to be out of touch with current literature and dispensing bad information to parent and child. He holds a powerful cult of personality in New Orleans -- owing to his long-standing practice (the well-healed in this city grew up in his care) and his family name (note his Rex membership, etc.) I don't have anything against him personally, and know quite a few parents who are rabidly obsessed with Dr. Hales, but I find that these are often families who have never lived outside of New Orleans and have little to gauge what good care or medical practice means. Sometimes in this city, social status is the measure of "quality" for any service. Next to Hales, Dr. Milvid is my least preferred of the group. She is rude, bored by the children, and has poor bedside manner. Wouldn't you at least ask before you unrobe an adolescent boy to see his genitals during an exam? Yes, you would. Milvid, not so much. We still go to the practice because we are very fond of Dr. Oates and, especially, Dr. Gorman. Dr. Oates is fast and can be prickly -- but she is good. Competent, reliable, kind to the kids. We had a scary day with one of our children years ago and she was a rock through it all. I trust her, which for me, is saying a lot. Dr. Gorman is the best of the bunch -- the total package. She is kind, takes her time, and is BY FAR the most thorough of the group. We were ready to leave the group before she came along... and we liked her so much we stayed because our children are truly so fond of her. She is the one see. Bottom line. Convenience and timing are big deals to us, and Hales Pediatrics offers both. Gorman and Oates offer good medical care -- Milvid can give you a script in a pinch. Stay away from Hales. read more

Got an apt right away and was seen on time. They have several private 'sick kid' waiting rooms. The staff was very friendly and helpful. My favorite pediatric office! read more

Dr. Stephen Hales and his team are efficient, kind and committed. The Doctors actual offices are very warm and comfortable instead of the traditional cold sterile environment that most doctors offices have. This has made a real difference to my two year old who actually enjoys going to the doctors office. read more

We moved from New Orleans a few years ago, but every time cold and flu season hits out here in California (now!), I miss the caring physicians from Hales Pediatrics. Both of my daughters saw Dr. Oates from birth, and she was the perfect physician for both my children and ME. We often think of pediatricians as being for the children, but as parents we know that we really need a physician who can both be thorough and kind with our kids but also allay our concerns and fears. With Dr. Oates, I always felt that she managed to both put me at ease and take all my concerns seriously -- all while my daughters sat on my lap and felt that they were spending time with a trusted, loving adult for a friendly visit. We also had wonderful experiences with every member of the front office staff, Dr. Hales, Dr. Milvid, and Dr. Gorman. Several years into our new home in California, we have been fortunate to find very solid doctors, but we still miss the care provided to us at Hales. Thanks to all of you for helping me navigate the early years of motherhood with confidence and peace of mind. read more

My children have been seeing the Hales team for the past 13 years - girl & boy. I came from Tampa where the 1st baby visit was extremely thorough & my infant son placed on a table & disrobed. Being a 1st time mother this was all I knew & looking back on it now seems very "cold". My sister, an RN, recommended the Hales group to me when I moved to New Orleans. When interviewing Dr. Hales (I strongly recommend all mothers interview & ? their Drs. before signing on) I said, "you must really like children" his reply "i really like mothers". He said he takes his cue from the mothers. They know their child better than anyone and he listens to the mothers. I believe you get what you give. If you ask, demand, question - you will get answers from the Hales group - not dismissed. Also, the baby visits on the mother's lap keep the fear at bay. Every time I have called in with questions or concerns my call has been returned within minutes by a Dr. Also, my sick children have ALWAYS been seen within hours of calling in. The staff is friendly & efficient. The waiting room has books, toys, gadgets, & magazines. Also, there are sick waiting rooms so you do not spread the illness. In addition there is another room for breast feeding, a changing table and infant samples & coupons. We have seen all the DRs. in the group. I have not been dissatisfied by any. When you need the scrip for strep throat you get in & out - culture taken & lab work done in the office while you wait. No mother wants to keep a 104 temp child up. Then we have gone in for the "mystery" illness. Lots of questions, blood tests, samples - and referrals to other Drs. With followup visits. Other reviews have stated different personalities of the DRs in the group - is this a surprise to anyone?! (or were they looking for the Stepford Wives Doctors) The differences is what I like, because it makes for a well rounded group to satisfy all different personalities of our children. read more

I love the staff! They are on top of their game. Need a refund because your insurance paid more than you thought? They immediately put a check in the mail. Need your shot records the day of? You can come by and pick it up or have it mailed to you the day of. I also love the pediatricians. They are respectful and caring. They will answer every question that I have and take the time to do it. There isn't any nurses, so all of your medical advice is given by board certified doctors. Most offices like to outsource to nurses, but this office takes an old fashioned approach to their patients. read more

Hales Pediatrics is a class act. Each of the four physicians are knowledgable, experienced and compassionate. I am always confident that I am getting the best care for my children. The office staff ensures that each child is seen in a timely fashion as well as accomodates last minute appointment requests. The after-hours call service confirms that you have received a call from the on-call doctor. I don't know any other medical practice or business for that matter with such superb customer service. I wouldn't trust my children's health to anyone else. read more

As far as Doctor's offices go, this place is better than average but they do still make you wait and you never get to see the physician at the time of appointment. They strongly market their sub-10min wait time but all it is is marketing. With 2 kids, I'm in there a lot and my average wait time is about 30min, not bad since most doctors make you wait over an hour. There have been a few occasions where my wait time exceeded one hour and the staff just ignores you with a smile when you ask what's going on. On one occasion, after waiting for about an hour, I could hear our doctor making idol chatter and sharing personal gossip with the mother of the appointment before me while my kid was screaming with a severe fever. As with most doctor's offices, your time isn't important. I suspect the policy for upfront co-pays is to encourage you to keep waiting. I even request the first appointment of the day and they still make you wait 30min. The staff blames the doctors and the doctors blame the staff, they could care less about your time. The office girls really need to have a training workshop on the concept and definition of an appointment. read more