Capital Medical Group Peds-Rec please

[Anonymous]

huh, we love Dr. Jones and have seen him for at least 20 visits so you'd think we'd have experienced it all with him.
He's been extremely helpful on several occasions.

[Anonymous]

I understand the mannerism posts describing Dr. Jones and Dr. Shearin (and I cannot comment on whether Dr. Jones digresses about tribes), but after about 10 years with the practice, we do ask for Dr. Shearin - but are happy to see Dr. Jones if that is who is available.

As to Dr. Jones being aggressive? As one of his asides when my DD was there at about 4 years old he said ... does she always have that nasal tone in her voice? I was a bit taken aback, I don't hear a "nasal" tone. He made me listen and I did. He checked her quickly and said that there were some passageway issues probably, "see a sinus specialist" she should be evaluated, they may be small, blocked, etc. Being busy and relatively anti-extra medicine, I didn't.

She is now 8. After many many sinus and strep bouts this year - we went to sinus specialists (more than one). Tonsils are coming out. (We have tried various alternatives and believe that is the best solution even though out of vogue). He spotted the issue years ago ... digressed about it ... and I wish I had followed up more back then.

The nurses -- many are nice - there have been some doozies over the years. (I think generally they have improved). My DH also banished one from the room when she violently jabbed my DS when he was about 4 for some test. Anyone who overheard that likely heard my DH's yelling more than kids' crying. (It wasn't attractive and -- if you have ever watched Seinfeld -- we suspect there was a "note in our file" for a while). Things calmed down but do not hesitate to ask for a change if you think things are not working with the nurse who checks you in.

[Anonymous]

We have now seen every doc in the practice and are fine with all of them, but find Dr Wheeler, Dr Snow, and Dr Kadowitz to be our favorites (and I know some have put been off by the latter, but we've always found her warm and reassuring--esp when we came in for an emergency visit when baby was 5 days old, jaundiced, losing weight, etc).

[Anonymous]

Dr. Snow is mean and I really dislike her then I switched to Dr. Wheeler and is way better. Even though the teen check up is awkward I feel comfortable with her. Best doctor there!

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know where Dr. Pearl went? She was my favorite and I realized we hadn't seen her in a while. I see now she's no longer listed on their website.

[Anonymous]

I think she's working less hours and is at a place in Rockville. Also doing some work in the inner city in the mobile units.

[Anonymous]

We have a 10 mn old DS and have had nothing but good experiences with a variety of the CMG doctors. We almost exclusively see Dr. Snow and Dr. Finklestein (and love both) but with many a sick visit including RSV we have made the rounds and have had great care. The nurses call back quickly, we have never been refused a sick appointment, and the docs really seem to care about our child.

I will say that I was so turned off by Dr. Jones at the new parent night that I have refused several possible appointments with him and picked times that worked to see other Drs. He may be fine with care - I just did not like his style.

[Anonymous]

First time we went, I had a well child visit booked for school paperwork booked for months, and months. They even called the day before as a reminder. I show up at the appointed time. They proceed to tell me I do not have an appointment, and must be scamming them to come in and tell them I did during busy school paper season.

Second visit I had to insist I needed to be seen after being told by the nurse "We don't like people to just rush in for a sick visit." I insisted, and the child had a double ear infection. Thanks alot.

Considering switching back to Foxhall.

[Anonymous]

I can't believe all the negative experiences people have had. We have had nothing but great experiences since DS was born in January.

Went to the open house, and understood how Dr. Jones rubs people the wrong way. Since DS was born, he's seen Drs Snow, Roche, Kadowitz, and Jones, and I've talked to Dr. Shearin on the phone after hours - he recommended that I take DS, then 3 months, to Suburban, which we did. The nurses always promptly call me back when I am worried about something. I have apologized to them for calling so much, and they always tell me that's what they're there for, and are so nice and gracious. The front office staff have always been accommodating, and the one time we were there for a well-visit and we had to wait a long time, they staff were very apologetic.

All of the Drs we've seen have been caring and great resources. The only thing I don't like is how long after a well-visit we have had to wait for the nurse to come in with shots. It stinks when the baby is hungry and you're waiting to nurse and they don't bring the shots in quickly.

[Anonymous]

We have been going to CMG for 5 years with both kids. While I have my preferred doctors, I respect all of them. Unlike most PPs, I don't care much for Dr. Shearin but I have never felt his medical opinion/advice was unsound. I just didn't care for his personality.

As for Dr. Kadowitz, I didn't see her until a couple of months ago with my younger child. She figured out what was wrong with her AFTER Suburban hospital said it was a virus (WRONG). I am now a big fan of Dr. Kadowitz. She was extremely sympathetic/empathetic with my daughter, who had been proded and poked by doctors at the hospital only to be wrongly diagnosed and not given any relief for her pain.

[Anonymous]

I can't believe all the good posts about Finkelstein. Whenever DD has seen him for a sick visit, he always says nothing is wrong with her, and to wait it out. I am always back within a few days to see another dr. who then gives me an actual diagnosis (and likely antibiotics). I won't see him again- he is a waste of time.

Snowe is the best. BY FAR. Kadowitz is too sarcastic- obv. I'm there b/c I'm worried about DD, not b/c I have nothing better to do with my day, and thought it would be fun to torture her by bringing her in and wasting everyone's time!

Agree with what people say about Jones, but his weirdness doesn't bother me, and his medical advice is usually right.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know where Dr. Pearl went? She was my favorite and I realized we hadn't seen her in a while. I see now she's no longer listed on their website.

She is now working with Dr. Abdow at Abdow Friendship Pediatrics near White Flint. [Resurrecting this thread because my DC goes to this practice so I was scoping out the new doc on DCUM...]

[Anonymous]

We've had Dr. Roche from the start, and she's been great! We did *not* like Dr. Kadowitz at all, she just rubbed us the wrong way. Also didn't like the lactation consultant - we were in the office a lot with eating issues, and didn't like the way she dealt with us.

But - it's a large office. Try out a few of the pediatricians and see who you like! We see Roche for most of our appointments, but see others for many of our sick visits, so it's easy to get a feel for them.

We didn't like the appointment system at first (they are often busy, so you get placed on hold on the phone...) but they are friendly and organized, and we haven't had any problems with them.

[Anonymous]

We have seen all of the docs and try to schedule well visits with Dr. Shearin. He might not actually remember DD from year to year, but if not, he pretends well. His tricks with DD (pulling Elmo from his pocket) are a little tired and lame, but DD falls for it every time, and he's one of the few peds there that she smiles at. We've seen Jones and I find his oddities sort of charming - doesn't bother me at all. As parents we really liked Finkelstein, but DD didn't so we don't see him except on sick appts.

[Anonymous]

We've been with CMG for 2 years and are very happy. (Both in comparison to past practices and to the experiences of our friends) We see Dr. Roche for her patience and gentleness with our youngest, while our oldest clicks with Kadowitz. We've never found Roche's skills to be lacking, including in circumstances which have sent us to Children's. She spends time, listens carefully and is extremely accessible. We've never found Kadowitze to be brusque, but she does have a somewhat dry manner/wit, which is part of the appeal for our oldest son, a teen. We've also had good experiences with Snow. I understand the mixed reviews of Jones, and have personally found his manner offputting in certain circumstances. That said, when it comes to his "aggressive" approach, while I agree with the characterization, I also second the PP who said he caught something very early b/c of it; that was the case with my daughter, as well. With as many docs as CMG staffs, there are bound to be hits and misses on the personality front (we didn't click with Pearl at all, and she's got a great reputation) but the care is always competent and our experience of the practice has always been professional.