Texas Children's Pediatrics--which one? (San Antonio, Bellaire: house, live, office)

[ivorybliss]

i am wondering for those that take their child to any of the TCH pediatricians---how do you like the place? doctors? staff? I am looking for a pediatrician for my newborn & would like to interview the doctors before hand and it doesn't have to be texas children's but since I am delivering there, I looked up their facilities around town.

Please let me know if you know of a good pediatrician.

TCH facilities that are close to me are the inner loop (Kirby or Bellaire location) OR Southeast (Gulfgate or Shawdow creek locations) area. Thanks ya'll.

[KatieAP3883]

We love Dr. Schlegel at the bellaire location! My son has been her patient since he was a newborn. My only complaint is they never seem to be running on time, but I think that's standard for pediatricians.

[KatieKennedy]

My daughter is a patient at the Kirby location. She has been a patient since she was a newborn. She is now a teenager. All of the doctors there are great. We especially like Dr. Alexander Injac and Dr. Margaret Kinalska. The clinic has regular office hours but also has extended evening and weekend hours for sick kids--a great help for busy working parents.

[asonnier]

We've used almost all of the doctors at the Greenbrair(just moved to Kirby) location. They are all good. Dr. Kinalska especially is excellent!

[Failed Engineer]

We use Katherine Smith at the Shadow Creek location. We still take our kids there even though we don't live close. She has proven to be an excellent adviser to my wife and I in addition to the doctor to our kids. She gives us a lot more time than other pediatricians give to their kids (based on visits with other pediatricians as well as comparing notes with friends/neighbors/family that have young kids as well).

[ivorybliss]

thanks ya'll! I"m a first time mom so here are my main questions.

**is it better to pick a pediatrician who is super close to my house so that it will be easier for everyone's sake? (i'm interviewing her next wk--it's TCH affiliated and it only makes sense to check them out since they are less than 10 mins from my house)

OR

**also consider other pediatricians about 20ish mins away & it's ok if I go with the doctor that has further away? I keep reading location location, but since I have no experience with the reality of a sick child, I am hesitant to consider others when i have one less than 10 mins away.

[Failed Engineer]

Proximity is VERY important when you have a newborn. You never know what can come up that requires a visit. And especially so if you are first time parents.

I'd only interview places that are at most 10 minutes away. You'll find someone you connect with within that distance.

[longhorn96]

I agree with the above poster. Many times you'll be calling your clinic to see if they can squeeze you in that day, and they will ask, "how soon can you be here?" On those days you'll be grateful to have a doctor that's close by.

[houstmom]

My children use to go to the Greenbriar location until we moved to San Antonio. Dr. Kinalska is amazing!

[ivorybliss]

on average, with Texas children locations, how long are you in the room w/ the doctor when you go? I called one location (gulfgate) and i believe she mentioned that 15 mins was the avg. time. does this sound right for most of the TCH locations?