Zero stars if that were possible. Our appointment was scheduled for 2:55 PM, and my son was only called at 3:51 PM and now almost one hour late. During this time, two other families who arrived after us and had later appointment times were seen before us, with no explanation at all. Beyond the excessive wait, the customer service is terrible. The staff is unfriendly, barely communicates, and refuses to explain what is going on. No apologies, no transparency, no respect for our time. This is a pediatric office : parents and children deserve patience, organization, and basic courtesy. Unfortunately, this location delivers none of that. Very poor experience. I do not recommend this place. read more

I rarely leave reviews. everytime we need something we have to jump through hoops. they don't want to help. they take 2 hour lunches where they won't help at all during those hours. i have to wait a minimum of 45 minutes after my kids appointment times to even get called back. then we wait another 30 minutes to see the doctor! its consistently so bad that I'm hesitant to believe anyone that left a 5star review. what just sparked this review as the final straw was just now I go to grab the state required immunization form for my children at 1:30pm. im walking up to the door as the staff is unlocking the door (I'm assuming coming back from lunch) I go to step in the office and she turns around to close the door on me. I'm obviously shocked by this. I say "excuse me" I can see through the opening in the door there is clearly a patient and her mother talking to the receptionist. the staff working says while clinging onto the door "we are still on lunch we will unlock the door at 2". and closed the door on me. OK COOL! I'm done! read more

We've been bringing our children here since my eldest was born 6 years ago. They are super attentive, listen to all concerns and you leave with all of your questions answered. My kids love how sweet and friendly everyone is. The atmosphere is a bit fanciful as well with each room having a differently themed mural. read more

Do NOT take your children to this office. I am a pediatric nurse and I have never encountered such rude office staff or uncaring providers. I scheduled a new patient visit for my special needs son. read more

Pediatric Associates - I had a AWFUL experience with my special needs son at this office!! - Pediatricians Near Me - St. Augustine, Florida

Dr Vanbenddecom ( I hope I spelled it right lol) is the baby whisperer! Actually the entire staff is friendly and always available for quick appointments. Dr V never hesitates to do additional steps to make sure our little one is safe and healthy. I never leave reviews but I appreciate this office and wanted them to know! A great staff and extremely efficient in making appointments and follow ups. Ava's mommy read more

I LOVE this office and it's staff. We moved all over the country as a military family and had countless doctors along the way. They've been excellent in answering questions, working with my chaotic wahm of 4 schedule and listen to what my needs and wants are with my littles. I've seen several providers and they've all been excellent! read more

I have taken all 3 of my kids here. They range from 3 1/2 yrs to 4 months. The staff are friendly and the Doctors are great! They are always attentive and caring to my kids needs! Wouldn't go anywhere else! read more

I wish I read the reviews on this office before coming. The pediatrician we chose was 5 of 5 stars based on reviews here and online and loved her service but the office staff however is a different story. Understandably we are in a covid situation and things are delayed but the office itself isn't making it easy on the patient. You call in advance to pick up paperwork that's supposedly ready and paid for but they still make you wait 30min+ because it wasn't really ready. Also they have you use a check in system that the front office can't even help you over the phone. Not organized at all. ‍ read more

Always nice and quick to get us needed appointments. Clean and office decorated to kids taste. Have seen 3/5 providers, and all took time with my several "first time Mom" questions., really seem to care. read more

I chose this practice 7 years ago, while I was pregnant with my first child. I met with the provider we preferred, she answered my questions and made me feel like this was a good fit. We have had 3 kids in that time that has passed, I've made sure to see the same provider whenever we can, even when it took extra time for an open appointment, because I wanted my kids to grow to build trust in their provider. We're raising kids with no family and no village, so it was important to me that they at least knew their doctor. I will say looking back there were a lot of red flags. Times I felt incredibly uncomfortable. When my kid was treated like a sideshow by the practice owner when she had a rare and serious reaction to a medical intervention. They brought the whole staff to see her. They excitedly brought in a dusty old medical book to show me the article on her reaction. As if they were awed and amazed, while I sat crying holding my 18mo old, swollen and covered head to toe in lesions, not even clear on whether she was going to live through this. I forgave a lot, because I was a first time mom and I assumed my kids were in a safe space... pediatrician, duh. But I never complained. I wanted to be the family they appreciated because we didn't make a fuss. I even defended this practice from nay sayers and highly recommended it when asked. I kick myself regularly for not being my kids advocate sooner. For not realizing that there are choices in your children's healthcare, and you MUST research your choices. My kids were pushed through. They were simply a check mark on the CDC compliance box. Good little customers who did what they were told. And as soon as we differentiated, as soon as we tried to take control of our own choices and healthcare, we were dropped like a bad habit. It's sad now, to see the time I invested in creating a safe relationship for my kiddos was an absolute waste. It's sad to see the curtain pulled back on the facade of a caring provider. 7 years of this practice, three kids, countless appointments and they fired us in a 3 sentence note on the patient portal. Because their policies supersede their healthcare. Their policy is a one size fits all approach to children. And even when we realized this approach harmed my eldest child, that it's cost us thousands of dollars in therapy and specialists, and we still aren't in a good place... we still weren't given a choice on how to proceed. So if you're looking for a practice that pushes your kids through, they check all the government boxes and you are prepared to be good, little compliant patients, with no questions... than maybe this is the place for you. If you plan to be involved in the choices you make for your children, if you're looking for individualized healthcare and for policy not to trump the health of your children, I suggest you look elsewhere. This is not that place. read more

