Pediatrician in Utah County

[deanna.m.gourley]

It's time that Gracie switch from our Family Practioner to a pediatrician, when she was first born I spoke to the Cardiologists and they said that it would be fine to have her see our family doctor, but considering how complex of a hea,rt baby she is she really should have a pediatrician, preferably one who has dealt with other heart babies.

I would appreciate any information you may have. I really am looking for a doctor who isn't hard to get into in case of emergencies, one where you aren't waiting forever to be seen, and one who really values parents' involvement, opinions, and suggestions seeing I know her better than anyone.

Thanks for your help!

PS--we are home and hanging in there, Gracie seems to realize she is not in the hospital and I think she is having a hard time, maybe a little 'home sickness.' We didn't sleep much our first night, but hopefully it will get better.

[acrathbun]

My heart kid (and my kidney kid, and my two boys w/ hemophilia) see & love Dr Marcie Conner at Utah Valley Pediatrics in American Fork.

Disclaimer: I am the clinic manager

If you are interested the number there is: 801-756-5609

You can tell them I sent you :)

[Jessica Brimley]

My kids see Dr. Garron Miller in Payson. He is also part of Utah Valley Pediatrics (UVP). If you don't know about UVP- they have clinics all over Utah County and there is always a nighttime and weekend clinic so you can get into a doctor just about anytime. Dr. Miller is really good with our kids and was great in bending over backwards for Isaac if we needed anything. His number is 801-465-2800

[rainsplats]

we asked cardiology for a list of good pediatricians in our area who'd been fellows up at PCMC's PICU. I called the numbers on the list and asked if they accepted my insurance. Then I picked the closest.

[cmooredavis]

We see Dr. Ryan Wilcox at UVP in American Fork (right next to the hospital). I know he has other heart kid patient too. His nurse Sam is fabulous and know me on a first name basis. They have always been available and quick to help. I have never felt they thought I was paranoid or called to much (although I am sure I did :) Also they helped with the insurance company when we were having problems getting things authorized. Good Luck!

[HollieGomez]

When we were at home we saw Dr. Richard Later at Utah Valley Pediatrics. He's in the Physician Plaza next to UVRMC in Provo. I LOVED him. He actually gave me his home phone number, his pager and cell phone number and told me to call him 24/7 with any problems. He'd always call me back in a matter of minutes. They have a well child clinic and always saw Elaina there, even if the clinic wasn't officially open. His NP is wonderful as well and worked very closely with me on feedings, etc. Good luck on making your decision and I'm SO glad that you're home!
Hollie

[Ellinger Family]

We see John Bennett in the Spanish Fork Clinic. He's generally very easy to get into and has had other heart kids. He did his rotation at PCMC and has been in practice for about 15 years. I love this about him because he's not a "newby" and he's not going to retire in the next 5 years either. What I have been super impressed with is that I can count a dozen times from memory when we have called and talked to Dr. Bennett without actually having to go in and see him. He has also made NUMEROUS phone calls to us in the evenings to check in on Nathan with his feedings, weight, vomiting through his nissen problems.... these phone calls were not instigated by us. He works with Dr. Paxten and Dr. Valdez and the Spanish Fork Clinic has evening hours and Saturday hours. My husband made the comment to Dr. Bennett that we see him way more often that we did with our first child and that we were sorry if we were jumpy over every little cold or small fever. Dr. Bennett just smiled and said that often these heart babies "don't follow the rules with basic preventative care and that a small thing can be huge to them". He wasn't bothered or concerned that we were taking up so much of his time. I feel very comfortable with him and feel that he has done a very thorough job with our son. Nathan is a complicated little boy with all of his birth defects and I have been very happy with his care.

As a side note too about the Spanish Fork Clinic - Dr. Bennett wrote several letters to our insurance companies about getting Nathan the synagis shots. We still had a a large copay every month even after the insurance paid their portion. Knowing that we had encountered large medical bills this year (like almost everyone in this group), the clinic found a program for us located back east that would help pay for the copayments for those shots. The clinic manager made several phone calls and sent applicable medical records to show the need. We were elated to recieve a letter showing that we had been approved for the help. Not many medical providers I know would step out of their way like that to help.

I have never encountered any billing problems from this office either which says alot. I feel like I'm on a first name basis with the billing personelle at Primary's for mistakes that their billing department has made.

Wow - that was a long plug for Dr. Bennett :). Good luck with your decision. I wish that insurance didn't dictate so much as to whom you could choose to see.

We hope that Gracie realizes where her real "home" is and that its not really the PICU!