Holy rude staff Batman! the staff at this place needs to get some urgent sensitivity training STAT! We took our 5yo to this place when we first arrive to Jax thinking she had a UTA. We took the first place that took us. Immediately - dealing with the scheduling guy was a nightmare! Not only was he rude, he also had a very heavy accent and it was hard to understand him. We eventually got in and when we checked in, there was no question of what was wrong, only the concern of how will you pay? they have this elaborate high-tech system that makes you pay on the spot (OK, thats fine) but interest no of what is wrong with our child. We paid, CASH, and got in. We were told that the payment would cover the whole visit. The Doctor was OK, just OK. The Staff were ZOMBIES. They walked around like if someone killed their puppy lol. Anyway, they did a urine test to determine if my daughter had a UTA - immediately -- how will you pay for the test? I paid for that. They could not determine the test results. So we left with no answer. like 3 - 4 weeks later, we got a call stating they sent out sample for testing and it was negative. WHAT? we had forgotten all about that and moved on with our lives. But then, the AGGRESSIVE billing started for the test. But wait? I thought we had already paid for that? even thought we dint ask for the secondary one that provided information weeks later when we no longer needed it. Now, we are also getting harassed by Quest diagnostics, which is a horror show, to pay additional fees for the test, that I have already paid for to the doctor, twice. yeah, needless to say, never again. Watch-out for the zombies and watch out for the aggressive billing tactics! read more

I am happy to say I have been taking my children here for almost 6 years now. I am also happy to say the office staff, nurses and Doctors treat me and my boys just like family. As most parents know, between sick and well visits, we visit the pediatrician's office on a frequent basis with little ones. I would never want to take them anywhere else! Thanks for always taking great care of us!!! read more

I love this office. The office staff, nurses, and doctors are there for the patients! They stayed late to find my sons records when he was hospitalized and we were trying to figure out what the next step was. My other sons shot records weren't complete and they helped me tracked down everything we needed. Never once did they get frustrated with my calls, and they are very professional. The doctors are so knowledgeable, they've taught me so much with my 3rd child, that I am irritated with our old pediatrician for never telling me these things! I love this Drs office, they really care about your family. read more

There are lots of options when it comes to Pediatricians and I highly recommend avoiding this one. Staff are friendly but be wary of their billing. My daughter went to the E.R. For stitches. I went to this pediatrician two days later just to ensure there were no signs of infection. During our visit we removed the gauze and I say we because I removed most of it myself. Once the gauze was removed the doctor put diluted peroxide on. Not much to the visit right? But then I received the bill a week later. There was the standard charge for the visit which I expected but then there were two additional charges for "prolonged care" and "debridement of wound". Since when is 20 minutes with the doctor considered prolonged care and since when is putting diluted peroxide considered debridement? There charges were equal to the E.R. Doctor who used a topical numbing, conducted a true debridement and put in six stitches! To top it off we had her stitches removed here as well and guess what? Removing 6 stitches were included in the standard visit charge but yet it costs extra for diluted peroxide! I tried reasoning with them on their billing and they refused to remove the charges after a couple attempts of requesting the adjustment. Needless to say we will not be returning to this place. If you choose to conduct business here make sure you are aware of the charges. read more

Dr Tara VanBennekom had been my children's pediatric doctor for the past few years. Recently, her irrational behavior has been very disappointing and I refuse to send my kids to see her or her entire practice any longer as I question their integrity. 11.10.2016 at the request of my estranged ex wife, she provided a very derogatory and personally insulting letter about me without attempting to contact me to verify information written in such letter. We recently got a pet, and my son has periodically had allergies in the past. He has successfully managed these allergies through precaution and occasionally through medication his entire life. We have had family pets nearly his entire life up to this point. As his father, I watch his behavior constantly for changes in his health and would never put him in a place of danger. In her letter she stated that I was a "negligent" and "irresponsible father" for getting the pet. This letter was provided to my ex-wife without ever contacting me to discuss. She never gave me a chance to explain my position and was written without my consent. Upon reading this shocking letter, I immediately called the office and requested that she send a rebuttal letter. At that time Tara admitted to me in her own words "I assume what I am being told in the confidence of the office is the truth." At no point previously or since writing this has she had the decency to contact me direct. It is very obvious her scruples as a doctor have been compromised; influenced by jealousy of our new pet by my ex wife who wants nothing more than to do me harm. Dr VanBennekom has obviously written this letter with no concern regarding how a letter of this nature with no proof could greatly harm a parent when taken out of context and could potentially lead to a law suit or reduced time with their child. This is not a doctor I would ever recommend to a parent who is looking for the best care for their child. read more